A communication method, a communication device, and a storage medium

Abstract

This application provides a communication method, communication device, and storage medium, relating to the field of communication technology. For example, the method is applicable to scenarios involving sensing area switching. In this method, an application function network element sends a first request message to a sensing management function network element requesting a switch to a first sensing area. Upon receiving the first request message, the sensing management function network element determines a first number of target nodes for sensing the first sensing area, and then sends a second request message to the access network device requesting the use of the first number of target nodes for sensing the first sensing area. After receiving first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes from the access network device, the sensing management function network element determines the location information of all sensing targets within the first sensing area based on the first information. This improves the positioning accuracy of sensing targets within the first sensing area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, a communication device, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] With the emergence of new business scenarios such as autonomous driving and virtual reality, integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) technology has emerged. ISAC technology refers to a new type of information processing technology that achieves simultaneous coordination of sensing and communication functions based on the sharing of software and hardware resources or information. It can effectively improve system spectrum efficiency, save hardware space, and reduce maintenance costs.

[0003] Currently, there are scenarios in ISAC technology where the sensing area changes dynamically. How to accurately locate and sense targets within the changed sensing area in a timely manner is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, communication device, and storage medium that can locate and sense the target in the changed sensing area in a timely manner when the sensing area changes dynamically, and improves the robustness of sensing dynamically switched sensing areas.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a sensing management function network element, or it can be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the sensing management function network element. This application does not limit this. The following description uses a sensing management function network element as an example.

[0006] The method includes: an application function network element sending a first request message to a perception management function network element requesting a switch to a first perception area; the perception management function network element receiving the first request message, identifying a first number of target nodes for sensing the first perception area, and then sending a second request message to the access network device requesting the use of the first number of target nodes for sensing the first perception area; and the perception management function network element receiving first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes from the access network device, and determining the location information of the sensing targets within the first perception area based on the first information. The first information is used to characterize the echo signals received by the target nodes.

[0007] Since the first number of target nodes determined by the perception management function network element are the nodes that can minimize the correlation between the two least correlated locations within the first perception area among all available nodes, when the first number of target nodes locate and perceive the perception targets in the first perception area, they can reduce the probability of misjudging the location of the perception targets in the first perception area, improve the positioning accuracy of the perception targets, and thus improve the robustness of perception of the first perception area.

[0008] In one implementation, the perception management function network element determines a first number of target nodes to perceive a first perception area. This includes: the perception management function network element acquiring network information including node information of all available nodes and area information of the first perception area; calculating the correlation of all location point pairs within the first perception area under any subset of candidate nodes from all available nodes and the area information of the first perception area; wherein each location point pair includes two different location points within the first perception area; and selecting a first number of target nodes from all available nodes using a min-max optimization method based on the correlation of all location point pairs. Specifically, the min-max optimization method is used to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes that minimize the correlation of the location point pairs with the lowest correlation.

[0009] In this implementation, the perception management function network element selects the target node with the smallest positioning error from all available nodes, which minimizes the correlation between the location points, thus ensuring the positioning performance of the perceived target within the first perception area.

[0010] In another implementation, the perception management function network element adopts a min-max optimization method to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. This includes: when the first number of nodes is any subset of candidate nodes among the available nodes, the perception management function network element calculates the correlation of each location point pair, determines the target location point pair with the smallest correlation among the correlations of each location point pair, and determines the first number of target nodes from the subset of candidate nodes that minimize the correlation of the target location point pair.

[0011] In this implementation, during the process of the perception management function network element determining the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area, the target node with the least correlation among the target location point pairs with the least correlation is selected. This ensures the uniformity and robustness of the perception service throughout the first perception area, which is conducive to improving the positioning accuracy of perceiving the first perception area and effectively reducing the probability of misjudging the real location point as other location points.

[0012] In another implementation, for any pair of location points, including a first location point and a second location point, the correlation between the first location point and the second location point is calculated, including:

[0013] The sensing and management function network element calculates the first product value of the conjugate of the first composite steering vector and the second composite steering vector. The first product value is used to characterize the correlation between the first location point and the second location point. The correlation between the first location point and the second location point is inversely proportional to the first product value.

[0014] Wherein, the first composite guide vector is the guide vector of a first number of nodes at the first position point. The second composite guide vector is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the second position point. The first position point and the second position point can be any pair of position points from all possible pairings.

[0015] In this implementation, the perception management function network element measures whether the first location point and the second location point are the same location point by the correlation between the first location point and the second location point. The greater the correlation, the smaller the difference between the echo information reflected back from the first location point and the second location point. The smaller the correlation, the larger the difference between the echo signals reflected back from the first location point and the second location point. By determining whether the first location point and the second location point are the same location point through the correlation, the probability of misjudging two different location points as the same location point is avoided.

[0016] In another implementation, after calculating the first product value, the perception management function element calculates the α-th power of the Euclidean distance between the first and second location points, where α is greater than 0. Further, the perception management function element calculates the second product value of the first product value and the α-th power of the Euclidean distance. The correlation between the first and second location points is inversely proportional to the second product value. Therefore, the distance-weighted correlation between the first and second location points by the perception management function element ensures that even if the target node misjudges the target's location as another location point while sensing the first perception area, the distance between the misjudged location point and the true location point of the target is smaller, thus reducing the positioning error of the target.

[0017] The perception management function element employs a min-max optimization method to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. This includes: If the first number of nodes are any first number of available nodes, the perception management function element calculates the first product value for each pair of location points. The perception management function element calculates the Euclidean distance between the two location points in each pair to the power of α, where α is greater than 0. The perception management function element calculates the second product value of the first product value for each pair of location points and the Euclidean distance to the power of α. The perception management function element determines the target location point pair corresponding to the largest product value among the second product values ​​for each pair of location points, thus identifying the target location point pair with the minimum distance-weighted similarity from all location point pairs. Finally, the perception management function element determines a first number of target nodes from the available nodes that minimize the value of the second product value corresponding to the target location point pair.

[0018] In this implementation, the first number of target nodes minimizes the positioning error of the location point with the lowest correlation after distance weighting. By using the first number of target nodes to sense the first sensing area, even if the location point of the sensed target is misjudged as another location point, the positioning error caused by misjudgment is reduced.

[0019] In another implementation, the area information of the first sensing area is carried in the first request message. Therefore, the application function network element does not need to instruct the sensing management function network element of the area information of the first sensing area via additional instructions, reducing signaling overhead.

[0020] In another implementation, after the perception management function network element determines the location information corresponding to the perceived target within the first perception area, it sends the location information corresponding to the perceived target within the first perception area to the application function network element.

[0021] In another implementation, the first request message carries the quality of service (QoS) requirements for sensing the first sensing area. Thus, the application function network element sends the QoS requirements for sensing the first sensing area in the first request message to the sensing management function network element, which then sends these QoS requirements to the access network device, enabling the access network device to configure transmission priority or bandwidth based on the QoS requirements.

