A communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and related apparatus are disclosed. In this method, a first communication device determines a first cluster, which includes multiple communication devices, including the first communication device itself. If the location information of the first communication device within the first cluster meets a first condition, the first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. In this application, the first communication device can determine whether it has left the normal range of the first cluster based on its location information within the first cluster. In other words, the first communication device can autonomously determine whether it has left the cluster (i.e., left the normal range of the first cluster), and this process does not require the assistance of an external host, thereby improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging, reducing dependence on external hosts, and lowering the implementation threshold of the solution.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Wireless positioning and ranging technology is an important technology in electronic information systems, and it has core application value in a wide range of fields such as the Internet of Things, intelligent transportation, and indoor navigation.

[0003] Currently, mainstream wireless positioning and ranging technologies include, but are not limited to, ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning and ranging schemes, Bluetooth received signal strength indicator (RSSI) based positioning and ranging schemes, Bluetooth angle of arrival (AOA) based positioning and ranging schemes, and ultrasonic-based positioning and ranging schemes. In the process of wireless positioning and ranging, an external host needs to interact with the electronic device via signaling to perform positioning and ranging on the electronic device.

[0004] However, improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus for improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to a communication device, or to a communication module / processing module within the communication device, or to circuits or chips within the communication device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or to circuits or chips within the communication device responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). Taking the application of this method to a first communication device as an example, in this method, the first communication device determines a first cluster, and the first cluster includes multiple communication devices, including the first communication device. Alternatively, it can be understood that the first cluster includes multiple communication devices, and the first communication device is one of the multiple communication devices in the first cluster.

[0007] If the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets the first condition, then the first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0008] In this application, the first communication device can determine whether it has left the normal range of the first cluster based on its location information within the first cluster. In other words, the first communication device can autonomously determine whether it has left the cluster (i.e., left the normal range of the first cluster), and this process does not require the assistance of an external host, thereby improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging, reducing dependence on external hosts, and lowering the implementation threshold of the solution.

[0009] Optionally, the "location information of the first communication device in the first cluster" can be represented in various ways. For example, if a coordinate system is constructed with the first cluster, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the coordinates of the first communication device in the coordinate system. Alternatively, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the relative position (e.g., distance) between the first communication device and other communication devices in the first cluster. Or, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the relative position (e.g., distance) between the first communication device and the center position of the first cluster.

[0010] Optionally, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be obtained by measuring wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth signals or WiFi signals.

[0011] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first condition includes one or more of the following:

[0012] Condition 1: The distance between the first communication device and the center of the first cluster is greater than a first threshold; or,

[0013] Condition 2: The distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is greater than the second threshold, and the second communication device is one or more communication devices in the first cluster that are closest to the first communication device.

[0014] In this application, "greater than" can specifically mean "higher than", and "less than" can specifically mean "lower than". Furthermore, "less than" in the examples can be replaced with "less than or equal to", and "greater than" can be replaced with "greater than or equal to", without any specific limitation in this application. It should be understood that the examples provided in this application are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on this application.

[0015] Based on the first aspect, in an optional implementation, the first communication device may first receive the location information of one or more communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device; or, alternatively, the first communication device may receive the location information of some or all of the communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device; or, alternatively, the first communication device may receive the location information of other communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device.

[0016] Then, the first communication device determines the center location of the first cluster based on the location information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster.

[0017] Based on the first aspect, in an optional implementation, each communication device (including the first communication device) in the first cluster can send its own location information to other communication devices besides itself, so that each communication device in the first cluster can determine the central location of the first cluster. For example, each communication device in the first cluster can transmit its location information via wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, WiFi, satellite flash, or ultrasound.

[0018] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, each of the plurality of communication devices (including the first communication device) sends its corresponding second information to the controller. Accordingly, the controller receives a plurality of second information messages, each second information message originating from a different communication device; or, in other words, each communication device corresponds to one second information message. Optionally, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0019] Identification information, such as the serial number (SN) of the communication device, the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), and / or the subscription concealed identifier (SUCI);

[0020] Address information, such as the media access control (MAC) address, internet protocol (IP) address, and / or ultra-wideband (UWB) address of a communication device;

[0021] The cluster identifier of the first cluster is used to indicate that the communication device requests to join the cluster corresponding to the cluster identifier (e.g., the first cluster). Each cluster corresponds to a cluster identifier, or in other words, each cluster identifier uniquely identifies a cluster.

[0022] It is understood that the second information sent by the first communication device to the controller includes one or more of the following:

[0023] The identity information of the first communication device, such as the SN code, SUPI, IMSI and / or SUCI of the first communication device;

[0024] Address information of the first communication device, such as the MAC address, IP address and / or UWB address of the first communication device;

[0025] The cluster identifier of the first cluster is used to indicate that the first communication device requests to join the cluster corresponding to the cluster identifier (e.g., the first cluster).

