Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, which is applied to a wireless access network side sensing function network element, and comprises the following steps: the wireless access network side sensing function network element receives a sensing demand from a core network side sensing function network element; the wireless access network side sensing function network element determines sensing resource configuration information according to the sensing demand; and the wireless access network side sensing function network element sends the sensing resource configuration information to the base station, wherein the sensing resource configuration information is used for configuring the sensing resource of the base station. Through the method, the wireless access network side sensing function network element can provide sensing resource configuration for the base station, the sensing resource configuration information can adjust and control the sensing resource of the base station, the interference between the base stations is reduced, and the sensing effect is further improved; in addition, the sensing function network element on the wireless access network side is close to the base station, so that the time delay can be reduced, and the sensing effect can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] Sensing and communication integration is a key technology for next-generation wireless communication systems, aiming to integrate the two functions of wireless communication and sensing in one system, and utilize various propagation characteristics of wireless signals to achieve sensing functions such as positioning, detection, imaging, and recognition of targets, so as to obtain information about the surrounding physical environment, improve communication capabilities, and enhance the user experience.

[0003] Currently, both the positioning network and the sensing and communication integration network have network elements with positioning or sensing functions on the core network side. For example, in the positioning network architecture, a network element with positioning management functions is added to the core network to receive and process positioning-related data requests; in another example, in the sensing and communication integration network architecture, a sensing function network element is added to the core network to control the sensing function and process sensing data. However, when the existing network elements with sensing functions provide sensing services for base stations, the sensing effect is poor.

[0004] Therefore, how to improve the sensing effect urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can improve the sensing effect.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first network device. This method can be executed by the first network device. Without special explanation, the "first network device" in this application can refer to the first network device itself, or a component in the first network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or it can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network device. The method includes: receiving a sensing requirement from a second network device; sending sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirement to an access network device, where the sensing resource configuration information is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device.

[0007] Among them, the sensing requirement is a requirement related to sensing. The sensing requirement includes sensing QoS information, such as sensing resolution, sensing range, sensing accuracy, etc.; the sensing requirement can also be sensing service information. For example, the sensing service information can be information including a time-delay-sensitive sensing service, or it can also be information including a time-delay-insensitive sensing service, and so on. The sensing resource configuration information is information including sensing-related resources, and the sensing resources can include sensing time-domain resources, sensing frequency-domain resources, sensing space-domain resources, etc.

[0008] Based on the above solution, a first network device is provided that can configure sensing resources for an access network device. The first network device can adjust and control the sensing resources of the access network device according to the sensing resource configuration information, without the access network device itself configuring the sensing resources, thereby reducing interference between access network devices and improving the sensing effect.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device to the second network device.

[0010] Wherein, the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device can be used by the second network device to select a suitable first network device according to sensing requirements.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, the first network device reports the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device to the second network device, so that the second network device can select a suitable first network device according to the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving the address information of the second network device; sending the address information of the first network device and / or the address information of the second network device to the access network device.

[0013] Optionally, receive the address information of the first network device from the second network device.

[0014] Based on the above solution, the first network device sends the address information of the first network device and / or the address information of the second network device to the access network device, so that the access network device can report sensing measurement data to the first network device or the second network device according to the address information of the first network device and / or the address information of the second network device.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving sensing measurement data from the access network device; sending a sensing result to the second network device, where the sensing result is determined according to the sensing measurement data.

[0016] Wherein, the sensing measurement data is data obtained by the access network device through sensing.

[0017] Based on the above solution, since the first network device can directly configure sensing resources for the base station, the first network device can directly process the sensing measurement data of the access network device, thereby reducing latency and improving the sensing effect.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, it is characterized in that the method further includes: sending first access network device list information to the second network device, where the first access network device list information is used to indicate at least one access network device within the management area of the first network device.

[0019] Based on the above solution, the first network device can send information of at least one access network device within the management area to the second network device, so that the second network device can subsequently re-determine a more suitable access network device according to the sensing requirements for sensing resource configuration.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second access network device list information from the second network device.

[0021] Wherein, the second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the access network devices among at least one access network device in the first access network device list information.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the at least one access network device.

[0023] Based on the above solution, the access network device can be some or all of the access network devices in the second access network device list information, and the second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the at least one access network device within the management area reported by the first network device, making the way of selecting the access network device more flexible.

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a second network device. This method can be executed by the second network device. Without special instructions, the "second network device" in this application can refer to the second network device itself, or a component in the second network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or it can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second network device. The method includes: sending a sensing requirement to the first network device, where the sensing requirement is used to determine the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device, and the sensing resource configuration information is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving sensing capability information of the first network device and / or location information of the first network device.

[0026] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending address information of the second network device to the first network device.

[0027] Optionally, send the address information of the first network device to the first network device.

[0028] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a sensing result from the first network device, where the sensing result is determined by the first network device according to the sensing measurement data sent by the access network device.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first list of access network devices from the first network device, where the first list of access network devices is used to indicate at least one access network device within the management area of the first network device.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending the second list of access network devices to the first network device.

[0031] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second list of access network devices is used to indicate all or some of the at least one access network device.

[0032] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which is applied to an access network device. This method can be executed by the access network device. Without special explanation, the "access network device" in this application can refer to the access network device itself, or a component in the access network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes: receiving sensing resource configuration information from a first network device; determining sensing resources according to the sensing resource configuration information.

[0033] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving the address information of the first network device; sending sensing measurement data to the first network device according to the address information of the first network device.

[0034] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving the address information of the first network device and the address information of a second network device; determining sensing measurement data to be sent according to the address information of the first network device according to sensing service information.

[0035] Optionally, determine sensing measurement data to be sent according to the address information of the second network device according to sensing service information.

[0036] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the sensing service information includes latency-sensitive sensing services.

[0037] Optionally, according to the sensing service information that does not include delay-sensitive sensing services, determine the sensing measurement data sent according to the address information of the second network device.

[0038] Based on the above solution, for delay-sensitive sensing services, the access network device can report the sensing measurement data to the first network device. Since the first network device can directly configure sensing resources for the base station, the first network device can directly process the sensing measurement data to obtain the sensing result, reduce the delay, and improve the sensing effect.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes: a processing unit configured to determine sensing resource configuration information for configuring the sensing resources of the access network device;

[0040] a transceiver unit configured to receive a sensing requirement from a second network device; and further configured to send the sensing resource configuration information to the access network device;

[0041] The transceiver unit may perform the receiving and sending processes in the foregoing first aspect, and the processing unit of the communication device may perform other processes in the foregoing first aspect except for receiving and sending.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes: a processing unit configured to determine a sensing requirement for determining the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device, where the sensing resource configuration information is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device;

[0043] a transceiver unit configured to send the sensing requirement to the first network device;

[0044] The transceiver unit may perform the receiving and sending processes in the foregoing second aspect, and the processing unit of the communication device may perform other processes in the foregoing second aspect except for receiving and sending.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device includes: a processing unit configured to determine sensing resources according to the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device;

[0046] a transceiver unit configured to receive the sensing resource configuration information from the first network device;

[0047] The transceiver unit may perform the receiving and sending processes in the foregoing third aspect, and the processing unit of the communication device may perform other processes in the foregoing third aspect except for receiving and sending.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a communication device including a processor configured to execute a computer program, such that the communication device performs the methods in the above first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manners thereof.

[0049] Optionally, the processor is one or more.

[0050] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory configured to store the computer program, and the memory is one or more.

[0051] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory is separately provided from the processor, or the memory is located within the processor.

[0052] Optionally, the communication device further includes a transceiver circuit such as a transceiver or an input / output circuit.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a communication system including: a first network device and an access network device, where the first network device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the above first aspect, and the access network device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the above third aspect.

[0054] Optionally, the communication system further includes a second network device configured to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the above second aspect.

[0055] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or code, and when the computer program or code runs on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method in any possible implementation manner of the above first aspect to the third aspect.

[0056] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a chip including at least one processor configured to run a computer program, such that a device installed with the chip performs the methods in the above first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manners thereof.