[0022] Secondly, a communication device is provided, comprising a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module receives a first request message from an application function network element and then sends a second request message to an access network device. The first request message requests switching the sensing area to a first sensing area. The second request message requests sensing of the first sensing area using a first number of target nodes, and carries identification information of the first number of target nodes. The first number of target nodes are those nodes that minimize the correlation between any two different locations within the first sensing area, among all available nodes in the network where the sensing management function network element is located.

[0023] The transceiver module is also used to receive echo information corresponding to the sensed target within the first sense area of ​​the access network device.

[0024] This processing module is used to determine the location information of the sensed target within the first sense area based on the echo information.

[0025] The second aspect is the implementation on the device side corresponding to the first aspect. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first aspect also apply to the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0026] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0027] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0028] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0029] Fourthly, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute a method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0030] In specific implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0031] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The processor is used to read instructions stored in the memory, receive signals via a receiver, and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0032] Optionally, the processor may be one or more, and the memory may be one or more.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when the computer program is run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0035] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, causing the methods in any of the above aspects or possible implementations to be executed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0036] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0037] Ninthly, a communication system is provided, including the aforementioned application function network element, sensing management function network element, and access network device. Optionally, the communication system may further include other devices that communicate with the access network device. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a service-oriented interface provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of positioning error distribution provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a target node provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the meshing of a sensing area, as provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another scenario for a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 9 A signaling interaction diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a simulation result provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 12 A schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 13 A schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) systems, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, sidelink communication systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, or new radio access technology (NR). Among these, 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networking. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit the scope of these applications.

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can communicate via a wireless link, for example, through the communication method provided in this application.

[0054] It should be understood that Figure 1 An exemplary network device 110 and a terminal device 120 are shown. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include multiple network devices and / or multiple terminal devices.

[0055] The network equipment in this application can be network-side equipment such as access network equipment and core network equipment. Access network equipment is sometimes also called access node. Access network equipment has wireless transceiver capabilities and is used to communicate with terminals. Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs) in the above-mentioned communication systems, next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, access network equipment or modules of access network equipment in open RAN (ORAN) systems, satellites in NTN communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. Access network equipment can also be modules or units that can implement some of the functions of a base station. Access network equipment can be macro base stations, micro base stations or indoor stations, relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in cloud radioaccess network (CRAN) scenarios. Optionally, access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, or vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). Multiple access network devices in a communication system can be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminals directly or via relay stations. Terminals can communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the access network equipment. In this application, the access network equipment is referred to as a network device.

[0056] In this application, the means for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a means capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This means can be installed in or connected to the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0057] The terminal device in this application can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and instruction information. The wireless terminal device can be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, or satellite communication, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft (such as drone, helicopter, airplane), hot air balloon, ship, robot, robotic arm, or smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device.

[0058] In this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or any apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This apparatus can be installed in or connected to the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a terminal device being used to implement the functions of a terminal device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0059] Taking network devices as access network devices and terminal devices as terminals as an example, access network devices and / or terminals can be fixed or mobile. Access network devices and / or terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. This application does not limit the application scenarios of access network devices and terminals. Access network devices and terminal devices can be deployed in the same or different scenarios. For example, access network devices and terminal devices can be deployed simultaneously on land; or, access network devices can be deployed on land and terminal devices can be deployed on water, etc., and so on.

[0060] In practical applications, multiple network devices can collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different network devices each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CUs (control planes, CPs), CUs (user planes, UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0061] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU can implement different protocol layer functions.

[0062] The aforementioned network device may include multiple network elements, which can exchange information through interfaces. For an example, please refer to [link to example]. Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture based on a service-oriented interface provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2The 5G network architecture shown includes terminal devices, a data network (DN), and an operator network (referred to as the network). The operator network includes a radio access network ((R)AN) and a core network (CN). The (R)AN is used to connect terminal devices to the wireless network, while the core network manages the terminal devices and provides gateways for communication with the DN. The core network includes one or more of the following network elements: a network slice selection function (NSSF) element, and a network slice selection authentication and authorization function (NSSF). Specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network elements, authentication server function (AUSF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, network repository function (NRF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, service communication proxy (SCP) network elements, network slice admission control function (NSACF) network elements, etc.

[0063] Specifically, Figure 2In this context, the service interface provided by the NSSF network element is Nnssf. The service interface provided by the NEF network element is Nnef. The service interface provided by the NRF network element is Nnrf. The service interface provided by the PCF network element is Npcf. The service interface provided by the UDM network element is Nudm. The service interface provided by the AF network element is Naf. The service interface provided by the NSSAAF network element is Nnssaaf. The service interface provided by the AUSF network element is Nausf. The service interface provided by the AMF network element is Namf. The service interface provided by the SMF network element is Nsmf. The service interface provided by the NSACF network element is Nnsacf. Terminal equipment communicates with the AMF network element via the N1 interface. The RAN communicates with the AMF network element via the N2 interface. The RAN communicates with the UPF network element via the N3 interface. The UPF network element communicates with the SMF network element via the N4 interface. Two UPF network elements communicate via the N9 interface. The UPF network element communicates with the DN via the N6 interface.

[0064] Among them, the AF network element is a service-oriented network function oriented towards the business / application layer. It is responsible for interacting with external applications or business systems, proposing business requirements (such as sensing requirements) to the network, and receiving responses from the network side.

[0065] The SMF network element is primarily responsible for the full lifecycle management of protocol data unit sessions between terminal equipment and DN.

[0066] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terminology used in this application will be briefly explained first. Optionally, the explanation of some terms may also refer to the explanations in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard protocol.

[0067] 1. Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) refers to a new type of information processing technology that achieves simultaneous sensing and communication functions based on the sharing of software and hardware resources or information. In other words, wireless networks can not only complete traditional communication tasks, but also simultaneously achieve perception of the environment and targets (such as detection, positioning, tracking, imaging, etc.), thereby improving system spectrum efficiency, saving hardware space and reducing maintenance costs.

[0068] 2. A sensing node is a node in the ISAC system that participates in the transmission, reception, and processing of sensing signals. It has the ability to transmit, receive, and process sensing signals. A sensing node may include, but is not limited to, a transmission and receiving point (TRP).

[0069] It should be understood that the sensing signal in the embodiments of this application refers to any signal transmitted on the communication resources. It can be a signal with a specific meaning that carries data or information, or it can be a reference signal. This application does not make any limitations.

