A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device are used to improve the performance of radio frequency sensing in the presence of factors that destroy phase continuity. The communication method includes: a first device maintaining phase continuity within a first A-TDW in which a first sensing signal is transmitted; wherein the first A-TDW is a subset of a first C-TDW, the first event exists within the first C-TDW, and the first event is an event that causes sensing signal phase continuity to be unable to be maintained.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Radio frequency sensing (RF sensing) is a technology that uses radio signals to detect and analyze objects or phenomena in the environment. By sending sensing signals and analyzing the reflection, attenuation, or changes of these signals after they interact with objects, RF sensing systems can identify the presence, location, motion, and even the properties of certain materials.

[0003] In radio frequency sensing, coherent integration can be used to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) during the analysis of the reflected signal corresponding to the sensed signal; coherent integration is also called phase integration. Coherent integration requires the sensed signal to maintain phase continuity during transmission. However, various factors can disrupt phase continuity. How to improve detection performance under these conditions is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the performance of radio frequency sensing under conditions where factors disrupt phase continuity exist.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a first device, or a component (such as a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, functional module, or others) or software module in the first device; the method may include: the first device maintaining phase continuity within a first actual time domain window (A-TDW) for transmitting a first sensing signal; wherein the first A-TDW is a subset of a first configured time domain window (C-TDW), and a first event occurs within the first C-TDW; the first event is an event that causes phase continuity to be lost.

[0006] In this way, the first device transmits the first sensing signal within the first A-TDW (a subset of the first C-TDW); in the event of the first event within the first C-TDW, the first device can maintain phase continuity within the first A-TDW, so that the receiving device of the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal can perform coherent or bonding processing within the first A-TDW, which helps to improve the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0007] In one possible design, the first device maintains phase continuity within a second A-TDW (A-TDW) during which the second sensing signal is transmitted; the second A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW; when the first A-TDW occurs before the second A-TDW, a first event occurs after the termination of the first A-TDW and before the start of the second A-TDW, and the phase of the first device at the termination time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the start time of the second A-TDW are discontinuous; when the first A-TDW occurs after the second A-TDW, a first event occurs after the termination of the second A-TDW and before the start of the first A-TDW, and the phase of the first device at the start time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the termination time of the second A-TDW are discontinuous.

[0008] In this way, the first device can maintain phase continuity and transmit sensing signals in multiple subsets of the first C-TDW (such as the first A-TDW and the second A-TDW), so that the sensing signals transmitted in different A-TDWs can be bonded separately. In this way, in the case of the first event within the first C-TDW, the time domain length of the sensing signals that can be bonded within the first C-TDW is increased, which helps to improve the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0009] In one possible design, the first sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; and / or, the second sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0010] Thus, the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal are only a part of the sensing signal of the target object, or in other words, the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal are only one of the factors used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0011] In one possible design, the first device may also send configuration information of the first A-TDW and / or the second A-TDW to the second device; wherein the configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the first A-TDW, and the configuration information of the second A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the second A-TDW; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0012] In this way, the first device can send the configuration information of the first A-TDW and / or the configuration information of the second A-TDW to the receiving device (e.g., the second device). Based on this configuration information, the receiving device of the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal may also maintain phase continuity in the first A-TDW and / or the second A-TDW, thereby enabling coherent or bonded processing to improve the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0013] In one possible design, the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW that transmits the third sensing signal are continuous, and the first device maintains phase continuity within the third A-TDW (a subset of the second C-TDW); the first device also maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW. The third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap.

[0014] The statement that the first device maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW can be understood as follows: when the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW; when the first A-TDW is after the third A-TDW, the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the end of the third A-TDW.

[0015] Thus, when the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are consecutive, the first device is phase-continuous within the time window of the combination of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW, which increases the time-domain length of the sensing signal that can be bonded, thereby improving the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0016] Optionally, the third sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0017] Thus, the third sensing signal is only a part of the sensing signal of the target object, or in other words, the third sensing signal is only one of the factors used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0018] Optionally, the first device may also send configuration information of the third A-TDW to the second device; wherein the configuration information of the third A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the third A-TDW; and the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the third sensing signal.

[0019] In this way, the first device can send the configuration information of the third A-TDW to the receiving device (e.g., the second device). Based on this configuration information, the receiving device of the reflected signal corresponding to the sense signal maintains phase continuity in the third A-TDW, thereby enabling coherent or bonding processing to improve the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0020] In one possible design, the first device may also send first indication information to the second device, which is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal; and / or, the first device may send first indication information to the third device, which is used to manage the first device; when the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW; when the first A-TDW is after the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the end of the third A-TDW.

[0021] In this way, the first device can send a first indication information to the receiving device (e.g., the second device) and inform the receiving device of the configuration scheme for the first sensing signal and the third sensing signal through the first indication information, so that the receiving device can determine the receiving processing scheme for the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal and the reflected signal corresponding to the third sensing signal based on the configuration information, thereby improving the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0022] In some examples, the first device informs the receiving device of the following information via a first indication: the first device maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW. Based on this first indication, the receiving device can maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW, which increases the time domain length of the sensing signal that can be bound, thus helping to improve sensing performance.

[0023] In other examples, the first device may also inform the receiving device of the following information through the first indication information: the phase of the first device is discontinuous between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW. Based on the first indication information, the receiving device may not be limited to whether the phase is continuous between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the receiving device in receiving the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0024] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0025] In this way, the first device can make a judgment based on its own capabilities and the two A-TDWs, and maintain phase continuity between the two A-TDWs provided that the sum of the durations of the two A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration.

[0026] In one possible design, the first device may also determine a set duration based on a first maximum duration, the first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; or, the first device may also receive second indication information from a third device; the second indication information is used to instruct the first device to maintain phase continuity between two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration; the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs are located within different C-TDWs; the second indication information includes the set duration; the third device is used to manage the first device.

[0027] In this way, the first device can determine the set duration based on its own ability to maintain phase continuity; or, the first device can receive second indication information from the third device to determine the phase configuration scheme for the sensing signals transmitted in two time-domain continuous A-TDWs. Accordingly, the first device can also determine the set duration based on the second indication information.