[0057] Wherein, the chip may include an output circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an input circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0058] In an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product including: computer program code, and when the computer program code runs on a communication device, the device is caused to perform the methods in the above first aspect to the third aspect and any possible implementation manners thereof.

[0059] Wherein, the chip may include an input circuit or interface for sending information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0060] For the possible designs and beneficial effects of the fourth aspect to the eleventh aspect, reference may be made to the descriptions of the first aspect to the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a communication and sensing fusion network architecture applicable to the present application.

[0062] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a positioning network architecture.

[0063] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 300 provided by the present application.

[0064] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 400 provided by the present application.

[0065] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 500 provided by the present application.

[0066] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 600 provided by the present application.

[0067] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 700 provided by the present application.

[0068] Figure 8 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 800 provided by the present application.

[0069] Figure 9 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 900 provided by the present application.

[0070] Figure 10 It is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0071] Figure 11 It is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 2000 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0072] Figure 12 It is a schematic block diagram of the chip system 3000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0073] Next, the technical solutions in the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] The various numerical numbers such as the first, second, etc. are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application, nor are they used to indicate the order or importance. For example, they are used to distinguish different messages, different information, etc. Words such as "exemplary", "for example", "exemplarily", "as (another) example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in the present application should not be construed as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The terms "comprising", "including", "having" and their variants all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. The relevant descriptions regarding the network element A sending a message, information or data to the network element B, and the network element B receiving the message, information or data from the network element A are intended to illustrate which network element the message, information or data is to be sent to, and do not limit whether they are directly sent or indirectly sent via other network elements. "For indicating" can include for directly indicating and for indirectly indicating. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the indication information. Descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all refer to that the device will make corresponding processing under a certain objective situation, do not limit the time, and do not require the device to have a judgment action when implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

[0075] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, including but not limited to: global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE) system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR) system, LTE system, long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) system, etc. It can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system. In addition, it can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems. In addition, it can be extended to similar wireless communication systems, such as wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX), and communication systems related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), etc., without limitation.

[0076] Scenarios where this application can be applied include, but are not limited to: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) scenarios, ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), massive machine type communication (mMTC) scenarios, uplink centric broadband communication scenarios, real-time broadband communication scenarios, harmonized communication and sensing (HCS) scenarios, etc., without limitation.

[0077] For the sake of simplicity, the following mainly describes the communication and sensing integration scenario. However, it should be understood that the scenarios applicable to this application are not limited to this scenario. The communication and sensing integration scenario mainly enables two major scenarios: vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which can contribute to the development of autonomous driving. The communication and sensing integration technology applies the beam scanning technology of massive multiple input multiple output (Massive MIMO) in the cellular network to the sensing field, enabling both communication and sensing in the HCS scenario. If extended to indoor scenarios, positioning services can also be provided. Potential scenarios of communication and sensing integration include, but are not limited to: rail networks, railway or subway perimeter security scenarios, such as railway safety scenarios caused by landslides, rockfalls, debris flows, etc. Emergency networks, including emergency situation awareness scenarios, such as personnel detection in emergency scenarios like fires or explosions or scenarios with limited cameras; low-altitude detection scenarios in important places, such as low-altitude detection scenarios in places like government buildings, stadiums, or chemical plants; mountain deformation detection scenarios, such as detection scenarios for mountain deformations like landslide and debris flow prevention, etc. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X), such as scenarios like autonomous driving, highway toll collection, illegal and fatigued driving, high-precision maps, and intersection efficiency.

[0078] In the current discussions of 3GPP SA1, it has been determined that the sensing modes can be divided into the following six modes:

[0079] 1. Base station self-transmission and self-reception: The sensing signal is sent by the base station, reflected by the target in the environment, and then received by the same base station.

[0080] 2. Transmission by base station A and reception by base station B: The sensing signal is sent by base station A, reflected by the target in the environment, and received by base station B.

[0081] 3. Transmission by base station and reception by terminal: The sensing signal is sent by the base station, reflected by the target in the environment, and then received by the terminal.

[0082] 4. Transmission from the terminal and reception by the base station: The sensing signal is transmitted by the terminal, reflected by the target in the environment, and then received by the base station.

[0083] 5. Transmission and reception by the terminal itself: The sensing signal is transmitted by the terminal, reflected by the target in the environment, and then received by the same terminal.

[0084] 6. Transmission from terminal A and reception by terminal B: The sensing signal is transmitted by terminal A, reflected by the target in the environment, and then received by terminal B.

[0085] The following only describes the embodiments of the present application in the base station's self - transmission and self - reception mode. However, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that they can still modify the recorded technical solutions in other modes, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features in other modes. These modifications and replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

[0086] The integration of communication and sensing, or communication - sensing integration for short, is a key technology in the next - generation wireless communication system. It aims to integrate the two functions of wireless communication and sensing in the same system, and utilize various propagation characteristics of wireless signals to achieve sensing functions such as target positioning, detection, imaging, and recognition, so as to obtain information about the surrounding physical environment, improve communication performance, and enhance the user experience. In the communication - sensing integration technology, the network device performs sensing by sending sensing signals and receiving echo signals, and obtains information such as the position and speed of the target in the environment. Among them, the echo signal is the signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by the target in the environment. The time delay of the echo signal relative to the transmitted sensing signal reflects the distance of the target; the Doppler frequency shift of the echo signal relative to the transmitted sensing signal reflects the speed of the target.

[0087] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the communication - sensing integration network architecture applicable to the present application. As Figure 1 described, this network architecture includes radio access network elements (such as base stations, etc.), core network (CN) elements (such as sensing function elements, positioning management function elements, etc.). The elements included in the network architecture and their respective functions are introduced as follows:

[0088] An access network (AN) network element provides access functions for authorized users in a specific area and can use transmission tunnels of different qualities according to user levels, service requirements, etc. The access network can be an access network adopting different access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access technologies (such as the wireless access technologies adopted in 3G, 4G, or 5G systems) and non-3GPP access technologies. 3GPP access technologies refer to access technologies that comply with 3GPP standard specifications. An access network adopting 3GPP access technologies is called a Radio Access Network (RAN). Among them, the access network device in the 5G system is called a next generation Node Base station (gNB). Non-3GPP access technologies refer to access technologies that do not comply with 3GPP standard specifications. For example, the air interface technology represented by an access point (AP) in wifi.

[0089] An access network that realizes access network functions based on wireless communication technology can be called a radio access network (RAN). The radio access network can be used for wireless resource management, uplink and downlink data classification, and quality of service (QoS) applications, as well as signaling processing with the control plane function and data forwarding with the user plane function, etc. The radio access network can be a next-generation (such as 6G or higher) radio access network or a traditional (such as 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) radio access network. An access network device (RAN device) is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices and can also be called a network device. In the embodiments of this application, the device used to realize the functions of the access network device can be a network device or a device that can support the access network device to realize this function. This device can be called a network device or an access network device, such as a chip system or a chip, and this device can be installed in the access network device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can also include chips and other discrete devices. For the convenience of description, in all embodiments of this application, the above-mentioned device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices is collectively referred to as an access network device or simply as RAN or AN. It should be understood that the specific type of the access network device is not limited herein. In the embodiments of this application, it mainly corresponds to the access network device.

[0090] Exemplarily, the access network device may be a base station, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a non-3GPP access device, etc. The base station may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto. For the device for the terminal to access the core network, it is uniformly referred to as an access network device in this document. For example, the access network device may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) device in the fourth generation (4G) network, a next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) device in the fifth generation (5G) network, etc.

[0091] In some deployments, the network device and the access network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a device including a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU), or a device including CU and DU, or a control plane CU node (central unit-control plane, CU-CP) and a user plane CU node (central unit-user plane, CU-UP) and a DU node. For example, the network device may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0092] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement some functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, or radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be set separately, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio device or a radio unit, such as being included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In a possible design, the processing unit used to implement baseband functions in the BBU is called a base band high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit used to implement baseband functions in the RRU / AAU / RRH is called a base band low (BBL) unit. In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be called an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be called an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be called an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be called an O-RU. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0093] A user equipment (UE), which can be called a terminal device, usually needs to be registered in a carrier network to use the network provided by the carrier. For example, a mobile phone with a subscriber identity module (SIM) card inserted, an Internet of Things device using an embedded SIM (eSIM) card, and so on.

