A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, which are used for reducing signaling overhead of UE capability reporting and adapting to product development rhythm. The application introduces a sensing capability in the capability information of the UE for a frequency band combination. The frequency band combination corresponds to a CA combination. Therefore, the application can introduce the sensing capability for the CA combination, so that the network side can consider the communication resource when configuring the sensing, so as to improve the efficiency of the sensing and the communication. In addition, the application introduces different granularity sensing capabilities for the CA combination. For example, the capability information indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination. For another example, the capability information indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination. Through reporting the different granularity sensing capabilities of the CA combination, the efficiency and performance of the sensing and the communication can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] To improve peak data rates, multiple component carriers (CCs) can be aggregated using carrier aggregation (CA), allowing the terminal device to use the sum of the bandwidths of all carriers. In carrier aggregation scenarios, the terminal device can use multiple carriers simultaneously. Of these carriers, one is called the primary component carrier (PCC), and the cell corresponding to the PCC is called the primary cell / primary serving cell (PCell). The other carriers are called secondary component carriers (SCCs), and the cells corresponding to the SCCs are called secondary cells / secondary serving cells (SCells).

[0003] Positioning also supports multi-carrier-based methods to improve positioning accuracy. Similarly, additional carriers can be introduced into sensing to improve sensing accuracy. However, the additional carriers introduced into positioning are completely independent of and incompatible with carrier aggregation in the communication system. If the sensing carriers are configured in the same way as multi-carrier configurations in positioning, the additional carriers introduced into sensing will also be completely independent of and incompatible with carrier aggregation in the communication system, resulting in relatively low sensing and communication efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the signaling overhead of UE capability reporting and adapting to product development pace.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit on the terminal device side. Taking a terminal device as an example, the method includes: receiving a capability query message and sending capability information, the capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capability on at least one frequency band in a first frequency band combination, and / or, the terminal device's sensing capability on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0006] This application introduces sensing capabilities for frequency band combinations into the UE's capability information. Each frequency band combination corresponds to at least one CA combination. Therefore, this application can introduce sensing capabilities for CA combinations, allowing the network side to consider communication resources when configuring sensing, thus enabling sensing to be performed on communication cells as much as possible, achieving sensing and communication coupling, and improving the efficiency of sensing and communication. Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations. For example, frequency band-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination; and CC-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one CC in the first frequency band combination, etc. By reporting sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations, the network side can make sensing configuration more adaptable to communication configuration, and also make communication and sensing configurations more adaptable to the capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of sensing and communication, enhancing the flexibility of sensing and communication configuration, and improving the coordination between sensing and communication.

[0007] Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities for CA combinations in the UE's capability information. Compared to independently reporting sensing capabilities through positioning characteristics, this application is more efficient and facilitates the coupling of sensing and communication.

[0008] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, the execution subject of which can be a network device, or a chip or circuit on the network device side. Taking a network device as an example, the method includes: sending a capability query message and receiving capability information, wherein the capability information indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one frequency band in a first frequency band combination, and / or, the sensing capability of the terminal device on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0009] This application introduces sensing capabilities for frequency band combinations into the UE's capability information. Each frequency band combination corresponds to at least one CA combination. Therefore, this application can introduce sensing capabilities for CA combinations, allowing the network side to consider communication resources when configuring sensing, thus enabling sensing to be performed on communication cells as much as possible, achieving sensing and communication coupling, and improving the efficiency of sensing and communication. Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations. For example, frequency band-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination; and CC-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one CC in the first frequency band combination, etc. By reporting sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations, the network side can make sensing configuration more adaptable to communication configuration, and also make communication and sensing configurations more adaptable to the capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of sensing and communication, enhancing the flexibility of sensing and communication configuration, and improving the coordination between sensing and communication.

[0010] Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities for CA combinations in the UE's capability information. Compared to independently reporting sensing capabilities through positioning characteristics, this application is more efficient and facilitates the coupling of sensing and communication.

[0011] Based on the first and second aspects mentioned above, the following design can be made:

[0012] In one possible design, the capability information includes capability information for a first frequency band combination, which includes a frequency band list. The capability information for the first frequency band combination is associated with a first feature set combination. The frequency band list and / or the first feature set combination indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, and / or, the sensing capability of the terminal device on the CC (CC signal) of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination. This design, by indicating sensing capabilities through the frequency band list and / or feature set combination, allows for refined design of sensing capabilities.

[0013] In one possible design, the frequency band list includes parameters for N frequency bands supporting sensing and parameters for M frequency bands supporting communication, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer; the first feature set combination includes at least one parameter set, each of the at least one parameter set including feature sets for the N frequency bands and feature sets corresponding to the M frequency bands, the feature set of the first frequency band among the N frequency bands indicating the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band and / or the sensing capability of the terminal device for at least one CC in the first frequency band, and the feature set of the second frequency band among the M frequency bands indicating the communication capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band and / or the communication capability of the terminal device for at least one CC in the second frequency band.

[0014] In this scheme, the BandList in the capability information of the first BC lists the parameters of the M bands that the terminal device supports for communication and the parameters of the N bands that support sensing. By expanding the bands that support sensing and expanding the feature set indicating sensing capability and the carrier feature set indicating sensing capability in the feature set combination, it is helpful to realize the planning and design of sensing capability and improve the flexibility of sensing capability.

[0015] In one possible design, the frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where the parameters of the first frequency band in the P frequency bands indicate the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band, and the parameters of the P frequency bands also indicate the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0.

[0016] The above modifications to the protocol are minor, thus improving compatibility. Furthermore, the second method described above reduces reporting overhead by indicating sensing capabilities in the band parameters.

[0017] In one possible design, the frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; the first feature set combination indicates the sensing capability, and the sensing capability corresponds to P frequency bands.

[0018] The above-mentioned method of indicating the band's sensing capabilities in the common parameters (or common information) section of FeatureSetCombination can reduce reporting overhead.

[0019] In one possible design, the frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; the first feature set combination includes a first parameter set, wherein the first parameter set indicates the feature set of the P frequency bands, the feature set of the first frequency band among the P frequency bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band, and the feature set of the P frequency bands also indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands.

[0020] The above method indicates the band's sensing capabilities by adding sensing capability information to the FeatureSet. This approach minimizes changes to the protocol and allows for fine-grained sensing capability design at the band level. Furthermore, adding sensing capability information to the FeatureSet enables reporting sensing capabilities via carried indexes, resulting in lower reporting overhead.

[0021] In one possible design, the frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; the first feature set combination indicates the feature set of the first CC of the first frequency band in the P frequency bands and the feature set of the second CC of the second frequency band in the P frequency bands, the feature set of the first CC indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first CC, and the feature set of the second CC indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the first CC.

[0022] Method five described above indicates the CC's sensing capabilities by adding sensing capability information to the CC's FeatureSet. This approach minimizes changes to the protocol and allows for fine-grained sensing capability design at the CC level. Furthermore, adding sensing capability information to the CC's FeatureSet enables reporting sensing capabilities via carried indexes, resulting in lower reporting overhead.

[0023] In one possible design, the sensing capability includes at least one of the following: whether sensing capability is supported, whether receiving / transmitting sensing signals is supported, whether sensing is supported on non-continuous frequency domain resources, or the bandwidth information of the supported sensing signals.

[0024] In one possible design, the capability query message instructs the terminal device to report its sensing capabilities.

[0025] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the first aspect. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0029] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the second aspect above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0033] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the methods of the first aspect and any possible design through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the second aspect and any possible design described above through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods in any possible design of the first aspect and any of the aspects described above.

[0036] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods in any possible design of the second aspect and any of the aspects described above.

[0037] A ninth aspect provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory for implementing the methods described in the first aspect and any possible designs thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0038] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any possible design in the second aspect and any of the preceding aspects. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0039] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the first aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the second aspect (such as a network device).

[0040] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the technical solutions in the third to eleventh aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by the technical solution in the first aspect mentioned above, and the repeated parts will not be repeated. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process for processing sensing data in a sensing trajectory scenario;

[0042] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another process for processing sensing data in a sensing trajectory scenario;

[0043] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating various sensing modes provided in embodiments of this application;

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a carrier aggregation embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of capability information according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a feature set combination according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 8 This is a typical application scenario for sensing;

[0049] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the core network architecture provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the architecture for introducing perception-related functions into the core network provided in this application embodiment;

[0051] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the architecture for introducing perception-related functions on the RAN side provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0052] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of possible communication interfaces for the SU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0053] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] The technical solutions of this application embodiment are applicable to integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems. An integrated sensing and communication system refers to a system where communication and sensing are coupled together, also known as a harmonized communication and sensing (HCS) system. The core idea of ​​integrated sensing and communication is to add sensing-related capabilities to the communication system, building capabilities such as target detection, tracking, and imaging, thus coupling communication and sensing capabilities onto a single network. The communication system can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Examples include Long Term Evolution (LTE), the sixth generation (5G) mobile communication system / new radio (NR) communication system, future communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), Internet of Things (IoT) systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems, etc.

[0058] Before introducing the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the terminology, applicable network architecture, etc. involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced first.

[0059] (1) Perception

[0060] Perception can be understood as a technology capable of acquiring information about the characteristics of the environment and / or objects within it. This information includes, but is not limited to, shape, size, orientation, speed, position, distance between objects, or relative motion. The working principle of perception is as follows: the transmitting end sends a signal for perception (also called a sensing signal), and the receiving end receives the signal reflected from the sensing target (also called an echo signal). Based on the processing of the echo signal, the perception result can be obtained, such as speed, distance, shape, and size. The sensing target can also be called a target, the object being detected, the object being sensed, or the object being sensed, etc., without limitation. The sensing target can be any tangible object in the environment capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves. For example, the sensing target can be a stationary object such as a building. Alternatively, the sensing target can be a mobile object such as a vehicle, drone, or terminal device.