[0026] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the aforementioned plurality of second information is used by the controller to determine the first cluster. Next, the controller sends first information to each communication device (e.g., the first communication device) in the first cluster, the first information being used to indicate the first cluster. Alternatively, the first information is used by the first communication device to determine the first cluster.

[0027] Optionally, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0028] The identity information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster, or it can be replaced with other descriptions, such as the identity information of each communication device in the first cluster;

[0029] The address information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster, or it can be replaced with other descriptions, such as the address information of each communication device in the first cluster;

[0030] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0031] Therefore, after receiving the first information, the communication device (e.g., the first communication device) can determine the communication devices included in the first cluster based on the first information, and determine that it belongs to the first cluster.

[0032] Based on the first aspect, in one optional implementation, the first communication device sends a first indication message to the controller, the first indication message indicating that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. For example, the first indication message may be an abnormal alarm regarding the first communication device leaving the normal range of the first cluster.

[0033] Secondly, this application provides a communication method. This method can be applied to a controller, or to a communication module / processing module within the controller, or to circuits or chips within the controller responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or to circuits or chips within the controller responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU)). Taking the application of this method to a controller as an example, in this method, the controller sends first information, which is used to instruct a first cluster, the first cluster including multiple communication devices;

[0034] If the second condition is met, the controller determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster, and the first communication device is one of multiple communication devices.

[0035] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the second condition includes one or more of the following:

[0036] The controller receives a first indication message, which indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster;

[0037] If the controller does not receive the second indication information within a preset time period, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first communication device is within the normal range of the first cluster.

[0038] Based on the second aspect, in an optional implementation, before the controller sends the first information, the method further includes:

[0039] The controller receives multiple pieces of second information from multiple communication devices. The multiple pieces of second information are used to determine the first cluster. Each communication device corresponds to one piece of second information. The second information includes one or more of the following:

[0040] Identity information;

[0041] Address information;

[0042] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0043] Based on the second aspect, in one optional implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0044] Identity information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0045] Address information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0046] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0047] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device, which includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0048] A processing unit is used to determine a first cluster, the first cluster including multiple communication devices including a first communication device;

[0049] If the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets the first condition, the processing unit is further configured to determine the normal range of the first communication device leaving the first cluster.

[0050] Based on the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the first condition includes one or more of the following:

[0051] The distance between the first communication device and the center of the first cluster is greater than a first threshold; or,

[0052] The distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is greater than a second threshold, and the second communication device is one or more communication devices in the first cluster that are closest to the first communication device.

[0053] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine the central location of the first cluster based on the location information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster.

[0054] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to receive location information of one or more communication devices in the first cluster, excluding the first communication device.

[0055] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send the location information of the first communication device to one or more communication devices in the first cluster, other than the first communication device.

[0056] Based on the third aspect, in one optional implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to receive first information from the first cluster, the first information including one or more of the following:

[0057] Identity information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0058] Address information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0059] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0060] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit second information, the second information including one or more of the following:

[0061] Identity information;

[0062] Address information;

[0063] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0064] Based on the third aspect, in an optional implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send first indication information, which indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0065] Fourthly, this application provides a controller, which includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0066] A transceiver unit is used to send first information, which is used to instruct a first cluster, and the first cluster includes multiple communication devices.

[0067] If the second condition is met, the processing unit is used to determine the normal range of the first communication device leaving the first cluster, where the first communication device is one of a plurality of communication devices.

[0068] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the second condition includes one or more of the following:

[0069] The controller receives a first indication message, which indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster;

[0070] If the controller does not receive the second indication information within a preset time period, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first communication device is within the normal range of the first cluster.

[0071] Based on the fourth aspect, in an optional embodiment, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a plurality of second information from a plurality of communication devices, the plurality of second information being used to determine the first cluster, each communication device corresponding to one piece of second information, the second information including one or more of the following:

[0072] Identity information;

[0073] Address information;

[0074] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0075] Based on the fourth aspect, in one optional implementation, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0076] Identity information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0077] Address information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster;

[0078] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0079] A fifth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to execute a program or instructions to enable the communication device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects. Optionally, the communication device may include the memory, and the at least one processor is coupled to the memory; the memory is used to store programs or instructions.

[0080] The sixth aspect of this application provides a communication device including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to second aspects described above.

[0081] The seventh aspect of this application provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned terminal equipment and network equipment.

[0082] An eighth aspect of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, perform the method as described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0083] The ninth aspect of this application provides a computer program product (or computer program) that, when executed by a processor, performs the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0084] The tenth aspect of this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting a communication device in implementing the method described in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects.