[0094] The unified data management (UDM) network element is responsible for user subscription data management, user identity management, etc.

[0095] The network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element can provide network analysis services based on the request data of network services.

[0096] The access and mobility management function (AMF) network element mainly has the access management function.

[0097] The policy control function (PCF) network element has functions such as providing policy information to the control plane function. The policy information can be user policies, access and mobility management policies, session management policies, etc. For example, it sends UE policy information to the UE, sends the UE's access and mobility management policy to the AMF, and sends the session management policy to the session management function (SMF).

[0098] The network exposure function (NEF) network element has functions such as monitoring and analysis reporting, and can provide open security service capabilities for third-party applications.

[0099] The application function (AF) network element can be an application server, which can belong to the operator or a third party.

[0100] The Location Management Function (LMF) network element can select a positioning method. The positioning method can be a single positioning method or a hybrid positioning method, or it can control relevant positioning measurements based on different positioning methods, or it can calculate location information and estimate positioning accuracy. The LMF can also calculate auxiliary data and send it to the UE, or receive and process positioning requests or positioning-related data requests sent by the AMF, or send positioning results or relevant positioning data to the AMF.

[0101] The sensing function (SF) is deployed on the core network side and can be a network element of the core network or a core network device. The core network device refers to a device in the core network that provides service support for terminal devices. The sensing control signaling between the SF and the RAN or UE is transmitted through the AMF. The sensing measurement data obtained by the RAN or UE can be transmitted to the SF via the control plane or the user plane. Among them, the user plane can be forwarded by the user plane function (UPF) or directly transmitted to the SF. In addition, it also supports sensing charging in scenarios where the UE performs sensing and the RAN performs sensing. Only the architecture where the SF-C and SF-U are not separated is shown in the figure. It should be understood that this application can be applied not only to this architecture but also to the architecture where the SF-C and SF-U are separated. This application does not limit this. In the architecture where the SF-C and SF-U are separated, the SF includes the control plane of the sensing function (sensing function-control, SF-C) and the user plane of the sensing function (sensing function-user, SF-U). The SF-C interacts with the control plane network element and is responsible for the transmission of control plane information. The SF-C can provide the address of the SF-U to the base station or the UE. The SF-U is responsible for collecting and analyzing the sensing measurement data generated by the terminal or the base station and obtaining the final sensing result for the UE or the application. The SF-U can also support sensing charging when the UE or the RAN performs sensing. The sensing control signaling between the SF-C and the RAN or UE is transmitted through the AMF. The sensing measurement data obtained by the RAN or UE can be forwarded by the UPF or directly transmitted to the SF-U.

[0102] In addition, for the specific interfaces between the above network elements, please refer to Figure 1As shown. For example, the N1 interface is the communication interface between the UE and the AMF, used to transmit the control plane signaling between the core network and the UE; the N2 interface is the communication interface between the RAN and the AMF; the N5 interface is the communication interface between the PCF and the NEF; the N8 interface is the communication interface between the UDM and the AMF; the N33 interface is the communication interface between the NEF and the AF. The above interfaces need to support the transmission of information related to perception services, such as authentication information, perception service types, perception service quality requirements, perception measurement data, perception results, etc. The other interfaces shown in the figure are the interaction interfaces between the SF and the 5G core network (5GC) network elements. For example, the NS1 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the AMF, which can be used to transmit perception control signaling and perception measurement data; the NS2 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the NEF; the NS3 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the UDM; the NS4 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the NWDAF; the NS5 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the PCF; the NS6 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the LMF, and location-related information such as the perception area, RAN information of the perception target, and location information of the perceived UE can be obtained through this interface; the NS7 interface is the communication interface between the SF and the UPF. The perception measurement data can be directly transmitted from the RAN to the SF through the UPF, or indirectly forwarded to the SF through the UPF. If the scenario where the RAN performs perception is forwarded through the UPF, the UPF needs to be modified to support RAN granularity data transmission.

[0103] In addition, if it is an architecture where the SF-C and SF-U are separated, then the SF-U and the SF-C transmit perception processing strategies, report perception results, etc. through the NS8 communication interface.

[0104] It should be noted that the above network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and the network architecture applicable to the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can implement the functions of the above-mentioned various network elements is applicable to the present application. Or rather, the network architecture described in the present application is to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture or the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solution provided by the present application is equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0105] In addition, the names of network elements, the names of interfaces between network elements, the names of messages / information, etc. involved in this application are only examples. In future communication networks, these network elements, messages / information can also adopt other names, as long as these network elements, messages / information, etc. have the same or similar functions as the network elements, messages / information, etc. introduced in this application, and achieve the same or similar technical purposes, they should all belong to the technical scope covered by this application. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the names of the above-mentioned network elements may follow the names in 4G / 5G, or may adopt new names.

[0106] In the current sensing technology architecture, both the positioning network and the communication-sensing integrated network have network elements with positioning or sensing functions on the core network side. For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning network architecture. As Figure 2 described, a network element with positioning management function is added to the core network to receive and process positioning-related data requests. However, since the network element with positioning management function is far from the base station, when the base station reports a large amount of positioning-related sensing data to this positioning management function for processing, there may be a time delay, resulting in a deteriorated sensing effect. Another example is in the above-mentioned communication-sensing integrated network architecture, a sensing function network element SF is added to the core network to control the sensing function and process the sensing data. In a low-latency scenario, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tracking scenario, if the gNB executes the sensing task in the self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, the gNB will report the sensing measurement data to the SF, and the SF will perform calculations and make decisions. However, in this mode, there are many drawbacks. On the one hand, since the distance between the SF and the gNB is far, and the gNB needs to report a large amount of sensing measurement data to the SF, there may be a large transmission delay and processing delay, resulting in a deteriorated sensing effect. Especially in the UAV tracking scenario, the gNB needs to adjust the sensing resource configuration in real time, such as the direction of the beam, etc. If there is a large transmission delay and processing delay, it will be unable to track the UAV better. On the other hand, if the sensing resource configuration of the gNB is coordinated and decided by the SF each time, the decision of the SF may not be timely, resulting in a deteriorated sensing effect.

[0107] Based on the above technical problems, this application provides a communication method. By deploying two-level network devices and designing the interaction between the two-level network devices. On this basis, the second-level network device can provide sensing requirements for the first-level network device, and the first-level network device can provide sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirements for the access network device. This sensing resource configuration information can be used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device, without the access network device itself configuring the sensing resources, thereby reducing the interference between access network devices and improving the sensing effect.

[0108] Some nouns or terms used in this application are explained below, and these nouns or terms are also part of the invention content.

[0109] The edge sensing function (ESF) can be deployed on the RAN side and can be a network element of the radio access network; it can also be a radio access network device, which refers to a device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. Alternatively, the ESF can also be a core network element or core network device deployed on the RAN side, that is, a core network element or core network device closer to the RAN than the SF. The ESF has a control function and / or a data processing function. The control function can be used to configure sensing resources for the access network device, and the data processing function can be used to process the sensing measurement data reported by the access network device. The ESF can manage gNBs in an area, and there are Xn interfaces between these gNBs, which can process sensing measurement data faster and coordinate the configuration of the sensing resources of each gNB.

[0110] It should be understood that the above-mentioned terms or nouns are only examples. In future communication networks, these terms or nouns can also use other names, as long as these terms or nouns have the same or similar functions as the devices, messages / information, etc. introduced in this application and achieve the same or similar technical purposes, they should all belong to the technical scope covered by this application.

[0111] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 300 provided by this application.

[0112] The method 300 includes steps S310 to S330, which are described in detail below.

[0113] S310. The first network device sends the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the sensing function information and / or location information from the first network device. It should be understood that S310 is an optional step.