[0061] Perception can also be replaced by: sensing process, sensing operation, sensing detection, or detection processing.

[0062] Sensing signals are also called detection signals, linear frequency modulated signals, radar signals, radar sensing signals, radar detection signals, environmental sensing signals, etc. Sensing signals can be pulse signals or any signal that may be present in a wireless communication system, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals. For example, sensing signals may include (or be) sounding reference signals (SRS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), positioning reference signals (PRS), sidelink positioning reference signals (SL-PRS), channel state information reference signals (CSI), synchronization signal blocks (SSB), synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel blocks (SS / PBCH), tracking reference signals (TRS), phase tracking reference signals (PTRS), beam manager reference signals (BMRS), or cell reference signals (CRS), etc. Sensing signals may also include communication information, such as signals carried on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH).

[0063] An echo signal is the signal reflected back to the receiver after a sensing signal is emitted from a transmitter to a target object. By performing autocorrelation processing on the echo signal and the sensing signal, and then transforming them, the time delay of the echo signal relative to the sensing signal in the time domain can be analyzed. This allows us to determine the distance of the sensing target from the transmitter. By comparing the echo signals reflected back from the same target by different transmitted signals, we can convert the signal to the Doppler domain. Combining the Doppler and range domain analyses, we can determine the distance and velocity of the sensing target. Furthermore, the direction of the sensing target relative to the transmitter can be determined by the beam direction of the antenna emitting the sensing signal. The echo signal can be understood as a reflected sensing signal; therefore, it can also be called a sensing signal.

[0064] (2) Perceived data and perceived results

[0065] Sensing data, also known as sensing measurement data, refers to the data obtained after processing echo signals. The processing of echo signals involves multiple stages, and the data obtained from each stage can be called sensing data. For example, the echo signal processing flow may include the following stages: (1) Performing operations such as symbol extraction and cyclic prefix removal (CP) on the echo signal to obtain the time-domain data of the radar frame and separate in-phase (I / quadrature, IQ) data; (2) Performing time-frequency transformation, effective subcarrier extraction, signal estimation, and inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) on the IQ data to obtain the range (R) spectrum; (3) Performing inter-symbol windowing and fast fourier transform (IFFT) on the R spectrum. (4) Perform FFT on the channel dimension of the RD spectrum to obtain the range / doppler (RDA) spectrum; (5) Detect all valid point target information from the RD spectrum or RDA spectrum to obtain multiple data points. The set of these multiple data points is also called a point cloud. Each data point is used to represent a relative position or an absolute position relative to the sensing device; (6) Cluster the multiple data points to obtain the centroid of the real target.

[0066] Sensing data can represent one or more of the following: time delay, Doppler effect, angle, and intensity of a sampling point; it can also represent one or more of the following: position, distance, velocity, and intensity of a sampling point. For example, sensing data includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: IQ data, RD spectrum, RDA spectrum, distance / velocity (DV) spectrum, distance / velocity / angle (DVA) spectrum, range / velocity (RV) spectrum, range / velocity / angle (RVA) spectrum, set of coordinate points, point cloud, point cluster, cluster trace, centroid of a real target, etc.

[0067] Perception results refer to the results related to business functions and performance obtained through calculation and analysis of perceived data. For example, perception results include the existence of the target to be perceived and information about the target (e.g., speed, distance, angle, orientation, acceleration, position, motion trajectory, imaging results, facial expression, breathing / heart rate, etc.). Some perception results can also be considered as perception data; for example, speed and distance information can be considered as perception data. Perception results also vary depending on the target being perceived. For example, if the target is air, the perception results include air quality and the composition of gases in the air; another example is vehicles, where the perception results include the number of vehicles, their positions, and their motion trajectories.

[0068] Perception results can also be viewed as a type of perception data, and some types of perception data can also be viewed as perception results. For example, perception data can be a movement trajectory, and the movement trajectory can be a perception result.

[0069] Please see Figure 1 This illustrates a workflow for processing perception data in a perception trajectory scenario. Figure 1The illustrated process uses the processing of raw sensing data to obtain the RD spectrum as an example. It should be understood that the RD spectrum is generated based on the range spectrum data of a single frame. After clutter suppression and constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detection, the RD spectrum yields valid point targets within a given frame. Amplitude variation with angle (RVA) estimation is performed on the valid point targets to obtain the range (R), velocity (V), and azimuth angle (A) of all point targets. The obtained point targets are then clustered to obtain the centroids of the true targets. Subsequently, the target's trajectory can be determined based on the clustering information. For example, trajectory association can be performed based on the centroids. Trajectory association includes initializing the trajectory and trajectory state vector using the clustering information of the first frame, and determining whether the trajectory of the previous frame is associated / continuous with the trajectory of the next frame. Afterward, trajectory tracking can be performed, for example, associating the clustered targets of the current frame with existing trajectories, and updating the associated trajectories using Kalman filtering. If multiple consecutive frames do not maintain trajectory consistency over a short period, the trajectory is considered invalid and can be eliminated. Additionally, the trajectory for the next frame can be predicted based on the trajectory of the current frame. For example, trajectory prediction can be performed using a motion model (e.g., a uniformly accelerated linear motion model), and the predicted trajectory can be displayed. It should be understood that trajectory association occurs during or after trajectory prediction. Optionally, after trajectory output, perception performance (e.g., target tracking performance) can be statistically analyzed.

[0070] Trajectory consistency includes one or more of the following: consistency of direction of motion, consistency of distance, consistency of velocity, consistency of position-velocity, or consistency of distance-azimuth. Heading consistency refers to minimal changes in heading over a short period, such as changes within a certain range. Distance consistency refers to roughly the same changes in distance over a short period (or near-uniform motion of the target), such as changes within a certain range. Velocity consistency refers to minimal changes in velocity over a short period, such as changes within a certain range. Position-velocity consistency refers to minimal changes in both position and velocity over a short period, such as changes within both ranges. Distance-azimuth consistency refers to minimal changes in both distance and azimuth over a short period, such as changes within both ranges.

[0071] Please see Figure 2 This demonstrates another workflow for processing perception data in a perception trajectory scenario. Figure 2The illustrated process takes the processing of raw sensing data to obtain the RV spectrum as an example. Clustering the RV spectrum yields clusters of target points. Coordinate transformation and cluster point preprocessing are then performed on the target points within each cluster, followed by cluster-track association. Cluster-track association refers to associating clusters that meet trajectory consistency requirements, forming a single trajectory. This process includes determining the trajectory's start point and target tracking, and then associating multiple trajectories to form a single trajectory. The trajectory association process includes false alarm suppression, which determines whether the trajectories to be associated meet trajectory consistency requirements; if not, they are not associated. Subsequently, multi-station fusion processing can be performed to determine the final trajectory. Multi-station fusion processing refers to the joint processing of sensing data from multiple stations.

[0072] (3) Perception Mode

[0073] Sensing can generally be divided into two modes: single-site sensing and dual-site sensing. In single-site sensing, the transmitting device and the receiving device for the echo signal are the same device. In other words, in single-site sensing, the transmitting device both transmits the sensing signal and receives the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target. Therefore, this single-site sensing mode can also be called a self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, without limitation. In dual-site sensing, the transmitting device and the receiving device for the echo signal are two different devices. In other words, sensing station A transmits the sensing signal, and the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target is received by sensing station B. Therefore, this dual-site sensing mode can also be called the A-transmitting and B-receiving mode. It should be noted that the echo signal is obtained by reflecting the sensing signal from the surface of the sensing target; therefore, this echo signal can still be called the sensing signal. Sensing stations can be network devices or terminal devices.

[0074] For example, see Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating various sensing modes provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 The system uses the perceived target to indicate the vehicle and provides six perception modes. These six perception modes are: such as... Figure 3 The mode shown in (1) is the self-transmitting and self-receiving mode of network device A, that is, the mode in which network device A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals; such as Figure 3 The self-transmitting and self-receiving mode of terminal device A shown in (2) refers to the mode in which terminal device A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals; for example... Figure 3 The pattern shown in (3) illustrates the transmission of sensing signals by network device A and the reception of echo signals by network device B; as shown in (3). Figure 3 The mode shown in (4) illustrates the transmission of sensing signals by terminal device A and the reception of echo signals by terminal device B; as shown in (4). Figure 3The pattern shown in (5) illustrates the transmission of sensing signals by network device A and the reception of echo signals by terminal device A; as shown in (5). Figure 3 The mode shown in (6) is the mode in which terminal device A sends sensing signals and network device A receives echo signals. Figure 8 The example is a smartphone.

[0075] Figure 3 The sensing process for all six sensing modes shown includes sensing measurement configuration and reporting of sensing data. Optionally, the sensing process also includes reporting of sensing capabilities. Sensing capabilities mainly include whether sensing is supported, whether a certain sensing method / mode is supported, and whether the device has the function of processing sensing signals. Sensing capabilities are typically reported by the sensing device to the sensing management device. The sensing device refers to the device that performs sensing services / businesses; it can send sensing signals and / or receive echo signals. The sensing management device refers to the devices or units with management functions at each sensing node participating in the sensing process. The sensing management device determines the sensing measurement configuration based on the sensing capabilities reported by the sensing device and configures it for the sensing device. The sensing device performs sensing according to the sensing measurement configuration, obtains sensing data, and sends it to the sensing management device.

