Method and device for communication and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments relate to a method and device for communication, and a computer readable storage medium. In an exemplary method, a first terminal device allocates a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks based on a block temporal structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; an indication message is sent to the second device indicating that the first subset of blocks is allocated to the second device or the set of devices. In this way, power waste caused by the second device monitoring all blocks can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to methods, devices, and computer-readable storage media for communications. Background Art

[0002] In communication technologies such as ultra-wide band (UWB) technology, several different applications can be allocated in the same block-based frame structure, and different blocks can be allocated to different applications. It is necessary to improve the allocation efficiency and save power of the devices in communication. Summary of the invention

[0003] Generally speaking, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a scheme for communications.

[0004] In a first aspect, a method performed by a first device is provided. The method includes: at the first device, allocating a first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; and sending an indication message to the second device indicating that the first block subset is allocated to the second device or the group of devices. In this way, the second device or the group of devices can know the allocated block subset and avoid power waste caused by listening to all blocks.

[0005] In some embodiments of the present invention, the position of the first round in the first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of the second round in the second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, and the first round and the second round are assigned to the second device. In this way, interference caused by round hopping can be avoided, or communication can be easily achieved without round hopping.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first block subset and the second block subset are located in the first super block and the second super block, respectively, wherein each super block in the first super block and the second super block includes a plurality of blocks; and the position of the first block subset in the first super block is the same as the position of the second block subset in the second super block. In this way, the block subsets are fixedly allocated in the super block, which is relatively simple to implement.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends one or more of the following items to the second device in the first block in the first block subset: an index of the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset; or a round number in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset. In this way, the block subsets can be clearly allocated.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present invention, the indication message includes one or more of the following items: a superblock index field for indicating the index of the superblock where the second block is located; a relative block index field for indicating the relative index of the second block in the superblock; a round index field for indicating the index of the round in the second block; or a transmission offset field for indicating the transmission offset of the round in the second block. In this way, detailed information can be allocated to a subset of blocks.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends a notification message to the second device in the superblock. The notification message notifies the group of devices of a block allocation, and the block allocation indicates at least one block in the superblock allocated to the group of devices. Therefore, communication interruption can be avoided.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the announcement message includes: the address of the group of devices assigned to the block subset in the super block, the round number in the block in the block subset. Therefore, detailed allocation information can be broadcast to a group of devices to avoid communication interruption.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the notification message includes one or more of the following items: a block index field for indicating the index of the super block; a block description list length field for indicating the number of block descriptions in the block description list; or a block description list field for carrying a list of block description fields, each block description field carrying information of a block in the super block. In this way, detailed allocation information can be broadcast to a group of devices to avoid communication interruptions.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the block description field includes one or more of the following items: a control bitmap field for carrying bits indicating the presence or size of a field of the block description field; a block duration field for indicating the duration of the block in RSTU; a round number field for indicating the number of rounds in the block; or a block allocation list for indicating a list of block allocations. In this way, the blocks can be clearly shown to make the block allocation clear.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, the block allocation includes one or more of the following items: an address list field for indicating a list of addresses of the second device or the group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in the block; an address size field for indicating the size of the addresses in the address list; or an address list length field for indicating the number of addresses in the address list. In this way, the block can be clearly shown to make the block allocation clear.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends a polling message to the second device at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period. The polling message includes one or more of the following items: a superblock index field, used to indicate the index of the superblock where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the superblock; or a round number field, used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field. In this way, the polling message can be sent for synchronization.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device receives a response message from the second device, wherein the response message is used for synchronization between the first device and the second device. Therefore, synchronization between the first device and the second device can be achieved.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report to the second device, wherein the RPRT message also carries control information related to the second block. The RPRT message includes one or more of the following items: a super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super-block; a block index presence bit, used to indicate whether a super-block index field and a relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; a round number presence bit, used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the RPRT message; or a round number field, used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field. In this way, the report message can carry both measurement results and control information to improve efficiency.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device to update the short-term operating parameters. The PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following items: a control field exists, which is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; a block index exists bit, which is used to indicate whether there is a super block index field and a relative block index field in the PRM-RESP message; a round number exists bit, which is used to indicate whether there is a round number field in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter exists bitmap, which is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device; a super block index field, which is used to indicate the index of the super block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, which is used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super block; a round number field, which is used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or an operating parameter field, which is used to carry various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device. In this way, short-term parameters can be updated efficiently.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also receives a parameter request (PRM-REQ) message from the second device to request short-term operating parameters for the next ranging measurement period. The PRM-REQ message includes one or more of the following items: an operating parameter presence bitmap, used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device; or an operating parameter field, used to carry various operating parameters related to the session of the next measurement period that the second device is requesting from the first device. In this way, short-term parameters can be updated efficiently.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, the notification message includes one or more of the following items: an address field for broadcasting an address; a superblock index field for indicating the index of the current superblock; a block description list for carrying a list of block description fields, each block description field carrying information of a block in the superblock; or a block description list length field for indicating the number of block description fields in the block description list. In this way, communication interruption can be avoided.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present invention, the block allocation in the block description field includes one or more of the following items: an address list field for carrying a list of short addresses of the second device or the group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in the block; or an address list length field for indicating the number of short addresses in the short address list. In this way, devices can be allocated efficiently.

[0021] In some embodiments of the present invention, the indication message includes: a ranging round (RR) information element (IE) in signaling between the first device and the second device, including a ranging block index field for indicating the index of the second block or any future block. In this way, the second block can be allocated in the first block to improve the flexibility of block allocation.

[0022] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first device also sends a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device to notify the second block. The PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following items: a block index presence bit in the presence control field, used to indicate whether the PRM-RESP message carries a next block index field; or a next block index field, used to indicate the index of the second block. In this way, the next block can be flexibly allocated.

[0023] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method is performed for at least one or more of the following applications: ranging; sensing; or time difference of arrival (TDOA). In this way, the block-based structure can carry different applications, thereby increasing flexibility.

[0024] In a second aspect, a method performed by a second device is provided. The method includes: receiving, at the second device, an indication message from the first device indicating that a first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure is allocated to the second device or a group of devices including the second device; and participating in a session based on the allocated first block subset. In this way, the second device or the group of devices can know the allocated block subset and avoid power waste caused by listening to all blocks.

[0025] In some embodiments of the present invention, the position of the first round in the first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of the second round in the second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, and the first round and the second round are assigned to the second device. In this way, interference caused by round hopping can be avoided, or communication can be easily achieved without round hopping.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first block subset and the second block subset are located in the first super block and the second super block, respectively, wherein each super block in the first super block and the second super block includes a plurality of blocks; and the position of the first block subset in the first super block is the same as the position of the second block subset in the second super block. In this way, the block subsets are fixedly allocated in the super block, which is relatively simple to implement.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second device also receives one or more of the following items from the first device in the first block in the first block subset: an index of the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset, or a round number in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset. The second device calculates the position of the round allocated to the second device in the second block based on the round number in the second block. In this way, block and round allocation can be clearer and more efficient.

[0028] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second device also receives a notification message in a superblock from the first device, wherein the notification message notifies the group of devices of a block allocation. The block allocation indicates at least one block in the superblock allocated to the group of devices. In this way, communication interruption can be avoided.

[0029] In some embodiments of the present invention, the announcement message includes: the address of the group of devices assigned to the block subset in the super block, and the round number in the block in the block subset. In this way, in the announcement message, the allocation information can be clear, thereby making the broadcast more efficient.

[0030] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second device also receives a polling message from the first device at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period. The polling message includes one or more of the following items: a superblock index field, used to indicate the index of the superblock where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the superblock; or a round number field, used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field. In this way, synchronization can be achieved efficiently.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second device also receives a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report from the first device from the first device, wherein the RPRT message also carries control information related to the second block. The RPRT message includes one or more of the following items: a super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super-block; a block index presence bit, used to indicate whether a super-block index field and a relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; a round number presence bit, used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the RPRT message; or a round number field, used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field. In this way, control information can be efficiently carried in the report message.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second device also receives a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message from the first device to update the short-term operating parameters. The PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following items: a control field exists, which is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; a block index exists bit, which is used to indicate whether there is a super block index field and a relative block index field in the PRM-RESP message; a round number exists bit, which is used to indicate whether there is a round number field in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter exists bitmap, which is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device; a super block index field, which is used to indicate the index of the super block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, which is used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super block; a round number field, which is used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or an operating parameter field, which is used to carry various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device. In this way, short-term parameters can be updated efficiently.