[0114] The first network device can be a RAN network element, or a core network element deployed on the RAN side (for example, an ESF deployed on the RAN side) or closer to the RAN than the second network device. The first network device can be deployed inside or outside the access network device. The first network device can manage access network devices in an area. For example, the first network device can be a fixed device, and the access network devices within the area managed by the first network device are configured with sensing resources or processed for data by the first network device, etc.; or if the first network device is a movable device, then the access network devices within the area managed by the first network device can change, and the access network devices falling within the area managed by the first network device are configured with sensing resources or processed for data by the first network device, etc. The second network device can be deployed on the core network side (for example, an SF deployed on the core network side), or can also be a core network element.

[0115] It should be noted that the first network device being deployed on the RAN side means that the first network device can be deployed in the access network device, or can also be deployed near the access network device, or can also be a device that has moved near the access network device. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0116] It should also be noted that the first network device can be fixed at any position relatively close to the access network device, and then the access network devices within the area managed by the first network device can be fixed and unchanged. Or the first network device can also be a device in motion, and then the access network devices within the area managed by the first network device can also change. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0117] In a possible implementation manner, the sensing capability of the first network device is the ability of the first network device to have a control function and / or a data processing function. The control function can be used to configure sensing resources for the access network device, and the data processing function can be used to process sensing measurement data. The sensing capability information of the first network device can carry the information about the ability of the first network device to have a control function and / or a data processing function. The sensing measurement data can be data obtained by the access network device through sensing. The sensing measurement data can also be referred to as sensing data, sensing information, etc. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0118] Specifically, the location information of the first network device can carry the information about the location where the first network device is located. The location information of the first network device can be used by the second network device to select a suitable first network device according to the sensing requirements.

[0119] The location information of the first network device may be the geographical identifier, location identifier, etc. of the first network device, or may also be the information indicating the location where the first network device is located, etc. This application does not make any limitation thereto. Additionally, the location where the first network device is located may be the absolute location of the first network device. For example, the location of the first network device is on the access network side. Or, it may also be the relative location of the first network device. For example, the location of the first network device is near the base station or inside the base station. This application also does not make any limitation thereto.

[0120] In addition, the sensing requirement is the requirement information related to sensing. The sensing requirement may include sensing accuracy, sensing area, sensing resolution, etc., or the sensing requirement may also be the sensing service information. For example, the sensing service information may be the information including the sensing service sensitive to latency, or may also be the information including the sensing service not sensitive to latency, etc. This application does not make any limitation thereto.

[0121] Among them, the sensing accuracy is a parameter for measuring the accuracy of the sensed target and can be used to determine whether the sensed target is the target needed. The sensing area is the area where sensing needs to be performed. The sensing resolution is a parameter for distinguishing two or more sensed targets. For example, when the resolution is 2 meters, if the distance between two targets is less than 2 meters, then these two targets cannot be distinguished.

[0122] The sensing capability information and / or location information of the first network device can be used for the second network device to select a suitable first network device according to the sensing requirement. For example, the second network device may manage a large area, and this area includes multiple first network devices. When multiple first network devices report their sensing capability information and / or location information to the second network device, the second network device can select from multiple first network devices according to the sensing requirement, so as to determine the first network device, so as to send information to the selected first network device subsequently. More specifically, for example, the second network device selects the first network device with a control function from the sensing capability information reported by the first network device according to the sensing requirement. Another example is that the second network device selects the first network device within the management area of the second network device from the location information reported by the first network device, etc.

[0123] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device may further send the first access network device list information to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device may also receive the first access network device list information from the first network device. The first access network device list information is used to indicate at least one access network device within the management area of the first network device.

[0124] In a possible implementation, the first network device may also send the address information of the first network device to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device may also receive the address information from the first network device. The address information of the first network device is transport layer address information, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the first network device, etc.

[0125] The first network device includes a user plane of the first network device and a control plane of the first network device. The address information of the first network device may also be the user plane address information of the first network device and / or the control plane address information of the first network device.

[0126] It should be noted that the sensing capability information and / or the location information of the first network device, the first access network device list information, the address information of the first network device, etc. sent by the first network device to the second network device may be sent through one message or multiple messages. Correspondingly, the sensing capability information and / or the location information of the first network device, the first access network device list information, the address information of the first network device, etc. received by the second network device may be received through one message or multiple messages. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0127] In a possible implementation, the second network device may also determine second access network device list information according to the first access network device list information. The second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the access network devices in the first access network device list information.

[0128] Specifically, the second network device may select at least one access network device in the first network device management area indicated by the first access network device list information according to the sensing requirements to determine the second access network device list information.

[0129] S320. The second network device sends a sensing requirement to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the sensing requirement from the second network device.

[0130] The sensing requirement may be used to determine the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device. Or rather, the sensing requirement may carry information about the first network device configuring sensing resources for the access network device. The sensing requirement may include a sensing session identity document (ID), etc.

[0131] Specifically, the second network device may select a suitable first network device according to the sensing requirements and the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device, and send the sensing requirements to the selected first network device. The sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device have been specifically described in step S310. For the sake of brevity, they will not be elaborated here.

[0132] Optionally, the sensing requirements may include sensing QoS information, such as sensing resolution, sensing range, sensing accuracy, etc.

[0133] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may also send the address information of the first network device to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device may also receive the address information of the first network device from the second network device.

[0134] For the description of the address information of the first network device, refer to step S310. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0135] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may also send the address information of the second network device to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device may also receive the address information of the second network device from the second network device. The address information of the second network device is transport layer address information, such as the IP address of the second network device, etc.

[0136] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may also send the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device may also receive the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device from the second network device.

[0137] Optionally, the second network device includes a user plane of the second network device and a control plane of the second network device. The address information of the second network device may also be the user plane address information of the second network device and / or the control plane address information of the second network device.

[0138] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may also send second access network device list information to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device may also receive the second access network device list information from the first network device. The second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the access network devices in the first access network device list information. For the description of the first access network device list information, refer to step S310. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here

[0139] It should be noted that the sensing requirements sent by the second network device to the first network device, the address information of the first network device, the address information of the second network device, the second access network device list information, etc. can be sent through one message or multiple messages. Correspondingly, the sensing requirements of the second network device received by the first network device, the address information of the first network device, the address information of the second network device, the second access network device list information, etc. can be received through one message or multiple messages. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0140] S330. The first network device sends sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirements to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirements from the first network device.

[0141] Among them, the sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirements can be that the first network device determines the sensing resource configuration information according to the sensing requirements sent by the second network device. Or, the sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirements can also be the sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing session ID in the sensing requirements. This sensing resource configuration information is used to configure sensing resources for the access network device.

[0142] In a possible implementation manner, the access network device can be at least one access network device determined by the first network device after selecting the access network devices within the management area, or it can also be some or all of the access network devices within the management area of the first network device indicated in the second access network device list information in step S320.

[0143] The sensing resource configuration information is information including sensing-related resources. The sensing resources can include sensing time-domain resources, sensing frequency-domain resources, sensing space-domain resources, etc. Among them, the sensing time-domain, frequency-domain, and space-domain resources can be simply referred to as sensing time-frequency-space-domain resources. Therefore, the sensing resource configuration information can include sensing time-frequency-space-domain resources, etc.

[0144] The sensing resource configuration information includes sensing time-frequency-space-domain resources, and the sensing time-frequency-space-domain resources can finely adjust and control the sensing resources of the access network device, thereby avoiding interference between access network devices and enhancing the sensing effect.

[0145] It can be seen from this that the first network device can configure sensing resources for the access network device, thereby finely adjusting and controlling the sensing resources of the access network device, reducing interference between access network devices, and improving the sensing effect.

[0146] In a possible implementation manner, the first network device may further send the address information of the first network device to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device may further receive the address information of the first network device from the first network device.

[0147] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may further send the address information of the second network device to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device may further receive the address information of the second network device from the second network device.

[0148] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device may further send the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device may further receive the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device from the second network device.