[0076] Depending on the different sensing modes, the interaction processes between network elements involved in the sensing process also differ, as shown in Table 1. In Table 1, SF refers to the network element with sensing management functions. The first column in Table 1 represents the sensing mode, the second column represents the interaction between SF and gNB (gNB A and / or gNB B), the third column represents the interaction between SF and UE, the fourth column represents the interaction between gNB and UE, and the fifth column represents the interaction between UEs. Optionally, SF and UE can interact through non-access stratum signaling. In this case, the interaction between SF and UE is transparent to gNB, and the complexity is lower than the interaction between SF, gNB, and UE. It should be noted that in Table 1, gNB in ​​gNB sensing capability reporting includes gNB A and / or gNB B; gNB in ​​gNB sensing measurement reporting includes gNB A and / or gNB B; UE in UE sensing capability reporting includes UE A and / or UE B; and gNB in ​​UE sensing measurement reporting includes UE A and / or UE B.

[0077] Table 1

[0078]

[0079]

[0080] (6) Terminal device capability information

[0081] In order to better serve terminal devices, network devices need to know the capabilities of the terminal devices in order to configure and schedule them.

[0082] In 5G systems, the capabilities of terminal devices can be divided into several levels. For example, such as... Figure 4 As shown, this hierarchical structure represents the structure of the terminal device's capability information. The terminal device's capability information may include:

[0083] - Device-specific capability information (also known as device-level capabilities, per-UE capabilities, or UE capabilities): Applicable to all frequency bands and combinations of frequency bands. Device-specific capability information includes capabilities supported by the terminal device on all frequency bands. Device-specific capabilities may include one or more of the following: access stratum release, PDCP parameters, RLC parameters, MAC parameters, PHY parameters, and measurement and addition parameters.

[0084] - Band-specific capability information (also known as band-level capability, per-band capability, or frequency band capability): This is typically related to the radio frequency capabilities of a terminal device. Band-specific capability information includes the terminal device's capabilities on a specific frequency band. This capability may differ across different frequency bands. Band-specific capabilities may include one or more of the following: band identifier (FreqBandIndicatorNR), MIMO parameters (mimo-ParametersPerBand), and unrestricted bandwidth portion (bwp-WithoutRestriction). The terminal device's band-specific capability information may be included in the supported band list. The band list includes parameters for at least one frequency band supported by the terminal device. The band identifier indicates the frequency band corresponding to the band-specific capability information.

[0085] - Band combination (BC) specific capability information (also known as per BC capability or band combination capability): This capability is related to band combinations, which are mainly related to the carrier aggregation (CA) and DC capabilities supported by the terminal device. A band combination can consist of one or more bands and carriers included in the bands that the terminal device supports for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. That is, for a band combination reported by the terminal device, the network device can configure the carriers included in the bands in that band combination for the terminal device to perform carrier aggregation or dual connectivity transmission. In addition, from the perspective of capability signaling structure, the capability of a single band or a single carrier can also be reported through the signaling structure of the band combination. The band combinations supported by the terminal device are usually related to the radio frequency capabilities and baseband capabilities of the terminal device. The band combination specific capability information of the terminal device can be included in the supported band combination list.

[0086] The band combination list contains at least one band combination supported by the terminal device. Each band combination may include one or more of the following: a band list corresponding to that band combination, CA parameters (ca-ParametersNR), multi-rAT dual connectivity (MRDC) parameters (mrdc-Parameters), power level, and other band combination-specific capability information. The band list contains parameters of the bands that make up the band combination.

[0087] Each band combination can also be associated with a feature set combination (FSC), which can be identified by a FeatureSetCombinationId. The FSC contains capability information (per BC, per band capability) for each band in the band combination. The FSC can also indicate the capability information (per CC capability) of the carriers on that band.

[0088] Per BC per band capability refers to the capability for a frequency band within a frequency band combination. Each frequency band in a frequency band combination can be associated with one or more feature sets (FS). Terminal devices can report a combination of per BC per band capabilities for a frequency band combination by reporting one or more feature sets (FS). Figure 5An exemplary diagram illustrates how different capabilities (e.g., per CC capability and / or per BC per band capability) of a frequency band combination are reported via a multi-line feature set (FS) in a capability signaling structure. Figure 5 As shown, frequency band combination BC1 consists of band A, band B, and band C. For frequency band combination BC1, the terminal device can report three lines of FS (Frequency Support Modules), each corresponding to a combination of BC capabilities that the terminal device can support. In the first line of FS, the FS for band A is FS1 (which can be understood as FS ID 1, similar to below), the FS for band B is FS2, and the FS for band C is FS3. These can be considered as a combination of BC capabilities that the network can configure for the terminal device. In the second line of FS, the FS for band A is still FS1, the FS for band B is FS4, and the FS for band C is FS5. Since the FS for band B is different from the FS for band B in the first line of FS, and the FS for band C is different from the FS for band C in the first line of FS, the combination of BC capabilities corresponding to the second line of FS is different from that in the first line. Different FS correspond to different carrier capabilities. For example, if the terminal device supports 5 carriers, in the first line of FS, it can report 1 carrier on band A (indicating that the terminal device supports one carrier on band A, similar to below), 2 carriers on band B, and 2 carriers on band C, for example... Figure 6 As shown; in the second line, FS can report 1 carrier on band A, 2 carriers on band B, and 1 carrier on band C. According to... Figure 5 The terminal device reports capability information as shown. When configuring frequency band combination BC 1 for the terminal device, the network device can configure the carrier for the terminal device's operation based on the feature sets of each frequency band in the same row of FS. When the network device needs to switch configurations, it can send RRC reconfiguration signaling to the terminal device to instruct it to switch to the configuration corresponding to the second row of feature sets. A frequency band's feature set can be identified using a feature set identifier (FS ID). The FS ID can be zero, for example, Figure 5In the third row of FS, the FS ID for band C is FS 0, indicating that the terminal device does not have uplink or downlink transmission capabilities on band C, meaning it does not support receiving downlink signals or transmitting uplink signals on the carrier of band C. Each FS includes a FeatureSetDownlink information element (IE) for reporting downlink transmission capabilities and a FeatureSetUplink information element for reporting uplink transmission capabilities, used to indicate the uplink and downlink transmission capabilities of the terminal device, respectively. The per BC per band capability can also be called the frequency band feature set.

[0089] Per CC capability refers to the capability of carriers on frequency bands within a frequency band combination. Information on per CC capability can be expressed as a carrier list. Each carrier is associated with a FeatureSetPerCC (FSPC). The FSPC indicates the capabilities of the corresponding carrier, including, for example, one or more of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers, and maximum carrier bandwidth. For instance, frequency band 1 in frequency band combination BC 1 can correspond to a carrier list containing three component carriers (CC1, CC2, CC3), indicating that the terminal device supports a maximum of three component carriers on frequency band 1. Taking CC1 as an example, CC1 is associated with FSPC 1, which indicates CC1's MIMO capability, channel state information (CSI) measurement capability, modulation type, etc. Each FSPC includes FeatureSetDownlinkPerCC cells for reporting downlink transmission capabilities and FeatureSetUplinkPerCC cells for reporting uplink transmission capabilities, which respectively indicate the uplink and downlink transmission capabilities of the terminal equipment. The per CC capability can also be called the carrier feature set.

[0090] (7) Network equipment

[0091] Network equipment refers to radio access network (R)AN equipment / RAN nodes. In the embodiments of this application, (R)AN and RAN are interchangeable; for ease of description, RAN is used as an example below. RAN can be a 3GPP-related cellular system, such as a 5G / NR mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), a virtualized RAN (vRAN), a non-terrestrial network (NTN), etc. RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. RAN equipment can also be called a RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, etc.

[0092] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or a base station in a future mobile communication system. RAN nodes can also be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor / host nodes, or radio controllers. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, the RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0093] In another possible scenario, the RAN node can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of the base station; or multiple RAN nodes can cooperate to assist terminal equipment in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes performing some of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, DU, or RU. The function of the CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the function of the CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the function of the RAN node. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0094] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0095] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0096] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to protocol layers is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not limit this. For example, in one design, CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are located in the DU.

[0097] In another possible design, the DU and RU collaborate to implement the PHY layer functionality, or, more specifically, a portion of the PHY layer functionality of the DU can be moved to the RU. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU may be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU may be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Alternatively, the DU may be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU may be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the MAC layer, and lower-level functions may include another portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the mid-RF side. This application does not limit the specific functions of the DU and RU. The interface between the DU and RU can be called a fronthaul interface. In one design, the CU may not have a PDCP layer; for example, the CU may only include an RRC layer. The CU-CP may not have PDCP-C. The CU-UP may not have PDCP-U, or may not have a CU-UP. In one design, the DU may not have an RLC layer; for example, the DU may only have a MAC and a higher PHY layer.

[0098] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRTRIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / nRT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0099] (8) Terminal equipment

[0100] In this application embodiment, anything capable of data communication with a base station can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices are also called terminals, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, terminal devices can be: mobile phones, computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, stations (STA), robotic arms, cameras, robots, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, or smart home devices (such as televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, set-top boxes), relays, customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a water meter or electricity meter. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that enables human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0102] When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, an unmanned car, a driverless car, a pilotless car, or an automobile, or a roadside unit (RSU). All the terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed / installed inside the vehicle), can be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices can be built into a vehicle's on-board module, on-board unit, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in on-board module, on-board unit, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit. In-vehicle terminal devices can be vehicle equipment, on-board modules, vehicles, on-board units (OBU), RSUs, in-vehicle infotainment systems (or on-board transmitting units) (telematics boxes, T-boxes), chips, or SoCs, etc., and the aforementioned chips or SoCs can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU, or T-box.

