Ranging method and device, communication equipment and readable storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a distance measurement method and device, communication equipment and a readable storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of communication, and the distance measurement method comprises the steps that first equipment executes first operation, and the first operation comprises at least one of the following items: obtaining first information of second equipment, and obtaining a first signal sent by the second equipment; and determining a distance measurement result of the second equipment according to the execution condition of the first operation or the communication range under the configuration when the first operation is executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a ranging method, apparatus, communication equipment, and readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, backscatter communication devices such as tags have advantages such as low cost, no battery power required, and small size, thus there is a demand for tag-based ranging in scenarios such as item retrieval, logistics tracking, and pet location. However, the signal transmitted by the tag is affected by factors such as transmit and receive power, system loss, transmit and receive antenna gain, path loss, and fading margin. These factors must be considered when ranging based on the tag's transmitted signal, which leads to a high degree of complexity in current ranging methods. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a ranging method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium, which can solve the problem of high complexity in current ranging methods.

[0004] In a first aspect, a ranging method is provided, performed by a first device, the method comprising:

[0005] The first device performs a first operation, the first operation including at least one of the following: acquiring first information from the second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device;

[0006] The first device determines the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is executed.

[0007] Secondly, a ranging device is provided, applied to a first device, comprising:

[0008] A first execution module is used for the first device to perform a first operation, the first operation including at least one of the following: acquiring first information from the second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device;

[0009] The determining module is used to determine the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is executed.

[0010] Thirdly, a first device is provided, the first device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0011] Fourthly, a ranging device is provided, the device being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0012] Fifthly, a first device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform a first operation, the first operation including at least one of the following: acquiring first information of a second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device; and determining a ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is performed.

[0013] In a sixth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0014] In a seventh aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising at least a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0015] Eighthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0016] In a ninth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, the computer program / program product being stored in a storage medium, the computer program / program product being executed by at least one processor to perform the steps of the method as described in the first aspect.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first device can perform a first operation, which includes at least one of the following: acquiring first information of the second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device, and determining the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is performed. Therefore, ranging can be achieved without considering the influence of factors such as transmit / receive power, system loss, transmit / receive antenna gain, path loss, and fading margin during signal transmission, thereby reducing the complexity of ranging. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figures 1A to 1E A schematic diagram of a backscatter-based communication architecture is shown in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a ranging method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a ranging device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0025] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0026] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following will be described first.

[0027] Backscatter Communication (BSC) refers to a communication device that uses radio frequency signals from other devices or the environment to modulate its own information. It is a typical passive Internet of Things (IoT) device. The basic components and main functions of a backscatter communication transmitter include:

[0028] - Antenna unit: Used to receive radio frequency signals and control commands, and also to transmit modulated backscattered signals.

[0029] - Energy Harvesting Module or Power Supply Module: This module is used for radio frequency energy harvesting or other energy harvesting in the backscatter communication device, including but not limited to solar energy, kinetic energy, mechanical energy, and thermal energy. In addition to the energy harvesting module, it may also include a battery power supply module, in which case the backscatter communication device is a semi-passive device. The energy harvesting module or power supply module supplies power to all other modules in the device.

[0030] - Microcontrollers: including control baseband signal processing, energy storage or data scheduling status, switching, system synchronization, etc.

[0031] - Signal receiving module: Used to demodulate control commands or data sent by the backscatter communication receiver or other network nodes.

[0032] - Encoding and Modulation Module: Performs channel coding and signal modulation under the control of the controller, and achieves modulation by selecting different load impedances through a selection switch under the control of the controller.

[0033] -Memory or sensing module: Used to store device identification ID information, location information, or sensing data, etc.

[0034] In addition to the typical components mentioned above, future backscatter communication transmitters can also integrate tunnel diode amplifier modules, low-noise amplifier modules, etc., to improve the receiver sensitivity and transmission power of the transmitter.

[0035] Optionally, the basic components and main functions of the backscatter communication receiver include:

[0036] - Antenna element: Used to receive modulated backscattered signals.

[0037] - Backscatter signal detection module: Used to detect the backscatter signal sent by the backscatter communication transmitter, including but not limited to ASK detection, PSK detection, FSK detection or QAM detection, etc.

[0038] - Demodulation and decoding module: Demodulates and decodes the detected signal to recover the original information stream.

[0039] Backscatter communication devices control the reflection coefficient Γ of the modulation circuit by adjusting its internal impedance, thereby changing the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the incident signal to achieve signal modulation. The reflection coefficient Γ can be characterized as:

[0040]

[0041] Where Z0 is the characteristic impedance of the antenna; Z1 is the load impedance; j represents a complex number, θ T Let S represent the phase. Assume the incident signal is represented as S. in (t), then the output signal is Therefore, by reasonably controlling the reflection coefficient, corresponding amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, or phase modulation can be achieved. Based on this, backscatter communication devices can be tags in traditional Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), passive or semi-passive Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or ambient IoT devices, etc.

[0042] In terms of communication architecture, backscatter communication architecture is mainly divided into monostatic architecture and bistatic architecture.

[0043] In one implementation, tags can be divided into:

[0044] -Device A: The tag is a passive tag with no energy storage capacitor / battery. It is powered by radio frequency (RF) signals. The received RF signals are the power signals of the rectifier. It does not have carrier generation capability. It relies on RF as the radio frequency carrier for backscatter communication transmission and has the lowest power consumption.

[0045] -Device B: The tag is a semi-passive tag with a storage capacitor / battery. It is powered by a non-RF signal. Optionally, it has a PA / LNA or other active devices. It does not have carrier generation capability and relies on RF as a radio frequency carrier for backscatter communication transmission. Its power consumption is the second lowest.

[0046] -Device C: The tag is an active tag with an energy storage capacitor / battery, powered by a non-RF signal, has carrier generation capability, and has the highest power consumption.

[0047] Optionally, a backscatter-based communication architecture may include at least the following patterns:

[0048] (1) Topology 1: such as Figure 1AAs shown, the base station in Topology 1 is both a radio frequency source / transmitter and a receiver; therefore, Topology 1 is a Monostatic Backscatter Communication System (MBCS) architecture. Traditional RFID systems are typical MBCS systems, which include ambient IoT devices (such as tags) and readers (such as base stations), with tags communicating directly with the readers. The readers may have frequency division duplex (FDD) architecture modules. In Topology 1, the device transmitting control signaling and the device receiving backscattered signals are the same device, while the device transmitting the RF carrier source can be the same device as the aforementioned device or a separate device.