[0085] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0086] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects two through ten can be found in the technical effects of the different design methods in aspect one above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0087] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a possible implementation of wireless positioning and ranging;

[0088] Figure 2and Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of one possible, non-limiting system used in the communication method and related apparatus of this application;

[0089] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible implementation of the communication method in this application;

[0090] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the implementation of the central location of the first cluster in this application;

[0091] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another possible implementation of the communication method in this application;

[0092] Figures 8 to 9 A schematic diagram of the communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0093] The present application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the embodiments section is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with technological advancements and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0094] First, some of the nouns or terms used in this application will be explained, and these nouns or terms are also part of the content of the invention.

[0095] (1) The terms “system” and “network” in this application are used interchangeably. “Multiple” refers to two or more. “And / or” describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character “ / ” generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an “or” relationship. “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 and C” includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. Unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” mentioned in this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0096] (2) In this application, “sending information” can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, “terminal device sending information” can be understood as a terminal device sending information to another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal device sending information to logical module 2 in the network device.

[0097] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "terminal device receiving information" can be understood as a terminal device receiving information from another device (such as a network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the terminal device receiving information from logical module 2 in the network device.

[0098] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., a network device)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the destination of the information being a network device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a network device. "Receiving information from... (e.g., a network device)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., a network device)" or "receiving information sent (e.g., by a network device)" or the relevant illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as the source of the information being a network device. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a network device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, encoding, modulation, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0099] (3) Configuration and Pre-configuration: Configuration and pre-configuration may be used in this application. Configuration refers to the network device or server sending configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal device via messages or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine communication parameters or resources for transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration; it can be parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-negotiated between the network device / server and the terminal device, parameter information or parameter values ​​specified by standard protocols for use by the base station / network device or terminal device, or parameter information or parameter values ​​pre-stored in the base station / server or terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0100] It should be understood that these values ​​and parameters can change or be updated.

[0101] (4) In this application, “instruction” may include direct instruction and indirect instruction, and may also include explicit instruction and implicit instruction. When a certain instruction information is used to instruct A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0102] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon, for example, by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-predefined) arrangement of various information to indicate specific information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed, and for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0103] Next, we will introduce the possible, non-limiting scenarios involved in this application.

[0104] Wireless positioning and ranging technology is an important technology in electronic information systems, with core application value in a wide range of fields such as the Internet of Things, intelligent transportation, and indoor navigation. The following section introduces mainstream wireless positioning and ranging solutions.

[0105] Option 1. Ultra-wideband (UWB) based positioning and ranging solution: This solution uses a 1-to-1 configuration (a tag fixed on an electronic device and a host device). The ranging is achieved by communicating with the host device via the device's own UWB tag or an external UWB tag. The advantage is accurate positioning, and it is suitable for various product categories. The main problem is the high cost, the requirement for the electronic device to support UWB or an external UWB tag, and its limited versatility.

[0106] Option 2. Bluetooth RSSI-based positioning and ranging solution: This solution uses a host computer to connect to multiple electronic devices and measures distance by detecting the Bluetooth RSSI signal strength. The advantages are low price and high versatility. However, the main problem is that it is easily affected by interference from other external devices and the reflected and refracted signals itself. The change in RSSI value is not significant after the distance is 3 meters, resulting in low positioning accuracy, poor reliability, and high false alarm rate.

[0107] Option 3. Bluetooth AOA-based positioning and ranging scheme: This scheme uses a single antenna to transmit a direction-finding signal, while the receiving base station has an built-in antenna array. When the signal passes through, phase differences occur due to the different distances received in the array, allowing for the calculation of the relative signal direction. Knowing the base station's altitude, the position of the electronic device is calculated based on the angle of arrival. Bluetooth AOA-based positioning is a high-precision positioning and direction-finding angle technology. Its advantage is that it is not easily affected by surrounding environmental interference and can achieve high-precision positioning. However, the main problem is that it requires the deployment of a base station, which many electronic devices do not support. Furthermore, in environments with a lot of metal and glass, multipath reflections are prone to occur, leading to positioning errors.

[0108] Option 4. Positioning and ranging solution based on Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and inertial navigation: This solution combines Bluetooth RSSI wireless signals, inertial navigation, and a WiFi fingerprint database for ranging, uses WiFi signals for data communication, is managed in the cloud, and uses a host cluster for disaster recovery to comprehensively determine the ranging of electronic devices. The advantages are low price and high versatility, while the main disadvantages are susceptibility to interference, low accuracy, and latency.

[0109] Option 5. Ultrasonic-based positioning and ranging scheme: Ultrasonic ranging is mainly divided into unidirectional ultrasonic ranging and bidirectional ultrasonic ranging.