[0103] The core network refers to the collective term for core network equipment or functions that provide service support to terminal devices. The core network can be a 5G core network, an evolved 5G core network, or a future core network. The core network includes access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane functions (UPF), policy control functions (PCF), location management functions (LMF), network exposure functions (NEF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), network data analytics functions (NWDAF), etc., which will not be listed here in detail.

[0104] (9) In the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the sender of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0105] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A / B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0106] In the embodiments of this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" can be substituted, and "when" and "in the case of" can be substituted. "When" and "if" / "if" can be substituted.

[0107] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0108] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0109] Please see Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application. The network architecture comprises four components: terminal equipment, access network, core network (CN), and data network (DN). The terminal equipment, access network, and core network are the main components of the aforementioned network architecture. Logically, they can be divided into user plane and control plane. The control plane is responsible for the management of the mobile network, while the user plane is responsible for the transmission of service data. For example, as shown... Figure 7 As shown, in a 5G communication system, the N2 interface is located between the access network control plane and the core network control plane, the N3 interface is located between the access network user plane and the core network user plane, and the N6 interface is located between the core network user plane and the data network.

[0110] It should be noted that, Figure 7 The network architecture shown is merely illustrative. The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of this application apply. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, etc. Figure 7 Not shown in the diagram. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with the evolution of network architecture, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc., in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems, without limitation.

[0111] Figure 7 The network architecture shown can integrate sensing functions to achieve unified communication and sensing. As a typical application scenario of sensing, such as... Figure 8 As shown. Figure 8 Taking an environment that includes one access network device and multiple terminal devices as an example, and using smartphones as terminal devices, and drones, pedestrians and vehicles as sensing targets as examples. Figure 8 For example, solid lines represent communication and dashed lines represent sensing.

[0112] In implementation method 1, sensing-related functions (such as sensing management function (SMF) and / or sensing control function (SCF)) can be introduced on the core network side to realize basic sensing functions, such as sensing authorization, sensing control, sensing measurement data processing, or result output. The specific names of these sensing-related functions are not limited in this application. For example, sensing-related functions can be replaced by any of the following: sensing management network element, sensing management device, sensing management entity, sensing function (SF), integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) management function (ISACMF), ISAC service management function (ISACSMF), or sensing service management function (SSMF), etc.

[0113] Please see Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the core network architecture provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 9 Based on the 5G core network (5G core, 5GC), perception-related functions are introduced on the core network side.

[0114] like Figure 9 As shown, an SF network element has been added to the core network side. Simultaneously, an interface has been added between the SF network element and one or more 5GC network elements, enabling the SF network element to interact with the RAN or UE through the 5GC network element to perceive signaling, etc. For example, in... Figure 9 In this context, the SF can perform sensing interactions with 5GC network elements such as the location management function (LMF), AMF, NEF, UDM, NWDAF, and PCF. Sensing data acquired by the RAN or UE can be transmitted to the SF network element via the control plane or user plane. When sensing data is transmitted to the SF network element via the user plane, it can be forwarded to the SF network element through the UPF or transmitted directly to the SF network element. The interface definitions between the SF and the 5GC network elements (AMF, NEF, UDM, NWDAF, PCF, LMF, and UPF) are as follows.

[0115] NS1: A new interface between SF and AMF, which can transmit sensing and control signaling. Additionally, this interface can also transmit sensing measurement data in scenarios where sensing measurement data is uploaded to the control plane.

[0116] NS2: A new interface between SF and NEF. This interface can transmit signaling messages between sensing network elements relayed through NEF and application functions (AF) on the service side, and at the same time open the sensing results to the AF.

[0117] NS3: A new interface between SF and UDM. This interface can be used for authentication or authorization, and to obtain UE-aware subscription information, service AMF information, or other information.

[0118] NS4: A new interface between SF and NWDAF. Through this interface, SF and NWDAF can jointly complete AI processing related to perception services.

[0119] NS5: A new interface between SF and PCF. Through this interface, SF can transmit information such as sensing requirements, quality of service (QoS) requirements, or sensing results of sensing services to PCF. PCF can then make decisions to generate policy control and charging (PCC) policies related to sensing services.

[0120] NS6: A new interface between SF and LMF. Through this interface, SF can obtain location-related information, such as the sensing area, the RAN information of the sensing target, and the location information of the sensed UE.

[0121] NS7: A new interface between SF and UPF. Sensing measurement data can be directly transmitted from (R)AN to SF via UPF, or indirectly forwarded to SF via UPF. In scenarios where (R)AN performs sensing, forwarding via UPF can improve the functionality of UPF to support data transmission at the (R)AN granularity.

[0122] In addition to the newly added interfaces mentioned above, existing interfaces (such as N1, N2, N5, N8, N33, etc.) can also support the transmission of information related to sensing services, such as authentication information, sensing service type, sensing service quality requirements, sensing measurement data, or sensing results, etc., one or more of these information. It should be noted that the interfaces "NSX (e.g., NS1 to NS6)" mentioned above are merely illustrative examples, and this application embodiment does not limit the names of interfaces between SF network elements and other network elements.

[0123] Among them, SF can be deployed in traditional 5GC, such as Figure 10 As shown in (a) above. Optionally, the SF can be a separate structure of SF-CP and SF-UP. The SF-CP can be a functional unit of a device in the 5GC, or a functional entity independent of the 5GC, and can be connected to the base station through the interface with the AMF.

[0124] Perception-related functions can also be deployed independently of traditional 5GC, such as Figure 10 As shown in (b) above. Optionally, the SF can be a separate structure of SF-CP and SF-UP. When the SF-CP is deployed independently of the 5GC, it can act as a communication node independent of traditional 5GC devices, connecting to the base station through an interface with the base station. The SF-CP can also be connected to traditional sensing devices.

[0125] In implementation method 2, perception-related functions can be introduced on the RAN side. For example, in some scenarios, the RAN side can determine the perception mode based on the perception service requirements sent by the SF, or select appropriate gNBs and / or UEs to participate in perception, and determine the perception measurement configuration. For an introduction to perception-related functions, please refer to the aforementioned content; it will not be repeated here. These perception-related functions can be deployed on the RAN equipment or independently of the RAN equipment.

[0126] Please see Figure 11 This paper illustrates two typical architectures for introducing perception-related functions on the RAN side. The embodiments of this application do not limit the names of the perception-related functions introduced on the RAN side; for example, the function can be called SU.

[0127] like Figure 11 As shown in (a), the SU can be an entity independent of the RAN equipment and can connect to the base station through an interface similar to the Xn interface. For ease of distinction, the interface between the SU and the base station can be called the Xn-S interface. If the base station is a CU-DU structure, the SU can communicate with the CU through the Xn-S interface. When the SU is an entity independent of the RAN equipment, it can also be regarded as a communication node independent of the RAN equipment (e.g., called an SC node).

[0128] like Figure 11 As shown in (b), the SU can be a functional unit in the base station, which can communicate with the CU through an interface similar to F1. For ease of distinction, the interface between the SU and the CU can be called the F1-SC interface.

[0129] Figure 11 The RAN side introduces a SU, which has the function of managing UEs for sensing. Therefore, the base station can communicate with both ordinary UEs and sensing UEs.

[0130] Please see Figure 12 This shows the possible communication interfaces of SU. Figure 12 The possible interfaces of the unit are indicated by dashed lines. For example... Figure 12As shown, the SU can communicate directly with the DU or the UE. The SU can be directly connected to one or more core network elements; for example, the SU may be directly connected to the SF, AMF, or UPF. The SU can also be indirectly connected to one or more core network elements; for example, the SU can connect to the SF via the AMF, or to the SF via the UPF. Alternatively, the SU can connect to the AMF via the CU, and then connect to the SF via the AMF.

[0131] In this embodiment, the SU is deployed on the RAN side and can interact directly with the CU, interacting with the core network through the CU. During the sensing and measurement process, the SU / CU can configure the sensing and measurement configuration for the UE, and the transmission path of this configuration can be: DU→CU / SU→UE. Similarly, the DU obtains sensing data and can send the sensing data to the SU / SC. The transmission path of the sensing data can be DU→SU / SC, or DU→CU→SU / SC.

[0132] It should be noted that, Figures 7-12 The network architecture shown is merely illustrative. The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication systems to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with the evolution of network architectures, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc., in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules, etc., in other communication systems, without limitation.

[0133] The technical background involved in the application is described below.

[0134] To improve peak data rates, multiple component carriers (CCs) can be aggregated using carrier aggregation (CA), allowing the terminal device to use the sum of the bandwidths of all carriers. In carrier aggregation scenarios, the terminal device can use multiple carriers simultaneously. Of these carriers, one is called the primary component carrier (PCC), and the cell corresponding to the PCC is called the primary cell / primary serving cell (PCell). The other carriers are called secondary component carriers (SCCs), and the cells corresponding to the SCCs are called secondary cells / secondary serving cells (SCells).

[0135] Terminal devices can report CA capabilities to network devices. CA capabilities can include CA combinations supported by the terminal device, and a CA combination can include multiple CCs. Terminal devices report CA capabilities through band combinations. Network devices can configure CA combinations for terminal devices based on the capabilities reported by the terminal devices.