[0070] 3. The sensing target can be either an active or passive sensing target. The sensing target can also be described as the sensing object. Active sensing targets possess the ability to transmit, receive, and process sensing signals. The sensing signals transmitted by active sensing targets are received and processed, thereby enabling functions such as target localization, detection, tracking, and identification. Common active sensing targets can include devices such as mobile phones, vehicles, and IoT devices. In the ISAC system, the signals emitted by these active targets can be used for integrated communication and sensing processing, improving spectrum utilization and overall system performance.

[0071] For example, in intelligent transportation systems, vehicles, as active sensing targets, emit Global Positioning System (GPS) signals and communication signals that can be received by roadside ISAC base stations to achieve functions such as vehicle positioning, traffic flow monitoring, and road condition analysis.

[0072] Passive sensing targets typically lack the ability to transmit, receive, and process sensing signals. The simplest passive sensing targets may only be able to reflect or scatter electromagnetic waves. Passive sensing targets can include a wide range of physical environments, such as buildings, urban infrastructure (e.g., billboards, bridges), and traffic conditions (e.g., pedestrians, bicycles). By receiving and processing the electromagnetic wave signals reflected or scattered by these passive targets, the ISAC system can achieve comprehensive perception and reconstruction of the surrounding environment. For example, in smart cities, the ISAC system can utilize signals reflected or scattered by passive sensing targets such as buildings and bridges for 3D imaging and virtual reconstruction of the urban environment, providing strong support for urban planning and management. As another example, the location and tracking of aircraft or satellites can be achieved by detecting signals of sunlight reflected from them.

[0073] 4. The sensing area refers to the geographical area where the sensing node needs to perform sensing tasks (such as localization, imaging, etc.).

[0074] It should be understood that the technical terms used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and not as limiting. For example, as technology evolves, technical terms may also change, and other technical terms that have the same technical meaning should also apply to this application.

[0075] In a cellular network integrating sensing and perception, the network side needs to provide continuous, robust, and high-precision positioning and sensing capabilities within any sensing area. Due to sensing area switching, the correspondence between the network topology and the sensing area continuously evolves, directly affecting the positioning accuracy and worst-case performance (i.e., positioning blind spots or accuracy gaps) of targets within the sensing area. Therefore, to ensure performance stability before and after sensing area switching, the network side needs to select and activate multiple sensing nodes simultaneously during sensing area switching, forming a spatially robust cooperative positioning system covering the entire sensing area.

[0076] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, at intersections in a smart city, the network needs to dynamically adjust the sensing area and sensing requirements based on traffic flow at different times. For example, during the morning rush hour, the network primarily senses the left-turn lane. In this case, the network selects the first sensing node 310, the second sensing node 320, and the third sensing node 330 to provide positioning and sensing capabilities for the targets within sensing area A. During the evening rush hour, the network primarily senses the straight-ahead lane. At this time, the area that the network needs to sense switches from sensing area A to sensing area B. The network quickly responds to the switch in area-level sensing requirements, selecting the fourth sensing node 340, the fifth sensing node 350, and the sixth sensing node 360 ​​to provide positioning and sensing capabilities for the targets within sensing area B.

[0077] However, in the ISAC system, the sensing resources allocated by the network side for communication and sensing (such as the set of cooperative sensing nodes, beams, spectrum, etc.) are usually statically or semi-statically configured. In this case, when the sensing area switches to a sensing area without pre-configured sensing resources, the sensing performance of the sensing area without pre-configured sensing resources cannot be guaranteed (e.g., reduced positioning accuracy), and the pre-configured sensing resources of the original sensing area are idle, resulting in a double loss of network energy efficiency and service performance.

[0078] For example, as Figure 3 As shown, assuming the network side pre-configures corresponding sensing nodes for sensing areas A and B, a sudden task may cause the sensing areas to switch to sensing areas other than sensing areas A and B. This results in a waste of the sensing resources pre-configured for sensing areas A and B, and the sensing performance of the newly switched sensing areas cannot be guaranteed.

[0079] Furthermore, in the ISAC system, when the network side collaborates with multiple sensing nodes to sense targets, the primary goal is often to improve "average performance" or to target "known targets." However, when sensing "unknown targets" within the sensing area, worst-case performance is crucial and directly affects the reliability of the sensing service. Traditional methods, however, cannot constrain worst-case performance through mathematical models, leading to potential sensing failures at certain locations due to poor node placement, posing a security risk.

[0080] Still with Figure 3 As shown, assuming the network side senses the sensing area A based on the first sensing node 310, the second sensing node 320, and the third sensing node 330, the positioning error of each sensing target within sensing area A has good spatial robustness, such as... Figure 4 As shown in (a), when the sensing area switches from sensing area A to sensing area B, but the sensing nodes have not had time to switch, i.e., the first sensing node 310, the second sensing node 320, and the third sensing node 330 sense sensing area B. In this case, the change in the geometric relationship between the sensing area and the sensing nodes may cause positioning blind spots, i.e., locations that cannot be located, resulting in large positioning errors for these locations. Figure 4 As shown in (b), there are three positioning blind spots (blind spot A, blind spot B and blind spot C) in the sensing area B. The positioning error space robustness of these positioning blind spots is poor.

[0081] In addition, the existing network-side pre-configured sensing nodes for the sensing area have the problem of being unable to accurately sense suddenly appearing sensing targets within the sensing area.

[0082] In view of this, this application provides a communication method in which an application function network element sends a first request message to a perception management function network element requesting to switch the perception area to a first perception area. Upon receiving the first request message, the perception management function network element determines a first number of target nodes for sensing the first perception area, and then sends a second request message to an access network device requesting to utilize the first number of target nodes for sensing the first perception area. After receiving first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes from the access network device, the perception management function network element determines the location information of the sensing targets within the first perception area based on the first information. Since the first number of target nodes determined by the perception management function network element are the nodes among all available nodes that minimize the correlation between the two least correlated location points within the first perception area, when the first number of target nodes locate and sense the sensing targets in the first perception area, the probability of misjudging the location of the sensing targets within the first perception area can be reduced, the positioning accuracy of the sensing targets can be improved, the positioning performance within the first perception area can be guaranteed, and the robustness of sensing the first perception area can be improved.

[0083] The following section, in conjunction with the corresponding flowchart, provides a detailed explanation of the solution provided in this application.

[0084] As a general statement, the message or signaling interactions involved in the interaction process of this application embodiment can be standard messages or signaling or newly introduced messages or signaling. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0085] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method includes the following steps S510 to S540.

[0086] S510, the application function network element sends a first request message to the perception management function network element, and the perception management function network element receives the first request message accordingly.

[0087] The first request message is used to request that the sensing area be switched to the first sensing area.

[0088] In some embodiments, when an application function network element determines, based on changes in business logic (e.g., sudden road conditions, changes in monitoring targets, etc.), that it needs to switch its sensing area to a first sensing area, i.e., update to sense targets within the first sensing area, the application function network element sends a first request message to a network open function network element or a policy control function network element. The network open function network element or the policy control function network element forwards the first request message to the sensing management function network element, so that the sensing management function network element can determine the target nodes for sensing the first sensing area.