[0049] (2) Topology 2: such as Figure 1B As shown, in Topology 2, the Ambient IoT Device (e.g., a Tag) receives control signaling and carrier signals sent by intermediate nodes. The control signaling can be instructed by network devices (e.g., base station gNBs) through intermediate nodes. These intermediate nodes can be User Equipment (UE), repeaters, IAB nodes, etc. Intermediate nodes can also act as relays to forward IoT data to the gNB.

[0050] (3) Topology 3: Topology 3 involves a Bistatic Backscatter Communication System (BBCS), in which the radio frequency source, BSC transmitter, and BSC receiver are separate. In Topology 3, Ambient IoT Devices (e.g., Tags) send IoT data / uplink signaling to the base station and receive data / signaling from auxiliary nodes, such as... Figure 1C As shown; or, the Ambient IoT Device (e.g., a Tag) sends IoT data / uplink signaling to the auxiliary node and receives data / signaling from the base station, such as... Figure 1D As shown; the base station and auxiliary nodes communicate via the Uu interface, and the auxiliary nodes can be UE, repeater, IAB, etc.

[0051] (4) Topology 4: such as Figure 1E As shown, in Topology 4, the UE acts as the Reader to communicate with the Tag. This architecture also belongs to the monostatic backscatter communication architecture, the difference being that the Reader is the UE, not the base station.

[0052] In addition to tags based on backscatter communication, there are also some tag devices that can actively generate carrier waves but consume less than 1mW of power, such as active tags or semi-passive tags in RFID systems (such as Device B).

[0053] Optionally, the solution in this application can be applied to positioning in LTE systems, 5G NR systems and NR evolution systems, such as 6G systems and 6G evolution systems, as well as IEEE 802.11 systems (such as WiFi systems), Bluetooth systems, LoRa systems, Zigbee systems, low-power communication systems, backscatter communication systems, low-power IoT systems, Ambient IoT systems, etc.

[0054] The ranging method, apparatus, communication device, and readable storage medium provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0055] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a ranging method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method is executed by a first device, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0056] Step 21: The first device performs a first operation, which includes at least one of the following: acquiring first information from the second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device;

[0057] Step 22: The first device determines the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is executed.

[0058] In this embodiment, the first device is a ranging / positioning device, which may be a mobile phone, watch, tablet, augmented reality (AR) device, virtual reality (VR) device, extended reality (XR) device, mixed reality (MR) device, robot, or other terminal device. It may also be a base station, repeater, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) device, relay device, or other network device. Alternatively, it may be a WiFi node, Zigbee node, LoRa node, Bluetooth node, reader device, etc.; no specific limitation is made in this regard.

[0059] The second device can be understood as the device to be ranging, and can be, but is not limited to, an RFID tag, a 3GPP AIoT tag, a WiFi tag, a LoRa tag, a Zigbee tag, a Bluetooth tag, or other low-power devices. For example, the second device can be a passive tag or a semi-active tag.

[0060] Optionally, the communication architecture applicable to the scheme in the embodiments of this application can be as follows: Figures 1A to 1E As shown.

[0061] Optionally, the first information of the second device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0062] The identification information of the second device may include at least one of the following: a core network identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the core network; an application server identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the application server; an access network identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the access network, such as a C-RNTI, a random access identifier, etc.; a temporary identifier for the second device, used to temporarily identify the second device, which may be generated by the second device itself or configured by the network, such as a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI); and a permanent identifier for the second device, used to permanently identify the second device. This permanent identifier is unique, such as an Electronic Product Code (EPC), a Tag Identifier (TID), a Protocol Control (PC) code, etc.

[0063] The response information of the second device is associated with the information sent by the first device to the second device; the information sent to the second device may be a control command (such as an inventory command), a trigger signal, an indication information, etc., and the response information may be, for example, ACK information or NACK information; the response information may be associated with the identification information of the second device, for example, it may be scrambled response information based on random or pseudo-random numbers RN (such as RN16, RN5, etc.) or RNTI.

[0064] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0065] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0066] The reference signal associated with the second device.

[0067] In one alternative embodiment, the first information of the second device can be obtained through an inventory process. The specific inventory process can be any existing inventory process, and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0068] Optionally, the first signal can be obtained through different generation methods. The generation methods of the first signal may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0069] (1) The first signal is obtained by the second device through backscattering of the second signal, the second signal is the carrier signal sent by the first device to the second device, and the first signal is the backscattered signal of the second signal; that is, the first signal is obtained by backscattering.

[0070] (2) The first signal is obtained by the second device by reflecting the third signal. The third signal is a ranging signal sent by the first device to the second device. The ranging signal is, for example, a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), or a Synchronization Signal and PBCH Block (SSB). For example, the third signal can be reflected directly using a fixed reflection coefficient to obtain the first signal; or, the third signal after power amplification can be reflected using a fixed reflection coefficient to obtain the first signal.

[0071] (3) The first signal is obtained by the second device by frequency shifting the fourth signal. The frequency shifting can be a full-band or frequency-point frequency shift of the incident fourth signal. The fourth signal is a ranging signal sent by the first device to the second device. The first signal can be obtained by frequency shifting. The ranging signal is, for example, PRS, CSI-RS, PTRS, SSB or SRS.

[0072] (4) The first signal is obtained by the second device based on the carrier generated autonomously, that is, the first signal is obtained by using the active carrier generation method.

[0073] Optionally, obtaining the first information of the second device may include detecting the second device, taking inventory of the second device, sending control commands to the second device, reading the first information on the second device, demodulating or decoding the first information of the second device, etc.

[0074] Optionally, the execution status of the first operation may include, but is not limited to, successfully acquiring the first information of the second device, successfully acquiring the first signal of the second device, the number of times the first information (such as NACK / ACK information) is successfully acquired exceeds a threshold, the number of times the first signal is successfully acquired exceeds a threshold, and so on.

[0075] Optionally, the configuration can be the configuration of the first device, i.e., determining the ranging result of the second device based on the communication range of the first device's configuration; or it can be the configuration of the second device, i.e., determining the ranging result of the second device based on the communication range of the second device's configuration; there is no limitation on this. The configuration may include, but is not limited to, transmission power, reflection coefficient, signal modulation method, etc.

[0076] The configuration for performing the first operation can be understood as the configuration corresponding to the first operation, that is, the first operation performed under this configuration.