[0136] Positioning also supports multi-carrier-based methods to improve positioning accuracy. Similarly, additional carriers can be introduced into sensing to improve accuracy. However, the additional carriers introduced in positioning are completely independent of and incompatible with carrier aggregation in the communication system. If the sensing carriers are configured in the same way as multi-carrier configurations in positioning, the additional carriers introduced in sensing will also be completely independent and incompatible with carrier aggregation in the communication system, resulting in low sensing and communication efficiency. For example, the terminal device needs to switch its receiver / transmitter to the sensing carrier before sensing. For instance, a network device configures a CA combination for a terminal device, allowing communication between the network device and the terminal device. If the multi-carrier configuration in sensing is independent of carrier aggregation in communication, the network device will not consider the terminal device's communication resources when configuring sensing resources. Therefore, the terminal device's sensing resources and communication resources may differ, causing the terminal device to switch its receiver / transmitter frequency from communication resources to sensing resources during sensing and vice versa during communication, resulting in low efficiency for both sensing and communication. Furthermore, since the multi-carrier sensing and carrier aggregation in communication are independent of each other, the sensing behavior of the terminal device is carried out within the measurement interval (gap) of communication resources. Therefore, the sensing behavior of the terminal device can lead to communication interruption and low communication efficiency.

[0137] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a solution based on its embodiments. This application introduces sensing capabilities into the UE's capability information for frequency band combinations. Each frequency band combination corresponds to at least one CA combination. Therefore, this application can implement sensing capabilities for CA combinations, allowing the network side to consider communication resources when configuring sensing, thereby enabling sensing to be performed on communication cells as much as possible, achieving coupling between sensing and communication, and improving the efficiency of sensing and communication. Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations. For example, frequency band-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, or CC-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, etc. By reporting sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations, the network side can make the sensing configuration more adaptable to the communication configuration, and also make the communication and sensing configurations more adaptable to the capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of sensing and communication, enhancing the flexibility of configuring sensing and communication, and improving the coordination between sensing and communication.

[0138] The solutions provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0139] In this application, "band supporting sensing" and "band supporting sensing" can be understood as the terminal device supporting sensing on that band. Similarly, "band supporting communication" and "band supporting communication" can be understood as the terminal device supporting communication on that band. "CC supporting communication" and "CC supporting communication" can be understood as the terminal device supporting communication on that CC. "CC supporting sensing" and "CC supporting sensing" can be understood as the terminal device supporting sensing on that CC.

[0140] "Band-level sensing capability" can be understood as the set of parameters for a terminal device to perform sensing on that band. Similarly, "CC-level sensing capability" can be understood as the set of parameters for a terminal device to perform sensing on that CC. The specific content of the parameter set will be introduced in the description of sensing capabilities below.

[0141] In this application, the feature set can also be referred to as a characteristic set, capability set, capability parameters, capability parameter set, etc. The frequency band can also be referred to as a frequency band, frequency range, etc.

[0142] like Figure 13 As shown, the method specifically includes:

[0143] S1301, the network device sends a capability query message. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the capability query message.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the capability query message can instruct the terminal device to report its sensing capabilities.

[0145] Optionally, the capability query message can indicate the level corresponding to the sensing capability. Accordingly, the terminal device can report the sensing capability at the corresponding level.

[0146] For example, a capability query message can instruct the terminal device to report the sensing capabilities at the band level, that is, instruct the terminal device to report the sensing capabilities on the band in the BC. Accordingly, the terminal device can report the sensing capabilities on at least one band in at least one BC (as described in the first BC below).

[0147] For example, a capability query message can instruct the terminal device to report the sensing capability at the CC level, that is, instruct the terminal device to report the sensing capability at the CC level of the band in the BC. Accordingly, the terminal device can report the sensing capability at the CC level of at least one band in at least one BC (as described in the first BC below).

[0148] Optionally, the capability query message can indicate the band corresponding to the sensing capability. For example, the capability query message can indicate the sensing capability of band A reported by the terminal device, that is, it indicates that the terminal device reports the sensing capability of at least one band A in BC.

[0149] For example, the set of parameters for sensing capabilities or terminal devices to perform sensing may include at least one of the following sensing capability items:

[0150] Does it support perception capabilities?

[0151] Supports receiving / sending sensing signals;

[0152] Does it support sensing on non-contiguous frequency domain resources?

[0153] Or the bandwidth information of the supported sensing signal;

[0154] Supported sensing measurement data, such as departure angle / arrival angle and time delay;

[0155] It supports the calculation of sensing measurement data, such as the target's distance, speed, and angle;

[0156] The ability to receive and process sensing signals, such as the maximum number of targets that can be sensed simultaneously and the maximum distance that can be sensed;

[0157] The ability to identify or perceive targets, or the types of targets that can be perceived, such as only supporting the perception of specific target types;

[0158] Supported perception accuracy;

[0159] Supports bandwidth and processing capabilities for transmitting / receiving sensing signals;

[0160] Supported beam scanning function, etc.;

[0161] The sensing accuracy for each supported sensing mode, such as sensing distance, distance resolution, sensing speed, speed resolution, sensing angle, angle resolution, and sensing latency;

[0162] Supported terminal roles, such as sensing transmitting terminal, sensing receiving terminal, and sensing management terminal;

[0163] Supported sensing modes include sensing modes where the terminal device sends sensing signals and the network device receives sensing signals, and sensing modes where the terminal device sends and receives sensing signals.

[0164] Sensing information processing capability, for example, the processing capability required by a terminal device when acquiring some sensing information;

[0165] It supports the reporting of various types of sensing measurement data, such as raw sensing data, preliminary sensing data, intermediate sensing data, and sensing results.

[0166] Key performance indicators (KPIs) corresponding to the types of perceived measurement data, such as perceived service latency.

[0167] The above information is only an example; other information may be included in the actual implementation, but no specific limitations are made here.

[0168] S1302, The terminal device sends capability information. Correspondingly, the network device receives capability information.

[0169] The capability information indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one band in the first BC, and / or the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one band of the first BC.

[0170] The specific ways in which the capability information indicates the perception capability corresponding to the band in BC, and / or the perception capability corresponding to CC, will be explained in detail below.

[0171] In one implementation, the network side (such as network equipment or core network equipment) can configure the cells where the terminal device performs sensing based on capability information. For example, taking a first BC comprising band A + band B + band C as an example, assuming the terminal device's capability information indicates that the terminal device supports communication on band A and band B, and sensing on band B and band C, then the network side can configure the terminal device to communicate with the network equipment on the cells corresponding to band A and band B, and perform sensing on the cells corresponding to band B and band C. If the terminal device's capability information also indicates the capability to perform sensing on band B and the capability to perform sensing on band C, then the network side can configure the parameters for the terminal device to perform sensing on the cells corresponding to band B and band C, such as bandwidth, based on the capability information. If the terminal device's capability information also indicates the capability to perform sensing on the CC of band B and the CC of band C, then the network side can configure the parameters for the terminal device to perform sensing on the CC of band B and the CC of band C, such as bandwidth, based on the capability information.

[0172] In one specific implementation, the network side can select a CA combination that the terminal device supports for sensing (assuming the first CA combination) from the CA combinations that the terminal device is currently communicating with the network device, and configure one or more cells corresponding to the first CA combination to perform sensing.

[0173] The following section introduces how capability information indicates perceived capabilities, based on the structure of capability information.

[0174] As an example, as described in the preceding terminology introduction (6), capability information includes the capability information of the BC, the capability information of the BC includes the BandList, and the capability information of the BC is associated with the FeatureSetCombination. The terminal device can indicate at least one of the following through the BandList and / or associated FeatureSetCombination in the capability information of the BC: the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one band in the BC, or the sensing capability of the terminal device on the CC of at least one band in the BC.

[0175] Optionally, the capability information of a BC can be associated with a FeatureSetCombination in the following ways: the capability information of the BC includes the FeatureSetCombinationID of the FeatureSetCombination; or, the capability information of the BC includes the FeatureSetCombination, and so on. Similarly, in the following text, the FeatureSet can be associated with a FeatureSetPerCC in the following ways: the FeatureSet includes the FeatureSetPerCCID of the FeatureSetPerCC; or, the FeatureSet includes the FeatureSetPerCC, and so on.

[0176] Taking the first BC as an example, the perception capability can be indicated by the BandList and / or the first FeatureSetCombination in the capability information of the first BC, which can be achieved in the following five ways:

[0177] Option 1: The BandList includes parameters for two types of bands based on sensing and communication capabilities: parameters for bands supporting communication and parameters for bands supporting sensing. Furthermore, each row of the FeatureSetCombination includes a FeatureSet indicating communication capabilities and a FeatureSet indicating sensing capabilities. Understandably, if a band supports both communication and sensing, it is included in both the communication-supporting and sensing-supporting band sections. Alternatively, the BandList can be understood as including two entries for that band: one entry included in N band sections and the other entry included in M ​​band sections.

[0178] For example, the BandList in the capability information of the first BC includes parameters for N bands supporting perception and parameters for M bands supporting communication, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer. The first FeatureSetCombination includes at least one parameter set, and each parameter set includes a FeatureSet for N bands and a FeatureSet corresponding to M bands.

[0179] Wherein, the FeatureSet of the first band among the N bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first band and / or the sensing capability of the terminal device in at least one CC in the first band. For example, the FeatureSet of the first band includes parameters corresponding to the first band, and the FeatureSet of the first band is associated with the FeatureSetPerCC of at least one CC in the first band, wherein the FeatureSet of the first band includes sensing capability, and / or, the at least one FeatureSetPerCC associated with the FeatureSet of the first band includes sensing capability.

[0180] The FeatureSet of the second band out of M bands indicates the communication capabilities of the terminal device in the second band and / or the communication capabilities of the terminal device in at least one CC in the second band. For example, the FeatureSet of the second band includes parameters corresponding to the second band, and the FeatureSet of the second band is associated with the FeatureSetPerCC of at least one CC in the second band, wherein the FeatureSet of the second band includes communication capabilities, and / or, the at least one FeatureSetPerCC associated with the FeatureSet of the second band includes communication capabilities.