[0028] In one possible design, the first device may also receive configuration information of the first C-TDW from the third device, the configuration information of the first C-TDW being used to indicate the time domain position of the first C-TDW; the third device is used to manage the first device.

[0029] This allows the first C-TDW to be aligned between the third device and the first device, reducing the possibility of misalignment.

[0030] In one possible design, the first device may also send capability information of the first device to the third device. The capability information of the first device includes information for instructing the first device to maintain phase continuity. The capability information is used to determine the configuration information of the first C-TDW.

[0031] In this way, the first device can report capability information to the third device, so that the third device can configure C-TDW information based on the capability information, such as the duration of C-TDW.

[0032] In one possible design, the capability information of the first device includes at least one of the following: a first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; first capability information, which indicates that the first device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; and second capability information, which indicates that the first device resumes supporting the phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends.

[0033] Thus, the capability information of the first device may include the maximum duration for which the first device supports phase continuity, whether the first device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations, and whether the first device supports re-transmitting the sensing signal in phase continuity after the first event ends.

[0034] Optionally, the aforementioned first maximum duration is the maximum duration during which the first device supports phase continuity. Specifically, the first maximum duration is the maximum duration during which the first device supports phase continuity under a first tolerance level.

[0035] Thus, the first maximum duration can be associated with the first tolerance level; that is, the ability of the first device to support phase continuity may differ at different tolerance levels.

[0036] In one possible design, the first device may also receive a first capability query request from a third device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity.

[0037] In this way, the first device can report capability information upon receiving a first capability query request from the third device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0038] In one possible design, the sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the first device does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; the frequency domain resources corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the spatial domain relationships corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; and the power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different.

[0039] The first device does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals. This can be understood as: the first device does not support the transmission of sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, but the actual sensing signal configuration corresponds to the transmission at discontinuous time-domain locations.

[0040] In one possible design, the first device may also receive a first reflected signal within the first A-TDW; the first reflected signal is a signal obtained by reflecting the first sensing signal through the target object; the first device may also determine the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0041] Thus, when the first device is not only a transmitter of sensing signals but also a receiver, the first device can also receive the first reflected signal and determine the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0042] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a third device, or a component (such as a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, functional module, or others) or software module in the third device; the method may include: the third device sending configuration information of a first C-TDW to a first device; the configuration information of the first C-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the first C-TDW; wherein, the first A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW, and the first A-TDW is used to transmit a first sensing signal with continuous phase; a first event exists in the first C-TDW, the first event being an event that causes the phase continuity of the sensing signal to be lost; the first device is a transmitting device for the sensing signal, and the third device is used to manage the first device.

[0043] In one possible design, the third device may also send configuration information of the second C-TDW to the first device, wherein the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap; wherein the third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW and is used to transmit the third sensing signal; when the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are consecutive, the first device maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0044] In one possible design, the third device may also receive first indication information from the first device; when the first A-TDW precedes the third A-TDW, the first indication information indicates that the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW; when the first A-TDW follows the third A-TDW, the first indication information indicates that the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the end of the third A-TDW.

[0045] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0046] In one possible design, the third device may also acquire a first maximum duration of the first device, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; the third device may also determine a set duration based on the first maximum duration; the third device may also send second indication information to the first device; the second indication information is used to instruct the first device to maintain phase continuity between two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of the two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration; the two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs are located within different C-TDWs; the second indication information includes the set duration.

[0047] In one possible design, the process by which the third device determines the set duration based on the first maximum duration may include: the third device acquiring the second maximum duration of the second device; the second maximum duration being used to indicate the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; the second device being a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal; the third device determining the set duration based on the first maximum duration and the second maximum duration; the set duration being less than or equal to the first maximum duration and the set duration being less than or equal to the second maximum duration.

[0048] In this way, when the transmitting device (first device) and receiving device (second device) of the sensing signal are different, the third device can determine the set duration based on the ability of the first device and the second device to maintain phase continuity, thereby avoiding the situation where the transmitting device or receiving device of the sensing signal cannot achieve phase continuity within the sum of the durations of the two A-TDWs, and improving the accuracy of the configuration of the phase continuity support scheme.

[0049] In one possible design, the third device may also receive capability information from the first device, the capability information of the first device including information for instructing the first device to maintain phase continuity; the third device may also determine the configuration information of the first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device.

[0050] In one possible design, the process by which the third device determines the configuration information of the first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device may include: the third device receiving capability information from the second device, the capability information of the second device including information for instructing the second device to maintain phase continuity; the second device being a receiving device for a reflected signal corresponding to a sensing signal; and the third device determining the configuration information of the first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device and the capability information of the second device.

[0051] In this way, the second device can report capability information to the third device, and correspondingly, the third device can receive the capability information reported by the second device, so that when the second device needs to participate in radio frequency sensing, the third device can configure C-TDW based on the capability information.

[0052] In one possible design, the capability information of the first device includes at least one of the following: a first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; first capability information, which indicates that the first device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; second capability information, which indicates that the first device resumes supporting phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends; and the capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following: a second maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; third capability information, which indicates that the second device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; and fourth capability information, which indicates that the second device resumes supporting phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends.

[0053] Optionally, the aforementioned first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports phase continuity can specifically be: the first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports phase continuity under a first tolerance level; the aforementioned second maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the second device supports phase continuity can specifically be: the second maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the second device supports phase continuity under a second tolerance level.

[0054] In one possible design, the third device may also send a first capability query request to the first device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity; and / or, the third device may also send a second capability query request to the second device, the second capability query request being used to request the capability of the second device to maintain phase continuity.

[0055] In one possible design, the sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the first device does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; the frequency domain resources corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the spatial domain relationships corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; the power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; wherein, the first device is a transmitting device for the sensing signal, and the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0056] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a second device, or a component (such as a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, functional module, or others) or a software module in the second device; the method may include: the second device maintaining phase continuity within a first A-TDW when receiving a first reflected signal; the first reflected signal being a signal obtained by reflecting a first sensing signal sent by a first device within the first A-TDW after passing through a target object; and the second device determining the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0057] In this way, the second device, as a receiving device, maintains phase continuity within the first A-TDW and receives the first reflected signal. Accordingly, the second device can determine the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal transmitted within the first A-TDW (phase continuity). Since the second device maintains phase continuity within the first A-TDW, the second device can perform binding processing on the first reflected signal, thereby improving the performance of radio frequency sensing.