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method is performed for one or more of the following applications: ranging; sensing; or time difference of arrival (TDOA). In this way, the block-based structure can carry different applications, thereby increasing flexibility.

[0034] In a third aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: a communication interface; at least one processor coupled to the communication interface; a memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions instructing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: assigning a first block subset in a block set of a block-based time structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; sending an indication message indicating that the block subset is assigned to the second device or the group of devices to the second device through the communication interface. In this way, the second device can avoid wasting power caused by listening to all blocks.

[0035] In a fourth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a communication interface; at least one processor coupled to the communication interface; a memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions instructing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving an indication message from the first device through the communication interface indicating that a first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure is allocated to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; participating in a session based on the allocated first block subset. In this way, the second device can avoid wasting power caused by listening to all blocks.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which instructions are stored. When the instructions are executed by one or more processors of a computing device, the computing device is caused to perform at least the method in the first aspect and the second aspect.

[0037] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present invention, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other features of the present invention will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Some exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 An example of a communication system is shown in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;

[0040] Figure 2 shows an example of a superblock structure in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;

[0041] Figure 3 shows an example of round hopping in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented;

[0042] Figure 4 shows examples of round selection scenarios that may be implemented according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 5 shows a message flow in a UWB session according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 6 An example of a process flow with block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0045] Fig. 7A shows an example of same block allocation in a superblock according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 7B shows an example of a block allocation IE according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0047] Fig. 8A An example of dynamic block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0048] Figure 8B shows examples of data frames according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 8C Examples of indication messages according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown;

[0050] Fig.9A shows an example of a superblock advertisement round according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0051] Fig. 9B shows examples of super-block structure information elements according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0052] Fig. 9C shows examples of content control according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0053] Fig.9D shows examples of block descriptions according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0054] Fig.9E shows examples of block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0055] Fig. 10A shows an example of signaling in MMS ranging according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0056] Fig. 10B An example of a 9-octet POLL message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0057] Fig. 10C Examples of RPRT messages according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown;

[0058] Fig. 10D shows an example of a PRM-RESP message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0059] Fig.10E shows an example of a PRM-REQ message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0060] Fig.10F shows examples of ADV-HBS messages according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 10G shows examples of block allocation lists according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0062] Fig.11A shows examples of block allocation for several applications according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0063] Fig. 11B shows examples of RR information elements according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0064] Fig. 11C shows an example of a PRM-RESP message for control signaling according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0065] Fig.12 An example of a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0066] Fig.13 An example of a method implemented at a second device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown;

[0067] Fig.14 shows a simplified block diagram of a communication device suitable for implementing some exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0068] Fig.15 Another simplified block diagram of a communications device suitable for implementing some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0069] In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The principle of the present invention is now described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only to illustrate and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present invention, without any limitation to the scope of the present invention. The disclosure described herein can be realized in various ways except the mode described below.

[0071] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0072] References to "one embodiment", "embodiment", "exemplary embodiment", etc. in the present invention indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. In addition, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in conjunction with an embodiment, it is considered that it is understood by those skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0073] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more listed items.

[0074] The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "said" used herein are also intended to include plural forms. It should also be understood that the terms "including", "having" and / or "comprising", when used herein, indicate the presence of the described features, elements and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0075] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as long-term evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), narrowband Internet of things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal device and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communication, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems, and the content of the present invention can be implemented through these communication technologies and systems. It should not be considered that the scope of the present invention is limited to the above-mentioned system.

[0076] As used herein, the term "network function (NF)" refers to functions in the 5G core network, including at least one of the following: network slice selection function (NSSF), network exposure function (NEF), network repository function (NRF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), application function (AF), network data analytics function (NWDAF), trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF), authentication server function (AUSF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF) and user plane function (UPF).

[0077] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device that can perform wireless communication. By way of example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS) or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (e.g., digital cameras), game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMD), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device" and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0078] Communication technologies such as ultra-wide band (UWB) technology are increasingly being used for indoor positioning and other location services, such as access control and asset location. In addition to dedicated devices and tags, UWB radios are becoming more common in high-end smartphones. The UWB physical (PHY) layer and media access control (MAC) layer are standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

[0079] In addition to traditional ranging scenarios, other scenarios such as non-device perception, time difference of arrival (TDOA), and long-distance ranging are being actively studied. In order to cope with long-distance ranging scenarios, multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging is introduced in communication technologies such as 802.15.4ab. The key idea behind MMS ranging is to distribute the UWB ranging frame into multiple fragments, which are transmitted in multiple milliseconds, thereby overcoming the transmission energy limit of 37nJ per ms. MMS ranging can be further enhanced by a high-performance narrowband (NB) radio, which is used to provide time synchronization for the UWB radio and is also used for control signaling. This is called NBA-MMS ranging. In NBA-MMS ranging, the number of fragments required for ranging depends on the range to be measured and the channel conditions, so it can be dynamically adjusted even in the same ranging session.

[0080] Figure 1 An example of a communication system is shown in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

[0081] In the communication system 100, the first device 110 may communicate with multiple other devices (eg, the second device 120, the third device 130). The communication may carry applications such as ranging, sensing, and time difference of arrival (TDOA).

[0082] The block-based ranging structure in communication standards such as 802.15.4z assumes a fixed block structure with round and slot durations that is determined in advance and remains essentially unchanged during a ranging session. Therefore, the 802.15.4z block structure is not suitable for NBA-MMS ranging scenarios. To overcome this limitation, the super-block structure was introduced in 802.15.4ab.

[0083] Figure 2 An example of a super-block structure is shown in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

[0084] In some embodiments, a superblock is a group of blocks with a periodic time structure. In 200, there are superblocks 210, 215, and 220. Each superblock consists of an integer number of blocks. Different blocks in a superblock may have different configurations in terms of block duration, round duration, and time slot duration, as well as the number of rounds per block and the number of time slots per round. Different blocks in superblock 215 may be used for different applications. For example, block 0 (225) is used for TDOA, block 1 (230) is used for ranging, and block 2 (235) is used for sensing. Different blocks may include different numbers of rounds. For example, block 0 (225) has 2 rounds (240, 245), block 1 (230) has 7 rounds, and block 2 (235) has 3 rounds. Alternatively, blocks 225, 230, and 235 can all be used for the same application, such as NBA-MMS, but different blocks are designed for different ranging purposes. For example, block 1 (230) is used for one-to-one ranging under good channel conditions, block 0 (225) is used for one-to-many ranging, block 2 (235) is used for one-to-one ranging under poor channel conditions, and so on.

[0085] Figure 3 An example of round hopping is shown in which some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented.

[0086] In some embodiments, in block-based ranging mode, a round-hopping mechanism is provided in communication technologies such as IEEE 802.15.4z as a strategy to help reduce interference. In 300, the controller may decide to "jump" to a different ranging round in the next ranging block. If the participating enhanced ranging devices (ERDEVs) including the first device 110 and the second device 120 are using ranging round m (330) in ranging block N (315), they will use ranging round k (335) in ranging block N+1 (320), where k≠m. Figure 3 As shown, participating ERDEVs may use the 1st ranging round (325) in ranging block N–1 (310). They may use the 2nd ranging round (330) in ranging block N (315) and the last ranging round (335) in ranging block N+1 (320). In ranging round 330, there are 340 equal ranging slots. Ranging may be achieved by estimating the transmission offset (350) between the first device 110 and the second device 120. In this way, interference in wireless communication between the first device 110 and other devices (e.g., 120) may be avoided. Round hopping may also be disabled to make communication system design and timing simpler.