[0089] For example, the application function network element sends a first request message to the network open function network element through the N33 interface. After performing security verification and protocol conversion on the request from the application function network element, the network open function network element forwards the first request message to the perception management function network element through an internal service back-end interface (e.g., the Nnef interface). Alternatively, the application function network element sends the first request message to the policy control function network element through the N7 interface, and the policy control function network element forwards the first request message to the perception management function network element through the N7 interface.

[0090] Optionally, the first request message received by the perception management function network element carries area information of the first perception area. Alternatively, the first request message carries an identifier of the first perception area, so that the perception management function network element can identify the first perception area based on the identifier. Optionally, the perception management function network element queries the area information corresponding to the identifier of the first perception area according to the pre-stored mapping relationship between the identifiers of perception areas and area information.

[0091] In this application, the region information of the first sensing region refers to information used to describe the geometry and position of the first sensing region. This region information includes the shape of the first sensing region and its position information (or the position information of some preset points within the first sensing region). These preset points may include, but are not limited to, vertices and center points of the first sensing region. For example, assuming the first sensing region is a polygon, the region information includes the shape of the polygon and the coordinates of each vertex. Or, assuming the first sensing region is a circle, the region information includes the shape being circular, the coordinates of the center point, and the radius (or diameter).

[0092] S520, the perception management function network element sends a second request message to the access network device according to the first request message; correspondingly, the access network device receives the second request message. The second request message requests the use of a first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area. The second request message carries the identification information of the first number of target nodes. Specifically, the perception management function network element determines the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area according to the first request message, and sends the second request message carrying the identification information of the first number of target nodes to the access network device. In this embodiment, after the perception management function network element determines the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area, it sends the identification information of the first number of target nodes in the second request message to the access network device, enabling the access network device to control the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area.

[0093] Optionally, assuming the target node is a TRP, the second request message carries a first number of TRP identifiers. The TRP identifier is used to uniquely identify a TRP.

[0094] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of the perception management function network element determining the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area is described in the following embodiments, and will not be detailed here.

[0095] For example, the sensing management function network element sends a second request message (e.g., Nsmf_CoordinatedSensingUpdate) to the access network device through the Nsmf interface. Nsmf_CoordinatedSensingUpdate includes TRP-To-Activate-List, TRP-To-Deactivate-List, and SRS-Configuration. TRP-To-Activate-List indicates the identification information of a first number of target nodes, i.e., the identification information of the target nodes that need to be activated. TRP-To-Deactivate-List indicates the identification information of nodes that need to be deactivated. SRS-Configuration indicates the configuration information of the sensing reference signal (SRS). The configuration information includes the time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources configured for the sensing signal.

[0096] Optionally, the first quantity is the number of nodes that perform collaborative sensing of the first sensing area. The first quantity can be pre-configured; for example, it can be carried in the first request message, and the sensing management function network element can determine the first quantity upon receiving the first request message. For example, the first quantity can be pre-configured as 3, 5, etc., depending on the actual scenario, and there is no limitation on this. Alternatively, the first quantity can be agreed upon by the protocol.

[0097] In this application, the first number of target nodes are those nodes among all available nodes in the network where the perception management function network element is located, which minimize the correlation between the least correlated / most different location point pairs within the first perception area. When the first number of target nodes perceive the first perception area, the positioning error of the two least correlated / most different location points within the first perception area is minimized, thereby ensuring the performance of the first number of target nodes when perceiving the perception targets within the entire first perception area.

[0098] S530, the access network device sends the first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes to the sensing management function network element; correspondingly, the sensing management function network element receives the first information.

[0099] In some embodiments, the access network device sends indication information to each of the first number of target nodes through an interface, instructing the target node to send a sensing signal to the first sensing area. After the access network device obtains the echo signal reflected back from the sensing target in the first sensing area received by each target node, it sends the first information characterizing the echo signal received by the target node to the sensing management function network element, so that the sensing management function network element determines the location information of the sensing target based on the first information received by the first number of target nodes.

[0100] The first piece of information is used to characterize the echo signal received by the target node, and may include parameters such as time delay and angle in the echo signal. For example, the first piece of information includes, but is not limited to, time of arrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), or round-trip time (RTT).

[0101] TOA represents the signal transmission time from the target node / sensing node to the sensing target. Optionally, the target node records the time it sends the sensing signal and the time it receives the echo signal reflected back from the sensing target, and determines the signal transmission time based on the time the target node sends the sensing signal and the time the target node receives the echo signal. For example, the target node may use the difference between the time it receives the echo signal and the time it sends the sensing signal as the signal transmission time.

[0102] TDOA represents the time difference between the arrival of a sensing signal from a target node to the sensing target. Optionally, after receiving a sensing signal from a target node, the sensing target records the timestamps of a first number of received sensing signals. Then, the sensing target calculates the arrival time difference of sensing signals from different target nodes based on the first number of timestamps. For example, the sensing target uses the difference in the time it takes to receive sensing signals from different target nodes as the arrival time difference.

[0103] AOA represents the angle at which the sensed signal arrives at the sensed target. Optionally, assuming the sensed target is an active sensed target equipped with a multi-antenna array, the active sensed target determines the angle at which the sensed signal arrives by comparing the phase difference of the sensed signals received by different antennas. For example, the active sensed target determines the angle at which the sensed signal arrives at the active sensed target by the angle corresponding to the phase difference of the sensed signals received by two adjacent antennas. Assuming the sensed target is a passive sensed target, after a first number of target nodes transmit sensed signals, each target node receives the echo signal reflected by the passive sensed target. After the target nodes determine TOA and / or AOA based on the above method, the target nodes estimate the angle at which the sensed signal arrives at the sensed target based on TOA and / or AOA.

[0104] RTT represents the total time from when the target node sends a sensing signal to a sensing target in the first sensing area to when it receives the echo signal reflected back from the sensing target in the first sensing area. Optionally, after the target node sends a sensing signal to the sensing target, and the sensing target receives the sensing signal and then reflects an echo signal back to the target node, the target node records the timestamps of sending the sensing signal and receiving the echo signal, and then determines the RTT based on the timestamps of sending the sensing signal and receiving the sensing echo.