[0058] In one possible design, the first sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0059] In one possible design, the second device may also receive configuration information of the first A-TDW from the first device; the configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the first A-TDW.

[0060] In one possible design, the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW receiving the third reflected signal are continuous. The third reflected signal is the signal obtained by reflecting a third sensing signal transmitted by the first device within the third A-TDW after passing through the target object. The process by which the second device determines the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal may include: the second device maintaining phase continuity within the third A-TDW and maintaining phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW; and the second device determining the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal transmitted within the first A-TDW and the third reflected signal transmitted within the third A-TDW. The third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap (the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW do not overlap).

[0061] The phase continuity of the second device between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW can be understood as follows: when the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the phase of the second device at the end of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW; when the first A-TDW is after the third A-TDW, the phase of the second device at the beginning of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the end of the third A-TDW.

[0062] In one possible design, the third sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0063] In one possible design, the second device may also receive configuration information of a third A-TDW from the first device; the configuration information of the third A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the third A-TDW.

[0064] In one possible design, before maintaining phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW, the second device may also receive first indication information from the first device; when the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW are continuous; when the first A-TDW is after the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end of the third A-TDW are continuous.

[0065] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0066] In one possible design, the second device may also receive a set duration from the first device; or, the second device may also receive third indication information from the third device; the third indication information is used to instruct the second device to maintain phase continuity between two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain if the sum of the durations of the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain is less than or equal to the set duration; the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain are located in different C-TDWs; the third indication information includes the set duration; the third device is used to manage the first device and the second device.

[0067] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The device can implement any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects described above. The device may be, for example, a first device, or a functional module within a first device.

[0068] In one optional implementation, the communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to each possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects. These modules, units, or means may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another optional implementation, the device includes a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a communication module (sometimes also called a transceiver module, communication unit, etc.). The communication module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the communication module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module); when the communication module performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, referred to as the communication module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, with "communication module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0069] For example, when the communication device is used to perform the method described in any one of the first to third aspects, the communication device may include a processing module and a communication module.

[0070] Fifthly, embodiments of this application also provide another communication device, including a processor for executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, which, when executed, causes the communication device to perform a method as in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0072] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0073] The communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as sending or receiving data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, enable the implementation of a method in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects, and the method shown in any possible implementation of such method.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, enables the implementation of any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects.

[0076] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including logic circuitry (or, as understood, the chip system includes a processor, which may include logic circuitry, etc.) and input / output interfaces. The input / output interfaces can be used to input messages or output messages. The input / output interfaces can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can implement both sending and receiving functions; or, the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, where the input interface is used to implement the receiving function, i.e., to receive messages; and the output interface is used to implement the sending function, i.e., to send messages. The logic circuitry can be used to perform operations other than the sending and receiving functions in any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects described above; the logic circuitry can also be used to transmit messages to the input / output interfaces or receive messages from other communication devices from the input / output interfaces. The chip system can be used to implement any possible implementation of any of the first to third aspects described above. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0077] Optionally, the chip system may also include a memory, which can be used to store instructions, and the logic circuits can call the instructions stored in the memory to implement the corresponding functions.

[0078] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a first device and a third device. The first device may be used to implement the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the third device may be used to implement the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0079] Optionally, the communication system may also include a second device that can be used to implement the method shown in the third aspect and any of its possible implementations.

[0080] The technical effects brought about by the second to ninth aspects above can be found in the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0081] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the signal processing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 2 This application provides a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system.

[0083] Figure 3a A structural example diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 3bThis is a structural example diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 5 An example diagram of a time window configuration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 6 Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0088] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 8a Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0090] Figure 8b Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0091] Figure 8c Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0092] Figure 9a Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0093] Figure 9b Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0094] Figure 9c Another example diagram of time window configuration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0095] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0097] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific operational methods in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments; therefore, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0098] In the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0099] In the description of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "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 can mean: 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.

[0100] In the description of this application, "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. " / " means "or", for example, a / b means a or b.

[0101] In the description of this application, "when..." can also be understood as "if...", "under... circumstances", etc. It is understood that the above conditions are merely objective, static statements and do not imply that the corresponding device needs to perform a conditional judgment action. For example, when condition B is met, the terminal device executes operation A. This only indicates that the terminal device will execute operation A when condition B objectively exists; it does not mean that the terminal device performs a judgment action to confirm whether the condition is B.

[0102] In the embodiments of this application, "sending a signal (or data or information)" can be understood as one device sending a signal (or data or information) to another device, for example, via a wireless air interface; or it can be understood as one logic module within a device sending a signal (or data or information) to another logic module, for example, via an I / O port. For example, "the terminal device sending a signal" can be understood as the terminal device sending a signal to another device (such as a base station), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the terminal device sending a signal to logic module 2 in the base station.

[0103] In the embodiments of this application, "receiving signal (or data or information)" can be understood as one device receiving a signal (or data or information) from another device, or it can also be understood as a logic module within the device receiving a signal (or data or information) from another logic module. For example, "base station receiving signal" can be understood as the base station receiving a signal from another device (such as a terminal device), or it can be understood as logic module 1 in the base station receiving a signal from logic module 2 in the terminal device.

[0104] In the embodiments of this application, "sending a signal to device A" can be understood as the destination of the signal being device A, and may include sending a signal directly or indirectly to device A. "Receiving a signal from device A" can be understood as the source of the signal being device A, and may include receiving a signal directly or indirectly from device A. The signal may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in the embodiments of this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here.

[0105] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0106] 1. Reference signal:

[0107] Information is sent from the transmitter, transmitted through a transmission channel, and received at the receiver. Because the information may change during transmission (e.g., due to noise, fading, etc.), the information received by the receiver may differ from the information sent by the transmitter. To reconstruct the correct information, it is necessary to understand what changes the information underwent during transmission; therefore, a reference signal (RS) is introduced.