[0087] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above round hopping scheme may be generalized and used in applications other than ranging, including in applications using a super-block time structure (eg, sensing, TDOA), and the like.

[0088] In communication systems such as IEEE 802.15.4z, it is assumed that each device will be assigned a round in each block. The criteria for determining when to jump to different relative ranging rounds is not defined in IEEE 802.15.4z and is assumed to be the next higher layer function or protocol. It is assumed that the devices participating in the ranging exchange have either (a) pre-negotiated a hopping sequence that is known to all devices, or (b) have exchanged all necessary information so that each device can generate a hopping sequence so that they know which ranging round to use in each ranging block if a jump is triggered. For example, for the i-th block with The kth session of the round, the round jump function uses Generate round index for block i. It can be seen that is a constant value. Alternatively, assume that the number of rounds in a block is the same for each block.

[0089] Figure 4 Examples of round selection scenarios that may be implemented according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0090] In some embodiments, as described above, in communication technologies such as IEEE 802.15.4z, it can be assumed that a round will be allocated to each device in each block. If round hopping is enabled in an application that does not allocate rounds to devices in each block (such as in a car digital key scenario using a super block time structure), and if a jump sequence function is used, which uses a fixed number of rounds per block, such as Round skipping may result in Figure 4 Round selection scenario shown. In 400, there are superblocks 410, 415, and 420. In superblock 410, there are 3 blocks 425, 430, and 435. In each block, a round is selected, and in some blocks, only a subset of the available rounds may be selected, resulting in inefficient use of blocks. For example, in the second block of each superblock, even if there are 7 rounds in the block, only the first 3 rounds are selected because For modular operations in round selection functions. For example, rounds 440, 445, and 450 are selected in blocks 425, 430, and 435, respectively.

[0091] In some embodiments, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As described above, there may be some features in the super block time structure. (1) The number of rounds in the current block (i) may be different from the number of rounds in the next block (i+1). (2) The time slot duration and / or the number of time slots per round in the current block (i) may be different from the time slot duration and / or the number of time slots per round in the next block (i+1). For NBA-MMS, this can be simplified to the round duration. (3) The allowed applications in the current block (i) may be different from the allowed applications in the next block (i+1).

[0092] This may lead to a scenario where, if any jump sequence function is used in an application that does not allocate a turn for the second device 120 in each block (e.g., in an application that uses a super-block time structure), the turn selected by the turn jump scheme in a block may not be suitable for the second device 120. For example, Figure 4 Any round in block 1 in may not be suitable for the second device 120 due to insufficient round duration, or block 2 may be reserved for different applications. This may cause the controller or the first device 110 to not allocate rounds to the device in the block. This may be true for any application that does not allocate rounds to the device in each block, regardless of whether round jumping is used. However, the second device 120 may not know that it is not allocated rounds in some blocks, and will still check each block to see if it is allocated rounds in the block, resulting in power waste of the second device 120. In addition, if a smaller value is selected for the number of rounds for each block, such as 3, only a subset of the rounds may be selected in some blocks with more than 3 rounds. This results in a waste of resources for short blocks.

[0093] The present invention is applicable to any communication technology, such as UWB applications that use a block-based timing structure (which may not allocate a turn to a device in every block), such as applications that use a super-block timing structure.

[0094] The following terms are used in the present invention.

[0095] Controller: a device that controls a communication session such as a UWB session and defines session parameters, such as the first device 110 .

[0096] Controlled party: a device that participates in a communication session such as a UWB session using session parameters received from a controller, such as the second device 120 .

[0097] Initiator: A device that follows the instructions of the controller and initiates a communication exchange such as UWB exchange by sending the first message of the exchange. Both the controller and the controlled party can be initiators.

[0098] Responder: A device that responds to a first message received from an initiator and participates in a communication exchange (eg, a UWB exchange).

[0099] Network: A group of two or more devices participating in a communication session (e.g., a UWB session), e.g. Figure 1 Devices 120 and 130 in.

[0100] Allocated Block: For a device or a network, an allocated block is a block that the device or its network is allocated for at least one turn of sending or receiving.

[0101] Superblock announcement round: A round that occurs at least once in each superblock and is used to announce one or more allocated blocks in that superblock for the device or group of devices forming the network.

[0102] Figure 5 Message flows in a UWB session according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0103] In some embodiments, the UWB session 500 begins with the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) and the second device 220 (e.g., the controlled party) performing session establishment 510. During the session establishment 510, long-term session parameters such as the UWB channel number, preamble, block structure, etc. are negotiated. The block structure includes the number of blocks and the block duration. For NBA-MMS ranging, narrowband-related parameters such as the NB channel number, the default number of MMS fragments, etc. can also be negotiated during the session establishment 510. Additionally, the initiator 515 and responder 520 roles are assigned during the session establishment. Figure 5 It is shown that the controller assumes the role of the initiator and the controlled party is assigned the role of the responder, however, it is also possible that the controlled party is assigned the role of the initiator when the controller assumes the role of the responder. It is also possible that different controlled parties can play the roles of the initiator and the responder, respectively, during the session establishment 510. Long-term parameters are not expected to change during the session 500. In contrast, parameters related to the measurement period, such as the round or slot duration, the number of MMS fragments, the reporting mode, etc. can be considered short-term parameters and can be modified during the session 500. The session establishment 510 can be performed out-of-band, such as using a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radio, or it can also be performed in-band, such as using a narrowband or UWB radio.

[0104] When the actual UWB measurement, such as ranging or sensing, is to be performed, the initiator 515 sends (530) a measurement initialization message 525 to the responder 520 to notify the start time at which the measurement period is about to begin. For the NBA-MMS case, a start of ranging (SOR) message may be used as the measurement initialization message 525. At the indicated start time 545, the initiator 515 and the responder 520 exchange (540, 560) time synchronization messages, such as POLL or response (RESP) messages, to synchronize their clocks with each other. The exchange of time synchronization messages 535, 555 is followed by the exchange (570, 580) of measurement messages 565, 575. For example, for ranging, this may be a ranging data packet or frame (RFRAME). Alternatively, if NBA-MMS is used, this may be a ranging sequence fragment (RSF) and a ranging integrity fragment (RIF). Finally, the measurement cycle is terminated by the exchange of measurement reports 585, 595 (590, 597), such as report (RPRT) messages. When a block-based timing structure is used, a measurement cycle is completed in one round, e.g. Figure 3 The distance measuring wheel 330 is completed.

[0105] Figure 6 An example of a process flow with block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0106] In the process flow 600, the first device 110 allocates (610) a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks based on a time structure of blocks to a second device 120 or a group of devices including the second device 120. The first device 110 sends (615) an indication message 620 to the second device 120 indicating that the subset of blocks is allocated to the second device 120 or the group of devices. After receiving (615) the indication message 620, the second device 120 participates (625) in a session based on the allocated first subset of blocks. In this way, the second device 120 can obtain an indication of which blocks are allocated to it and avoid listening to all blocks, thereby avoiding power waste. In order to participate (625) in a session in an allocated block, the device may also need to calculate an index of an allocation round in the block, for example when round hopping is enabled in the block.

[0107] In some embodiments, the position of the first round in the first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of the second round in the second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, and the first round and the second round are assigned to the second device 120. The position can be indicated by a wheel index. In detail, in some embodiments, an indication message can be sent in a block set to indicate the first block subset in the block set. The second block subset is located in the next block set. The position of the first round in the first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of the second round in the second block in the first block subset or the next block subset. In some other embodiments, an indication message can be sent in a previous block set to indicate the first block subset in the block set. The second block subset is located in the next block set. The position of the first round in the first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of the second round in the second block in the first block subset or the next block subset.

[0108] Fig. 7A Examples of same block allocation in a superblock according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0109] In 700, the blocks in superblock K-1 (710) are a set of blocks, and block n (725) is the first subset of blocks. The blocks in superblock K (715) are the next set of blocks, and block n+3 (735) is the second subset of blocks. Figure 5 The start time in the measurement initialization message 525 indicates block n (725) in superblock K-1 (710). The position of round 0 (730) in block n (725) is different from the position of round 1 (740) in block n+3 (735).