[0181] In this scheme, the BandList in the capability information of the first BC lists the parameters of M bands that the terminal device supports for communication and the parameters of N bands that support for sensing. Here, bands are distinguished based on the terminal device's sensing capabilities. If a band supports sensing, it is included in the aforementioned N bands. If a band supports communication, it is included in the M bands. If a band supports both communication and sensing, its parameters are included in both the parameters of the M and N bands; that is, the BandList includes both sets of parameters for that band, or in other words, it includes both entries for that band.

[0182] Optionally, the parameters for the M bands supporting communication include parameters indicating communication capabilities, and the parameters for the N bands supporting sensing include parameters supporting sensing capabilities.

[0183] As an example, in this scheme, the structure of the capability information can be as follows: the capability information of the first BC includes a BandList, and the capability information of the first BC is associated with a first FeatureSetCombination. The BandList includes parameters for N bands supporting sensing and parameters for M bands supporting communication. If a band supports both sensing and communication, then the parameters for that band appear twice in the BandList. It can be understood that the first FeatureSetCombination contains multiple FeatureSets, which can be represented in matrix form, with each FeatureSet associated with a band. A row of FeatureSets can be considered a parameter set, and each row of FeatureSets represents the FeatureSetCombinations supported by the terminal device on this BC. Each row of FeatureSets in the first FeatureSetCombination, i.e., each parameter set, can include the FeatureSets corresponding to the aforementioned N bands and the FeatureSets corresponding to the aforementioned M bands.

[0184] In this context, the FeatureSet corresponding to each of the N bands represents the sensing capability of the terminal device on that band. The FeatureSet corresponding to each of the M bands represents the communication capability of the terminal device on that band.

[0185] Optionally, the FeatureSet corresponding to any of the N bands may include an uplink FeatureSet (FeatureSetUplink) and / or a downlink FeatureSet (FeatureSetDownlink).

[0186] The FeatureSetUplink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate the uplink capability on that band, and optionally, they can also indicate the capability to transmit sensing signals on that band. CC-level parameters indicate the uplink capability on that CC, and optionally, they can also indicate the capability to transmit sensing signals on that CC.

[0187] FeatureSetDownlink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate downlink capability on that band; optionally, they can also indicate the capability to receive sensed signals on that band. CC-level parameters indicate downlink capability on a CC; optionally, they can also indicate the capability to receive sensed signals on that CC.

[0188] Similarly, the FeatureSet corresponding to any band among the M bands can also include FeatureSetUplink and / or FeatureSetDownlink.

[0189] The FeatureSetUplink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate the capability to transmit communication signals on that band. CC-level parameters indicate the capability to transmit communication signals on the CC band.

[0190] FeatureSetDownlink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate the capability to receive communication signals on that band. CC-level parameters indicate the capability to receive communication signals on the CC band.

[0191] The following example illustrates how the first FeatureSetCombination is associated with the first FeatureSetCombination through its capability information, including the FeatureSetCombinationID corresponding to the first FeatureSetCombination.

[0192] Taking FeatureSet as an example, which includes FeatureSetUplink and FeatureSetDownlink, assuming that the first BC includes band A, band B and band C, the terminal device supports communication on band A and band B (i.e., M bands including band A and band B) and supports sensing on band B and band C (i.e., N bands including band B and band C). The structure of the capability information can be shown in Table 2-1.

[0193] Table 2-1

[0194]

[0195] Referring to Table 2-1 above, which shows the capability information of the first BC in the capability information, the Bandlist indicates the parameters of the N bands supporting sensing and the parameters of the M bands supporting communication. Table 2-1 uses the example of bands B and C supporting sensing, and bands A and B supporting communication. In this example, band B can be understood as supporting both communication and sensing. This can be achieved by band B comprising two CCs, one supporting sensing and the other supporting communication. Alternatively, band B can support both communication and sensing, or by a single CC of band B supporting both sensing and communication.

[0196] FeatureSetCombinationID is the identifier of the first FeatureSetCombination, which includes at least one parameter set corresponding to the first BC. Each square bracket represents a parameter set, indicating a capability supported by the terminal device in band combination. The parentheses within the same square bracket sequentially identify the FeatureSet corresponding to each band in the band list. For example, the first parenthesis in each square bracket identifies the FeatureSet indicating communication capability corresponding to band A, the second parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet indicating communication capability corresponding to band B, the third parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet indicating sensing capability corresponding to band B, and the fourth parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet indicating sensing capability corresponding to band C.

[0197] Each set of parentheses contains a FeatureSet index, where fsul represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the upstream line, fsdl represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the downstream line, and n1, n2, ns1, ns2, etc., are index values. Specifically, fsul_n1 indicates that the FeatureSet corresponding to the upstream line is the parameter corresponding to index n1, and fsdl_n1 indicates that the FeatureSet corresponding to the downstream line is the parameter corresponding to index n1. In Table 2-1, nx (e.g., n1, n2, etc.) represents the index of the FeatureSet indicating communication capabilities, and nsx (e.g., ns1, ns2, etc.) represents the index of the FeatureSet indicating sensing capabilities.

[0198] Each FeatureSet index can correspond to the same structure. Taking fsdl_ns1 as an example, as shown in Table 2-1, fsdl_ns1 corresponds to: band-level parameters (Per band parameters) and CC-level parameters (Per CC parameters). Specifically, Per CC parameters include the feature set index corresponding to CC, such as the feature set index fsdlperCC_ns1 corresponding to CC1 and the feature set index fsdlperCC_ns2 corresponding to CC2.

[0199] The feature set index corresponding to a CC can indicate the capabilities of the CC, such as the CC's communication capabilities or its sensing capabilities.

[0200] It should be understood that the structure of the contents indicated by the indexes of the other FeatureSets included in the first FeatureSet combination is similar to that of fsdl_ns1. For details, please refer to the relevant description of fsdl_ns1 above. It will not be described in detail here.

[0201] The uplink sensing capability refers to the sensing capability of a terminal device in the following modes: the terminal device sends a sensing signal and the network device receives the sensing signal; or the terminal device sends a sensing signal and receives the sensing signal; or the terminal device sends a sensing signal and other terminal devices receive the sensing signal.

[0202] Downlink sensing capability refers to the sensing capability of a terminal device in the following modes: network device sends sensing signals and terminal device receives echo signals; terminal device sends sensing signals and receives sensing signals; or other terminal devices send sensing signals and this terminal device receives sensing signals.

[0203] It should be noted that Table 2-1 above uses the example of dividing perception ability into upward perception ability and downward perception ability. Optionally, perception ability may not distinguish between upward and downward; for example, the structure of the first BC's ability information can be as shown in Table 2-2.

[0204] Table 2-2

[0205]

[0206] In one possible implementation, the parameters of M bands and N bands can be included in the capability information of the first BC in the form of two bandlists. For example, the parameters of M bands are included in band list 1 and the parameters of M bands are included in Band list extend.

[0207] In one possible implementation, the FeatureSet of M bands and the FeatureSet of N bands can be included in the capability information of the first BC in the form of a FeatureSetCombination, as shown in Tables 2-1 and 2-2.

[0208] In another possible implementation, the FeatureSets of M bands and N bands can be included in the capability information of the first BC in the form of two FeatureSetCombinations. For example, the FeatureSets of M bands are included in FeatureSetCombination 1, and the FeatureSets of N bands are included in FeatureSetCombination extend 1. FeatureSetCombination 1 includes A1 parameter sets a, and each parameter set a includes M FeatureSets; FeatureSetCombination extend 1 also includes A1 parameter sets b, and each parameter set b includes N FeatureSets. A1 is an integer greater than 0. The A1 parameter sets a included in FeatureSetCombination 1 are associated one-to-one with the A1 parameter sets b included in FeatureSetCombination extend. The associated parameter sets a and b can be combined to obtain the FeatureSets enclosed in square brackets of the FeatureSetCombination in Table 2-1 above.

[0209] Option 2: Use the band parameter in BandList to indicate sensing capabilities.

[0210] In Scheme 2, the BandList does not distinguish between bands that support sensing and bands that support communication. Instead, for bands that support sensing, the sensing capability is indicated by adding information indicating the sensing capability to the parameters of that band.

[0211] For example, the BandList in the capability information of the first BC includes parameters for P bands. Among the P bands, the parameters of the first band indicate the terminal device's sensing capability in the first band, and the parameters of the P bands also indicate the terminal device's communication capability in the P bands, where P is an integer greater than 0.

[0212] The following examples illustrate this point.

[0213] Assume that the first BC includes band A, band B and band C, wherein the terminal device supports communication on band A, band B and band C, and supports sensing on band B and band C. The structure of the capability information can be shown in Table 3.

[0214] Table 3

[0215]

[0216] Referring to Table 3 above, which shows the capability information of the first band (BC) in the capability information, the band list indicates the parameters of P bands. Table 3 uses the example of bands B and C supporting sensing, and bands A, B, and C supporting communication. Here, band B or band C can be understood as the first band.

[0217] The second approach described above involves fewer changes to the protocol, thus improving compatibility. Furthermore, by indicating sensing capabilities in the band parameters, this approach can reduce reporting overhead.

[0218] Option 3: Indicate the band's sensing capability through the common parameters (or common information) section of FeatureSetCombination. Here, common parameters (or common information) are merely an illustrative description for ease of understanding; they can be the parameter portions of all bands in the BandList, or, in other words, the common parameters (or common information) can be the same parameter portions corresponding to the bands included in the BandList.

[0219] In Scheme 3, BandList does not distinguish between bands that support sensing and bands that support communication. Instead, it indicates the sensing capability of a band in BC through the common parameters (or common information) of FeatureSetCombination.