[0077] Optionally, the communication range can be a specific communication distance value, or a communication range defined by a maximum communication distance and a minimum communication distance. The association between the configuration and the communication range can be preset or configured to determine the communication range under a certain configuration of the first device / second device.

[0078] Optionally, the ranging result for the second device can be an estimated distance value between the first and second devices, an estimated range of communication distances between the first and second devices, or a rough ranging result, such as "long distance," "short distance," or "medium distance." For example, the first device can determine the ranging result based on the number of times it successfully acquires the first information. Taking ACK / NACK information as an example, when the number of times the first device receives ACK / NACK information is less than or equal to threshold 1, the ranging result can be considered "short distance"; when the number of times the first device receives ACK / NACK information is greater than threshold 1 but less than or equal to threshold 2 (threshold 2 > threshold 1), the ranging result can be considered "medium distance"; when the number of times the first device receives ACK / NACK information is greater than threshold 2, the ranging result can be considered "short distance."

[0079] According to the scheme of this application embodiment, a first device can perform a first operation, which includes at least one of the following: acquiring first information of a second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device, and determining the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when performing the first operation. Therefore, ranging can be achieved without considering the influence of factors such as transmit / receive power, system loss, transmit / receive antenna gain, path loss, and fading margin during signal transmission, thereby reducing the complexity of ranging.

[0080] Optionally, the first device may receive the first information / first signal based on configuration information. For example, depending on the configuration of the first device, the corresponding configuration device may be as follows:

[0081] (I) When the first device is a terminal such as user equipment (UE), the configuration device can be a base station, a positioning server, etc. For example, before sending the second configuration information to the UE, the base station can first receive the core network configuration information sent by the core network device, and then configure the UE based on the configuration information.

[0082] (II) When the first device is a UE, the configuration device can be a UE, such as in a sidelink scenario;

[0083] (III) When the first device is a WiFi STA device, the configuration device can be a WiFi access point (AP) device;

[0084] (IV) When the first device is a Bluetooth device, the configuration device can be a Bluetooth AP device;

[0085] (IIV) When the first device is a LoRa device, the configuration device can be a LoRa AP device;

[0086] (V) When the first device is a Zigbee device, the configuration device can be a Zigbee AP device;

[0087] (VI) When the first device is a StarSpark device, the configuration device can be a StarSpark AP device;

[0088] (VII) The first device is a Reader device, and the configuration device can be a Reader control node.

[0089] Optionally, the first device may receive the first signal based on information it autonomously determines / generates. For example, the first device may trigger ranging of the second device based on an application layer request; in this case, the application layer or application program (APP) of the first device may autonomously determine the signal parameters and / or resource information of the first signal.

[0090] Optionally, the first device may determine the signal parameters and / or resource information of the first signal based on the system pre-configuration information, and receive the first signal sent by the first device based on the determined information.

[0091] Optionally, determining the ranging result for the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is executed may include any of the following:

[0092] The first device determines the distance between the second device and the first device based on the execution of the first operation; this distance can be, for example, "long distance", "short distance" or "medium distance"; since in some scenarios, it is only necessary to know the approximate distance of the device to be measured, the distance measurement result of the second device can be set as its distance from the first device, which can further reduce the amount of calculation in the distance measurement process;

[0093] The first device will use the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation as the ranging result for the second device. This reduces the computational load of the ranging process.

[0094] Optionally, ranging can be performed based on configuration settings. Performing the first operation described above may include:

[0095] The first device performs the first operation at various different transmission powers.

[0096] The ranging result for the second device, determined based on the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation, may include any of the following:

[0097] (I) When the first device meets the first condition under all the different transmission powers, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the maximum inventory distance or ranging range of the first device under each transmission power. For example, the maximum or minimum value among the maximum inventory distances under multiple transmission powers can be determined as the ranging result for the second device; or, the maximum or minimum ranging range among the ranging ranges under multiple transmission powers can be determined as the ranging result for the second device; or, the ranging result for the second device can be determined based on the statistical value (e.g., weighted value) of the maximum inventory distances under multiple transmission powers.

[0098] (II) If the first device meets the first condition at the first transmission power but does not meet the first condition at the second transmission power, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the maximum inventory distance or ranging range of the first device at the first transmission power. The first transmission power and the second transmission power are two adjacent transmission powers among the various different transmission powers arranged in descending order, and the first transmission power is greater than the second transmission power. For example, the maximum inventory distance or ranging range at the first transmission power can be directly determined as the ranging result for the second device; or, the distance between the second device and the first device can be determined by comparing the maximum inventory distance at the first transmission power with a threshold. For example, if it is greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined as "long distance"; otherwise, it is determined as "short distance".

[0099] In this (II) scenario, when performing the first operation under various different transmission powers, the transmission power of the first device can be continuously reduced until the first device fails to acquire the first information / first signal. At this point, the ranging result when the first device successfully acquired the first information / first signal in the previous / most recent instance can be used as the final ranging result for the second device.

[0100] The above (I) and (II) mainly refer to the second device using backscattering to send signals. The ranging result of the second device can be determined by the maximum inventory distance or ranging range of the first device under different transmission power during multiple inventory counts.

[0101] Optionally, performing the first operation may include:

[0102] The first device performs the first operation under various transmission powers or reflection coefficients of the second device.

[0103] The ranging result for the second device, determined based on the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation, may include any of the following:

[0104] Wherein, when the first condition is met, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device based on the communication range configured when the first operation is performed, including any one of the following:

[0105] (i) When the first device satisfies the first condition under multiple different transmission powers of the second device, the ranging result of the second device is determined according to the communication range of the second device under each of the transmission powers; for example, the maximum or minimum communication range among the communication ranges under multiple transmission powers can be determined as the ranging result of the second device; or, the ranging result of the second device can be determined according to the statistical values ​​of the communication ranges under multiple transmission powers (e.g., taking the union or intersection).

[0106] (ii) When the first device satisfies the first condition under multiple different reflection coefficients of the second device, the ranging result of the second device is determined according to the communication range of the second device under each reflection coefficient; for example, the maximum or minimum communication range among the communication ranges under multiple reflection coefficients can be determined as the ranging result of the second device; or, the ranging result of the second device can be determined according to the statistical values ​​of the communication ranges under multiple reflection coefficients (e.g., taking the union or intersection).