[0108] The transmitting and receiving ends agree on a known signal (e.g., denoted as RS) beforehand. RS is transmitted along with the information to be sent in the transmission channel. After receiving the signal (e.g., denoted as RS'), the receiving end compares the differences between RS and RS' to understand the changes that have occurred in the information during transmission, thereby performing channel characteristic estimation and obtaining the channel characteristics. Based on the channel characteristics, the receiving end can reconstruct the correct transmitted information from the received information.

[0109] For example, the reference signal may include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), which can be used for channel estimation during demodulation. DMRS transmitted via the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is simply referred to as PDSCH DMRS; DMRS transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) is simply referred to as PUSCH DMRS. In some examples, the receiver can first estimate the channel at the DMRS symbol, and then obtain the channel at the data symbol by interpolation in the time domain, thereby achieving correct data demodulation. To adapt to the needs of different application scenarios, the reference signal density of the DMRS in the time domain can be adjusted, i.e., the number of DMRS symbols in the PUSCH (or PDSCH) can be adjusted. For example, to track channels that change rapidly over time and support more accurate demodulation (such as in high-speed rail scenarios), the number of DMRS symbols in the PUSCH (or PDSCH) can be increased.

[0110] Due to limitations in time / frequency domain density and bandwidth, NR RS (e.g., DMRS) configurations may not meet the requirements of radio frequency sensing. For example, for PUSCH / PDSCH, a maximum of 4 PUSCH / PDSCHDMRS symbols are used within a single timeslot (14 symbols under normal CP), meaning the time domain density is insufficient. Distance resolution is equal to the reciprocal of bandwidth; achieving good distance resolution typically requires a larger bandwidth. However, in the frequency domain, DMRS occupies only a portion of the channel bandwidth (also known as the bandwidth part). The specific size of the bandwidth limit (BWP) depends on the PUSCH / PDSCH traffic volume. In narrowband communication scenarios, the BWP may be relatively small.

[0111] 2. Fourier Transform:

[0112] The Fourier transform is one of the most important tools for signal processing in communication systems, used to convert signals between the time domain and the frequency domain.

[0113] Commonly used Fourier transforms include: DFT, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT), and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT).

[0114] The Directional Transformation (DFT) can convert a time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and the Forward Transformation (FFT) is a fast method for calculating the DFT. The Inverse Frequency Transformation (IDFT) can convert a frequency-domain signal into a time-domain signal, and the Inverse Frequency Transformation (IFFT) is a fast method for calculating the IDFT.

[0115] 3. Multi-carrier waveform:

[0116] A multicarrier waveform is a waveform, signal, or symbol obtained through multicarrier modulation. Multicarrier modulation can be understood as dividing a channel into multiple sub-channels, converting the high-speed data stream to be transmitted into parallel low-speed sub-data streams, and then modulating each sub-data stream onto each sub-channel for transmission. For example, multicarrier modulation can be OFDM modulation, in which case the multicarrier waveform can be called an OFDM waveform. Optionally, a multicarrier waveform can be replaced by any of the following: multicarrier signal, multicarrier data, multicarrier symbol, or multicarrier waveform data.

[0117] The following section uses OFDM modulation as an example to introduce a possible signal processing flow for network devices and terminal devices. In this flow, one device can act as the transmitter, and the other as the receiver.

[0118] like Figure 1 As shown, the input signal at the transmitting end is a frequency domain signal, denoted as {S(p)}. The serial-to-parallel (S / P) converter can convert M consecutive data points (also called data sequences) from the frequency domain signal, denoted as S(kM), S(kM+1), ..., S(kM+M-1), into an M-dimensional data block, denoted as S. k =[S(kM),S(kM+1),…,S(kM+M-1)] T Where the subscript k represents the OFDM symbol number, and the superscript T represents transpose. Through subcarrier mapping, S k M data points can modulate N subcarriers. sc N subcarriers, of which N sc =M, the rest (NN) sc The 10 subcarriers can be understood as being modulated by data 0, thus obtaining an N-dimensional data vector X. k N-dimensional data vector X k An N-point IDFT yields a set of N complex time-domain sampling points, denoted as x. k =[x k (0),x k (1),…,x k (N-1)] T .

[0119] To eliminate inter-symbol interference (ISI) caused by multipath propagation (e.g., radio signals reaching the receiver through two or more transmission paths), a cyclic prefix (CP) can be added at the beginning of each OFDM symbol. One possible implementation is that the transmitter can copy x... k The last G sample points are then appended to x. k At the beginning, we obtain the time-domain OFDM symbol, denoted as Where G is a positive integer. That is, an OFDM symbol includes valid data x. k And a cyclic prefix (or redundant data). Then, the transmitter sends the OFDM symbols to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a radio frequency (RF) filter for signal transmission.

[0120] The receiver can demodulate the received signal through inverse processing. For example, the receiver can obtain the frequency domain signal {S(p)} through an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, CP removal, serial-to-parallel conversion module, N-point DFT, subcarrier demapping, and parallel-to-serial (P / S) conversion module.

[0121] In one possible implementation, S k This can include modulation symbols and / or redundant signal sampling points. The modulation symbols can be obtained by modulating the (encoded) bitstream. For example, modulation methods can include: pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), phase shift keying (PSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), amplitude phase shift keying (APSK), etc. Redundant signal sampling points can include phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) sampling points, demodulation reference signals, tone-preserving signals, etc.

[0122] It should be understood that when the number of transformation points N satisfies certain constraints (e.g., N is a power of 2, 3, or 5), IDFT can also be implemented by efficient IFFT. Similarly, DFT can be implemented by efficient FFT. In the following text, IDFT and IFFT are interchangeable, as are DFT and FFT.

[0123] N sc This can be understood as the number of subcarriers included in the OFDM signal transmission bandwidth. In the above text, N sc It can be equal to M. It should be understood that N... sc It can be greater than M, or it can be less than M. For example, for S of length M... k Perform sequence expansion, assuming the length of the expanded sequence is equal to N. sc Therefore, N sc ≥M.