[0110] In some embodiments, in order to avoid any ambiguity of the device, in a session, the second device 120 or the group of devices including the second device 120 (e.g., forming a network) is always allocated a turn in the same block subset within the set of blocks in the super block. In some embodiments, the block subset may include one block. For the second device 120 or the group of devices, the block to which the second device 120 or the group of devices is allocated for at least one round of sending or receiving is called an allocated block. The first device 110 (e.g., a controller) may allocate a block subset to a device or network based on various factors, such as, but not limited to, the required number of time slots or duration, or an application type such as TDOA, ranging, or sensing. These factors may also include measurement frequency requirements, such as the frequency at which measurements need to be performed, etc. Fig. 7ASuch block allocation is shown in . The second block in the set of blocks in each super block is allocated to devices participating in one-to-one ranging, including a first device 110 (e.g., an initiator) and a second device 120 (e.g., a responder). In block allocation 700, blocks 725, 735, and 745 are in the same position in super blocks 710, 715, and 720, respectively. Fixed block allocation can make communication easier and more efficient. In blocks 725, 735, and 745, the positions of rounds 730, 740, and 750 are different to avoid interference with round hopping. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that round hopping can also be disabled.

[0111] In some embodiments, it is assumed that the superblock structure already exists before the device joins the session, for example when the second device 120 (e.g., the responder) joins the existing ranging network (RAN). Otherwise, the block and superblock index will be Figure 5 The measurement starts at 0 in the superblock referenced by the start time in the measurement initialization message 525.

[0112] In some embodiments, the allocation block may be sent to the device using implicit signaling or explicit signaling. When implicit signaling is used, the 802.154ab specification requires that the block to which the device is initially allocated time slots is also its allocation block in future super blocks. For example, in the first round indicated by the start time in the measurement initialization message 525, the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) may send a ranging device management information element (RDM IE) defined in IEEE 802.15.4z to allocate at least one time slot to the second device 120 in the round. The block in which the first allocation round is located is considered an allocation block, e.g. Fig. 7A 725). Thereafter, it is assumed that the second device 120 will be allocated a turn in the block (at the same relative position as in the subsequent superblocks 715 and 720). Alternatively, explicit signaling may be used, wherein, for example during session establishment 510, the first device 110 (e.g., a controller) notifies the group of devices of the relative index (RI) of one or more allocated blocks of the group of devices within the superblock. The devices save the relative index (RI) of one or more allocated blocks within the superblock, e.g. Fig. 7A RI=1. The relative index (RI) of one or more allocated blocks within a superblock is maintained as a long-term running parameter. Alternatively, the block allocation remains unchanged throughout the session or until updated by the controller. Figure 7B The block assignment IE (BA IE) shown in FIG. 1 may be used for explicit signaling.

[0113] In some embodiments, in the BA IE 760, the relative block index number field indicates the number of relative block indexes present in the relative block index list. The relative block index list includes one or more relative block indexes of at least one block allocated to the second device 120. Upon receiving the block structure, or during session establishment 510, or in the first allocation block, the device also saves the round number in the one or more blocks. For round jump function. In this way, the first device 110 can efficiently notify the second device 120 or the group of devices of block allocation.

[0114] Since the number of rounds in the blocks of a hyperblock may be different, the function used to generate the jump sequence needs to take into account the fact that the number of rounds in different blocks may be different. For example, for the i-th block with The kth session of the round, the round jump function uses To generate the round index for the i-th block.

[0115] The key difference between the above function and the previous implementation is that the Rather than because reflects the actual number of rounds in the i-th block, so the round selected by either of the two jump sequence functions will not be restricted to a subset of the available rounds. Fig. 7A , assuming that round jumping is enabled in both the first device 110 (e.g., initiator) and the second device 120 (e.g., responder), the jump sequence function results in selecting round 0 (730) in the 2nd block (725) in super block K–1 (710), round 1 (740) in the 2nd block (735) in super block K (715), and round 6 (750) in the 2nd block (745) in super block K+1 (720).

[0116] Alternatively, the original jump sequence function in the prior art can be used with Here, M is the number of blocks in the superblock, for example, Fig. 7A In the example above, M = 3, using the above expression, will be equal to 7, the maximum number of rounds in a block, e.g. the number of rounds in the second block.

[0117] Since the allocated block subset or allocated blocks in the set of blocks in the super block are known in advance to the devices including the initiator and responder, they only need to participate in the allocated rounds in the allocated blocks. When round hopping is used, the device can also correctly determine the allocated rounds in the allocated blocks. In addition, the device can skip the unallocated blocks, or it does not need to participate in the blocks that are not allocated any rounds, thereby saving power. Reference Fig. 7A , the device only participates in block 2 of each super block and can skip blocks 1 and 3 of each super block.

[0118] Fig. 8A Examples of dynamic block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0119] In 800, the blocks in super block K (815) are a set of blocks, and block n+2 (835) is the first block subset. The blocks in super block K+1 (820) are the next set of blocks, and block n+7 (845) is the second block subset. The indication message sent in block n (825) indicates block n+2 (835). The position of round 1 (840) in block n+2 (835) is different from the position of round 2 (850) in block n+7 (845).

[0120] The mechanism described in the embodiment with fixed block allocation effectively solves the problem of power waste in the second device 120. However, the embodiment with fixed block allocation suffers from a rigid structure, wherein the same subset of blocks is allocated to the group of devices or the second device 120 in each super-block, and the first device 110 (e.g., a controller) cannot dynamically allocate blocks to devices based on circumstances (e.g., changes in MMS fragments due to changes in channel conditions, etc.). This disadvantage in fixed block allocation can be overcome if, in the first round and each subsequent allocation round, the first device 110 (e.g., a controller) notifies the group of devices or the second device 120 of the next allocation block and the round number in the allocation block. The controller can dynamically allocate any block in the super-block to the second device 120 or the group of devices based on factors such as, but not limited to, changes in the number of required time slots or duration. For example, due to changes in the number of MMS fragments, or changes in measurement frequency requirements, etc. This is as Fig. 8A shown.

[0121] The block in which the first allocation round (e.g., the round indicated by the start time in the measurement initialization message 525) is located is considered to be the first allocation block, or round 0 (830) in block n (825). In other communications, in round 0 (830), the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) sends an indication message to inform all participating devices in round 0 that the device's next allocation block is block n+2 (835), or the first block in super block K (815), and the number of rounds in block n+2 is 2. Assuming that round hopping is enabled in the device, the hopping sequence function causes round 1 (840) to be selected in block n+2 (835), and the device will be ready for communication at the beginning of round 1 (840) in block n+2 (825). Similarly, in this round, the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) sends an indication message to inform all participating devices that the next allocated block of the device is the 3rd block in block n+7 (845) or super block K+1 (820), and the round number in block n+7 (845) is 3. Since round jump is enabled in the device, the jump sequence function causes round 2 (850) to be selected in block n+7 (845).

[0122] Since the next allocated block within the superblock is known in advance to the devices including the initiator and responder, they only need to participate in the allocated rounds in the allocated block. When round hopping is used, the device can also correctly determine the allocated rounds in the allocated block. In addition, the device can skip the unallocated blocks, or it does not need to participate in the blocks that are not allocated any rounds, thereby saving power. Reference Fig. 8A ,The device only participates in one of the blocks of each super block, and can skip the other two blocks of each super block.,In this way, the indication message can be sent in the current block to indicate the next block allocation,and the block allocation is dynamic and flexible to application allocation,and can match the dynamic channel conditions.

[0123] While the described mechanism allows the first device 110 (eg, a controller) to allocate blocks very flexibly, even allowing entire superblocks to be skipped, there are rules in the 802.15.4ab specification such that the controller allocates at least one block in each superblock to a device.