[0149] It should be noted that the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the first network device, the address information of the second network device, etc. sent by the first network device to the access network device may be sent through one message or multiple messages. Correspondingly, the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the first network device, the address information of the second network device, etc. received by the access network device may be received through one message or multiple messages. This application does not make any limitation on this.

[0150] In a possible implementation manner, when the first network device does not have a control function, the first network device may send a sensing requirement to the access network device. Correspondingly, the access network device may receive the sensing requirement from the first network device. The access network device may configure sensing resources according to the sensing requirement.

[0151] In method 300, a first network device is deployed on the radio access network side, and the interaction between the first network device, the second network device, and the access network device is designed so that the first network device has a control function. Or rather, the first network device has the ability to provide sensing resource configuration for the access network device.

[0152] Based on the solution of method 300, a first network device that can provide sensing resource configuration for the access network device is provided. The first network device can adjust and control the sensing resources of the access network device according to the sensing resource configuration information, without the access network device itself configuring the sensing resources, thereby being able to reduce the interference between access network devices and improve the sensing effect.

[0153] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of communication method 400 provided by this application.

[0154] For example, based on the deployment of the first network device in method 300, method 400 further designs a way for the access network device to report sensing measurement data. Method 400 includes steps S410 to S450, which are described in detail below.

[0155] Method 1: The access network device reports the sensing measurement data to the first network device

[0156] S410. The access network device sends the sensing measurement data to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the sensing measurement data from the access network device.

[0157] In a possible implementation, the access network device only receives the address information of the first network device and sends the sensing measurement data to the first network device according to the address information of the first network device. The address information of the first network device is determined by the first network device according to the sensing requirements.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the access network device receives the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device, and determines the address information of the first network device according to the sensing service information. The access network device sends the sensing measurement data to the first network device according to the address information of the first network device. The sensing service information includes a time-delay sensitive sensing service, and the access network device can determine the address information of the first network device according to the time-delay sensitive sensing service. The access network device sends the sensing measurement data to the first network device according to the address information of the first network device.

[0159] S420. The first network device processes the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0160] It should be understood that the sensing result can be determined according to the processing of the sensing measurement data by the first network device.

[0161] It should be noted that the sensing result can also be determined by other devices after processing the sensing measurement data and sending it to the first network device. This application does not limit this.

[0162] Since the first network device is on the wireless access network side, it can be understood that the first network device is relatively close to the access network device. Therefore, the sensing measurement data can be obtained faster, and then the sensing measurement data can be processed faster to obtain the sensing result, thereby reducing the time delay and improving the sensing effect.

[0163] S430. The first network device sends the sensing result to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the sensing result from the first network device.

[0164] Specifically, the first network device receives the address information of the second network device, and the first network device may send the sensing result to the second network device according to the address information of the second network device.

[0165] Based on the solution of Method 1, for latency-sensitive sensing services, the first network device is closer to the access network device, and the first network device can process the sensing measurement data faster, so as to obtain the sensing result faster, reduce the latency, and contribute to multi-station collaborative sensing.

[0166] Method 2: The access network device reports the sensing measurement data to the second network device

[0167] S440: The access network device sends the sensing measurement data to the second network device. Correspondingly, the second network device receives the sensing measurement data from the access network device.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the access network device only receives the address information of the second network device and sends the sensing measurement data to the second network device according to the address information of the second network device. The address information of the second network device is determined by the first network device according to the sensing requirements.

[0169] In a possible implementation, the access network device receives the address information of the first network device and the address information of the second network device. The access network device determines the address information of the second network device according to the sensing service information. The sensing service information does not include latency-sensitive sensing services, and the access network device can determine the address information of the second network device according to the non-latency-sensitive sensing services. The access network device sends the sensing measurement data to the second network device according to the address information of the second network device.

[0170] S450: The second network device processes the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0171] Wherein, the sensing result is a global sensing result.

[0172] It should be understood that the sensing result may be determined by processing the sensing measurement data by the first network device.

[0173] It should be noted that the sensing result may also be determined by other devices processing the sensing measurement data and sending it to the first network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0174] Based on the solution of Method 2, for sensing services that are not sensitive to latency, directly using the second network device to process the sensing measurement data helps to directly obtain the global sensing result.

[0175] Figure 5 Schematic flowchart of the communication method 500 provided for this application.

[0176] Figure 5 is Figure 3 a specific embodiment of. The following combines Figure 5 to give the method flow for the SF to select a gNB in the case where the first network device is an ESF, the second network device is an SF, and the access network device is a gNB. The SF includes an SF-U and an SF-C. In this embodiment, the interaction between the ESF and the SF-C is designed to support the realization of the control function of the ESF. The method 500 includes steps S510 to S550, which are described in detail below.

[0177] S510. The ESF sends the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF, and the first base station list information to the SF-C. Correspondingly, the SF-C receives the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF, and the first base station list information from the ESF.

[0178] Among them, the ESF can be deployed in the gNB, or can also be deployed near the gNB, or can also be an ESF that moves near the gNB. The ESF can manage the gNBs in an area. Or rather, the ESF can provide sensing function services for the gNBs in the managed area. The first base station list (gNB list1) information is used to indicate at least one gNB in the management area of the ESF, or rather, the first base station list includes at least one gNB in the management area of the ESF.

[0179] In addition, the location information of the ESF is used to report the location where the ESF is located, so that the subsequent SF-C can select a suitable ESF according to the sensing requirements.

[0180] Specifically, the sensing capability information of the ESF is the information that the ESF has a control function and / or a data processing function. Or rather, the sensing capability information of the ESF can carry the information that the ESF has a control function and / or a data processing function. The sensing capability of the ESF is that the ESF has a control function and / or a data processing function. The control function can be used to configure sensing resources for the gNB, and the data processing function can be used to process sensing measurement data.

[0181] In a possible implementation manner, the ESF can forward the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF, and the first base station list information to the SF-C through the AMF. Correspondingly, the SF-C can receive the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF, and the first base station list information from the AMF.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the ESF may also send the address information of the ESF to the SF-C. Correspondingly, the SF-C may also receive the address information from the ESF.

[0183] In a possible implementation, the ESF may forward the address information of the ESF to the SF-C through the AMF. Correspondingly, the SF-C may receive the address information of the ESF from the AMF. The address information of the ESF may be the user plane address information of the ESF and / or the control plane address information of the ESF.

[0184] It should be noted that the ESF may send the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF to the SF-C through one message. For example, the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF are sent through the first message. Or rather, the first message includes the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF. The ESF may also send the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF through multiple messages. Correspondingly, the SF-C may receive one message sent by the ESF including the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF. The ESF may also receive multiple messages including the sensing capability information and / or the location information, the first base station list information, the address information, etc. of the ESF, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0185] It should also be noted that the ESF may directly send a message to the SF-C or may be forwarded to the SF-C through the AMF, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard either.

[0186] Step S510 is a specific instance of step S310 in method 300. For the specific descriptions of the sensing capability information, the location information, and the address information, reference can be made to step S310 and will not be elaborated here.

[0187] S520. The SF-C determines the second base station list information according to the first base station list information.

[0188] Specifically, the SF-C may select at least one base station in the first base station list information according to the sensing requirements to obtain the second base station list (gNB list2) information.

[0189] The first base station list information is used to indicate at least one gNB within the ESF management area. The second base station list information is used to indicate some or all of the gNBs in the first base station list information. It can be understood that the second base station list may include some or all of the gNBs within the ESF management area.

[0190] Step S520 is a specific instance of step S310 in method 300. For the description of the first base station list information and the second base station list information, reference can be made to the first access network device list information and the second access network device list information in step S310, which will not be elaborated here.

[0191] S530, SF-C sends a sensing requirement and the second base station list information to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the sensing requirement and the second base station list information from the SF-C.

[0192] Specifically, SF-C can select a suitable ESF according to the sensing requirement, the sensing capability information of the ESF received in step S510, and / or the location information of the ESF, and send the sensing requirement and the second base station list information to the selected ESF.