[0124] 4. Single-carrier waveform:

[0125] A single-carrier waveform is a waveform obtained through single-carrier modulation. Single-carrier modulation can be understood as modulating the data stream to be transmitted onto a single carrier for transmission. For example, single-carrier modulation can be Discrete Fourier Transform Spreading OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) modulation, in which case the single-carrier waveform can be called a DFT-s-OFDM waveform. Another example is single-carrier QAM modulation, in which case the single-carrier waveform can be called a single-carrier QAM waveform. Optionally, a single-carrier waveform can be replaced by any of the following: a single-carrier signal, single-carrier data, a single-carrier symbol, or single-carrier waveform data.

[0126] The following section uses DFT-s-OFDM modulation as an example to introduce a possible signal processing flow for network devices and terminal devices. In this flow, one device can act as the transmitter, and the other as the receiver.

[0127] Optionally, for DFT-s-OFDM modulation, in Figure 1 Based on OFDM modulation, the transmitting and receiving ends respectively perform additional M-point DFT and M-point IDFT processing. Specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, DFT-s-OFDM defines the data block s transmitted in the time domain. k There is an additional DFT processing step before the OFDM processing, which involves processing each data block s containing M data points. k Perform M-point DFT processing to obtain S kThis processing gives the DFT-s-OFDM signal the characteristics of a single carrier, resulting in a PAPR or cubic metric that is much lower than that of multi-carrier signals such as OFDM.

[0128] In one possible implementation, s k This can include modulation symbols and / or redundant signal sampling points. The modulation symbols can be obtained by modulating the (coded) bitstream. For example, modulation methods can include: PAM, PSK, QAM, offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM), APSK, etc. Redundant signal sampling points can include PTRS sampling points, unique words (UW), zero tails, etc.

[0129] Optionally, if s k If UW and / or zero-tail (ZT) waveforms are included, then adding a CP operation may not be necessary. That is, the solution in this application is applicable not only to CP DFT-s-OFDM waveforms, but also to waveforms such as zero-tail DFT-s-OFDM (ZT-DFT-s-OFDM) and unique-word DFT-s-OFDM (UW-DFT-s-OFDM).

[0130] 5. Time slot:

[0131] In 5G, both uplink and downlink transmissions are performed in the form of radio frames. Each radio frame lasts for 10 ms. Each radio frame can be further divided into 10 subframes, each lasting for 1 ms. Furthermore, each subframe can be divided into different time slots. A time slot contains a certain number of OFDM symbols (e.g., CP-OFDM). The subcarrier spacing (SCS) of these symbols is 15.2. μ kHz, where μ represents the parameter set (numerology).

[0132] When considering normal CP, a time slot contains 14 CP-OFDM symbols; while when considering extended CP, a time slot contains 12 CP-OFDM symbols. Extended CP has a longer duration than normal CP. In NR, extended CP configuration exists only when the subcarrier spacing is 60kHz.

[0133] In NR, a subframe contains 2 time slots. μFor example, when μ = 0, a subframe contains one time slot. During normal CP, a subframe contains 14 CP-OFDM symbols, whose indices within the subframe are denoted as l, where l ∈ {0, 1, 2, ..., 13}. As another example, when μ = 1, corresponding to an SCS of 30 kHz, a subframe contains two time slots. During normal CP, a subframe contains 28 CP-OFDM symbols, whose indices within the subframe are denoted as l, where l ∈ {0, 1, 2, ..., 27}.

[0134] The length of a CP-OFDM symbol consists of two parts: the valid data and the CP. The valid data portion of a CP-OFDM symbol (i.e., x in key terminology (I)) k The duration of the effective data portion is equal to the reciprocal of the SCS. For example, if μ = 0, meaning the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, then the length of the effective data portion is approximately 66.67 μs. For the parameter set μ and the CP-OFDM symbol with index 1 within the subframe, NR introduces parameters. The number of sampling points included in the valid data portion is described by introducing parameters. Describe the number of sampling points contained in the CP section.

[0135]

[0136] Where the constant κ = 64. Therefore, the time length of one CP-OFDM symbol is

[0137]

[0138] Among them, T c It is the basic time-domain unit of NR, and

[0139]

[0140] Combination From the expression, we can see that when considering normal CP, This is related to index 1 within the subframe. Specifically, when l = 0 or 7.2μ, the CP length is increased by an additional 16κ, meaning that some symbols within a subframe have longer CPs or some CP-OFDM symbols within a subframe have longer lengths. This is done to align time slots of different parameter sets every half subframe (i.e., 0.5ms).

[0141] This application involves radio frequency sensing of a target object. The embodiments described in this application can be implemented in a communication device or communication system that can send and receive sensing signals according to any communication standard.

[0142] The communication standards applicable to the embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to: the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4 standard for ultra-wideband (UWB), the IEEE 802.11 standard (including those identified as Wi-Fi technology), the Bluetooth standard, code division multiple access (CDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and time division multiple access (TDMA).

[0143] The communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this application include, but are not limited to: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Short-Range Wireless Communication Systems (such as sidelink, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi), Bluetooth, etc.), Wired Networks, Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication Systems, Device-to-Device (D2D) Communication Systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication Systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communication, Machine-Type Communication (MTC), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM / General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and Terrestrial Trunked Radio. radio (TETRA), wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), evolution data optimized (EV-DO), 1×EV-DO, EV-DO revision A, EV-DO revision B, high-rate packet data (HRPD), high-speed packet access (HSPA), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), evolved HSPA (HSPA+), Internet of Things (IoT), 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), LTE frequency division duplex (FDM).The following systems are not restricted: FDD (Fiber-DD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as NR systems), non-terrestrial networks (NTN), future evolution communication systems, or other similar communication systems.

[0144] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, Figure 2 The communication system shown in the figure is used as an example to describe in detail the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. The communication system is capable of communication, radio frequency sensing and / or positioning. The communication system may include at least one of the following components: terminal device 101, base station 102, satellite (also referred to as space vehicle) 103, access point (AP) 104, wireless device 105, network 106, network function server 107, and external client 108.

[0145] In some examples, the wireless device 105 may include a portable Wi-Fi device 105-1, a smartwatch (or wristband) 105-2, a vehicle 105-3, a mobile phone 105-4, a laptop computer 105-5, and other static communication / location devices.

[0146] Optionally, the positions of components such as base station 102, access point 104, or wireless device 105 in the aforementioned communication system can be fixed or movable.