[0110] One-way ultrasonic ranging: First, Bluetooth time synchronization is required to obtain the clock difference between the two devices. Then, the distance between the two devices is calculated based on the difference between the arrival time and transmission time of the ultrasound. The advantage is that for continuous ranging, only one Bluetooth time synchronization is needed, and ranging can continue continuously thereafter. If the transmission time is agreed upon, the receiving end can directly calculate the distance without needing to transmit the transmission time of each ultrasound. Furthermore, if multiple electronic devices need to be able to perform ranging simultaneously, only one device needs to transmit the ultrasound, while the other devices only need to receive it.

[0111] Two-way ultrasonic ranging: This method offers high ranging accuracy without requiring time synchronization between the two devices, typically achieving centimeter-level accuracy. Because two-way ranging eliminates the need for time synchronization, it can achieve even higher accuracy. However, it requires both devices to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves and necessitates Bluetooth transmission. If continuous ranging is required, each measurement can be very long. Furthermore, when there are many devices, each device needs to transmit ultrasonic waves without interfering with each other; neither time-division multiplexing nor frequency-division multiplexing can support a large number of users.

[0112] In wireless positioning and ranging solutions, an external host needs to interact with the electronic device via signaling to perform positioning and ranging on the electronic device. For an example, please refer to [link to example]. Figure 1 , Figure 1This is a schematic diagram illustrating a possible implementation of wireless positioning and ranging. (Example:) Figure 1 As shown, electronic devices can use methods such as Bluetooth or WiFi to communicate with a host device (e.g., ...). Figure 1 The host A and / or host B communicate with each other. The host obtains the location information of the electronic device using any of the above schemes 1 to 5. Then, the host can report the location information of the electronic device to the controller in the cloud, so that the controller in the cloud can manage the electronic device.

[0113] Therefore, the positioning and ranging process for electronic devices relies on the host computer for measurement and reporting. This necessitates higher resource consumption and increased host computer maintenance costs. Thus, improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging is a pressing technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0114] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus for improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging. The communication method and related apparatus provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, future communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems, industrial internet communication systems, or satellite communication systems, etc. The wireless communication systems involved in this application also include, but are not limited to, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems.

[0115] For example, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of one possible, non-limiting system used in the communication method and related apparatus of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 2 110a and 110b (collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (such as Figure 2RAN 100, denoted as RAN 120a-120j, is collectively referred to as RAN 120. RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 2 (Not shown in the image). Terminal device 120 is connected to RAN node 110 wirelessly. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections.

[0116] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication system, a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future communication system. RAN 100 can also be an open access network (openRAN, O-RAN, or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0117] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as network device, access network device, RAN equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative, for example... Figure 2 Network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, and it can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example... Figure 2Network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication devices with base station functions (such as satellite base stations), while network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal equipment functions.

[0118] In one possible scenario, RAN node 110 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. Optionally, RAN node 110 can also be a macro base station (such as...). Figure 2 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 2 The RAN node 110 can be a relay node or donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node 110 can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node 110 in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node 110 can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node 110 can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node 110 in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node 110.

[0119] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0120] 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. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0121] Terminal equipment can be any device or module that connects to the communication system shown above and has corresponding communication functions. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), fixed wireless access (FWA), or customer premises equipment (CPE), etc. Terminal equipment includes wireless communication functions (providing voice / data connectivity to users). Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, and machine-type communication (MTC) terminals. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving (e.g., drones, vehicles), wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. For example, wireless terminals in self-driving can be drones, helicopters, or airplanes. For example, wireless terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) can be in-vehicle equipment, vehicle-mounted equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, or ships. Wireless terminals in industrial control can be cameras, robots, or robotic arms. Wireless terminals in smart homes can be televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, or set-top boxes. Terminal devices typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions, and they also contain program instructions for performing those functions.

[0122] Optionally, the communication method and related apparatus of this application can also be applied to open access networks (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN). Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another possible, non-limiting system used in the communication method and related apparatus of this application. Figure 3As shown, the communication system includes a RAN intelligent controller (RIC). The RIC includes a near-real-time (near-RT) RIC and a non-real-time (non-RT) RIC. The near-real-time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, it is used to train an artificial intelligence (AI) model and then use that AI model for inference. The near-real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data. Optionally, the near-real-time RIC can deliver the inference results to the RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU. For example, the near-real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, and the DU sends them to the RU. This enables 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.

[0123] The non-real-time RIC is used for model training and inference. For example, it is used to train an AI model and then use that model for inference. The non-real-time RIC can obtain network-side and / or terminal-side information from RAN nodes (e.g., CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and / or RU) and / or terminals. This information can be used as training data or inference data, and the inference results can be delivered to RAN nodes and / or terminals. Optionally, inference results can be exchanged between CU and DU, and / or between DU and RU; for example, the non-real-time RIC delivers the inference results to the DU, which then forwards them to the RU.