[0124] Figure 8B Examples of data frames according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0125] In some embodiments, the controller may send an enhanced ranging round information element (ERR IE) to the device to notify the next allocated block and the number of rounds in the block. The ERRIE may be a nested IE within a payload IE in a ranging control message (RCM), where RCM is a data frame, such as Figure 8B ERR IE and other indication messages are as follows Figure 8C As shown in Figure 2, since blocks in a superblock may have different durations, it is more efficient to compute the start time of the next allocated block based on the superblock index and the relative block index rather than computing the start time based on the absolute index of the block.

[0126] In some embodiments, in the ERR IE 870, the superblock index field specifies the index of the superblock where the next allocated block is located. The relative block index field specifies the relative index of the next allocated block in the superblock, where the first block is indicated by a relative index of 0. The jump mode field specifies the jump mode of the next allocated block, where 0 indicates no jump and 1 indicates jump. The round index field specifies the round index of the next allocated ranging block when round jumping is not enabled. The transmission offset field specifies the transmission offset value of the round in the next allocation block, in ranging scheduling time units (RSTU). The round number field specifies the number of rounds in the next allocation block and is present when the jump mode field indicates jumping, for example, set to 1. In this way, the ERR IE is sent to clearly indicate the specific block and round allocation in the next superblock.

[0127] Upon receiving the ERR IE, if the Jump Mode field indicates that round jump is enabled, the second device 120 or the group of devices uses the Jump Sequence function and the round number to calculate the allocation round in the next allocation block. The device can also calculate the absolute block index (Block Index, B_I) calculation, which is:

[0128] B_I=H_B_I*N_Blocks+R_B_I

[0129] Here, H_B_I is the index of the current superblock, N_Blocks is the number of blocks in the superblock, and R_B_I is the value indicated in the Relative Block Index field. Assume that the superblock index starts at 0. If the block index starts at 1:

[0130] B_I=(H_B_I–1)*N_Blocks+R_B_I

[0131] For example, when channel hopping is enabled for NB, the absolute block index (B_I) may be used to calculate the NB channel used in the block. Assuming that the second device 120 or the group of devices knows the super block structure and the number of rounds in each block of the super block, even if the number of rounds in the allocation block is not provided, for example, by setting the round number field to zero, based on the relative block index field, when hopping is enabled, the device can still correctly calculate the allocation rounds in the allocation block. The ERR IE may be included in any message sent by the initiator 515 to the responder 520 in the current round, such as in an RCM or in a measurement report 590.

[0132] Fig.9A An example of a superblock advertisement round according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0133] In the case where the second device 120 cannot receive a message notifying the next allocation block through the ERR IE from the first device 110 (e.g., the controller), for example, due to an interference event, the second device 120 will not know its next allocation block. In order to help the second device 120 and other devices recover from this situation, the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) can require the receiving device to send a frame such as an acknowledgement (ACK) frame to confirm the reception of the indication message such as the ERR IE notifying the next allocation block. If the controller does not receive the confirmation, the controller can send a message notifying the next allocation block in each subsequent block (e.g., in the first round) until the message is confirmed by the device. However, this method may not be very efficient. An alternative mechanism is proposed to overcome this inefficiency: the controller allocates at least one hyperblock advertisement (HBA) round in each super block to notify the allocation block of each participating device or the group of devices (e.g., devices in the ranging area network). The round can be fixed to the first round of the first block in each super block, or it can be a negotiation round in a certain block in each super block. Negotiation can be in session establishment 510 and can be done, for example, using Figure 7B The HBA relative round index field and the relative block index field in the BA IE in the superblock IE indicate that the relative index of the HBA round and the block in which the HBA round is located within the superblock. In each superblock announcement round in rounds 930, 940, and 950, the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) sends a broadcast message to announce the block subset allocation of the set of devices participating in the superblock, as well as the number of rounds in each block in the superblock. This is in Fig.9A , where the first round in the first block of each superblock is fixed as the superblock announcement round. Any device that fails to receive the message announcing the next allocated block can wait for the broadcast message to determine its next allocated block. In this way, the indication information of block allocation can be reliably sent.

[0134] Fig. 9B Examples of super-block structure information elements according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0135] For example, in the RCM, the block allocations of the device 120 or group of devices participating in the superblock are announced using a hyper block structure information element (HBS IE) 960. The super block index field specifies the index of the super block.

[0136] Fig. 9CThe Content Control field 965 in the Block Duration field indicates the units of the Block Duration field and whether the Round Duration field and the Slot Duration field are present in the Block Description field. The Block Duration Units field indicates the size and units used for the Block Duration field, as listed in the following table.

[0137] Block Duration Units field value describe 00 The size of the Block Duration field is 1 octet, and the unit of the Block Duration field is the number of rounds. 01 The size of the Block Duration field is 2 octets and the unit of the Block Duration field is the number of time slots. 10 The size of the Block Duration field is 3 octets. The unit of the Block Duration field is RSTU. 11 Reserve

[0138] The round duration presence bit indicates whether the round duration field exists, 0 indicates absence, and 1 indicates presence.

[0139] The slot duration presence bit indicates whether the slot duration field exists, 0 indicates absence, and 1 indicates presence.

[0140] The Block Description List Length specifies the number of block descriptions in the Block Description List field. The Block Description List carries Fig.9D The block description field list is shown in Figure 1. Each block description field carries information about a block in the super block. The position of the block description field in the block description list determines the position of the corresponding block in the super block. In this way, the HBS IE can be reliably broadcast to all devices to avoid communication interruptions due to interference or channel changes.

[0141] Fig.9D Examples of block descriptions according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0142] In block description 970, the block index field specifies the index of the current block within the superblock. The block duration field specifies the duration of the block in units specified by the block duration unit field. The round duration field specifies the duration of the round in time slots, i.e., the number of time slots in a round. The slot duration field specifies the duration of a time slot in RSTU. The number of rounds in a block can be calculated as The Block Allocation List Length field specifies the number of block allocation fields in the Block Allocation List field. Fig.9E A list of block allocations (zero or more) is shown. Each block allocation carries a list of the addresses of the networks or devices that are allocated in the block. In this way, the detailed parameters of the allocated block can be reliably sent to the group of devices, avoiding communication interruptions due to interference or channel changes, etc.

[0143] Fig.9E Examples of block allocation according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0144] The address size field specifies the size of the addresses used in the address list, 0 for short addresses (e.g., 2 octets) and 1 for extended addresses (e.g., 8 octets). The address list length field specifies the number of addresses in the address list. The address list field carries a list of addresses of the second device 120 or the group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in a block. For a group of devices or a network, short addresses are used.

[0145] When receiving the HBS IE in the superblock announcement round, if the second device 120 finds its device address or the address of the network it belongs to in the HBS IE, it will know the block allocated to it and the round number in the block. Based on this information, if round hopping is enabled, the second device 120 can also calculate its allocated round in the block.

[0146] Fig. 10A An example of signaling in MMS ranging according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0147] Fig. 10A The implementation in continues Fig. 8A The same dynamic block allocation mechanism as in the embodiment and Fig.9A In some embodiments, Fig. 10A Applicable to MMS ranging applications using super block time structure. MMS control frames can be sent using UWB or NB. The overall signaling is as follows Fig. 10A As shown. After the session establishment 510 is completed through out of band (OOB) or NB, for example in the second round in the second block 1025 of super block K-1 (1010), the first device 110 (e.g., the controller) notifies the devices participating in the MMS ranging of the start time (or time offset). The initiator starts the MMS ranging measurement cycle by sending a POLL message 1027 at the indicated start time, and the responder responds with an RESP message 1029. The main purpose of the exchange of POLL message 1027 and RESP message 1029 is to achieve time synchronization between the initiator and the responder. The devices then continue to exchange UWB ranging packets, followed by RPRT messages 1033, 1035 carrying ranging reports. Optionally, the RPRT messages 1033, 1035 are followed by a PRM-RESP message 1037 from the initiator to update any short-term operating parameters, and a PRM-REQ message 1039 from the responder to request any short-term operating parameters.