[0147] like Figure 2 As shown, terminal device 101 can connect to base station 102 via communication link 110, thereby accessing network 106; correspondingly, terminal device 101 can communicate with other devices via network 106. Terminal device 101 can connect to wireless device 105 via communication link 120. Terminal device 101 can connect to access point 104 via communication link 130, thereby accessing network 106; correspondingly, terminal device 101 can communicate with other devices. These other devices can be any device connected to network 106, for example, other devices can be network function server 107.

[0148] Optionally, external client 108 can directly connect to network function server 107.

[0149] In the embodiments of this application, Figure 2 The communication system shown can realize communication between terminal device 101 and other devices, positioning of terminal device 101 and / or other devices, radio frequency sensing performed by terminal device 101, etc.

[0150] In some examples, any device in the communication system (e.g., wireless device 105) can estimate the location of terminal device 101 based on sensing signals received (and / or transmitted) by terminal device 101 and the known locations of other devices (e.g., satellites, base stations, access points) that transmit (and / or receive) the sensing signals. For example, wireless device 105 can estimate the location of terminal device 101 by sensing signals transmitted between terminal device 101 and wireless device 105; wherein the sensing signals may include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth signals, IEEE 802.11x (e.g., Wi-Fi), Ultra Wideband (UWB), and IEEE 802.15x.

[0151] In other examples, any device in the communication system can estimate the position of terminal device 101 based on non-sensory signals received (and / or transmitted) by terminal device 101 and the known position of other devices (e.g., cameras) that transmit (and / or receive) the non-sensory signals. The non-sensory signals may include, but are not limited to, infrared signals or other optical signals.

[0152] In other examples, devices in the communication system (e.g., terminal device 101, base station 102, satellite 103, or network function server 107) are capable of performing radio frequency sensing. For example, one or more devices in the communication system can achieve radio frequency sensing of a target object by transmitting (and / or receiving) sensing signals.

[0153] It should be understood that Figure 2 This is merely an example of a communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. The types of components, the quantity of each component, and the connection methods between components provided in this communication system are all replaceable, and this application does not impose any limitations. Furthermore, depending on the functions required in the actual communication scenario, the deployment positions of each component can be rearranged, combined, separated, replaced, and / or added or removed. For example, Figure 2 Only one terminal device 101 is shown, but in actual communication scenarios, the communication system can include multiple (e.g., hundreds, thousands, millions, etc.) terminal devices. For example, Figure 2The number of base stations 102 (or access points 104) listed is only one possible example; in actual communication scenarios, more or fewer base stations 102 (or access points 104) can be configured. For example, Figure 2 The connections between the various components shown include communication link 110, communication link 120 and communication link 130. The aforementioned communication links can be used for the transmission of data and signaling. In actual communication scenarios, the communication system may also include connections between other components. The connection methods include, but are not limited to, direct or indirect physical connections, wireless connections, connections through additional networks, etc.

[0154] The components involved in the aforementioned communication system will be explained below.

[0155] (1) Terminal device 101, also known as terminal, mobile device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, wireless terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. The terminal device typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The terminal device may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, transportation safety, smart home furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Among these, IoT is a crucial component of future information technology development. Its main technological characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby achieving intelligent networks that enable human-machine interconnection and machine-to-machine interconnection.

[0156] Terminal devices can include mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, mobile internet devices (MIDs), terminal devices in 5G networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs). Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Wearable smart devices in a broad sense include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for monitoring vital signs.

[0157] A terminal device can be any device that provides voice / data connectivity to a user, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity or an in-vehicle device. For example, a terminal device used in a vehicle can be called an in-vehicle terminal, which may be a transport vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, a communication module, or an on-board unit (OBU). In vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, the communication terminal mounted on a vehicle is a terminal device, and a roadside unit (RSU) can also be considered a terminal device. A drone carrying a communication terminal can also be considered a terminal device. For example, a terminal device can include a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile device. For instance, a terminal device can be a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc. Terminal devices may also include limited devices, such as devices with limited power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, terminal devices may be information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), or laser scanners.

[0158] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal can be the terminal itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0159] (2) Base station 102 can be a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a master eNodeB (MeNB), a secondary eNodeB (SeNB), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a WiFi system, a multistandard radio (MSR) node, or a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. Base station 102 can be a macro base station, a micro base station or indoor station, a relay node or donor node, an access node, a wireless node, a positioning node, a home base station, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, base station 102 can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle external connectivity technology can be a roadside unit. The base station 102 can communicate with the terminal device 101. All or part of the functions of the base station 102 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 base station 102 may also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The base station 102 may also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The base station 102 in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the base station 102.

[0160] Base station 102 can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a means of communicating with another base station. In some examples, base station 102 and terminal device 101 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites.

[0161] Optionally, base station 102 may include multiple TRPs; each TRP is associated with a different antenna, different antenna array, or different antenna panel of base station 102. The transmission function of the TRP may be performed by a transmission point (TP), and / or the reception function of the TRP may be performed by a reception point (RP), which may be physically separate from or different from the TP; that is, TRP may include both TP and RP.

[0162] In some examples, base station 102 can refer to a single physical transmission point or multiple co-located physical transmission points; the physical transmission points may include the base station's antenna array. In the case of beamforming in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, base station 102 may transmit different "beams" in different directions and perform "beam scanning"; correspondingly, signals can be transmitted through different beam directions.

[0163] In other examples, base station 102 may refer to multiple non-co-located physical transmission points. For example, a physical transmission point may be a distributed antenna system (DAS) that is connected to a spatially separated antenna network of a common source via a transmission medium. Another example is a remote radio head (RRH), which is a remote base station connected to the serving base station.

[0164] Optionally, multiple base stations 102 can cooperate to enable the terminal device 101 to achieve wireless access, with different base stations 102 each implementing some of the functions of a base station. For example, a base station 102 can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be set up separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0165] 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.

[0166] In the embodiments of this application, the base station 102 may be owned, maintained and / or operated by a cellular network provider; the base station 102 may employ various wireless technologies, which are not limited in this application.

[0167] In this application embodiment, the form of the base station is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the base station can be a base station itself; it can also be a device that supports the base station in implementing this function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the base station or used in conjunction with the base station. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete components.