[0124] The near real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be set up as separate network elements. Optionally, the near real-time RIC and non-real-time RIC can also be part of other devices. For example, the near real-time RIC can be set in the RAN node (e.g., in CU, DU), while the non-real-time RIC can be set in the OAM, cloud server, core network device, or other network device.

[0125] O-RAN Central Unit (O-CU): Used to implement the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, and other control functions in the 3GPP standard.

[0126] O-RAN Central Unit Control Plane (O-CU-CP): Similar to the CU-CP in the NR system, it is used to implement the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU.

[0127] O-RAN Central Unit User Plane (O-CU-UP): Similar to the CU-UP in the NR system, it is used to implement the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer. It is part of the O-CU.

[0128] O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU): Based on low-layer function partitioning, it is used to implement the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Higher Physical Layer (Higher PHY) layer in the 3GPP standard. The Higher Physical Layer functions include one or more of the following: Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation.

[0129] The O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU) is based on low-layer function partitioning and is used to implement the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) functions and radio frequency (RF) functions in the 3GPP standard. The lower physical layer functions include one or more of the following: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) / Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (iFFT) transformation, digital beamforming, or extraction and filtering of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). It is similar to the Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or Remote Radio Head (RRH) in 3GPP, but includes lower physical layer functions such as FFT / iFFT or PRACH extraction.

[0130] The communication method and related apparatus of this application will be further described below.

[0131] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one possible implementation of the communication method in this application. It should be understood that this application uses a communication device (e.g., a first communication device) and a controller as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, Figure 4 The method executed by the communication device can also be implemented by a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, system-in-package (SIP) chip, communication module, chip system, processor, logic module, or software within the communication device. In this application, the term "communication device" can refer to the communication device itself, or to the chip, communication module, integrated circuit, processor, logic module, or software within the communication device used to implement the communication method provided in this application; no specific limitation is made in this application. Similarly, Figure 4 The methods executed by the controller can also be implemented by chips, baseband chips, modem chips, SoC chips containing modem cores, SIP chips, communication modules, chip systems, processors, logic modules, or software within the controller. In this application, the term "controller" can refer to the controller itself, or to chips, communication modules, integrated circuits, processors, logic modules, or software within the controller used to implement the communication methods provided in this application; no specific limitation is made in this application.

[0132] As an example, the first communication device may be an electronic device, which includes one or more physical units and one or more functional units.

[0133] Optionally, the physical units of the electronic device include: a speaker, a microphone, Bluetooth, WiFi, a processor, and / or memory, etc., wherein the speaker is used to transmit ultrasonic signals, the microphone is used to receive ultrasonic signals for ranging, and Bluetooth and WiFi are used for both ranging and communication between electronic devices.

[0134] Optionally, the functional unit of the electronic device is used to perform one or more of the following functions: electronic device identification, cloud verification, automatic cluster formation, mutual sensing and distance measurement with other electronic devices using wireless communication methods such as ultrasound, Bluetooth, WiFi, and star flash, calculation of the cluster logical center point, dynamic sensing of the distance of its own electronic device to the cluster center, and automatic alarm when it exceeds the safe range.

[0135] As another example, the first communication device can be Figure 2 The terminal device shown.

[0136] As another example, the controller can be a server or a terminal device. The server can be a standalone physical server, a server cluster or distributed system consisting of multiple physical servers, or a cloud server providing basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communication, middleware services, domain name services, security services, content delivery networks (CDNs), big data, or artificial intelligence platforms. Specific limitations are not specified here.

[0137] like Figure 4 As shown, the communication method of this application includes, but is not limited to, steps 401 to 402.

[0138] 401. The first communication device determines the first cluster.

[0139] The first cluster includes multiple communication devices, including the first communication device. Alternatively, it can be understood that the first cluster includes multiple communication devices, and the first communication device is one of the multiple communication devices in the first cluster.

[0140] For example, multiple communication devices included in the same cluster (e.g., the first cluster) may be communication devices from the same equipment manufacturer, or they may be devices owned by the same user, or they may be communication devices from the same workgroup (e.g., a showroom or a store).

[0141] In this application, only the first communication device in the first cluster is used as an example to describe the communication method. It should be understood that the communication method of this application is also applicable to other communication devices in the first cluster besides the first communication device.

[0142] Optionally, the controller can configure the individual communication devices in the first cluster. Alternatively, it can be understood that the controller configures which communication devices can be assigned to the first cluster.

[0143] Optionally, the cluster to which the first communication device belongs (i.e., the first cluster) can be pre-configured. For example, the first communication device is configured to the first cluster when it leaves the factory, or the administrator can manually configure the first communication device to the first cluster.