[0105] For example, assume that the sensing management function network element determines three target nodes as TRP1, TRP2, and TRP3. These three target nodes send sensing signals to the first sensing area and receive echo information reflected back from the sensing targets within the first sensing area. Specifically, TRP1, TRP2, and TRP3 send sensing signals to the first sensing area via a wireless channel. Each sensing target within the first sensing area receives sensing signals from the three TRPs and generates corresponding echo information based on each received sensing signal. The process by which the sensing target generates corresponding echo information based on each received positioning parameter signal is described in the implementation process of S530 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0106] In this embodiment, after receiving the echo signal reflected back from the sensing target, the target node can directly digitize the original echo signal and report it to the sensing management function network element through the access network device. Alternatively, it can preprocess the digitized echo signal and report the processed feature information to the sensing management function network element; this is not limited. For example, the preprocessing of the digitized echo signal by the target node includes, but is not limited to, filtering, noise reduction, feature extraction, and signal enhancement.

[0107] For example, the access network device carries the digitized echo signal or pre-processed feature information in the SensingRawData-Info information and sends it to the sensing management function network element through the ProvideLocationInformation message.

[0108] It should be understood that because the original echo signal retains complete information, reporting the original echo signal to the sensing management function network element by the access network device helps improve the positioning accuracy of the sensed target. The access network device reports the feature information obtained after preprocessing the echo signal to the sensing management function network element. The sensing management function network element does not need to process the preprocessed echo signal again, simplifying the computational complexity of determining the positioning information of the sensed target and reducing the interaction signaling between the access network device and the sensing management function network element.

[0109] S540, the perception management function network element determines the location information of the perceived target within the first perception area based on the first information.

[0110] In this embodiment of the application, after the perception management function network element obtains the first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes, it fuses and processes the first information of the first number of target nodes to calculate the location information of the perceived target in the first perception area.

[0111] Optionally, the perception management function network element inputs the first information from a first number of target nodes into the positioning model to obtain the location information of the perceived targets within the first perception area. The positioning model is a trained neural network model capable of accurately predicting the location information of the perceived targets within the perception area.

[0112] Optionally, the sensing management function network element employs a multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm to calculate the location information of the sensed target within the first sensing area based on the first information. The specific implementation process can be found in existing MUSIC algorithm calculation procedures, and will not be elaborated here.

[0113] It should be noted that the above-mentioned perception management function network element, based on the positioning model or MUSIC algorithm, determines the location information of the perceived target only as an example. The specific implementation of the perception management function network element determining the location information of the perceived target within the first perception area based on the first information is not limited in this application.

[0114] Since all sensing targets within the first sensing area reflect echo signals back to the target node after receiving the sensing signal, the sensing management function network element can obtain the first information characterizing the echo signals reflected by all sensing targets within the first sensing area. The sensing management function network element can determine the location information of all sensing targets within the first sensing area without considering whether the sensing targets are known or unknown.

[0115] In summary, in this embodiment, the application function network element sends a first request message to the perception management function network element requesting a switch to the first perception area. Upon receiving the first request message, the perception management function network element determines a first number of target nodes for sensing the first perception area, and then sends a second request message to the access network device requesting the use of these first number of target nodes to sense the first perception area. After receiving first information corresponding to the first number of target nodes from the access network device, the perception management function network element determines the location information of the sensing targets within the first perception area based on this first information. Since the first number of target nodes determined by the perception management function network element are the nodes among all available nodes that minimize the correlation between the two least correlated location points within the first perception area, when these first number of target nodes locate and sense the sensing targets in the first perception area, the probability of misjudging the location of the sensing targets within the first perception area can be reduced, improving the positioning accuracy of the sensing targets. This ensures the overall perception performance of the first perception area is guaranteed when using the first number of target nodes to sense the first perception area, thus improving the robustness of sensing the first perception area.

[0116] The following describes the specific implementation of the perception management function network element in determining the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area. See details below. Figure 6 , Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a target node provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 6 As shown, the method includes steps S610 to S630.

[0117] S610, the perception management function network element acquires network information and area information of the first perception area.

[0118] The network information includes node information for all available nodes. Node information includes at least the node's location information (e.g., the x and y coordinates corresponding to its geographical location) and array angle. The array angle (also commonly referred to as the antenna array orientation angle, azimuth angle, pointing angle, beam direction angle, etc.) refers to the horizontal angle between the direction of the main beam of the antenna array and the geographical reference direction (usually due north).

[0119] In some embodiments, assuming there are M available nodes in the network where the perception and management function network element is located, the set of all available nodes acquired by the perception and management function network element is {TRP1, TRP2, ..., TRPM}. The node information for each TRPI includes at least the node's location information and array angle. Assuming the first quantity is J, the node information for the J target nodes is... The node information of the j-th target node among the J target nodes is: .in,( ) represents the location information of the j-th target node. This represents the array angle of the j-th target node.

[0120] In this embodiment, after the sensing management function network element obtains the area information of the first sensing area, it performs gridding processing on the first sensing area based on the area information to obtain a discrete sensing area. The discrete sensing area includes discrete location points. For example, the coordinates of the i-th discrete location point are represented as... .

[0121] Exemplary, exemplary, such as Figure 7 As shown, assuming that the geometry of the first sensing area obtained by the sensing management function network element is a circular area with a diameter of 17 meters (m), the sensing management function network element discretizes the circular sensing area into 1m×1m grid points (which can be described as location points).

[0122] S620, the perception management function network element calculates the correlation of all location point pairs in the first perception area under all candidate node subsets based on the node information of any candidate node subset among all available nodes and the area information of the first perception area.

[0123] The location point pair includes two different location points within the first sensing region. (The sentence is incomplete and requires further context.) Figure 7 As shown, the location point pairs include Figure 7 Any two different points within the circular sensing region.

[0124] For example, suppose the perception management function network element selects J target nodes from M available nodes to perceive the first perception area. The perception management function network element stores the sequence numbers of the M available nodes in a set, i.e. Define a subset of candidate nodes This includes the indexes of J nodes. Where J is less than M. For set The perception and management function network element first calculates the position of each candidate node subset at any location. The composite steering vector, denoted as The composite steering vector is the position point received by different antennas in the antenna array of each of the J nodes after the J nodes send sensing signals to the first sensing area. A vector composed of the phase differences of the reflected echo signals.

[0125] The sensing and management function network element calculates the location of the j-th target node among J target nodes. The nth element of the guide vector is given by the following formula (1).

[0126] (1);

[0127] in, This indicates that the j-th target node is at position point. The nth element of the guide vector, Let N represent the coordinates of any point within the first sensing area, and let N represent the number of antennas for the j-th target node. ) represents the location information of the j-th target node. Let represent the array angle of the j-th target node, n represent the n-th antenna in the j-th target node, and d represent the distance between two adjacent antennas of the j-th target node.

[0128] The sensing and management function network element determines the location points received by J nodes. The model of the echo signal reflected back from the perceived target is represented by the following formula (2).

[0129] (2);

[0130] in, Represents the reflection coefficient. Indicates composite steering vector conjugate, This represents the sensing signals sent by J nodes at time t. This represents the noise at time t.