[0193] The sensing requirement can be used to determine the sensing resource configuration information of the ESF. Or rather, the sensing requirement may carry information for the ESF to configure sensing resources for the gNB. For the specific description of the sensing requirement, reference can be made to step S320. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0194] In a possible implementation manner, SF-C can forward the sensing requirement and the second base station list information to the ESF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the ESF can receive the sensing requirement and the second base station list information from the AMF.

[0195] In a possible implementation manner, SF-C can also send the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF can also receive the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF from the SF-C. The address information of the SF can be the address information of the SF-U and / or the address information of the SF-C. The address information of the ESF can be the user plane address information and / or the control plane address information of the ESF.

[0196] In a possible implementation manner, SF-C can also send the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF can also receive the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF from the SF-C.

[0197] It should be noted that SF-C can send perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc. to ESF through a message. For example, send perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc. through the second message. Or rather, the second message includes perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc. This SF-C can also send perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc. through multiple messages. Correspondingly, ESF can receive a message from SF-C including perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc. ESF can also receive multiple messages from SF-C including perception requirements, the second base station list information, the address information of ESF, the address information of SF-U, etc., and this application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0198] It should also be noted that SF-C can directly send a message to ESF, or it can be forwarded to ESF through AMF, and this application does not make any limitations in this regard either.

[0199] Step S530 is a specific instance of step S320 in method 300. For the description of the perception requirements, reference can be made to step S330. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0200] S540. ESF determines the perception resource configuration information according to the perception requirements.

[0201] This perception resource configuration information can be used to configure the perception resources of gNB.

[0202] Step S540 is a specific instance of step S330 in method 300. For the description of the perception resource configuration information, reference can be made to step S330. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0203] S550. ESF sends the perception resource configuration information to gNB. Correspondingly, gNB receives the perception resource configuration information from ESF.

[0204] This gNB is part or all of the gNBs of at least one base station in the first base station list indicated in the second base station list information.

[0205] In a possible implementation manner, when ESF does not have a control function, ESF can send perception requirements to gNB. Correspondingly, gNB can receive the perception requirements from ESF. gNB can configure the perception resources according to the perception requirements.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the ESF may also send the address information of the ESF and / or the address information of the SF to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB may also receive the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF from the ESF. The address information of the SF may be the address information of the SF-U and / or the address information of the SF-C. The address information of the ESF may be the user plane address information of the ESF and / or the control plane address information of the ESF.

[0207] In a possible implementation, the ESF may also send the user plane address information of the ESF and / or the address information of the SF-U to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB may also receive the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF from the ESF.

[0208] It should be noted that the ESF may send the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF-U, etc. to the gNB through one message. For example, the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF-U, etc. are sent through the third message. Or rather, the third message includes the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF, etc. The ESF may also send the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF, etc. through multiple messages. Correspondingly, the gNB may receive one message from the ESF including the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF, etc. The gNB may also receive multiple messages from the ESF including the sensing resource configuration information, the address information of the ESF, the address information of the SF, etc. This application does not make any restrictions on this.

[0209] Step S550 is a specific instance of step S330 in method 300, and the specific description can be referred to step S330.

[0210] Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 600 provided by this application.

[0211] Figure 6 For Figure 3 another specific embodiment. The following combines Figure 6 to give the method flow of the ESF selecting the gNB when the first network device is the ESF, the second network device is the SF, and the access network device is the gNB. The difference between method 600 and method 500 lies in the selection of the gNB by the ESF. Method 600 includes steps S610 to S650, which will be described in detail below.

[0212] S610. The ESF sends the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF to the SF-C. Correspondingly, the SF-C receives the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF from the ESF.

[0213] In a possible implementation, the ESF may forward the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF to the SF-C through the AMF. Correspondingly, the SF-C may receive the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF from the AMF.

[0214] In a possible implementation, the ESF may also send the address information of the ESF to the SF-C. Correspondingly, the SF-C may also receive the address information of the ESF from the ESF.

[0215] In a possible implementation, the ESF may forward the address information of the ESF to the SF-C through the AMF. Correspondingly, the SF-C may receive the address information of the ESF from the AMF. The address information of the ESF may be the user plane address information of the ESF and / or the control plane address information of the ESF.

[0216] For the specific description of the sensing capability information of the ESF and / or the location information of the ESF, refer to step S510, which will not be elaborated here.

[0217] S620. The SF-C sends a sensing requirement to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the sensing requirement from the SF-C.

[0218] In a possible implementation, the SF-C may forward the sensing requirement to the ESF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the ESF may receive the sensing requirement from the AMF.

[0219] In a possible implementation, the SF-C may also send the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF may also receive the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF from the SF-C. The address information of the SF may be the address information of the SF-U and / or the address information of the SF-C.

[0220] In a possible implementation, the SF-C may also send the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF may also receive the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF from the SF-C.

[0221] For the specific description, refer to step S540, which will not be elaborated here.

[0222] S630. The ESF determines the sensing resource configuration information according to the sensing requirement.

[0223] For the specific description, refer to step S540, which will not be elaborated here.

[0224] S640. The ESF selects gNBs and determines at least one gNB.

[0225] Specifically, the ESF selects gNBs within the ESF management area to determine at least one gNB.

[0226] S650. The ESF sends sensing resource configuration information to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB receives the sensing resource configuration information from the ESF.

[0227] Specifically, the gNB is at least one of the gNBs determined after the ESF selects the gNBs within the management area.

[0228] In a possible implementation manner, when the ESF does not have a control function, the ESF can send a sensing requirement to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB can receive the sensing requirement from the ESF. The gNB can perform sensing resource configuration according to the sensing requirement.

[0229] In a possible implementation manner, the ESF can also send the address information of the ESF and / or the address information of the SF to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB can also receive the address information of the SF and / or the address information of the ESF from the ESF.

[0230] In a possible implementation manner, the SF-C can also send the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF can also receive the address information of the SF-U and / or the user plane address information of the ESF from the SF-C.

[0231] For the specific description, reference can be made to step S550, which will not be elaborated here.

[0232] Through the above two embodiments of method 500 and method 600, the ESF can configure the sensing resources of the gNB, thereby reducing the interference between gNBs and improving the sensing effect. In addition, the gNB can be selected not only through the SF, but also through the ESF, and the selection method is more flexible, thereby also improving the sensing effect.

[0233] Figure 7 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 700 provided by this application.

[0234] Figure 7 For Figure 4 a specific embodiment of. The following is combined with Figure 7Given the case where the first network device is ESF, the second network device is SF, and the access network device is gNB, the method flow for the gNB to report sensing measurement data. Method 700 further designs the way for the gNB to report sensing measurement data on the basis of deploying ESF in methods 500 and 600. SF includes SF-U and SF-C. In this embodiment, the interaction between the gNB and SF-U is designed to support the reporting of the gNB's sensing measurement data. Method 700 can execute the steps included in Option 1 or Option 2. The steps S710 to S730 included in Option 1 and the steps S740 to S780 included in Option 2 are described in detail below.

[0235] Option 1: The gNB reports the sensing measurement data to SF-U.

[0236] S710: The gNB sends the sensing measurement data to SF-U. Correspondingly, SF-U receives the sensing measurement data from the gNB.

[0237] In a possible implementation, the gNB only receives the address information of SF-U, and the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to SF-U according to the address information of SF-U.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the gNB receives the address information of SF-U and the address information of ESF. The gNB determines the address information of SF-U according to the sensing service information, and sends the sensing measurement data to SF-U according to the address information of SF-U.

[0239] Specifically, the sensing service information does not include delay-sensitive sensing services. Therefore, the gNB can determine the address information of SF-U according to the sensing service information that does not include delay-sensitive sensing services, and send the sensing measurement data to SF-U according to the address information of SF-U.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the address information of ESF can be the user plane address information of ESF.

[0241] Step S710 is a specific instance of step S440 in method 400. For a specific description, refer to step S440.

[0242] S720: SF-U processes the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0243] Specifically, SF-U calculates and makes a decision on the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0244] Among them, the sensing result is a global sensing result.

[0245] Step S720 is a specific instance of step S450 in method 400. For a specific description, refer to step S450.