[0148] The initiator may also include information about the next allocated block and the round number in that block in any message it sends, e.g., POLL, RPRT, or PRM-RESP. In rounds designated as superblock announcement rounds, such as the first round in the first block of each superblock, the initiator may also send an ADV-HBS message to announce the block allocations for the group of devices or device network participating in the superblock. Any device that fails to receive a message announcing the next allocated block may wait for an ADV-HBS message to determine its next allocated block. The various types of NBA-MMS messages that may be used to carry allocated block information are listed in the following table.

[0149]

[0150] The initiator may use a 9 octet long POLL message to inform the responder of its next allocated block. Fig. 10B The format of the 9-octet POLL message is shown in FIG. 1060. In the POLL message 1060, information about the next allocation block is carried in the piggybacked information content field. The superblock index field specifies the index of the superblock in which the next allocation block is located. The relative block index field specifies the relative index of the next allocation block in the superblock, where the first block = 0. The round number field specifies the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

[0151] Fig. 10C 1 shows an example of an RPRT message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In detail, when used to carry information related to the next allocation block, the format of the RPRT message is as follows: Fig. 10C shown.

[0152] In some embodiments, in the RPRT message 1065, the block index presence bit in the report control field indicates whether the super block index field and the relative block index field are present in the RPRT message, where 0 indicates absence and 1 indicates presence. The round number presence bit indicates whether the round number field is present in the RPRT message, where 0 indicates absence and 1 indicates presence. The super block index field specifies the index of the super block where the next allocated block is located. The relative block index field specifies the relative index of the next allocated block in the super block, where the first block = 0. The round number field specifies the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field. In this way, the ranging report can be sent with detailed information.

[0153] Fig. 10D 1 shows an example of a PRM-RESP message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In detail, when used to carry information related to the next allocation block, the format of the PRM-RESP message is as follows: Fig. 10D shown.

[0154] In some embodiments, the presence control field carries bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields. The block index presence bit indicates whether the super block index field and the relative block index field are present in the PRM-RESP message, where 0 indicates absence and 1 indicates presence. The round number presence bit indicates whether the round number field is present in the PRM-RESP message, where 0 indicates absence and 1 indicates presence. The operating parameter presence bitmap carries bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session. The super block index field specifies the index of the super block where the next allocated block is located. The relative block index field specifies the relative index of the next allocated block in the super block, where the first block = 0. The round number field specifies the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field. The operating parameter field carries various operating parameters related to the session. In this way, short-term operating parameters can be updated to match the changing channel conditions in the session.

[0155] Fig.10E An example of a PRM-REQ message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. In detail, the responder may use the PRM-REQ message to request short-term operating parameters for the next ranging measurement cycle. The format of the PRM-REQ message is as follows: Fig.10E shown.

[0156] The Operation Parameters Presence Bitmap carries bits indicating the presence or absence of various operation parameters associated with the session. The Operation Parameters field carries various operation parameters associated with the session for the next measurement cycle that the responder is requesting from the initiator. Fig. 10D , Fig.10E and Fig.10F Not shown, but the POLL, RPRT or PRM-RESP message may also include Figure 8C The Jump Mode bit, Round Index field and Timing Offset field shown, or the ERR IE with the same meaning. In this way, short-term operating parameters can be updated to match the changing channel conditions in the session.

[0157] Fig.10F An example of an ADV-HBS message according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. In detail, Fig.10F The ADV-HBS message shown is used to announce superblock related information, such as block duration, block allocation for the set of devices or device network participating in the superblock.

[0158] In some embodiments, the address field is set to the broadcast address, which can be 0xFFFF. The broadcast address can also be any other value. The superblock index field indicates the index of the current superblock. Fig. 9CThe same content control field as shown in 965 indicates the unit of the block duration field and whether the round duration field and the slot duration field are present in the block description field. The block description list length specifies the number of block descriptions in the block description list field.

[0159] In some embodiments, the block description list carries the following information: Fig.9D The block description field list is shown in Figure 1. Each block description field carries information about a block in the super block. The position of the block description field in the block description list field determines the position of the corresponding block in the super block. The format and content of the block description field are similar to Fig. 8A The same as described in the embodiment of , except that the block allocation list carries a list with zero or more block allocations, such as Figure 10G As shown. Each block allocation carries a list of short addresses of the networks or devices to which the block is allocated. In this way, superblock related information can be broadcast to the group of devices to avoid communication interruptions. If a device finds its own address or the address of the network it belongs to in the address list field of block allocation 1085, it can determine that the block indicated by the block description field is the block allocated to it.

[0160] Figure 10G Examples of block allocation lists according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0161] In some embodiments, in the block allocation list 1085, the address list length field specifies the number of short addresses in the address list. The address list field carries a list of short addresses of networks or devices that are allocated one or more rounds in the block. For networks, short addresses are used. In this way, detailed block allocation information can be reliably broadcast to avoid interruptions.

[0162] When an ADV-HBS message is received in a superblock announcement round, if the device finds its device address or the address of the network it belongs to in the block allocation field, it will know the index of the block allocated to it and the round number in the block. Based on this information, the device can also calculate its allocated round in the block if round hopping is enabled.

[0163] Fig.11A Examples of block allocation for several applications according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0164] In 1100, two adjacent blocks form a set of blocks, for example, block 2 (1120) and block 3 (1125) are a set of blocks, and block 2 (1120) is a first block subset. Block 4 (1130) and its next block are a next set of blocks, and block 4 (1130) is a second block subset. The indication message sent in block 0 (1110) indicates block 2 (1120). The position of round 1 (1140) in block 2 (1120) is different from the position of round n (1145) in block 4 (1130).

[0165] exist Fig. 7A , Fig. 8A , Fig.9A and Fig. 10A In some of the embodiments shown, it is assumed that when the controller wants to use a block-based timing structure for different applications, a super-block timing structure is used. However, it is also possible that in simple cases with a small number of applications, the controller may choose to use a simpler fixed-block-based timing structure defined in IEEE 802.15.z. Fig.11A An exemplary scenario is shown, where the controller reserves spare blocks for two different applications (eg, ranging and detection).

[0166] refer to Fig.11A After completing the session establishment with the ranging devices, the controller notifies them of the start time of the first allocation round, for example, round 0 (1135) in the first block or block 0 (1110) reserved for ranging. In the first allocation round and each subsequent allocation round, the controller notifies the devices of the next allocation block, for example, in block 0 (1110), the next allocation block is block 2 (1120) with round 1 (1140), and the next allocation block is block 4 (1130) with round n (1145). Block 1 (1115) and block 3 (1125) are allocated to sensing.

[0167] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that for different applications, these blocks may not be allocated alternately but in any order. For example, ranging is allocated to block 0, block 1, and block 3, and sensing is allocated to block 2 and block 4.

[0168] Fig. 11B Examples of RR information elements according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown.

[0169] When using the traditional 802.15.4 frame format, the controller can use the IEEE 802.15.4z defined Fig. 11BThe RR IE shown is used to indicate the next allocation block. RR IE 1160 can be included in the RCM as a second RR IE, or included in the last scheduled DL message from the controller in the current round. In IEEE 802.15.4z, the ranging block index field can only indicate the index of the current block or the next block, but when used to indicate the next allocation block described here, it can be set to the index of any future block. The meaning of the remaining fields is the same as in IEEE 802.15.4z, all referring to the next allocation block indicated by the ranging block index. Upon receiving RR IE 1160, if round hopping is enabled, the second device 120 can calculate its allocation round in the next allocation block.

[0170] Fig. 11C An example of a PRM-RESP message used for MMS ranging control signaling according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0171] The controller can use Fig. 10A Any POLL, RPRT or PRM-RESP message described in the embodiments of the present invention is used to notify the next allocation block. As an example, Fig. 11C The PRM-RESP message is shown when used for this purpose.

[0172] In some embodiments, the presence of a block index presence bit in the presence control field indicates whether the message carries a next block index field. The next block index field specifies the index of the next allocated block. In this way, blocks can be allocated to only a few different applications.

[0173] Fig.12 An example of a method 1200 implemented at a first device 110 according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. At block 1210, the first device 110 allocates a first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device. At block 1220, the first device 110 sends an indication message to the second device indicating that the first block subset is allocated to the second device or the group of devices.