[0107] (iii) If the first device meets the first condition at the third transmission power but does not meet the first condition at the fourth transmission power, the ranging result of the second device is determined based on the communication range of the second device at the third transmission power; the third transmission power and the fourth transmission power are two adjacent transmission powers among a variety of different transmission powers of the second device arranged in descending order, and the third transmission power is greater than the fourth transmission power; for example, the communication range at the third transmission power can be directly determined as the ranging result of the second device; or, the distance between the second device and the first device can be determined based on the communication range at the third transmission power, such as "long distance" or "short distance";

[0108] (iv) If the first device satisfies the first condition under the first reflection coefficient but does not satisfy the first condition under the second reflection coefficient, the ranging result of the second device is determined based on the communication range of the second device under the first reflection coefficient; the first reflection coefficient and the second reflection coefficient are two adjacent reflection coefficients among a variety of different reflection coefficients of the second device arranged in descending order, and the first reflection coefficient is greater than the second reflection coefficient; for example, the communication range under the first reflection coefficient can be directly determined as the ranging result of the second device; or, the distance between the second device and the first device can be determined based on the communication range under the first reflection coefficient, such as "long distance" or "short distance".

[0109] The above (i) to (iv) mainly refer to the second device using backscattering or autonomously generated carrier to send signals, and the ranging can be achieved by adjusting the transmission power / reflection coefficient of the second device.

[0110] In this embodiment of the application, to ensure the validity of the ranging result, ranging can be performed again under certain conditions, such as after successfully acquiring the first information / first signal. Determining the ranging result for the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation may include:

[0111] When the first condition is met, the first device determines the ranging result for the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation; the first condition can be understood as successfully acquiring the first information / first signal of the second device, or the measured value of the acquired first signal meeting the ranging condition; the first condition may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0112] (1) The first device successfully acquires the first information of the second device; for example, the first device successfully acquires the identification information, preamble, synchronization signal, etc. of the second device;

[0113] (2) The first device successfully demodulates or decodes the first information of the second device;

[0114] (3) The first device successfully acquires the first signal sent by the second device;

[0115] (4) The signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the first value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and then the second device can be used for ranging.

[0116] (5) The statistical value of the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the second value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0117] (6) The change in signal strength or slope of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the third value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0118] (7) The signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the fourth value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0119] (8) The statistical value of the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the fifth value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0120] (9) The change in signal power or slope of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the sixth value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0121] (10) The signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the seventh value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and then the second device can be used for ranging.

[0122] (11) The signal quality statistics of the first signal measured by the first device are greater than or equal to the eighth value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0123] (12) The change in signal quality or slope of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the ninth value; in this case, it can be determined that the measured value of the first signal meets the ranging condition, and the second device can then be used for ranging.

[0124] It should be noted that the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth values ​​mentioned above can be understood as pre-set thresholds, which can be set based on actual needs, and the specific values ​​are not limited. This ensures the validity of the distance measurement results when certain conditions are met.

[0125] Optionally, if the first condition is not met, the ranging failure can be determined, and the ranging condition can be met through some adjustments.

[0126] In this embodiment of the application, after performing the first operation, the ranging method may further include:

[0127] When the first condition is not met, or when the second condition is met, the first device performs a second operation; the second operation may include at least one of the following:

[0128] (a) Increase the transmission power of the first device; this transmission power must not exceed the maximum transmission power specified or indicated by the protocol / statutory; for example, the increased transmission power can be indicated to the second device;

[0129] (b) Change the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the first device; the transmission frequency / signal bandwidth needs to be within the operating frequency band supported by the second device; for example, the changed transmission frequency or signal bandwidth can be indicated to the second device;

[0130] (c) Increase the number of times the first device sends data, for example, the first device repeats the sending based on the previously sent parameters;

[0131] (d) Send a first indication message to the second device, the first indication message being used to indicate increasing the transmission power or reflection coefficient of the second device; in this way, the success rate of the first device in acquiring the first information / first signal can be increased by increasing the transmission power or reflection coefficient of the second device, thereby achieving ranging;

[0132] (e) Send a second instruction message to the second device, the second instruction message being used to instruct the second device to change its transmission frequency or signal bandwidth; this can increase the success rate of the first device in acquiring the first information / first signal by changing the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the second device, thereby achieving ranging;

[0133] (f) Send a third instruction message to the second device, the third instruction message being used to instruct the second device to increase the number of times it sends the message; in this way, by increasing the number of times the second device sends the message, the success rate of the first device in acquiring the first information / first signal can be increased, thereby achieving ranging;

[0134] (g) Move the position of the first device;

[0135] (h) Change the orientation of the first device;

[0136] (i) Switch the transmit beam and / or receive beam of the first device; the transmit beam and receive beam may be the same or different.

[0137] By using the adjustment operations described in (a) to (i) above, the success rate of the first device in acquiring the first information / first signal can be increased, thereby achieving ranging.

[0138] Understandably, if the first device's transmission power reaches its maximum, or the number of repeated transmissions reaches its maximum, or the inventory / range measurement time exceeds the specified time threshold, and the first information / first signal is still not successfully acquired, then the ranging failure can be determined.

[0139] Optionally, the first condition can be as shown above, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0140] Optionally, under the second condition, it can be understood as a failure to acquire the first information / first signal from the second device. The second condition may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0141] 1) The number of times the first device fails to demodulate or decode the first information of the second device is greater than or equal to the tenth value; such failure is, for example, due to Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) failure.

[0142] 2) The number of times the second device fails to receive the second information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to the eleventh value. The second information is used to instruct or trigger the second device to send the first information, that is, the second device can send the first information to the first device according to the second information; for example, if the second device does not send the corresponding first information as instructed after the first device sends the second information to the second device, it can be determined that the second device has failed to receive the second information.

[0143] 3) The number of times the second device fails to receive the third information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to the twelfth value. The third information is used to instruct or trigger the second device to send a first signal, that is, the second device can send a first signal to the first device according to the third information; for example, if the second device does not send the corresponding first signal as instructed after the first device sends the third information to the second device, it can be determined that the second device has failed to receive the third information.

[0144] 4) The number of times the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the thirteenth value is greater than or equal to the fourteenth value;

[0145] 5) The number of times the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the fifteenth value is greater than or equal to the sixteenth value;

[0146] 6) The number of times the signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the seventeenth value is greater than or equal to the eighteenth value.

[0147] It should be noted that the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth values ​​mentioned above can be understood as pre-set thresholds, which can be set based on actual needs, and the specific values ​​are not limited.