[0246] S730, the S730 and SF-U send the sensing results to the sensing service entity. Correspondingly, the sensing service entity receives the sensing results from the SF-U.

[0247] Among them, the sensing service entity is a device, object, etc. that can provide sensing services.

[0248] It should be noted that the sensing service entity can be a terminal device or a communication device with sensing service functions, etc., which is not limited in this application.

[0249] Based on the method in Option 1, for services insensitive to latency, the gNB reports the sensing measurement data to the SF-U, which helps to directly obtain the global sensing results.

[0250] Option 2: The gNB reports the sensing measurement data to the ESF.

[0251] S740, the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the sensing measurement data from the gNB.

[0252] In a possible implementation, the gNB only receives the address information of the ESF, and the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the ESF according to the address information of the ESF.

[0253] In a possible implementation, the gNB receives the address information of the SF-U and the address information of the ESF. The gNB determines the address information of the ESF according to the sensing service information, and sends the sensing measurement data to the ESF according to the address information of the ESF.

[0254] Specifically, the sensing service information includes latency-sensitive sensing services. Therefore, the gNB can determine the address information of the ESF according to the latency-sensitive sensing services included, and send the sensing measurement data to the ESF according to the address information of the ESF.

[0255] In a possible implementation, the address information of the ESF can be the user plane address information of the ESF.

[0256] Step S740 is a specific instance of step S410 in method 400. For specific descriptions, please refer to step S410.

[0257] S750, the ESF processes the sensing measurement data to obtain the sensing results.

[0258] Specifically, the ESF performs calculations and makes decisions on the sensing measurement data to obtain the sensing results.

[0259] Among them, the sensing results are local sensing results.

[0260] Step S750 is a specific instance of step S420 in method 400. For the specific description, refer to step S420.

[0261] S760. The ESF sends the perception result obtained after processing the perception measurement data to the SF-U. Correspondingly, the SF-U receives the perception result obtained after processing the perception measurement data from the ESF.

[0262] Specifically, after the ESF receives the address information of the SF-U, the ESF sends the perception result obtained after processing the perception measurement data to the SF-U according to the address information of the SF-U.

[0263] Step S760 is a specific instance of step S430 in method 400. For the specific description, refer to step S430.

[0264] S770. The SF-U processes the perception result sent by the ESF to obtain the global perception result.

[0265] Specifically, the SF-U calculates and makes a decision on the perception result sent by the ESF to obtain the global perception result.

[0266] S780. The SF-U sends the global perception result to the perception service entity. Correspondingly, the perception service entity receives the global perception result from the SF-U.

[0267] Based on the method in Option 2, for latency-sensitive services, the gNB reports the perception measurement data to the ESF closer to the gNB. The ESF can obtain the perception result faster, thereby reducing latency, facilitating multi-station collaborative perception, and improving the perception effect. In addition, since the ESF is deployed on the RAN side, the distance between the ESF and the gNB is relatively close, and the ESF has data processing capabilities. Therefore, the ESF can directly process the original perception measurement data, thus reducing latency and improving the perception effect.

[0268] Based on the solution of the above method 700, in the case of ESF deployment, when the gNB performs a perception task, the gNB needs to report the perception measurement data. At this time, according to the different types of perception services, it can be selected to report to the SF or the ESF. The types of perception services include latency-sensitive or latency-insensitive perception services. For latency-insensitive services, the gNB can choose to report the perception measurement data to the SF to directly obtain the global perception result. For latency-sensitive services, the gNB can choose to report the perception measurement data to the ESF to obtain the perception result faster. Therefore, for different service types, different reporting methods are selected, making the reporting method of the perception measurement data more flexible. The perception measurement data is no longer only decided and calculated by the SF to obtain the perception result, so that the perception decision can be made more quickly and efficiently, thereby improving the perception effect.

[0269] Figure 8 Schematic flowchart of the communication method 800 provided for this application.

[0270] Figure 8 is Figure 7 A specific example of the method of Option 1 in []. The method 800 gives the method flow of the gNB sending sensing measurement data to the SF-U according to the SF-U address information, and adds the SF-C sending the address information of the SF-U to the ESF on the basis of Option 1 in the method 700. The method 800 includes steps S810 to S850, which are described in detail below.

[0271] S810. The SF-C sends the address information of the SF-U to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the address information of the SF-U from the SF-C.

[0272] S820. The ESF sends the address information of the SF-U to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB receives the address information of the SF-U from the ESF.

[0273] S830. The gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the SF-U. Correspondingly, the SF-U receives the sensing measurement data from the gNB.

[0274] Specifically, the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the SF-U according to the address information of the SF-U.

[0275] For the specific description, refer to step S710, which will not be elaborated here.

[0276] S840. The SF-U processes the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0277] Specifically, the SF-U performs calculations and makes decisions on the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0278] Among them, the sensing result is a global sensing result.

[0279] For the specific description, refer to step S720, which will not be elaborated here.

[0280] S850. The SF-U sends the sensing result to the sensing service entity. Correspondingly, the sensing service entity receives the sensing result from the SF-U.

[0281] For the specific description, refer to step S730, which will not be elaborated here.

[0282] Figure 9 Schematic flowchart of the communication method 900 provided for this application.

[0283] Figure 9 is Figure 7A specific example of the method of Option 2 in []. Method 900 gives the method flow for the gNB to send sensing measurement data to the ESF according to the ESF address information, and adds the ESF sending the address information of the ESF to the gNB on the basis of Option 2 in Method 700. Method 900 includes steps S910 to S970, which are described in detail below.

[0284] Optionally, in S910, the SF-C sends the address information of the ESF to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the address information of the ESF from the SF-C.

[0285] In S920, the ESF sends the address information of the ESF to the gNB. Correspondingly, the gNB receives the address information of the ESF from the ESF.

[0286] In S930, the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the ESF. Correspondingly, the ESF receives the sensing measurement data from the gNB.

[0287] Specifically, the gNB sends the sensing measurement data to the ESF according to the address information of the ESF.

[0288] For a specific description, reference can be made to step S740, which will not be elaborated here.

[0289] In S940, the ESF processes the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0290] Specifically, the ESF calculates and makes a decision on the sensing measurement data to obtain a sensing result.

[0291] Among them, the sensing result is a local sensing result.

[0292] For a specific description, reference can be made to step S750, which will not be elaborated here.

[0293] In S950, the ESF sends the sensing result obtained after processing the sensing measurement data to the SF-U. Correspondingly, the SF-U receives the sensing result obtained after processing the sensing measurement data from the ESF.

[0294] Specifically, the ESF sends the sensing result obtained after processing the sensing measurement data to the SF-U according to the address information of the SF-U.

[0295] For a specific description, reference can be made to step S760, which will not be elaborated here.

[0296] In S960, the SF-U processes the sensing result sent by the ESF to obtain a global sensing result.

[0297] Specifically, the SF-U calculates and makes a decision on the sensing result sent by the ESF to obtain a global sensing result.

[0298] For the specific description, reference may be made to step S770, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0299] S970. The SF-U sends the global perception result to the perception service entity. Correspondingly, the perception service entity receives the global perception result from the SF-U.

[0300] For the specific description, reference may be made to step S780, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0301] It should be noted that this application does not limit the sequence of steps in the above embodiments. The steps in the above embodiments may be carried out successively or simultaneously.

[0302] The above has elaborated in detail the communication method provided by this application. Next, the communication device provided by this application will be introduced.

[0303] In order to implement the functions of the communication devices (such as the first network device, the second network device, the access network device, etc.) in the embodiments of this application, each communication device can implement the corresponding functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module.

[0304] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of the communication device 1000 provided by the embodiment of this application. As Figure 10 shown, the device 1000 may include a transceiver unit 1010 and a processing unit 1020. The transceiver unit 1010 can communicate with the outside, and the processing unit 1020 is used for data processing. The transceiver unit 1010 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a transceiver unit. The processing unit 1020 can be used for processing.

[0305] Optionally, the device 1000 may further include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1020 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the foregoing method embodiments.