[0220] For example, BandList includes parameters for P bands; the first FeatureSetCombination indicates the sensing capability, and the sensing capability corresponds to P bands.

[0221] The following examples illustrate this point.

[0222] Assume the first BC includes band A, band B, and band C, where the terminal device supports communication on band A, band B, and band C, and supports sensing on band A, band B, and band C. The structure of the capability information can be shown in Table 4.

[0223] Table 4

[0224]

[0225] The above explanation is based on Table 4, which contains the capability information of the first BC in the capability information.

[0226] The third method described above can reduce reporting overhead by indicating the band's sensing capabilities in the common parameters (or common information) section of FeatureSetCombination.

[0227] Option 4: Indicate the band's sensing capabilities by adding sensing capability information to the FeatureSet.

[0228] In Scheme 4, the BandList does not distinguish between bands that support sensing and bands that support communication. Instead, for bands that support sensing, the sensing capability is indicated by making the band correspond to a FeatureSet that indicates the sensing capability.

[0229] For example, BandList includes P band parameters, where P is an integer greater than 0.

[0230] The first FeatureSetCombination includes a first parameter set, wherein the first parameter set indicates the FeatureSet of P bands. If the first band among the P bands supports sensing, then the FeatureSet of the first band indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on the first band, and the FeatureSet of the P bands indicates the communication capability of the terminal device on the P bands.

[0231] As an example, in this scheme, the structure of the capability information can be as follows: the capability information of the first BC includes a BandList, and the capability information of the first BC is associated with a first FeatureSetCombination. The BandList includes parameters supporting P bands. The first FeatureSetCombination contains matrix elements of multiple FeatureSets, each FeatureSet associated with a band. A row of a FeatureSet can be considered a parameter set, and each row of a FeatureSet represents the FeatureSetCombination supported by the terminal device on this BC. Each row of a FeatureSet in the first FeatureSetCombination, i.e., each parameter set, can include the FeatureSets corresponding to the aforementioned P bands.

[0232] Among them, the FeatureSet of each of the P bands corresponds to a set of parameters.

[0233] Optionally, the FeatureSet corresponding to any one of the P bands may include an uplink FeatureSet (FeatureSetUplink) and / or a downlink FeatureSet (FeatureSetDownlink).

[0234] FeatureSetUplink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate the uplink capability on that band. Optionally, if the band supports sensing, such as transmitting sensing signals, the band-level parameters can indicate the ability to transmit sensing signals on that band.

[0235] FeatureSetDownlink can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. Band-level parameters indicate the downlink capability on that band. Optionally, if the band supports sensing, such as receiving sensing signals, the band-level parameters can indicate the ability to receive sensing signals on that band.

[0236] The following example illustrates how the first FeatureSetCombination is associated with the first FeatureSetCombination through its capability information, including the FeatureSetCombinationID corresponding to the first FeatureSetCombination.

[0237] Taking a FeatureSet consisting of two parts, FeatureSetUplink and FeatureSetDownlink, as an example, assuming that the first BC includes band A, band B and band C, the terminal device supports communication on band A, band B and band C, and supports sensing on band B and band C. The structure of the capability information can be shown in Table 5.

[0238] Table 5

[0239]

[0240] The above explanation is based on Table 5, which contains the capability information of the first BC in the capability information.

[0241] FeatureSetCombinationID is the identifier of the first FeatureSetCombination. The first FeatureSetCombination includes at least one parameter set corresponding to the first BC. The third row of FeatureSet in the first FeatureSetCombination can be understood as the first parameter set.

[0242] Each square bracket represents a set of parameters, indicating a capability supported by the terminal device in band combination. The parentheses within the same square bracket sequentially identify the FeatureSet corresponding to each band in the Band list. For example, the first parenthesis in each square bracket identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band A, the second parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band B, and the third parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band C.

[0243] Each set of parentheses contains a FeatureSet index, where fsul represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the uplink, fsdl represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the downlink, and n1, n2, etc., are index values. Specifically, fsul_n1 indicates that the FeatureSet corresponding to the uplink is the parameter corresponding to index n1. The third set of brackets, FeatureSetUplink for band B, indicates the terminal device's ability to transmit sensing signals on band B.

[0244] Each FeatureSet index indicates the same structure. Taking fsul_n2 as an example, as shown in Table 5, fsul_n2 corresponds to: band-level parameters (Per band parameters) and CC-level parameters (Per CC parameters). Specifically, Per CC parameters include the feature set index corresponding to CC, such as the feature set index fsulperCC_n1 corresponding to CC1 and the feature set index fsulperCC_n2 corresponding to CC2.

[0245] The feature set index corresponding to CC can indicate the parameters corresponding to CC.

[0246] It should be understood that the structure of the contents indicated by the other FeatureSet indices included in the first FeatureSet combination is similar to that of fsul_n2. For details, please refer to the relevant description of fsul_n2 above. It will not be described in detail here.

[0247] The fourth approach described above indicates the band's sensing capabilities by adding sensing capability information to the FeatureSet. This approach minimizes changes to the protocol while enabling fine-grained sensing capability design at the band level.

[0248] In addition, adding perception capability information to the FeatureSet can enable the reporting of perception capabilities through the carried index, with a small reporting overhead.

[0249] Option 5: Indicate the band's sensing capabilities by adding sensing capability information to the CC's FeatureSet (i.e., FeatureSetPerCC).

[0250] In Scheme 5, the BandList does not distinguish between bands that support sensing and bands that support communication. Instead, for bands that support sensing, the sensing capability is indicated by making the CC of that band correspond to the FeatureSet that indicates the sensing capability.

[0251] For example, BandList includes parameters for P bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; the first FeatureSetCombination indicates the FeatureSet of the first CC of the first band among the P bands and the second CCFeatureSet of the second band among the P bands. The FeatureSet of the first CC indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first CC, and the second CCFeatureSet indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the second CC.

[0252] As an example, in this scheme, the structure of the capability information can be as follows: The capability information of the first BC includes a BandList, and the capability information of the first BC is associated with a first FeatureSetCombination. The BandList includes parameters supporting P bands. The first FeatureSetCombination contains matrix elements of multiple FeatureSets, each FeatureSet associated with a band. A row of FeatureSets can be considered a parameter set, and each row of FeatureSets represents the FeatureSetCombination supported by the terminal device on this BC. Each row of FeatureSets in the first FeatureSetCombination, i.e., each parameter set, can include the FeatureSets corresponding to the aforementioned P bands. Each FeatureSet of the P bands corresponds to a set of parameters.

[0253] Optionally, the FeatureSet corresponding to any one of the P bands may include an uplink FeatureSet (FeatureSetUplink) and / or a downlink FeatureSet (FeatureSetDownlink).

[0254] The FeatureSetUplink parameter can correspond to a set of parameters, which can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. The band-level parameters indicate the uplink capability on that band. The CC-level parameters indicate the uplink capability on that CC; optionally, the CC-level parameters can also indicate the capability to transmit sensing signals on that CC.

[0255] FeatureSetDownlink can correspond to a set of parameters, which can include band-level parameters and CC-level parameters. The band-level parameters indicate the downlink capability on that band. The CC-level parameters indicate the downlink capability on that CC band; optionally, the CC-level parameters can also indicate the capability to receive sensed signals on that CC band.

[0256] The following example illustrates how the first FeatureSetCombination is associated with the first FeatureSetCombination through its capability information, including the FeatureSetCombinationID corresponding to the first FeatureSetCombination.

[0257] Taking a FeatureSet consisting of two parts, FeatureSetUplink and FeatureSetDownlink, as an example, assuming that the first BC includes band A, band B and band C, the terminal device supports communication on band A, band B and band C, and supports sensing on band B and band C. The structure of the capability information can be shown in Table 6.

[0258] Table 6

[0259]

[0260]

[0261] The above explanation is based on Table 6, which contains the capability information of the first BC in the capability information.

[0262] FeatureSetCombinationID is the identifier of the first FeatureSetCombination, which includes at least one parameter set corresponding to the first BC.

[0263] Each square bracket represents a set of parameters, indicating a capability supported by the terminal device in band combination. The parentheses within the same square bracket sequentially identify the FeatureSet corresponding to each band in the Band list. For example, the first parenthesis in each square bracket identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band A, the second parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band B, and the third parenthesis identifies the FeatureSet corresponding to band C.

[0264] Each set of parentheses contains an index of the FeatureSet, where fsul represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the previous row, fsdl represents the FeatureSet corresponding to the next row, and n1, n2, etc. are index values. That is, fsul_n1 means that the FeatureSet corresponding to the previous row is the parameter corresponding to the index value n1.

[0265] Each FeatureSet index indicates the same structure. Taking fsul_n2 as an example, as shown in Table 6, fsul_n2 corresponds to: band-level parameters (Per band parameters) and CC-level parameters (Per CC parameters). Specifically, Per CC parameters include the feature set index corresponding to CC, such as the feature set index fsulperCC_n1 corresponding to CC1 and the feature set index fsulperCC_n2 corresponding to CC2.

[0266] The feature set index corresponding to a CC can indicate the parameters of the CC, such as the communication capability of the CC, or the sensing capability of the CC.

[0267] It should be understood that the structure of the contents indicated by the other FeatureSet indices included in the first FeatureSet combination is similar to that of fsul_n2. For details, please refer to the relevant description of fsul_n2 above. It will not be described in detail here.

[0268] Method five described above indicates the sensing capabilities of the CC by adding sensing capability information to the CC's FeatureSet. This approach minimizes changes to the protocol while enabling fine-grained sensing capability design at the CC level.

[0269] In addition, adding perception capability information to the CC's FeatureSet can enable the reporting of perception capabilities through the carried index, with relatively low reporting overhead.