[0131] The sensing and management function network element is based on formula (2), and the following formula (3) is used to represent any location point. The covariance characteristics of the echo signal.

[0132] (3);

[0133] in, , express and The conjugate product of , express and The product of the conjugates of .

[0134] The difference in echo covariance matrix between any two points is represented by the following formula (4) for the sensing and management function network element.

[0135] (4);

[0136] In some embodiments, the difference in the echo covariance matrices of a pair of location points is used to characterize the correlation between the pair. It should be understood that the smaller the difference in the echo covariance matrices of a pair of location points, the lower the correlation between the pair and the lower the probability that the echo signals of the pair are identical. Optionally, to determine the pair of location points with the smallest difference in their echo covariance matrices, the sensing and management function network element needs to find the pair that minimizes the difference in the echo covariance matrices in the above formula (4). The pair of positions with the largest value.

[0137] The sensing management function network element can use the above formula (4) to calculate the correlation of all location point pairs in the first sensing area.

[0138] In other embodiments, for any pair of location points, including a first location point and a second location point, the perception and management function network element calculates the first product value of the conjugate of the first composite steering vector and the second composite steering vector. Here, the first composite steering vector is the steering vector of a first number of nodes at the first location point, and the second composite steering vector is the steering vector of a first number of nodes at the second location point. The first product value characterizes the correlation between the first and second location points; the larger the first product value, the smaller the correlation between the first and second location points.

[0139] For example, the first product value is ,in, As the first position point, This is the second location point. This is the conjugate of the first composite guide vector, that is, the conjugate of the guide vectors of the first number of nodes at the first position point. This is the second composite guide vector, which is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the second position point.

[0140] In some other embodiments, for any pair of location points, including a first location point and a second location point, the perception management function element calculates the first product of the conjugate of the first composite steering vector and the second composite steering vector, and then calculates the α-th power of the Euclidean distance between the first and second location points. Then, the perception management function element calculates the second product of the first product and the α-th power of the Euclidean distance. The second product value characterizes the correlation between the first and second location points; the larger the second product value, the smaller the correlation between the first and second location points.

[0141] For example, the second product value is .

[0142] The S630 sensing and management function network element selects a first number of target nodes from all available nodes based on the correlation of all location point pairs using a minimum-maximum optimization method.

[0143] In some embodiments, when the number of available nodes in the network where the sensing and management function element is located is small, the sensing and management function element can use an exhaustive method to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. Optionally, if the first number of nodes is any subset of candidate nodes, the sensing and management function element can traverse each pair of locations, calculate the first product value corresponding to each pair of locations, and then use a min-max optimization method to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. The objective function of the min-max optimization method is as follows: formula (5).

[0144] Formula (5);

[0145] After the sensing and management function network element determines the target location point pair corresponding to the largest product value among the first product values ​​of all location point pairs, it determines the target location point pair in formula (5). and Then, the perception and management function network element determines the first number of target nodes from the available nodes that minimize the first product value corresponding to the target location point pair. The perception and management function network element traverses all candidate node subsets and finds the target location point pair with the largest first product value under each candidate node subset. That is, in formula (5) and Given a set Select the subset of nodes from all candidate nodes that minimizes the value of the first product corresponding to the target location point pair.

[0146] This can be understood as follows: the perception management function network element uses an exhaustive method to find the target location point pair with the lowest correlation among all location point pairs. Then, the perception management function network element uses an exhaustive method to select the subset of nodes from all candidate node subsets that minimizes the value of the first product corresponding to the target location point pair. Thus, in the process of the perception management function network element determining the first number of target nodes to be perceived in the first perception area, selecting the target node with the lowest correlation among the target location point pairs ensures the uniformity and robustness of the perception service throughout the first perception area, which is beneficial to improving the positioning accuracy of the perception in the first perception area and effectively reducing the probability of misclassifying a real location point as another location point.

[0147] In other embodiments, when there are many available nodes in the network where the perception management function element is located, in order to reduce the computational load, the perception management function element can use a genetic algorithm to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. Here, the genetic algorithm is a global optimization search algorithm that encodes the solution to the problem as "chromosomes" (i.e., individuals). A group of individuals forms a "population," and by simulating mechanisms such as selection, crossover, and mutation in biological evolution, the population is iteratively updated to gradually improve the overall fitness of the population, ultimately finding the optimal solution to the problem. The specific implementation of the perception management function element using a genetic algorithm to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes can be found in the computational process of genetic algorithms in existing technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0148] This can be understood as follows: the perception management function network element uses a genetic algorithm to find the target location point pair with the lowest correlation from candidate location point pairs. Then, the perception management function network element selects the subset of nodes that minimizes the first product value corresponding to the target location point pair through exhaustive search or a genetic algorithm. Thus, in the process of the perception management function network element determining the first number of target nodes to be perceived in the first perception area, selecting the target node with the lowest correlation among the target location point pairs ensures the uniformity and robustness of the perception service throughout the first perception area, which is beneficial to improving the positioning accuracy of the perception in the first perception area and effectively reducing the probability of misclassifying a real location point as another location point.

[0149] like Figure 8 As shown, assuming the first sensing area is Figure 8 The elliptical region within the dashed line range in formula (5) represents the sensing and management function network element. and Given a specific target location, selecting three target nodes to sense the elliptical region can reduce the probability of misjudging the true location of the sensed target as another location within the sensed region.

[0150] In this embodiment, to reduce positioning errors caused by misidentifying a location point as another location point, the perception management function network element, when determining the first number of target nodes, performs distance-weighted correlation analysis on the correlation of location point pairs and then employs a minimum-maximum optimization method to select the first number of target nodes from all available nodes. Therefore, the first number of target nodes minimizes the correlation of the location point with the lowest distance-weighted correlation. Using the first number of target nodes to perceive the first perception area reduces positioning errors caused by misidentification, even if a real location point is misidentified as another location point.

[0151] Optionally, if the first number of nodes are any first number of available nodes, the perception management function element calculates the first product value corresponding to each pair of location points. The perception management function element calculates the Euclidean distance between the two location points in each pair to the power of α, where α is greater than 0. Further, the perception management function element calculates the second product value of the first product value corresponding to each pair of location points and the Euclidean distance to the power of α. The perception management function element uses a mini-maximum optimization method to select a first number of target nodes from all available nodes. The objective function of the mini-maximum optimization method is shown in formula (6).

[0152] Formula (6);

[0153] Where α is the distance-weighted attenuation coefficient, and the value of α is greater than 0. For example, the value of α is 0.05. After the perception management function network element determines the target location point pair corresponding to the largest product value among the second product values ​​of all location point pairs, it determines the target location point pair in formula (6). and Then, the perception and management function network element determines from the available nodes the first number of target nodes that minimize the value of the second product corresponding to the target location point pair. That is, in formula (6) and Given a set Select the subset of nodes from all nodes that minimizes the value of the second product corresponding to the target location point pair.