[0148] Optionally, the second information may be sent via control commands or indications (such as Sidelink Control Information (SCI)), and may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0149] The identification information of the second device may include at least one of the following: a core network identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the core network; an application server identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the application server; an access network identifier for the second device, used to identify the second device in the access network, such as a C-RNTI, a random access identifier, etc.; a temporary identifier for the second device, used to temporarily identify the second device, which may be generated by the second device itself or configured by the network, such as a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI); and a permanent identifier for the second device, used to permanently identify the second device. This permanent identifier is unique, such as an Electronic Product Code (EPC), a Tag Identifier (TID), a Protocol Control (PC) code, etc.

[0150] The reference signal associated with the second device;

[0151] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0152] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0153] The signal parameters of the first information include, but are not limited to, transmission power, reflection coefficient, modulation method, and coding method.

[0154] The resource information in the first information includes, but is not limited to, time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources.

[0155] The number of times the first information is repeatedly sent;

[0156] The time interval for sending the first message is the time interval between two consecutive first messages.

[0157] Optionally, the third information may be sent via control commands or instructions, and may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0158] (i) The first signal is generated in a manner such as backscattering or autonomously generating a carrier wave;

[0159] (ii) The generation sequence of the first signal; for example, if the first signal is reference information, the first signal can be generated according to the m sequence or the gold sequence; that is, the generation sequence of the first signal is the m sequence or the gold sequence.

[0160] (iii) The time-domain resource information of the first signal, such as including but not limited to the signal length of the first signal and the corresponding frame, subframe, time slot, symbol, etc.;

[0161] (iv) Frequency domain resource information of the first signal, such as including but not limited to frequency, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing (SCS), resource block (RB), resource block group (RBG), and bandwidth part (BWP).

[0162] (v) Frequency shifting of the first signal;

[0163] (vi) at least one of the transmission power, reflection coefficient, and amplification factor of the first signal;

[0164] (vii) at least one of the modulation method and encoding method of the first signal;

[0165] (viii) The number of times the first signal is repeatedly transmitted;

[0166] (ix) The time interval of the first signal, that is, the time interval between two consecutive first signals;

[0167] (x) At least one of the scrambling method and scrambling sequence of the first signal;

[0168] (xi) At least one of the delimiter, preamble, and synchronization signal associated with the first signal;

[0169] (xii) The reference pattern of the first signal is the first signal that triggers the second device to send the corresponding pattern; the first signal of the corresponding pattern can be a signal obtained based on at least one of (i) to (xi) above.

[0170] In this embodiment of the application, the first device can trigger ranging of the second device under certain conditions. The ranging method may further include:

[0171] When the third condition is met, the first device triggers ranging of the second device; the third condition can be understood as a triggering condition, which may include at least one of the following:

[0172] The first device acquires the fourth information, which is used to determine the distance measurement of the second device.

[0173] The ranging request obtained by the first device to the second device is satisfied; for example, the ranging request may come from the first device itself, or from other devices different from the first device.

[0174] The first device is within the triggering period for measuring the distance to the second device; the triggering period can be understood as the period for measuring the distance to the second device, that is, the first device periodically detects or measures the distance to the second device according to the triggering period.

[0175] The first device is within the effective time for ranging the second device; the effective time may be that the first device receives / measures the first signal of the second device within the effective time, or the configuration information of the first device is valid within a specified effective time.

[0176] It should be noted that after triggering the ranging of the second device, the above ranging process can be further executed, such as obtaining the first information of the second device and / or obtaining the first signal sent by the second device, and then ranging of the second device can be performed.

[0177] Optionally, the fourth information may include at least one of the following:

[0178] The fourth indication information indicates the presence of a second device; for example, it indicates that the presence of a second device triggers ranging of that second device.

[0179] The association information of a second device; for example, when a first device obtains the association information of a second device, it can trigger the ranging of that second device;

[0180] The capability information of the second device; for example, when the first device obtains the capability information of a certain second device, it can determine whether to trigger ranging of the second device based on this capability information.

[0181] Optionally, the association information of the second device includes at least one of the following:

[0182] The identification information of the second device may include at least one of the following: a core network identifier for identifying the second device in the core network; an application server identifier for identifying the second device in the application server; an access network identifier for identifying the second device in the access network, such as a C-RNTI or a random access identifier; a temporary identifier for temporarily identifying the second device, which may be generated by the second device itself or configured by the network, such as a Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI); and a permanent identifier for permanently identifying the second device. This permanent identifier is unique, such as an EPC code, TID code, or PC code.

[0183] The response information of the second device is associated with the information sent by the first device to the second device; the information sent to the second device may be a control command, trigger signal, indication information, etc., and the response information may be, for example, ACK information or NACK information; the response information may be associated with the identification information of the second device, for example, the response information may be scrambled based on random or pseudo-random numbers RN (such as RN16, RN5, etc.) or RNTI.

[0184] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0185] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0186] The reference signal associated with the second device.

[0187] Optionally, the capability information of the second device may include at least one of the following:

[0188] The frequency domain capability information of the second device; this can be understood as the frequency domain information of the signals that the second device supports for transmission or reception, such as operating frequency, bandwidth, etc.

[0189] The second device's time-domain capability information; this can be understood as the time-domain information of the second device's ability to transmit or receive signals, such as the duration of the received / transmitted signal, the time interval between transmission and reception, etc.

[0190] The spatial capability information of the second device; this can be understood as the frequency domain information of the signals that the second device supports for transmission or reception, such as the number of receiving / transmitting antennas, etc.

[0191] The type of the second device; such as active communication type, passive communication / backscatter type, etc., so that the first device can determine whether to communicate with the second device in an active or passive manner;

[0192] The communication method of the second device; such communication method is, for example, a backscatter-based communication method or a self-generated carrier communication method;

[0193] The wireless access method of the second device; the wireless access method can be understood as a radio access technology (RAT) method, which can be selected from, but is not limited to: 3GPP LTE / NR / 6G and other cellular access, WiFi access, Bluetooth access, LoRa access and other RAT methods;

[0194] The second device supports baseband processing capabilities, such as coding capabilities, modulation capabilities, and precoding capabilities.

[0195] The energy storage capacity or energy storage capacity supported by the second device;

[0196] The second device supports a certain amount of working time;

[0197] The second device supports operating states, such as energy storage state, hibernation state, or communication state.

[0198] The present application will be described below with reference to two embodiments.