[0144] 402. The first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0145] If the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets the first condition, then the first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0146] Optionally, the "location information of the first communication device in the first cluster" can be represented in various ways. For example, if a coordinate system is constructed with the first cluster, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the coordinates of the first communication device in the coordinate system. Alternatively, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the relative position (e.g., distance) between the first communication device and other communication devices in the first cluster. Or, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be represented as the relative position (e.g., distance) between the first communication device and the center position of the first cluster.

[0147] Optionally, the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster can be obtained by measuring wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth signals or WiFi signals.

[0148] In this application, the first communication device can determine whether it has left the normal range of the first cluster based on its location information within the first cluster. In other words, the first communication device can autonomously determine whether it has left the cluster (i.e., left the normal range of the first cluster), and this process does not require the assistance of an external host, thereby improving the efficiency of positioning and ranging, reducing dependence on external hosts, and lowering the implementation threshold of the solution.

[0149] This application provides an implementation example of "the first communication device determines the first cluster" in step 401. Optionally, step 401 includes steps 401a and 401b. Step 401a is executed before step 401b. The following is in conjunction with... Figure 5 Steps 401a and 401b will be described below.

[0150] 401a. The controller receives multiple second messages from multiple communication devices.

[0151] Each of the multiple communication devices (including the first communication device) sends its corresponding second information to the controller. Correspondingly, the controller receives multiple pieces of second information, each piece of second information originating from a different communication device; in other words, each communication device corresponds to one piece of second information. Optionally, the second information includes one or more of the following:

[0152] Identification information, such as the serial number (SN) of the communication device, the subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI), and / or the subscription concealed identifier (SUCI);

[0153] Address information, such as the media access control (MAC) address, internet protocol (IP) address, and / or ultra-wideband (UWB) address of a communication device;

[0154] The cluster identifier of the first cluster is used to indicate that the communication device requests to join the cluster corresponding to the cluster identifier (e.g., the first cluster). Each cluster corresponds to a cluster identifier, or in other words, each cluster identifier uniquely identifies a cluster.

[0155] It is understood that the second information sent by the first communication device to the controller includes one or more of the following:

[0156] The identity information of the first communication device, such as the SN code, SUPI, IMSI and / or SUCI of the first communication device;

[0157] Address information of the first communication device, such as the MAC address, IP address and / or UWB address of the first communication device;

[0158] The cluster identifier of the first cluster is used to indicate that the first communication device requests to join the cluster corresponding to the cluster identifier (e.g., the first cluster).

[0159] 401b. The controller sends first information to multiple communication devices respectively.

[0160] The aforementioned second information is used by the controller to determine the first cluster. Optionally, the controller divides the multiple communication devices into clusters based on the second information of the multiple communication devices, thereby obtaining the first cluster, which includes multiple communication devices, including the first communication device.

[0161] Optionally, if the second information sent by the first communication device to the controller includes the cluster identifier of the first cluster, it indicates that the first communication device requests to join the first cluster. Therefore, the controller can configure the first communication device to join the first cluster based on the cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0162] Next, the controller sends a first message to each communication device in the first cluster. This first message is used to instruct the first cluster. In other words, the first message is used to determine which communication device has identified the first cluster.

[0163] Optionally, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0164] The identity information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster, or it can be replaced with other descriptions, such as the identity information of each communication device in the first cluster;

[0165] The address information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster, or it can be replaced with other descriptions, such as the address information of each communication device in the first cluster;

[0166] The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

[0167] Therefore, after receiving the first information, the communication device (e.g., the first communication device) can determine the communication devices included in the first cluster based on the first information, and determine that it belongs to the first cluster.

[0168] Optionally, after receiving the first information, the first communication device can send the second information to other communication devices in the first cluster besides itself. This communicates the identity and / or address information of the first communication device to the other communication devices in the first cluster. Similar to the process of the first communication device sending the second information, each communication device in the first cluster also sends its own second information to other communication devices besides itself. This continues until mutual identification between the communication devices in the first cluster is completed, thus forming the first cluster. For example, each communication device in the first cluster can transmit its second information via wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, WiFi, satellite flash, or ultrasound. It should be understood that the phrase "other communication devices in the first cluster besides the first communication device" can refer to some or all of the communication devices in the first cluster besides the first communication device.

[0169] As can be seen from the above, in step 402, if the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets the first condition, then the first communication device determines that it has left the normal range of the first cluster. In one possible implementation, the first condition includes one or more of the following:

[0170] Condition 1: The distance between the first communication device and the center of the first cluster is greater than a first threshold; or,

[0171] Condition 2: The distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is greater than the second threshold, and the second communication device is one or more communication devices in the first cluster that are closest to the first communication device.

[0172] In this application, "greater than" can specifically mean "higher than", and "less than" can specifically mean "lower than". Furthermore, "less than" in the examples can be replaced with "less than or equal to", and "greater than" can be replaced with "greater than or equal to", without any specific limitation in this application. It should be understood that the examples provided in this application are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on this application.