[0270] It should be noted that Schemes 2 through 5 can be implemented individually, or any two or more schemes can be combined into one scheme. For example, the combination of Tables 3 through 6 can be implemented as shown in Table 7.

[0271] Table 7

[0272]

[0273]

[0274] In addition, the information in Tables 2 to 6 is only an example. In specific implementations, capability information may include information other than that represented, or may include some information in the representation, etc.

[0275] Optionally, if different levels of the capability information of the first BC include the same perception capability item (e.g., Bandlist, FeatureSetCombination, FeatureSet, and FeatureSetPerCC include the same perception capability item), the protocol can define which level of perception capability item to use. For example, the protocol can define to use the highest level or the lowest level, or the protocol can define to use the largest parameter value or the smallest parameter value.

[0276] Optionally, the rules (or standards) corresponding to the two perception capability items can be different. For example, for the first perception capability item, if the Band list, FeatureSetCombination, FeatureSet, and FeatureSetPerCC of the first BC's capability information all include the first perception capability item, the protocol can define that the highest level or the lowest level should be used as the standard. For the second perception capability item, if the Band list, FeatureSetCombination, FeatureSet, and FeatureSetPerCC of the first BC's capability information all include the second perception capability item, the protocol can define that the largest parameter value or the smallest parameter value should be used as the standard.

[0277] This application introduces sensing capabilities for BCs (Block Controllers) in the UE's capability information. Each BC corresponds to at least one CA (Collection of Controllers) combination. Therefore, this application can introduce sensing capabilities for CA combinations, allowing the network side to consider communication resources when configuring sensing, thus enabling sensing to be performed on communication cells as much as possible, achieving sensing and communication coupling, and improving the efficiency of sensing and communication. Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations. For example, band-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one band in the first BC; and CC-level sensing capabilities in a CA combination, such as capability information indicating the terminal device's sensing capabilities on at least one CC in the first BC, etc. By reporting sensing capabilities of different granularities for CA combinations, the network side can make sensing configuration more adaptable to communication configuration, and also make communication and sensing configuration more adaptable to the capabilities of the terminal device, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of sensing and communication, enhancing the flexibility of sensing and communication configuration, and improving the coordination between sensing and communication.

[0278] Furthermore, this application introduces sensing capabilities for CA combinations in the UE's capability information. Compared to independently reporting sensing capabilities through positioning characteristics, this application is more efficient and facilitates the coupling of sensing and communication.

[0279] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device, the structure of which can be as follows: Figure 14 As shown, it includes a communication unit 1601 and a processing unit 1602.

[0280] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 13 In the embodiments, the method executed by the terminal device may be the terminal device itself, or a chip or chipset within the terminal device, or a part of a chip for performing related method functions. The processing unit 1602 is configured to receive a capability query message via the communication unit 1601, and to send capability information of the terminal device. The capability information indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on at least one frequency band in a first frequency band combination, and / or, the sensing capability of the terminal device on the component carrier CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0281] In one embodiment, the communication device can specifically be used to implement Figure 13In the embodiments, the method executed by the network device can be the network device itself, or a chip or chipset within the network device, or a part of a chip used to perform the relevant method functions. The processing unit 1602 is configured to send a capability query message via the communication unit 1601, and to receive capability information from the terminal device. The capability information indicates the terminal device's sensing capability on at least one frequency band in a first frequency band combination, and / or, the terminal device's sensing capability on the component carrier CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

[0282] The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It is understood that the functions or implementations of the modules in the embodiments of this application can be further described in the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0283] In one possible approach, the communication device can be as follows: Figure 15 As shown, the device can be a communication device or a chip within a communication device, wherein the communication device can be the terminal device in the above embodiments or the network device in the above embodiments. The device includes a processor 1701 and a communication interface 1702, and may also include a memory 1703. The processing unit 1702 can be the processor 1701. The communication unit 1701 can be the communication interface 1702. Optionally, the processor 1701 and the memory 1703 can also be integrated together.

[0284] The processor 1701 can be a CPU, a digital processing unit, or something similar. The communication interface 1702 can be a transceiver, an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver chip, etc. The device also includes a memory 1703 for storing the program executed by the processor 1701. The memory 1703 can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory 1703 can be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0285] The processor 1701 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1703, specifically to perform the actions of the aforementioned processing unit 1602, which will not be described in detail here. The communication interface 1702 is specifically used to perform the actions of the aforementioned communication unit 1601, which will not be described in detail here.

[0286] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1702, processor 1701, and memory 1703. This application embodiment... Figure 15 The memory 1703, processor 1701, and communication interface 1702 are connected via a bus 1704. Figure 15 The connections between other components are shown in bold lines only and are not intended to be limiting. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 15 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0287] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions required to execute the processor, including a program required to execute the processor.

[0288] This application also provides a communication system, including methods for implementing... Figure 13 In the embodiments, a communication device for implementing terminal device functions and a communication device for implementing terminal device functions are provided. Figure 13 The embodiment is a communication device that functions as a network device.

[0289] The methods provided in this application have been described above using terminal devices and network devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent relationships; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the above-described embodiments, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the network device.

[0290] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0291] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0292] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0293] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0294] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive capability query message; The terminal device transmits capability information indicating its sensing capability on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, and / or its sensing capability on the component carrier CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The capability information includes the capability information of the first frequency band combination, the capability information of the first frequency band combination includes a frequency band list, and the capability information of the first frequency band combination is associated with a first feature set combination; The frequency band list and / or the first feature set combination indicates the terminal device's sensing capability on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, and / or, the terminal device's sensing capability on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for N frequency bands that support sensing and parameters for M frequency bands that support communication, where N is an integer greater than 0 and M is an integer greater than 0. The first feature set combination includes at least one parameter set, and each parameter set includes a feature set of the N frequency bands and a feature set corresponding to the M frequency bands. The feature set of the first frequency band among the N frequency bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band and / or the sensing capability of the terminal device in at least one CC in the first frequency band. The feature set of the second frequency band among the M frequency bands indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band and / or the communication capability of the terminal device in at least one CC in the second frequency band.

4. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, wherein the parameters of the first frequency band among the P frequency bands indicate the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band, and the parameters of the P frequency bands also indicate the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0.

5. The method as described in claim 2 or 4, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first set of features indicates the sensing capability, which corresponds to the P frequency bands.

6. The method as described in claim 2, 4, or 5, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first feature set combination includes a first parameter set, wherein the first parameter set indicates the feature set of the P frequency bands, the feature set of the first frequency band among the P frequency bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on the first frequency band, and the feature set of the P frequency bands also indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands.

7. The method as described in claim 2, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first feature set combination indicates the feature set of the first CC of the first frequency band in the P frequency bands and the feature set of the second CC of the second frequency band in the P frequency bands. The feature set of the first CC indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first CC, and the feature set of the second CC indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the first CC.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The sensing capability includes at least one of the following: whether it supports sensing capability, whether it supports receiving / sending sensing signals, whether it supports sensing on non-continuous frequency domain resources, or the bandwidth information of the sensing signals it supports.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The capability query message instructs the terminal device to report its sensing capabilities.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send capability query message; The terminal device receives capability information indicating its sensing capability in at least one frequency band in a first frequency band combination, and / or its sensing capability on a component carrier CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The capability information includes the capability information of the first frequency band combination, the capability information of the first frequency band combination includes a frequency band list, and the capability information of the first frequency band combination is associated with a first feature set combination; The frequency band list and / or the first feature set combination indicates the terminal device's sensing capability on at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination, and / or, the terminal device's sensing capability on the CC of at least one frequency band in the first frequency band combination.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for N frequency bands that support sensing and parameters for M frequency bands that support communication, where N is an integer greater than 0 and M is an integer greater than 0. The first feature set combination includes at least one parameter set, and each parameter set includes a feature set of the N frequency bands and a feature set corresponding to the M frequency bands. The feature set of the first frequency band among the N frequency bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band and / or the sensing capability of the terminal device in at least one CC in the first frequency band. The feature set of the second frequency band among the M frequency bands indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the second frequency band and / or the communication capability of the terminal device in at least one CC in the second frequency band.

13. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, wherein the parameters of the first frequency band among the P frequency bands indicate the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first frequency band, and the parameters of the P frequency bands also indicate the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0.

14. The method as described in claim 11 or 13, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first set of features indicates the sensing capability, which corresponds to the P frequency bands.

15. The method as described in claim 11, 13, or 14, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first feature set combination includes a first parameter set, wherein the first parameter set indicates the feature set of the P frequency bands, the feature set of the first frequency band among the P frequency bands indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device on the first frequency band, and the feature set of the P frequency bands also indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the P frequency bands.

16. The method as described in claim 11, 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that, The frequency band list includes parameters for P frequency bands, where P is an integer greater than 0; The first feature set combination indicates the feature set of the first CC of the first frequency band in the P frequency bands and the feature set of the second CC of the second frequency band in the P frequency bands. The feature set of the first CC indicates the sensing capability of the terminal device in the first CC, and the feature set of the second CC indicates the communication capability of the terminal device in the first CC.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10-16, characterized in that, The sensing capability includes at least one of the following: whether it supports sensing capability, whether it supports receiving / sending sensing signals, whether it supports sensing on non-continuous frequency domain resources, or the bandwidth information of the sensing signals it supports.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The capability query message instructs the terminal device to report its sensing capabilities.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10-18.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor causing the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 to be performed when executing the program instructions.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor causing the method of any one of claims 10-18 to be performed when executing the program instructions.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-9 or the method as described in any one of claims 10-18 to be performed.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on the device, it causes the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-9 or the method according to any one of claims 10-18.

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