[0199] Example 1:

[0200] In this embodiment 1, the first device performs distance measurement by obtaining first information from the second device. This first information can be as described above and will not be repeated here. The specific distance measurement process may include:

[0201] S1: The first device sends the second information to the second device. The second information can be as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0202] S2: The second device sends the first information to the first device based on the second information;

[0203] S3: If the first device successfully acquires the first information, or successfully demodulates or decodes the first information, it performs distance measurement on the second device. The distance measurement method can be as described in the above embodiments.

[0204] S4: If the first device fails to obtain the first information, it shall perform the second operation, which can be as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Example 2:

[0206] In this embodiment 2, the first device achieves ranging by obtaining a first signal from the second device. This first signal can be as described above and will not be repeated here. The specific ranging process may include:

[0207] S1: The first device sends third information to the second device. The third information can be as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0208] S2: The second device sends a first signal to the first device based on the third information;

[0209] S3: If the first device successfully acquires the first signal, or if the signal strength / signal power / signal quality of the measured first signal meets the threshold condition, then the second device is subjected to ranging, and the ranging method can be as described in the above embodiments;

[0210] S4: If the first device fails to acquire the first signal, or if the signal strength / signal power / signal quality of the measured first signal does not meet the threshold condition, then the second operation is performed. The second operation can be as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0211] The ranging method provided in this application can be executed by a ranging device. This application uses a ranging device executing the ranging method as an example to illustrate the ranging device provided in this application.

[0212] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a ranging device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to a first device, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the ranging device 30 includes:

[0213] The first execution module 31 is used for the first device to perform a first operation, the first operation including at least one of the following: acquiring first information of the second device, acquiring a first signal sent by the second device;

[0214] The determining module 32 is used to determine the ranging result of the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured when the first operation is executed.

[0215] In this embodiment, the first device ranging / positioning device can be a terminal device such as a mobile phone, watch, tablet, AR device, VR device, XR device, MR device, robot, etc., or a network device such as a base station, repeater, IAB device, relay device, or a WiFi node, Zigbee node, LoRa node, Bluetooth node, reader device, etc.; no specific limitation is made in this regard.

[0216] The second device can be understood as the device to be ranging, and can be, but is not limited to, an RFID tag, a 3GPP AIoT tag, a WiFi tag, a LoRa tag, a Zigbee tag, a Bluetooth tag, or other low-power devices. For example, the second device can be a passive tag or a semi-active tag.

[0217] Optionally, the determining module 32 is specifically configured to: when a first condition is met, determine the ranging result for the second device based on the execution status of the first operation or the communication range configured during the execution of the first operation; the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0218] The first device successfully acquired the first information from the second device;

[0219] The first device successfully demodulated or decoded the first information of the second device;

[0220] The first device successfully acquired the first signal sent by the second device;

[0221] The signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the first value;

[0222] The statistical value of the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the second value;

[0223] The change or slope of the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the third value;

[0224] The signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the fourth value;

[0225] The statistical value of the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the fifth value;

[0226] The change in signal power or slope of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the sixth value;

[0227] The signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the seventh value;

[0228] The signal quality statistics value of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the eighth value;

[0229] The change or slope of the signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is greater than or equal to the ninth value.

[0230] Optionally, the determining module 32 is specifically used for any of the following:

[0231] Based on the execution status of the first operation, determine the distance between the second device and the first device;

[0232] The communication range configured when performing the first operation will be used as the ranging result for the second device.

[0233] Optionally, the first execution module 31 is specifically used to: execute the first operation under various different transmission powers of the first device;

[0234] The determining module 32 is specifically used to perform any of the following:

[0235] When the first condition is met under all the different transmission power conditions, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the maximum inventory distance or ranging range of the first device under each of the transmission power conditions.

[0236] If the first condition is met at the first transmission power but not at the second transmission power, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the maximum inventory distance or ranging range of the first device at the first transmission power; wherein the first transmission power and the second transmission power are two adjacent transmission powers among the various different transmission powers arranged in descending order, and the first transmission power is greater than the second transmission power.

[0237] Optionally, the first execution module 31 is specifically configured to: perform the first operation under various different transmission powers or reflection coefficients of the second device;

[0238] The determining module 32 is specifically used to perform any of the following:

[0239] When the first condition is met under multiple different transmission powers of the second device, the ranging result of the second device is determined according to the communication range of the second device under each transmission power.

[0240] When the first condition is met under various different reflection coefficients of the second device, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the communication range of the second device under each reflection coefficient.

[0241] If the first condition is met at the third transmission power but not at the fourth transmission power, the ranging result for the second device is determined based on the communication range of the second device at the third transmission power; wherein the third transmission power and the fourth transmission power are two adjacent transmission powers among a variety of different transmission powers of the second device arranged in descending order, and the third transmission power is greater than the fourth transmission power;

[0242] If the first condition is met under the first reflection coefficient, but not under the second reflection coefficient, the ranging result of the second device is determined according to the communication range of the second device under the first reflection coefficient; wherein, the first reflection coefficient and the second reflection coefficient are two adjacent reflection coefficients among a variety of different reflection coefficients of the second device arranged in descending order, and the first reflection coefficient is greater than the second reflection coefficient.

[0243] Optionally, the first information of the second device includes at least one of the following:

[0244] The identification information of the second device;

[0245] The response information of the second device associated with the information sent by the first device to the second device;

[0246] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0247] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0248] The reference signal associated with the second device.

[0249] Optionally, the ranging device 30 further includes:

[0250] The second execution module is used to perform a second operation when the first condition is not met, or when the second condition is met.

[0251] The second operation includes at least one of the following:

[0252] Increase the transmission power of the first device;

[0253] Change the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the first device;

[0254] Increase the number of transmissions by the first device;

[0255] Send a first indication message to the second device, the first indication message being used to indicate increasing the transmission power or reflection coefficient of the second device;

[0256] Send a second indication message to the second device, the second indication message being used to indicate a change in the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the second device;

[0257] Send a third indication message to the second device, the third indication message being used to indicate increasing the number of times the second device sends;

[0258] Move the position of the first device;

[0259] Change the orientation of the first device;

[0260] Switch the transmit beam and / or receive beam of the first device.