[0154] The aforementioned α is used to adjust the weight of the influence of the spatial distance between location pairs on the correlation of the location pairs. Optionally, the value of α can be predetermined through offline simulation learning. Specifically, this includes the following steps: generating a large number of random node deployment scenarios based on typical network deployment environments; in each scenario, calculating the maximum distance-weighted steering vector correlation corresponding to different α values, and performing statistical analysis with the positioning error of the worst-performing point measured in actual simulation. Finally, the α value with the strongest statistical correlation to the positioning error of the worst-performing point is determined as the parameter used to select the first number of target nodes.

[0155] Still Figure 8 As shown, the sensing and management function network element in formula (6) and Given a defined set of three target nodes to sense an elliptical region, these three nodes will sense the region, and even if they misjudge the true location of a target as another location within the sensing area, they will try to misjudge it as a location closer to the true location. For example, assuming the true location of a target is point A, the three target nodes might misjudge the target's location as point B, which is a distance d1 from point A, instead of point C, which is a distance d2 from point A. Here, d2 is greater than d1.

[0156] The following describes the communication method of an embodiment of this application, taking an access network device comprising centralized and distributed units as an example. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction for a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 As shown, the communication equipment involved can include access network equipment and core network equipment. Core network equipment includes AF network elements and SMF network elements, while access network equipment includes gNB-CU and gNB-DU. For example... Figure 9 As shown, this method mainly includes the following steps:

[0157] S901, the AF network element sends a first request message to the SMF network element, and the corresponding SMF network element receives the first request message.

[0158] For the specific implementation of S901, please refer to the description of S510 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0159] S902, the SMF network element determines the first number of target nodes to sense the first sensing area.

[0160] In this embodiment, the specific implementation process of S902 can be referred to the above embodiments. Figure 6 A detailed description of it is omitted here.

[0161] S903, the SMF network element sends a second request message to the gNB-CU, and the corresponding gNB-CU receives the second request message.

[0162] For the specific implementation of S903, please refer to the description of S520 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0163] S904, gNB-CU sends a context modification request message to gNB-DU, and correspondingly, gNB-DU receives the context modification request message.

[0164] Among them, gNB-DU is a logical functional entity that controls the target nodes. The first number of target nodes can be controlled by one gNB-DU, or by the first number of gNB-DUs respectively, or by one gNB-DU controlling one or more TRPs. There is no limitation on this.

[0165] In this embodiment, after receiving the second request message, the gNB-CU sends a context modification request message (e.g., a Context Modification Request message) to the gNB-DU via the F1-C interface. Upon receiving the context modification request message, the gNB-DU modifies the resource configuration on the gNB-DU. For example, the gNB-DU activates radio resources and configures the time-domain and frequency-domain resources for each target node to transmit sensing signals.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first request message received by the SMF network element carries a Quality of Service (QoS) requirement for sensing the first sensing area. The SMF sends the QoS requirement for sensing the first sensing area to the gNB-DU via the gNB-CU. The gNB-DU can adjust the QoS flow configuration based on the QoS requirement. For example, if the gNB-DU determines that the QoS requirement for sensing the first sensing area is high, the gNB-DU can configure a higher priority and wider bandwidth. If the gNB-DU determines that the QoS requirement for sensing the first sensing area is low, the gNB-DU can configure a lower priority and narrower bandwidth.

[0167] S905, gNB-DU sends a context modification response message to gNB-CU, and correspondingly, gNB-CU receives the context modification response message.

[0168] In this embodiment of the application, after completing the resource configuration, the gNB-DU sends a context modification response message to the gNB-CU to provide feedback on the configuration result to the gNB-CU.

[0169] S906, gNB-DU controls a first number of target nodes to send sensing signals to the first sensing area.

[0170] S907, each sensing target within the first sensing area reflects an echo signal to the gNB-DU, and correspondingly, the gNB-DU receives the echo signal reflected back from the sensing target within the first sensing area.

[0171] S908, gNB-DU processes the received echo signal to obtain first information. This first information characterizes the echo signal received by the target node.

[0172] S909, gNB-DU sends the first information to the SMF network element, and the corresponding SMF network element receives the first information.

[0173] S910, the SMF network element determines the location information of the perceived target within the first perception area based on the first information.

[0174] For a detailed description of S906 to S910, please refer to the introduction in S540 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0175] S911, the SMF network element sends the location information of the perceived target within the first sensing area to the AF network element, and correspondingly, the AF network element receives the location information of the perceived target within the first sensing area.

[0176] In some embodiments, the SMF network element carries the location information corresponding to the sensed target within the first sense area in the Nsmf_SensingAreaUpdate response message, and reports the location information corresponding to the sensed target within the first sense area to the AF network element that initiated the request through the Nsmf_SensingAreaUpdate response message.

[0177] In this embodiment of the application, in order to verify that the positioning error of the first number of target nodes determined by the SMF network element to sense the first sensing area is the smallest when locating the sensed target in the first sensing area, the positioning result of each location point in the first sensing area can be simulated and evaluated.

[0178] For example, suppose the first sensing area is still Figure 7 The circular region shown is discretized into 1m × 1m location points, with 30 available nodes whose positions are randomly generated. The number of target nodes J is 3. The channel model used for simulation is a line-of-sight (LoS) sensing channel model, employing narrowband signals as the sensing signals for the nodes, with a carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz and a signal-to-noise ratio of 0 dB. For each location point within the first sensing region, 1000 Monte Carlo simulations are performed, and the average value is taken as the localization result for that location point. In each simulation, the three target nodes sensing the location point are randomly generated. By traversing all location points, the spatial distribution of the localization error is obtained, as shown below. Figure 10 As shown, the horizontal axis represents the maximum weighted steering vector correlation, and the vertical axis represents the positioning error. Figure 10 It can be seen that when the target node determined by the SMF network element senses the sensing area, the location point pair with the lowest maximum weighted steering vector correlation has the smallest positioning error. That is, when the minimum correlation value is 0.9778, the positioning error is 0.3406. Using... Figure 7When three nodes located at the midpoint of the circumscribed circle of the circular region perceive the sensing area, the positioning error is 0.4195 when the maximum weighted guide vector correlation is 0.99914. Figure 10 The maximum weighted steering vector correlation of the target node randomly selected in the network for sensing the sensing area is greater than the maximum weighted steering vector correlation of the target node determined by the AMF network element for sensing the sensing area.

[0179] It can be seen that by simulating and evaluating the positioning results of each location point in the first sensing area, the first number of target nodes determined by the SMF network element to sense the first sensing area have the smallest positioning error when locating the sensed target in the first sensing area.