[0173] Optionally, the first communication device may first receive the location information of one or more communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device; or, alternatively, the first communication device may receive the location information of some or all of the communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device; or, alternatively, the first communication device may receive the location information of other communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device.

[0174] Then, the first communication device determines the central location of the first cluster (e.g., based on the location information of multiple communication devices in the first cluster) Figure 6 (As shown).

[0175] Accordingly, each communication device in the first cluster (including the first communication device) can send its own location information to other communication devices, so that each communication device in the first cluster can determine the central location of the first cluster. For example, each communication device in the first cluster can transmit its location information through wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth, WiFi, satellite flash, or ultrasound.

[0176] For example, in condition 1, each communication device in the first cluster (including the first communication device) can measure distances to each other via ultrasonic waves, Bluetooth, WiFi, or satellite telemetry, and synchronously send the ranging results (equivalent to the aforementioned location information) to each other in the first cluster. Thus, each communication device in the first cluster can sense the distance between other communication devices in the first cluster.

[0177] Next, each communication device calculates the center position of the first cluster based on the ranging results. Specifically, the communication devices use multidimensional scaling (MDS) to convert the ranging results between the various communication devices into a coordinate system.

[0178] By averaging the x-axis and y-axis coordinates of each communication device, the coordinates of the center of the first cluster satisfy:

[0179]

[0180] The distance D between the communication device (e.g., the first communication device) and the center location of the first cluster i ,satisfy:

[0181]

[0182] If the distance D between the first communication device and the center of the first cluster is i If the value exceeds the first threshold, the first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0183] It should be understood that the process of determining the center position of the first cluster described above is merely an illustrative example. Optionally, each communication device (including the first communication device) may also determine the center position of the first cluster in other ways, such as inputting the coordinates of each communication device (including the first communication device) in the first cluster into the AI ​​model, and having the AI ​​model output the center position of the first cluster.

[0184] It should be understood that step 402 in this application can be performed periodically. For example, each communication device in the first cluster periodically calculates the center position of the first cluster, thereby adapting to the impact of changes in the position of each communication device on the center position of the first cluster, and realizing dynamic calculation of the center position of the first cluster. Thus, each communication device can periodically determine whether it has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0185] Optional, Figure 4 The corresponding embodiment also includes step 403. Step 403 is executed after step 402.

[0186] Specifically, in step 403, the first communication device sends a first indication message to the controller. This first indication message indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. For example, the first indication message could be an abnormal alarm regarding the first communication device leaving the normal range of the first cluster (e.g., ...). Figure 7 (As shown).

[0187] In one possible implementation, if the second condition is met, the controller determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. See also... Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where the first communication device leaves the normal range of the first cluster in this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the second condition includes one or more of the following:

[0188] Condition 3: The controller receives a first indication message from the first communication device, indicating that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. Correspondingly, the first communication device sends the first indication message to the controller. For the process of "the first communication device sending the first indication message to the controller," please refer to step 403 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0189] Condition 4: The controller does not receive the second indication information within a preset time period. The second indication information is used to indicate that the first communication device is within the normal range of the first cluster. Optionally, after determining the center position of the first cluster, the first communication device determines the distance D between the first communication device and the center position of the first cluster. i Does the value exceed a first threshold? If not, the first communication device determines that it is within the normal range of the first cluster. Therefore, the first communication device can send a second indication message to the controller, indicating that it is within the normal range of the first cluster. However, if the controller does not receive the second indication message within a preset time period, it can be considered that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0190] For example, the second indication information could be a normal state heartbeat (such as...) sent by the first communication device to the controller. Figure 7 As shown in the figure, the normal heartbeat indicates that the first communication device is within the normal range of the first cluster.

[0191] Optionally, the preset duration in condition 4 can be one or more time units, or one or more periods. In other words, if the controller does not receive the second indication information within one or more time units, or if the controller does not receive the second indication information within one or more periods, then the controller determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

[0192] For example, the time unit can be an hour, minute, second, millisecond, microsecond, nanosecond, frame, subframe, slot, symbol, sampling time (Ts), or basic time unit (Tc), etc.

[0193] Accordingly, this application also provides related apparatus for implementing the above-described scheme. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 500 can implement the functions of the first communication device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In this application embodiment, the communication device 500 can be the first communication device, or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the first communication device, such as a chip, baseband chip, modem chip, SoC chip containing a modem core, system-in-package (SIP) chip, communication module, chip system, processor, etc.

[0194] like Figure 8 As shown, the first communication device 500 includes a transceiver unit 501 and a processing unit 502. Optionally, the transceiver unit 501 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, respectively used to perform sending and receiving.