[0174] In some embodiments, the position of a first round in a first block in a first block subset is the same as or different from the position of a second round in a second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, and the first round and the second round are assigned to the second device.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first block subset and the second block subset are located in a first superblock and a second superblock, respectively, wherein each superblock in the first superblock and the second superblock includes a plurality of blocks. The location of the first block subset in the first superblock is the same as the location of the second block subset in the second superblock.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first device 110 also sends one or more of the following items to the second device 120 in the first block in the first block subset: an index of the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset; or a round number in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset.

[0177] In some embodiments, the indication message includes one or more of the following items: a super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block in which the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super-block; a round index field, used to indicate the index of the round in the second block; or a transmission offset field, used to indicate the transmission offset of the round in the second block.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first device 110 also sends an announce message in the superblock to the second device 120. The announce message announces a block allocation to the group of devices, the block allocation indicating at least one block in the superblock allocated to the group of devices.

[0179] In some embodiments, the announcement message includes: the address of the group of devices assigned to the subset of blocks in the superblock, and the round number in the blocks in the subset of blocks.

[0180] In some embodiments, the notification message includes one or more of the following items: a block index field, used to indicate the index of the super block; a block description list length field, used to indicate the number of block descriptions in the block description list; or a block description list field, used to carry a list of block description fields, each block description field carrying information of a block in the super block.

[0181] In some embodiments, the block description field includes one or more of the following: a control bitmap field for carrying bits indicating the presence or size of a field of the block description field; a block duration field for indicating the duration of the block in RSTUs; a round number field for indicating the number of rounds in the block; or a block allocation list for indicating a list of block allocations.

[0182] In some embodiments, the block allocation includes one or more of the following items: an address list field for indicating a list of addresses of a second device or group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in the block; an address size field for indicating the size of the addresses in the address list; or an address list length field for indicating the number of addresses in the address list.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first device 110 also sends a polling message to the second device 120 at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period. The polling message includes one or more of the following items: a superblock index field, used to indicate the index of the superblock where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the superblock; or a round number field, used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first device 110 further sends a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report to the second device 120. The RPRT message further carries control information related to the second block, and the RPRT message includes one or more of the following items: a super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super-block; a block index existence bit, used to indicate whether a super-block index field and a relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; a round number existence bit, used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the RPRT message; or a round number field, used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first device 110 also sends a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device 120 to update the short-term operating parameters, wherein the PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following: a control field exists, used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; a block index exists bit, used to indicate whether a super block index field and a relative block index field exist in the PRM-RESP message; a round number exists bit, used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter exists bitmap, used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device; a super block index field, used to indicate the index of the super block where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super block; a round number field, used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or an operating parameter field, used to carry various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the announcement message includes one or more of the following items: an address field for broadcasting an address; a super-block index field for indicating an index of a current super-block; a block description list for carrying a list of block description fields, each block description field carrying information of a block in a super-block; or a block description list length field for indicating the number of block description fields in the block description list.

[0187] In some embodiments, the block allocation in the block description field includes one or more of the following items: an address list field for carrying a list of short addresses of a second device or group of devices that are assigned one or more rounds in the block; or an address list length field for indicating the number of short addresses in the short address list.

[0188] In some embodiments, the indication message includes: a ranging round (RR) information element (IE) in signaling between the first device and the second device, including a ranging block index field for indicating an index of the second block or any future blocks.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first device 110 further sends a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device 120 to notify the second block. The PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following items: a block index presence bit in the presence control field, used to indicate whether the PRM-RESP message carries a next block index field; or a next block index field, used to indicate an index of the second block.

[0190] In some embodiments, the method is performed for one or more of the following applications: ranging; sensing; or time difference of arrival (TDOA).

[0191] Fig.13 An example of a method 1300 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0192] At block 1310 , the second device 120 receives an indication message from the first device 110 indicating that a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks based on a block-based temporal structure is allocated to the second device 120 or a group of devices including the second device 120 .

[0193] At block 1320 , the second device 120 participates in the session based on the allocated first tile subset.

[0194] In some embodiments, the position of a first round in a first block in a first block subset is the same as or different from the position of a second round in a second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, and the first round and the second round are assigned to the second device 120 .

[0195] In some embodiments, the first block subset and the second block subset are located in a first superblock and a second superblock, respectively, wherein each superblock in the first superblock and the second superblock includes a plurality of blocks. The location of the first block subset in the first superblock is the same as the location of the second block subset in the second superblock.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second device 120 also receives one or more of the following items from the first device 110 in the first block in the first block subset: an index of the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset, or a round number in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset. The second device 120 also calculates the position of the round assigned to the second device in the second block based on the round number in the second block.

[0197] In some embodiments, the second device 120 also receives an announce message in the super-block from the first device 110. The announce message announces a block allocation to the group of devices, the block allocation indicating at least one block in the super-block allocated to the group of devices.

[0198] In some embodiments, the announcement message includes: the address of the group of devices assigned to the subset of blocks in the superblock, and the round number in the blocks in the subset of blocks.

[0199] In some embodiments, the second device 120 also receives a polling message from the first device at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period. The polling message includes one or more of the following items: a superblock index field, used to indicate the index of the superblock where the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the superblock; or a round number field, used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second device 120 further receives a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report from the first device 110 from the first device 110, wherein the RPRT message further carries control information related to the second block. The RPRT message includes one or more of the following items: a super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block in which the second block is located; a relative block index field, used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super-block; a block index presence bit, used to indicate whether a super-block index field and a relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; a round number presence bit, used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the RPRT message; or a round number field, used to indicate the number of rounds in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second device 120 also receives a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message from the first device 110 to update the short-term operating parameters. The PRM-RESP message includes one or more of the following items: a presence control field for carrying bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; a block index presence bit for indicating whether a superblock index field and a relative block index field are present in the PRM-RESP message; a round number presence bit for indicating whether a round number field is present in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter presence bitmap for carrying bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device; a superblock index field for indicating the index of the superblock in which the second block is located; a relative block index field for indicating the relative index of the second block in the superblock; a round number field for indicating the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or an operating parameter field for carrying various operating parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the method is performed for one or more of the following applications: ranging; sensing; or time difference of arrival (TDOA).

[0203] Fig.14 A simplified block diagram of a communication device 1400 suitable for implementing some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown; for example, the communication device 1100 may be provided to implement the following Figure 6 The first device 110 or the second device 120 is shown.

[0204] like Fig.14 As shown, the communication device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410, one or more memories 1430, and one or more communication interfaces 1420. The processor 1410 can be any type suitable for the local technology network, and can include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The communication device 1400 can have multiple processors, such as dedicated integrated circuit chips that are time-slave to a clock synchronized with a main processor.

[0205] The memory 1430 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read only memory (ROM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic and / or optical memories. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) and other volatile memories that do not persist over the duration of a power outage.

[0206] The communication interface 1420 may be used for two-way communication. The communication interface 1420 may have at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface 1420 may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

[0207] The processor 1410 is used to control the communication interface 1420 to receive and send signals. The memory 1430 is used to store computer programs. The processor 1410 is used to call the computer program from the memory 1430 and run the computer program, so that the communication device 1400 can perform the corresponding processes and / or operations in various embodiments of the communication method in this application.

[0208] Fig.15 Another simplified block diagram of a communication device suitable for implementing some exemplary embodiments of the present invention is shown. Fig.15 As shown, the communication device 1500 includes a sending unit 1510, a receiving unit 1520, and a determining unit 1530. When the communication device implements the first device 110, the determining unit 1530 allocates a first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure to the second device 120 or a group of devices including the second device 120. The sending unit 1510 sends an indication message indicating that the first block subset is allocated to the second device 120 or the group of devices to the second device 120. When the communication device implements the second device 120, the receiving unit 1520 receives an indication message indicating that the first block subset in a block set based on a block time structure is allocated to the second device 120 or a group of devices including the second device 120 from the first device 110. The determining unit 1530 participates in the session based on the allocated first block subset.