[0261] Optionally, the second condition includes at least one of the following:

[0262] The number of times the first device fails to demodulate or decode the first information of the second device is greater than or equal to the tenth value;

[0263] The number of times the second device fails to receive the second information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to the eleventh value, and the second information is used to instruct or trigger the second device to send the first information;

[0264] The number of times the second device fails to receive the third information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to the twelfth value, and the third information is used to instruct or trigger the second device to send the first signal;

[0265] The number of times the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the thirteenth value is greater than or equal to the fourteenth value;

[0266] The number of times the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the fifteenth value is greater than or equal to the sixteenth value;

[0267] The number of times the signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is less than the seventeenth value is greater than or equal to the eighteenth value.

[0268] Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following:

[0269] The identification information of the second device;

[0270] The reference signal associated with the second device;

[0271] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0272] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0273] The signal parameters of the first information;

[0274] The resource information of the first information;

[0275] The number of times the first information is repeatedly sent;

[0276] The time interval for sending the first information.

[0277] Optionally, the third information includes at least one of the following:

[0278] The method of generating the first signal;

[0279] The generation sequence of the first signal;

[0280] The time-domain resource information of the first signal;

[0281] Frequency domain resource information of the first signal;

[0282] The frequency of the first signal is shifted;

[0283] The first signal has at least one of the following: transmission power, reflection coefficient, and amplification factor;

[0284] At least one of the modulation method and encoding method of the first signal;

[0285] The number of times the first signal is repeatedly transmitted;

[0286] The time interval for sending the first signal;

[0287] At least one of the scrambling method and scrambling sequence of the first signal;

[0288] The first signal is associated with at least one of the delimiter, preamble, and synchronization signal;

[0289] The reference pattern for the first signal.

[0290] Optionally, the ranging device 30 further includes:

[0291] A triggering module is configured to trigger ranging of the second device when a third condition is met; wherein the third condition includes at least one of the following:

[0292] The first device acquires fourth information, which is used to determine to perform distance measurement on the second device;

[0293] The ranging request from the first device to the second device is satisfied.

[0294] During the triggering period when the first device measures the distance to the second device;

[0295] The first device is within the effective time for measuring the distance to the second device.

[0296] Optionally, the fourth information includes at least one of the following:

[0297] The fourth indication information indicates the presence of the second device;

[0298] The association information of the second device;

[0299] The capability information of the second device.

[0300] Optionally, the association information of the second device includes at least one of the following:

[0301] The identification information of the second device;

[0302] The response information of the second device associated with the information sent by the first device to the second device;

[0303] The synchronization signal associated with the second device;

[0304] The preamble associated with the second device;

[0305] The reference signal associated with the second device.

[0306] Optionally, the capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following:

[0307] Frequency domain capability information of the second device;

[0308] The time-domain capability information of the second device;

[0309] The airspace capability information of the second device;

[0310] The type of the second device;

[0311] The communication method of the second device;

[0312] The wireless access method of the second device;

[0313] The baseband processing capabilities supported by the second device;

[0314] The energy storage capacity or energy storage capacity supported by the second device;

[0315] The second device supports a certain amount of working time;

[0316] The operating states supported by the second device.

[0317] The ranging device 30 provided in this embodiment can achieve... Figure 2 The various processes implemented in the method embodiments shown achieve the same technical effects, and will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0318] like Figure 4 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 40, including a processor 41 and a memory 42. The memory 42 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 41. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor 41, they implement the various steps of the above-described ranging method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0319] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described ranging method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0320] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0321] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-described ranging method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0322] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0323] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-described ranging method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0324] This application also provides a communication system, including at least a first device and a second device, wherein the first device can be used to perform the steps of the ranging method described above.

[0325] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0326] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0327] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A method of ranging, characterized by, The first device performs a first operation, the first operation comprising at least one of: obtaining first information of a second device, obtaining a first signal transmitted by the second device; The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed or according to an execution of the first operation. The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed or according to an execution of the first operation, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed or according to an execution of the first operation when a first condition is met; the first condition comprises at least one of: The first device successfully obtains the first information of the second device; The first device successfully demodulates or decodes the first information of the second device; The first device successfully obtains the first signal transmitted by the second device; The first device measures a signal strength of the first signal greater than or equal to a first value; The first device measures a signal strength statistical value of the first signal greater than or equal to a second value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal strength of the first signal greater than or equal to a third value; The first device measures a signal power of the first signal greater than or equal to a fourth value; The first device measures a signal power statistical value of the first signal greater than or equal to a fifth value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal power of the first signal greater than or equal to a sixth value; The first device measures a signal quality of the first signal greater than or equal to a seventh value; The first device measures a signal quality statistical value of the first signal greater than or equal to an eighth value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal quality of the first signal greater than or equal to a ninth value. The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed or according to an execution of the first operation, comprising any one of:

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first device determines a distance degree between the second device and the first device according to an execution of the first operation; The first device takes a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed as the ranging result of the second device. The first device performs a first operation, comprising:

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first device performs the first operation under a plurality of different transmission powers of the first device respectively; The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is performed or according to an execution of the first operation, comprising any one of: The first device determines a ranging result of the second device according to a maximum inventory distance or a ranging range of the first device under each of the transmission powers when the first condition is met under all of the plurality of different transmission powers; ​ When the first device meets the first condition at a first transmission power but does not meet the first condition at a second transmission power, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device according to a maximum ranging distance or ranging range of the first device at the first transmission power; wherein the first transmission power and the second transmission power are adjacent two transmission powers in the plurality of different transmission powers arranged in descending order, and the first transmission power is greater than the second transmission power.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first device performs a first operation, including: The first device performs the first operation at a plurality of different transmission powers or reflection coefficients of the second device respectively; When the first device meets the first condition at a plurality of different transmission powers of the second device, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device according to a communication range of the second device at each transmission power; When the first device meets the first condition at a plurality of different reflection coefficients of the second device, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device according to a communication range of the second device at each reflection coefficient; When the first device meets the first condition at a third transmission power but does not meet the first condition at a fourth transmission power, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device according to a communication range of the second device at the third transmission power; wherein the third transmission power and the fourth transmission power are adjacent two transmission powers in the plurality of different transmission powers of the second device arranged in descending order, and the third transmission power is greater than the fourth transmission power; When the first device meets the first condition at a first reflection coefficient but does not meet the first condition at a second reflection coefficient, the first device determines the ranging result of the second device according to a communication range of the second device at the first reflection coefficient; wherein the first reflection coefficient and the second reflection coefficient are adjacent two reflection coefficients in the plurality of different reflection coefficients of the second device arranged in descending order, and the first reflection coefficient is greater than the second reflection coefficient. The first information of the second device includes at least one of:

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Identification information of the second device; Response information of the second device associated with information sent by the first device to the second device; A synchronization signal associated with the second device; A preamble associated with the second device; A reference signal associated with the second device. After the first device performs the first operation, the method further includes:

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, When the first device does not meet the first condition or meets a second condition, the first device performs a second operation; The second operation includes at least one of: Increasing the transmission power of the first device; Changing the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the first device; Increasing the number of transmissions of the first device; ​ sending first indication information to the second device, the first indication information being used to indicate increasing transmission power or reflection coefficient of the second device; sending second indication information to the second device, the second indication information being used to indicate changing transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the second device; sending third indication information to the second device, the third indication information being used to indicate increasing transmission times of the second device; moving the position of the first device; changing the orientation of the first device; switching the transmission beam and / or the receiving beam of the first device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The second condition includes at least one of the following: the number of times that the first device fails to demodulate or decode the first information of the second device is greater than or equal to a tenth value; the number of times that the second device fails to receive the second information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to an eleventh value, the second information being used to indicate or trigger the second device to send the first information; the number of times that the second device fails to receive the third information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to a twelfth value, the third information being used to indicate or trigger the second device to send the first signal; the number of times that the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a thirteenth value is greater than or equal to a fourteenth value; the number of times that the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a fifteenth value is greater than or equal to a sixteenth value; the number of times that the signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a seventeenth value is greater than or equal to an eighteenth value.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the second device; a reference signal associated with the second device; a preamble associated with the second device; a synchronization signal associated with the second device; a signal parameter of the first information; resource information of the first information; the number of times of repeating sending the first information; a time interval of sending the first information.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The third information includes at least one of the following: a generation mode of the first signal; a generation sequence of the first signal; time domain resource information of the first signal; frequency domain resource information of the first signal; frequency shift of the first signal; at least one of transmission power, reflection coefficient and amplification factor of the first signal; at least one of modulation mode and coding mode of the first signal; the number of times of repeating sending the first signal; a time interval of sending the first signal; at least one of scrambling mode and scrambling sequence of the first signal; at least one of delimiter, preamble and synchronization signal associated with the first signal; a reference pattern of the first signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: triggering ranging of the second device by the first device when a third condition is met; wherein the third condition includes at least one of the following: the first device acquires fourth information, the fourth information being used to determine ranging of the second device; the ranging request of the second device obtained by the first device is satisfied; the first device is in a triggering period of ranging of the second device; the first device is in a valid time of ranging of the second device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The fourth information includes at least one of the following: Fourth indication information, the fourth indication information indicating that the second device exists; Association information of the second device; Capability information of the second device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The association information of the second device includes at least one of the following: Identification information of the second device; Response information of the second device associated with the information sent by the first device to the second device; A synchronization signal associated with the second device; A preamble associated with the second device; A reference signal associated with the second device.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following: Frequency capability information of the second device; Time capability information of the second device; Space capability information of the second device; Type of the second device; Communication mode of the second device; Wireless access mode of the second device; Baseband processing capability supported by the second device; Energy storage capability or capacity supported by the second device; Working time length supported by the second device; Working state supported by the second device.

15. A ranging device, characterized by Comprise: A first execution module, configured to execute a first operation by the first device, the first operation including at least one of the following: obtaining first information of a second device, and obtaining a first signal sent by the second device; A determination module, configured to determine a ranging result for the second device according to an execution condition of the first operation or a communication range under a configuration when the first operation is executed.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein, The determination module is specifically configured to: When a first condition is met, determine the ranging result for the second device according to the execution condition of the first operation or the communication range under the configuration when the first operation is executed; the first condition includes at least one of the following: The first device successfully obtains the first information of the second device; The first device successfully demodulates or decodes the first information of the second device; The first device successfully obtains the first signal sent by the second device; The first device measures a signal strength of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a first value; The first device measures a signal strength statistical value of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a second value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal strength of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a third value; The first device measures a signal power of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a fourth value; The first device measures a signal power statistical value of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a fifth value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal power of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a sixth value; The first device measures a signal quality of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a seventh value; The first device measures a signal quality statistical value of the first signal to be greater than or equal to an eighth value; The first device measures a change amount or a slope of the signal quality of the first signal to be greater than or equal to a ninth value.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein: The first execution module is specifically configured to execute the first operation under a plurality of different transmission powers of the first device respectively; The determination module is specifically configured to perform any one of the following: When the first condition is satisfied at all of the multiple different transmission powers, determining the ranging result to the second device according to a maximum ranging distance or ranging range of the first device at each of the transmission powers; When the first condition is satisfied at a first transmission power but not satisfied at a second transmission power, determining the ranging result to the second device according to a maximum ranging distance or ranging range of the first device at the first transmission power; wherein the first transmission power and the second transmission power are adjacent two transmission powers in the multiple different transmission powers in descending order, and the first transmission power is greater than the second transmission power.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The apparatus further includes: a second execution module configured to execute a second operation when the first condition is not satisfied or a second condition is satisfied; The second operation includes at least one of the following: increasing the transmission power of the first device; changing the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the first device; increasing the number of transmissions of the first device; sending first indication information to the second device, the first indication information being used to indicate increasing the transmission power or reflection coefficient of the second device; sending second indication information to the second device, the second indication information being used to indicate changing the transmission frequency or signal bandwidth of the second device; sending third indication information to the second device, the third indication information being used to indicate increasing the number of transmissions of the second device; moving the position of the first device; changing the orientation of the first device; switching the transmission beam and / or reception beam of the first device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein, The second condition includes at least one of the following: the number of times that the first device fails to demodulate or decode the first information of the second device is greater than or equal to a tenth value; the number of times that the second device fails to receive second information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to an eleventh value, the second information being used to indicate or trigger the second device to send the first information; the number of times that the second device fails to receive third information sent by the first device is greater than or equal to a twelfth value, the third information being used to indicate or trigger the second device to send the first signal; the number of times that the signal strength of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a thirteenth value is greater than or equal to a fourteenth value; the number of times that the signal power of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a fifteenth value is greater than or equal to a sixteenth value; the number of times that the signal quality of the first signal measured by the first device is less than a seventeenth value is greater than or equal to an eighteenth value.

20. A communications device, characterized by A processor and a memory, the memory storing programs or instructions executable on the processor, the programs or instructions being executed by the processor to implement the steps of the ranging method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

21. A readable storage medium characterized by, A readable storage medium storing programs or instructions executable by a processor to implement the steps of the ranging method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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