[0306] Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 is a first network device, which may be an ESF network element, or a communication device applied to or used in combination with an ESF network element and capable of implementing the method executed by the ESF network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, reference may be made to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0307] Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 is an access network device, which may be a base station (gNB), or a communication device applied to or used in combination with a base station and capable of implementing the method executed by the base station, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, reference may be made to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0308] Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 is a second network device, which may be an SF network element, or a communication device applied to or used in combination with an SF network element and capable of implementing the methods executed by the SF network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, refer to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0309] In a possible design, the device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the first network device in the above method embodiments. Among them, the processing unit 1020 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the first network device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the first network device in the above method embodiments.

[0310] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1010 is used to receive the sensing requirements from the second network device; it is also used to send the sensing resource configuration information to the access network device; the processing unit 1020 is used to determine the sensing resource configuration information, which is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device.

[0311] In another possible design, the device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the second network device in the above method embodiments. Among them, the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the second network device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 1020 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0312] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1010 is used to send the sensing requirements to the first network device; the processing unit 1020 is used to determine the sensing requirements, which are used to determine the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device, and the sensing resource configuration information is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device.

[0313] In another possible design, the device 1000 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. Among them, the transceiver unit 1010 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the access network device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 1020 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0314] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 1010 is used to receive the sensing resource configuration information from the first network device; the processing unit 1020 is used to determine the sensing resources according to the sensing resource configuration information of the first network device.

[0315] It should be understood that the device 1000 here is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a proprietary processor or a group of processors, etc.) for executing one or more software or firmware programs, and a memory, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 1000 can specifically be the sending end in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the sending end in the above method embodiments. Or, the device 1000 can specifically be the receiving end in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the receiving end in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

[0316] The device 1000 in each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the sending end in the above method. Or, the device 1000 in each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the receiving end in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver). Other units, such as the processing unit, etc., can be replaced by a processor to respectively execute the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0317] In addition, the above transceiver unit can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it can include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit can be a processing circuit. In the embodiments of the present application, the above communication device can be the receiving end or the sending end in the foregoing embodiments, or can be a chip or a chip system, for example: a system on chip (SoC). Among them, the transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit, a communication interface. The processing unit is a processor, a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. This is not limited herein.

[0318] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 11 shown, the device 2000 includes a processor 2010 and a transceiver 2020. Among them, the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 communicate with each other through an internal connection path. The processor 2010 is used to execute instructions to control the transceiver 2020 to send signals and / or receive signals.

[0319] Optionally, the device 2000 may further include a memory 2030, which communicates with the processor 2010 and the transceiver 2020 via an internal connection path. The memory 2030 is used to store instructions, and the processor 2010 can execute the instructions stored in the memory 2030.

[0320] Exemplarily, the communication device 2000 is a first network device, which may be an ESF network element, or a communication device applied to or used in combination with an ESF network element and capable of implementing the methods executed by the ESF network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, refer to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0321] Exemplarily, the communication device 2000 is an access network device, which may be a base station (gNB), or a communication device applied to or used in combination with a base station and capable of implementing the methods executed by the base station, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, refer to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0322] Exemplarily, the communication device 2000 is a second network device, which may be an SF network element, or a communication device applied to or used in combination with an SF network element and capable of implementing the methods executed by the SF network element, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. For specific details, refer to Figure 12 the relevant description of the chip system shown.

[0323] In a possible implementation, the device 2000 is used to implement each process and step corresponding to the first network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0324] In another possible implementation, the device 2000 is used to implement each process and step corresponding to the access network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0325] In another possible implementation, the device 2000 is used to implement each process and step corresponding to the second network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0326] Optionally, the memory 2030 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A part of the memory may further include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store information about the device type. The processor 2010 may be used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor 2010 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 2010 is used to execute each step and / or process of the foregoing method embodiments corresponding to the sending end or the receiving end.

[0327] In the implementation process, the steps of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in the random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register and other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0328] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with the ability to process signals. In the implementation process, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or, the aforementioned CPU, other general-purpose processors, DSP, ASIC, FGPA or other programmable logic devices, or the part of the circuit for processing functions in other chips. The processor in the embodiments of the present application can implement or execute the various methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can be located in the random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, register and other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0329] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include but not be limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0330] In the embodiments of the present application, the above-described method can be executed by a first network device, an access network device, and a second network device, or can be executed by a chip, a chip system, or a circuit of the first network device, the access network device, and the second network device. The chip, the chip system, or the circuit can be installed in the first network device, the access network device, and the second network device. Below, in combination with Figure 12 the chip system of the first network device, the access network device, and the second network device will be described.

[0331] Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a chip system 3000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 12 shown, the chip system 3000 (or can also be referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 3010 and an input / output interface 3020.

[0332] Among them, the logic circuit 3010 can be the processing circuit in the chip system 3000. The logic circuit 3010 can be coupled to a storage unit to call instructions in the storage unit, enabling the chip system 3000 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 3020 can be the input / output circuit in the chip system 3000, outputting the information processed by the chip system 3000, or inputting the data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 3000 for processing.

[0333] As a solution, the chip system 3000 is used to implement the operations performed by the first network device, or the access network device, or the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0334] For example, the logic circuit 3010 is used to implement the operations related to processing performed by the first network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to processing performed by the first network device in the above embodiments; the input / output interface 3020 is used to implement the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the first network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the first network device in the above embodiments.

[0335] For another example, the logic circuit 3010 is used to implement the operations related to processing performed by the second network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to processing performed by the second network device in the above embodiments; the input / output interface 3020 is used to implement the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the second network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the second network device in the above embodiments.

[0336] For yet another example, the logic circuit 3010 is used to implement the operations related to processing performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to processing performed by the access network device in the above embodiments; the input / output interface 3020 is used to implement the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments, such as the operations related to sending and / or receiving performed by the access network device in the above embodiments.

[0337] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the methods performed by the first network device, or the access network device, or the second network device in the above method embodiments are stored.

[0338] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, including instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the first network device, or the access network device, or the second network device in the above method embodiments.

[0339] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes the first network device, or the access network device, or the second network device in the above embodiments.

[0340] For the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the above provided devices, reference can be made to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0341] In the present application, on the premise of no logical contradiction, the examples can be cited from each other. For example, the methods and / or terms between method embodiments can be cited from each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device embodiments can be cited from each other, for example, the functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples can be cited from each other.

[0342] In various embodiments of the present application, the magnitudes of the sequence numbers of the above processes do not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation to the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0343] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0344] 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 can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0345] 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 device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there can be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0346] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0347] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, each functional unit may be integrated in a processing unit, may exist separately as individual physical units, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

[0348] If the above-mentioned function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or part of this technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0349] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and all should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first network device, the method includes: Receiving a sensing requirement from a second network device; Sending sensing resource configuration information corresponding to the sensing requirement to an access network device, where the sensing resource configuration information is used to configure the sensing resources of the access network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Sending the sensing capability information of the first network device and / or the location information of the first network device to the second network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the address information of the second network device; Sending the address information of the first network device and / or the address information of the second network device to the access network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving sensing measurement data from the access network device; Sending a sensing result to the second network device, where the sensing result is determined based on the sensing measurement data.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending first access network device list information to the second network device, where the first access network device list information is used to indicate at least one access network device within the management area of the first network device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving second access network device list information from the second network device.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second access network device list information is used to indicate some or all of the access network devices of the at least one access network device.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to an access network device, the method includes: Receiving sensing resource configuration information from a first network device; Determining sensing resources according to the sensing resource configuration information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The method further includes: Receiving the address information of the first network device; Sending sensing measurement data to the first network device according to the address information of the first network device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the address information of the first network device and the address information of a second network device; Determining the sensing measurement data to be sent according to the address information of the first network device according to sensing service information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The sensing service information includes delay-sensitive sensing services.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a unit or module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a unit or module for performing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, and when the processor runs computer instructions, the communication device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

15. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes: A first network device and an access network device, where the first network device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and the access network device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer program code which, when run on a communication device, causes the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or causes the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

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