[0168] (3) Satellite 103 may be a satellite in a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and / or an NTN satellite. GNSS includes global positioning system (GPS), Galileo, BeiDou, etc. In some examples, satellite 103 may be understood as a base station 102 of a specific form.

[0169] Satellite 103 can communicate with one or more base stations and / or one or more user equipment.

[0170] Satellite 103 can be used for communication positioning in one or more ways. For example, satellite 103 can be part of a GNSS system. Positioning using sensed signals from GNSS satellite 103 can include measuring multiple GNSS signals at a GNSS receiver on a mobile device to perform highly accurate positioning, such as carrier-based positioning. Alternatively or concurrently, satellite 103 can be used for NTN-based positioning; in other words, satellite 103 can functionally operate as a TRP for a network (e.g., LTE and / or NR networks). Specifically, reference signals transmitted by NTN satellite 103 are similar to those transmitted by base stations and are coordinated by a network function server, which can operate as a location server. In some implementations, satellite 103 used for NTN-based positioning can be different from those used for GNSS-based positioning. In some implementations, NTN nodes can include non-ground vehicles such as aircraft, balloons, drones, etc., which can supplement or replace NTN satellite 103. Radio frequency sensing can be further utilized using NTN satellite 103 and / or other NTN platforms.

[0171] (4) Access point 104 may include, but is not limited to, a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) access point, a Bluetooth access point, or an access point with cellular capabilities (e.g., 4G LTE, 5G NR, etc.). In some examples, access point 104 may be understood as a base station 102 of a specific form.

[0172] In some examples, access network 104 can work in conjunction with base station 102 to provide terminal device 101 with more comprehensive wireless coverage and a better user experience.

[0173] (5) Wireless device 105 may include mobile devices, base stations, access points, satellites, or any combination thereof. However, it is not limited to portable Wi-Fi 105-1, smartwatch (or wristband) 105-2, vehicle 105-3, mobile phone 105-4, laptop computer 105-5, and other static communication / positioning devices as illustrated in the figure.

[0174] (6) Network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination of both. For example, network 106 may be any combination of public network, private network, local area network, and wide area network, including but not limited to.

[0175] Furthermore, network 106 may utilize one or more wired and / or wireless communication technologies. In some implementations, the network may, for example, include cellular or other mobile networks, wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless wide-area networks (WWANs), and / or the Internet. Examples of network 106 include long-term evolution (LTE) wireless networks, fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks (also known as NR wireless networks or 5G NR wireless networks), Wi-Fi WLANs, and the Internet. LTE, 5G, and NR are wireless technologies defined or being defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.

[0176] (7) The network function server 107 may include one or more servers and / or other computing devices configured to provide network management and / or network auxiliary functions. For example, the location server may determine the location estimate of the mobile device and / or provide data (e.g., “auxiliary data”) to the mobile device 105 to facilitate location measurement and / or location determination by the mobile device. In some implementations, the location server may also include an enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) that uses a control plane (CP) location solution for LTE radio access of the mobile device to support the location of the mobile device. The location server may also include a location management function (LMF) that supports the location of the mobile device using the control plane location solution for NR or LTE radio access.

[0177] (8) External client 108 may be a web server or remote application associated with terminal device 101 (e.g., accessible to the user of terminal device 101), or a server, application, or computer system that provides location services to other users. This may include obtaining and providing the location of terminal device 101 (e.g., enabling services such as friend or relative finder, child or pet location). Additionally, external client 108 may obtain the location of terminal device 101 and provide it to emergency service providers, government agencies, etc.

[0178] This application involves radio frequency (RF) sensing of a target object. Therefore, based on the roles or functions of each component in the communication system during RF sensing, the communication system is simplified to a certain extent. The communication system may include one or more sensing nodes; based on the roles or functions of the sensing nodes, they can be divided into transmitters (or transmitters) and receivers (or receivers). A sensing node can be... Figure 2 The communication system includes a terminal device 101, a wireless device 105, etc. The target object can be, but is not limited to, a car, building, pedestrian, construction equipment, furniture, etc. The transmitting end of the sensing signal can send a sensing signal, and the receiving end of the sensing signal can receive the sensing signal and the reflected signal (or echo signal) obtained after the sensing signal is reflected by the target object. The receiving end of the sensing signal can identify the existence, position, movement, material, shape, speed, and other properties of the object by analyzing the attenuation or change of the signal before and after reflection.

[0179] Optionally, the radio frequency sensing process may also include a sensing server, which manages one or more sensing nodes. The sensing server can be... Figure 2 The network function server 107 in the communication system shown; the sensing server may include, but is not limited to, a sensing management function (SMF) network element or an LMF network element.

[0180] For example, a sensing server can coordinate and / or assist one or more sensing nodes in the system in radio frequency (RF) sensing of one or more target objects, including but not limited to coordinating sensing sessions generated during RF sensing. The sensing server can also provide data (or auxiliary data) to the sensing nodes to facilitate the transmission and / or measurement of sensing signals, thereby facilitating RF sensing of the target objects. In some examples, auxiliary data may be, but is not limited to, sensing signal configuration information, which indicates the available resources (time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources, etc.) during the transmission of sensing signals.

[0181] In this application embodiment, the same sensing node can play different roles in different application scenarios. Taking sensing node A as an example, during the radio frequency sensing of target object 1, sensing node A can act as the transmitter of the sensing signal, and during the radio frequency sensing of target object 2, sensing node A can act as the transmitter of the sensing signal. The signal received by the receiving end of the sensing signal can be understood as the reflected signal obtained by reflecting the sensing signal through the target object.

[0182] In some examples, the transmitter and receiver of the sensed signal are the same, such as... Figure 3a As shown; this radio frequency sensing mode is also called single-site sensing or active sensing.

[0183] In other examples, the transmitter and receiver of the sensed signal are different, such as... Figure 3b As shown; this radio frequency sensing mode is also called dual-station sensing or passive sensing. Figure 3b As shown, the transmitting end of the sensing signal is identified as sensing node 1, and the receiving end of the sensing signal is identified as sensing node 2. After sensing node 1 sends the sensing signal, part of it is reflected by the target object and received by sensing node 2. This part of the signal is also called the reflected signal of the sensing signal. The other part is received by sensing node 2 along the line of sight (LOS) path.