[0195] In one possible implementation, when the communication device 500 is used to perform Figure 4 When the method executed by the first communication device in the corresponding embodiment is implemented, the communication device 500 includes a transceiver unit 501 and a processing unit 502; the processing unit 502 is used to determine a first cluster, the first cluster including multiple communication devices including the first communication device; if the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets a first condition, the processing unit 502 is also used to determine the normal range of the first communication device leaving the first cluster.

[0196] Optionally, the transceiver unit 501 is used to receive the location information of one or more communication devices in the first cluster, excluding the first communication device.

[0197] It should be noted that the information interaction and execution process between the modules / units in the communication device 500 are different from those in this application. Figure 4 The corresponding method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the details can be found in the descriptions of the method embodiments shown above in this application, which will not be repeated here.

[0198] Please see Figure 9 The above-described embodiments of the communication device provided in this application are schematic diagrams of the structure of the communication device.

[0199] It is understood that the communication device 600 includes, for example, modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, which are appropriately configured together to execute the technical solutions provided in this application. The communication device 600 may be the terminal device described above, or a component (e.g., a chip) within these devices, used to implement the methods described in the following method embodiments. The communication device 600 includes one or more processors 601. The processor 601 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., a RAN node, terminal, or chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0200] Optionally, in one design, processor 601 may include program 603 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which can be executed on processor 601 to cause communication device 600 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In yet another possible design, communication device 600 includes circuitry (…). Figure 9 (Not shown).

[0201] Optionally, the communication device 600 may include one or more memories 602 storing a program 604 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 601 to cause the communication device 600 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0202] Optionally, the processor 601 and / or memory 602 may include an AI module 607 and / or an AI module 608, which are used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​module 607 and / or AI module 608 may be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module 607 and / or AI module 608 may include a radio intelligence control (RIC) module. For example, the AI ​​module 607 and / or AI module 608 may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0203] Optionally, the processor 601 and / or memory 602 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0204] Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a transceiver 605 and / or an antenna 606. The processor 601, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device (e.g., a RAN node or terminal). The transceiver 605, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device through the antenna 606.

[0205] in, Figure 8 The processing unit 502 shown may be a processor 601. Figure 8 The transceiver unit 501 shown can be a communication interface, which can be... Figure 9 The transceiver 605 may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the transceiver 605 may also be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0206] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, configured to call computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the above-described... Figure 4 The method provided in the illustrated embodiment.

[0207] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the above. Figure 4 In any of the embodiments shown, the receiving operation of the chip device corresponds to the above-described... Figure 4 The sending operation in any of the embodiments shown.

[0208] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0209] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory that stores computer programs or computer instructions.

[0210] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more devices used to control the above. Figure 4 The illustrated embodiments provide an integrated circuit for program execution of the method provided in any of the embodiments. The memory mentioned above may be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0211] 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, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0212] 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.

[0213] 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.

[0214] 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.

[0215] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0216] It should be understood that the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings of the device embodiments provided in this application, the connection relationships between modules indicate that they have communication connections, which can be specifically implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines.

[0217] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0218] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0219] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0220] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first communication device determines a first cluster, the first cluster including multiple communication devices including the first communication device; If the location information of the first communication device in the first cluster meets the first condition, the first communication device determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The distance between the first communication device and the center of the first cluster is greater than a first threshold; or, The distance between the first communication device and the second communication device is greater than a second threshold, and the second communication device is one or more communication devices in the first cluster that are closest to the first communication device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device determines the central location of the first cluster based on the location information of the plurality of communication devices in the first cluster.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device receives location information from one or more communication devices in the first cluster, excluding the first communication device itself.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device sends the location information of the first communication device to one or more communication devices in the first cluster other than the first communication device itself.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first communication device determines the first cluster, including: The first communication device receives first information from the first cluster, the first information being used to identify the first cluster, and the first information including one or more of the following: The identity information of the plurality of communication devices in the first cluster; Address information of the plurality of communication devices in the first cluster; The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first communication device sends a second message, the second message including one or more of the following: Identity information; Address information; The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message, which indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The controller sends first information, which is used to instruct a first cluster, the first cluster including multiple communication devices; If the second condition is met, the controller determines that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster, and the first communication device is one of the plurality of communication devices.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second condition includes one or more of the following: The controller receives a first indication message, which indicates that the first communication device has left the normal range of the first cluster. If the controller does not receive the second indication information within a preset time period, the second indication information is used to indicate that the first communication device is within the normal range of the first cluster.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, Before the controller sends the first information, the method further includes: The controller receives multiple pieces of second information from the plurality of communication devices, the plurality of second information being used to determine the first cluster, each of the communication devices corresponding to one piece of the second information, the second information including one or more of the following: Identity information; Address information; The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: The identity information of the plurality of communication devices in the first cluster; Address information of the plurality of communication devices in the first cluster; The cluster identifier of the first cluster.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor coupled to a memory; the at least one processor is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The communication device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

15. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

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