[0180] For example, the communication method provided in this application embodiment is also applicable to scenarios involving unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight. Figure 11 As shown, ensuring the flight safety of drones is crucial during flight. For example, if a drone flies from no-fly zone A to no-fly zone B, drone regulatory agencies need to dynamically establish or adjust no-fly zones based on real-time conditions (such as emergencies). When the no-fly zone of a drone dynamically changes, the network side uses the method described in the embodiments of this application to determine the target node from the available nodes for sensing the adjusted no-fly zone.

[0181] It should be understood that Figures 1 to 11 The flowcharts or scene diagrams shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the examples illustrated. In fact, those skilled in the art can interpret the embodiments based on... Figures 1 to 11 The examples in the document can be transformed into equivalent ways to obtain more implementations.

[0182] The above text combined Figures 1 to 11 This document describes in detail the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The following will combine... Figures 12 to 13 The device embodiments of this application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the communication device of this application embodiment can execute the various communication methods of the foregoing embodiments of this application, that is, the specific working processes of the various products below can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0183] In the embodiments described above, the terminal device may execute some or all of the steps in each embodiment; the network device may execute some or all of the steps in each embodiment. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments, and it is not necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, the sequence number of each step does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0184] Figure 12 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 12 As shown, the communication device may include a communication module 1220. The communication module 1220 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication functions of the communication device or communication functions between the communication device and other devices. Optionally, the communication module 1220 may also be referred to as a communication interface or transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module 1210. The processing module 1210 can implement corresponding processing functions.

[0185] Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data; the processing module 1210 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0186] In one possible design, the communication device may correspond to the sensing management function network element in the above method embodiments. This communication device can be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the sensing management function network element in any of the above method embodiments.

[0187] For example, the communication module 1220 is used to receive a first request message from an application function network element. The first request message requests that the sensing area be switched to a first sensing area.

[0188] The communication module 1220 is also used to send a second request message to the access network device. The second request message is used to request the use of a first number of target nodes to sense the first sensing area. The second request message carries the identification information of the first number of target nodes. The first number of target nodes are the nodes that can minimize the correlation between the two location points with the least correlation in the first sensing area among all available nodes in the network where the sensing management function network element is located.

[0189] The communication module 1220 is also used to receive first information corresponding to a first number of target nodes from the access network device.

[0190] The processing module 1210 is used to determine the location information of the perceived target within the first perception area based on the first information.

[0191] The above are merely examples; for detailed steps or procedures, please refer to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments.

[0192] Figure 13 This is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device may be a chip, chip system, or processor, etc., in a terminal device or network device that implements the above-described method. This communication device can be used to implement the methods described in the above-described method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above-described method embodiments.

[0193] like Figure 13 As shown, the communication device may include one or more processors 1310, which may also be referred to as processing units or processing modules, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1310 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., base station, baseband chip, user, user chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0194] In an alternative design, the processor 1310 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 1310 to cause the communication device to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0195] In another alternative design, the communication device may include a communication interface 1320 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1320 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0196] Optionally, the communication device may include one or more memories 1330, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1310, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1330 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1310 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1310 and the memories 1330 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0197] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0198] In one implementation, the communication device may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1310 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1330, and when the processor 1310 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1310 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the terminal device.

[0199] In another implementation, the communication device may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1310 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1330, and when the processor 1310 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1310 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the network device.

[0200] It should be understood that the aforementioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0201] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be 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), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0202] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a chip system, which includes one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, thereby causing the method described in the embodiments of this application to be executed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0203] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0204] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned application function network element, perception management function network element, and access network device.

[0205] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the network device or terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0206] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes executed by the network device or terminal device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0207] The computer-readable storage medium may be the aforementioned volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it may include both volatile memory and non-volatile memory.

[0208] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0209] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated.

[0210] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0211] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0212] In summary, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, applied to a sensing and management function network element, includes: Receive a first request message from an application function network element; wherein the first request message is used to request the switching of the sensing area to a first sensing area; Send a second request message to the access network device; wherein, the second request message is used to request the first sensing area to be sensed using a first number of target nodes, and the second request message carries the identification information of the first number of target nodes; the first number of target nodes are the nodes that minimize the correlation between the two location points with the least correlation in the first sensing area among all available nodes in the network where the sensing management function network element is located; Receive first information from the access network device corresponding to the first number of target nodes; wherein, the first information is used to characterize the echo signal received by the target node; Based on the first information, the location information of the perceived target within the first sensing area is determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before sending the second request message to the access network device, the method further includes: Obtain network information and area information of the first sensing area; the network information includes node information of all available nodes; Based on the node information of any candidate node subset among all available nodes and the region information of the first sensing region, the correlation of all location point pairs in the first sensing region under all candidate node subsets is calculated; wherein, the location point pair includes two different location points in the first sensing region; the candidate node subset includes a first number of nodes; Based on the correlation of all the location point pairs, a minimum-maximum optimization method is used to select the first number of target nodes from all the available nodes.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of employing a min-max optimization method to select the first number of target nodes from all available nodes includes: When the first number of nodes is any subset of the candidate nodes among the available nodes, the correlations corresponding to all location point pairs are calculated respectively; Determine the target location point pair with the lowest correlation among all the location point pairs; From the subset of candidate nodes, determine the first number of target nodes that minimize the correlation between the target location points.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The calculation of the correlation of all location point pairs in the first sensing region under all candidate node subsets includes: Calculate the first product value of the conjugate of the first composite guide vector and the second composite guide vector; the first composite guide vector is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the first position point, and the second composite guide vector is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the second position point; the first position point and the second position point are any position point pair among all the position point pairs; the correlation is inversely proportional to the first product value.

5. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The calculation of the correlation of all location point pairs in the first sensing region under all candidate node subsets includes: Calculate the first product of the conjugate of the first composite guide vector and the first product of the second composite guide vector; the first composite guide vector is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the first position point, and the second composite guide vector is the guide vector of the first number of nodes at the second position point; the first position point and the second position point are any pair of position points among all the position point pairs; Calculate the Euclidean distance between the first location point and the second location point to the power of α, where α is greater than 0; Calculate the second product of the first product value and the Euclidean distance raised to the power of α; the correlation between the first location point and the second location point is inversely proportional to the second product value.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The area information of the first sensing area is carried in the first request message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, After determining the location information corresponding to the perceived target within the first sensing area, the method further includes: The location information corresponding to the perceived target within the first sensing area is sent to the application function network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first request message carries the quality of service requirements for sensing the first sensing area.

9. A communication device comprising one or more processors, a memory, and a computer program stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-8.

10. A chip system comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that, When the program / instructions stored in the memory are executed by the processor, they implement the method of any one of claims 1-8.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program / instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the method of any one of claims 1-8.

12. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

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