[0209] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in conjunction with the exemplary units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the present application can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the function is performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions of each specific application, but it should not be considered that the implementation is beyond the scope of this application.

[0210] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments, and the details are not repeated here.

[0211] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the unit division is merely a logical function division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be implemented using some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically or in other forms.

[0212] The units described as discrete components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one location, or may be distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0213] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0214] When these functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, these functions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence or in part of the technical solution that contributes to the prior art, and the software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to instruct a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The above-mentioned storage medium includes: any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a disk or an optical disk.

[0215] The above description is only some specific implementations of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily thought of by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: At a first device, allocating a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks based on a block-based temporal structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; An indication message is sent to the second device indicating that the first block subset is allocated to the second device or the group of devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The position of a first round in a first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of a second round in a second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, The first round and the second round are assigned to the second device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first block subset and the second block subset are located in a first super block and a second super block, respectively, wherein each super block in the first super block and the second super block includes a plurality of blocks; The position of the first subset of blocks in the first super-block is the same as the position of the second subset of blocks in the second super-block.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes: sending, in a first block of the first subset of blocks, to the second device at least one of: an index of a second block in the first subset of blocks or the second subset of blocks; or The number of rounds in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The indication message includes at least one of the following: A super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; A relative block index field, used to indicate a relative index of the second block in the super block; A round index field, used to indicate the index of the round in the second block; or A transmission offset field is used to indicate the transmission offset of the round in the second block.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that Also includes: An announce message is sent to the second device in a superblock, wherein the announce message announces a block allocation to the group of devices, the block allocation indicating at least one block in the superblock allocated to the group of devices.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The notification message includes: addresses of the set of devices assigned to the subset of blocks in the superblock, The number of rounds in the blocks in the subset of blocks.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The notification message includes at least one of the following: A block index field, used to indicate the index of the super block; The Block Description List Length field is used to indicate the number of block descriptions in the block description list; or The block description list field is used to carry a list of block description fields, each block description field carries information about a block in the super block.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The block description field includes at least one of the following: a control bitmap field for carrying bits indicating the presence or size of a field of the block description field; The block duration field is used to indicate the duration of the block, in ranging scheduling time unit (RSTU); A round number field, used to indicate the round number in the block; or Block allocation list, used to indicate a list of block allocations.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The block allocation includes at least one of the following: An address list field, used to indicate a list of addresses of the second device or the group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in the block; An address size field, used to indicate the size of the address in the address list; or The address list length field is used to indicate the number of addresses in the address list.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that Also includes: Sending a polling message to the second device at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period, wherein the polling message includes at least one of the following: A super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; A relative block index field, used to indicate a relative index of the second block in the super block; or The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that Also includes: Sending a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report to the second device, wherein the RPRT message also carries control information related to the second block, and the RPRT message includes at least one of the following: A super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; A relative block index field, used to indicate a relative index of the second block in the super block; A block index existence bit is used to indicate whether the super block index field and the relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; The round number exists bit, used to indicate whether there is a round number field in the RPRT message; or The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that Also includes: Sending a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device to update short-term operating parameters, wherein the PRM-RESP message includes at least one of the following: A presence control field is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; A block index presence bit, used to indicate whether a super block index field and a relative block index field exist in the PRM-RESP message; A round number presence bit is used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter presence bitmap for carrying bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters associated with the session between the first device and the second device; The super-block index field is used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; The relative block index field is used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super block; The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or The operation parameter field is used to carry various operation parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device.

14. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The notification message includes at least one of the following: Address field, used for broadcast address; The super-block index field is used to indicate the index of the current super-block; A block description list, used to carry a list of block description fields, each block description field carrying information of a block in the super block; or The block description list length field is used to indicate the number of block description fields in the block description list.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The block allocation in the block description field includes at least one of the following: an address list field for carrying a list of short addresses of said second device or said group of devices to which one or more rounds are allocated in said block; or The address list length field is used to indicate the number of short addresses in the short address list.

16. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The indication message includes: A ranging round (RR) information element (IE) in signaling between the first device and the second device includes a ranging block index field for indicating an index of the second block or any future blocks.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that Also includes: Sending a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message to the second device to notify the second block, the PRM-RESP message including at least one of the following: The block index presence bit in the presence control field is used to indicate whether the PRM-RESP message carries the next block index field; or The next block index field is used to indicate the index of the second block.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that The method is performed for at least one of the following applications: Distance measurement; sensing; or Time difference of arrival (TDOA).

19. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving, at a second device, from a first device, an indication message indicating that a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks based on a block-based time structure is allocated to the second device or a group of devices including the second device; A first subset of blocks based on the allocation participates in the session.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that: The position of a first round in a first block in the first block subset is the same as or different from the position of a second round in a second block in the first block subset or the next block subset, The first round and the second round are assigned to the second device.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that: The first block subset and the second block subset are located in a first super block and a second super block, respectively, wherein each super block in the first super block and the second super block includes a plurality of blocks; The position of the first subset of blocks in the first super-block is the same as the position of the second subset of blocks in the second super-block.

22. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that Also includes: Receiving, from the first device, in the first block in the first subset of blocks, at least one of: an index of the second block in the first subset of blocks or the second subset of blocks, or the number of rounds in the second block in the first block subset or the second block subset; At the second device, a position of a wheel allocated to the second device in the second block is calculated based on the number of wheels in the second block.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that Also includes: An announce message in a superblock is received from the first device, wherein the announce message announces a block allocation to the group of devices, the block allocation indicating at least one block in the superblock allocated to the group of devices.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The notification message includes: addresses of the set of devices assigned to the subset of blocks in the superblock, The number of rounds in the blocks in the subset of blocks.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that Also includes: Receiving a polling message from the first device at the indicated start time to start a multi-millisecond (MMS) ranging measurement period, wherein the polling message includes at least one of the following: A super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; A relative block index field, used to indicate a relative index of the second block in the super block; or The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that Also includes: receiving, from the first device, a report (RPRT) message carrying a ranging report from the first device, wherein the RPRT message further carries control information related to the second block, and the RPRT message includes at least one of the following: A super-block index field, used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; A relative block index field, used to indicate a relative index of the second block in the super block; A block index existence bit is used to indicate whether the super block index field and the relative block index field exist in the RPRT message; The round number exists bit, used to indicate whether there is a round number field in the RPRT message; or The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that Also includes: receiving a parameter response (PRM-RESP) message from the first device to update a short-term operating parameter, wherein the PRM-RESP message includes at least one of the following: A presence control field is used to carry bits indicating the presence or absence of various fields; A block index presence bit, used to indicate whether a super block index field and a relative block index field exist in the PRM-RESP message; A round number presence bit is used to indicate whether a round number field exists in the PRM-RESP message; an operating parameter presence bitmap for carrying bits indicating the presence or absence of various operating parameters associated with the session between the first device and the second device; The super-block index field is used to indicate the index of the super-block where the second block is located; The relative block index field is used to indicate the relative index of the second block in the super block; The round number field is used to indicate the round number in the block indicated by the relative block index field; or The operation parameter field is used to carry various operation parameters related to the session between the first device and the second device.

28. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 27, characterized in that The method is performed for at least one of the following applications: Distance measurement; sensing; or Time difference of arrival (TDOA).

29. A first device, characterized in that: include: Communication interface; at least one processor coupled to the communication interface; A memory, coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions instructing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: allocating a first subset of blocks in the set of blocks based on the block-based temporal structure to a second device or a group of devices including the second device; An indication message indicating that the block subset is allocated to the second device or the group of devices is sent to the second device through the communication interface.

30. A second device, characterized in that: include: Communication interface; at least one processor coupled to the communication interface; A memory, coupled to the at least one processor and storing programming instructions for execution by the at least one processor, the programming instructions instructing the at least one processor to perform the following operations: receiving, from the first device through the communication interface, an indication message indicating that a first subset of blocks in a set of blocks of a block-based time structure is allocated to the second device or a group of devices including the second device; A first subset of blocks based on the allocation participates in the session.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Instructions are stored therein, which, when executed by one or more processors of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

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