[0184] The radar equations are introduced below. Assume the transmitted power of the RF sensing signal is P. t The echo signal power is P r The distance between the transmitter and the target is R. t The distance between the receiver and the target object is R. r The radar cross-section of the target object is σ, and the effective area of ​​the receiving antenna is A. r If the antenna gain is G, then the basic form of the radar equation is:

[0185]

[0186] As can be seen, P r It is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, and related to P. t It is directly proportional to the radar cross-section σ. For distant targets and / or targets with a small radar cross-section σ, P r A low signal-to-noise ratio, or a low detection signal-to-noise ratio, can cause the target to be submerged in noise, leading to missed detections.

[0187] This application provides a communication method to achieve coherent or bonding processing of radio frequency sensing signals, thereby improving radio frequency sensing performance. The following describes the method in conjunction with... Figure 4 The technical solution of this application will be described in detail with specific method embodiments. This communication method can be implemented by a first device, a second device, and / or a third device; wherein, the third device can be used to manage the first device and / or the second device, the first device can be a transmitting device for sensing signals, the second device can be a receiving device for reflected signals corresponding to the sensing signals, and the third device can be a sensing server. For example, the first device and the second device can be the same device (e.g., Figure 3a (The sensing node in the process). For example, the first device and the second device can be different devices; the first device can be... Figure 3b The sensing node 1 in the middle, the second device can be Figure 3b Sensing node 2 in the example. In some examples, the sensing server and the device transmitting the sensing signal may be the same entity, meaning the sensing server can participate in radio frequency sensing as a sensing node. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the communication method may include the following S401 to S404:

[0188] S401: The first device acquires configuration information of the first configured time domain window (C-TDW), which is used to indicate the time domain position of the first C-TDW and is used to transmit the sensing signal of the target object.

[0189] In the embodiments of this application, transmission can be understood as sending or receiving.

[0190] In the embodiments of this application, the configuration time window can also be called the nominal time domain window (N-TDW), which is not limited here.

[0191] The embodiments of this application do not limit the method of indicating the time domain position of any TDW (including C-TDW). For example, the time domain position can be indicated by the time domain length of the first C-TDW and the identifier of the starting time domain position of the first C-TDW.

[0192] In the embodiments of this application, the time-domain unit used to identify the time-domain length of the time window related to radio frequency sensing may include, but is not limited to, absolute time, OFDM symbols, or time slots. In some examples, the first device, the second device, and / or the third device may pre-determine the time-domain unit used to identify the time-domain length.

[0193] For example, the aforementioned configuration information indicates that the time domain length of a C-TDW is 0.25 milliseconds (ms) (or 0.5ms, 1ms, 2ms), meaning that the C-TDW occupies 0.25ms. As another example, the aforementioned configuration information indicates that the time domain length of a C-TDW is three OFDM symbols, meaning that the C-TDW occupies three OFDM symbols. Yet another example, the aforementioned configuration information indicates that the time domain length of a C-TDW is four time slots, meaning that the C-TDW occupies four time slots. In the subsequent description of this application, time slots will be used as examples, but this does not constitute a limitation of this application. The implementation process of other time domain units can refer to the examples and descriptions of time slot lengths.

[0194] It should be understood that the symbol length of each OFDM symbol can be determined based on the reference subcarrier spacing (equal to...). Where μ refThe reference parameter set is used to determine the time slot; the time slot length of each time slot can be determined based on the reference subcarrier spacing. For example, when μ ref When μ = 0, the length of one time slot is 1 ms; when μ = 0, the length of one time slot is 1 ms. ref When = 1, the length of one time slot is 0.5ms.

[0195] Optionally, the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the sensing signal is 15.2. μ kHz, where μ ≥ μ ref .

[0196] Based on this, the first device, the second device, and the third device can also synchronize the configuration of the subcarrier interval. For example, the third device can send parameter set μ to the first device and the second device respectively.

[0197] In one possible design, the method by which the first device acquires the first C-TDW may include steps A1 to A3:

[0198] Step A1: The third device acquires the capability information of the first device, which includes information indicating the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity.

[0199] Optionally, the capability information of the first device may include a first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity.

[0200] In the embodiments of this application, the first maximum duration can be identified by X0; the time domain length of the first C-TDW can be identified by X1.

[0201] The first maximum duration can be the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity under a first tolerance level. In the embodiments of this application, the first maximum duration of the same device (e.g., the first device) can be different under different tolerance levels; for example, for the first device, the first maximum duration corresponding to tolerance level A is X0_A, and the first maximum duration corresponding to tolerance level B is X0_B. When tolerance level A is more lenient than tolerance level B, X0_A ≥ X0_B.

[0202] In the embodiments of this application, the tolerance level can be understood as the fluctuation level of the phase difference when transmitting sensing signals in different time slots. The calculation formula for the phase difference can refer to the commonly used calculation formulas in the art, and this application does not limit it. For example, the phase difference between the sensing signals transmitted in two adjacent time slots does not exceed 25 degrees. As another example, the maximum phase difference between the sensing signals transmitted in any two time slots does not exceed 30 degrees.

[0203] In some examples, when the capability information of the first device includes a first maximum duration, the third device determines that the first device can support transmitting sensing signals while maintaining phase continuity. In this case, the receiving device of the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal may perform binding processing (i.e., joint processing) on ​​the reflected signal to improve the radio frequency sensing performance of the target object. The binding processing methods include, but are not limited to, coherent processing. For example, a distance and velocity estimation algorithm for the target object based on two-dimensional FFT is one type of binding processing receiver. Conversely, when the capability information of the first device does not include a first maximum duration, the third device can understand that the first device does not support transmitting sensing signals while maintaining phase continuity. In this case, the receiving device can use incoherent processing / methods to achieve radio frequency sensing.

[0204] In some examples, the capability information includes a maximum duration sense signal binding (maxduration SeRS-bundling) field, in which the maximum duration can be carried.

[0205] In this embodiment, the capability information may be frequency band related. That is, the capability information (e.g., the first maximum duration) of the same device (e.g., the first device) may differ under different frequency bands. Optionally, the capability information may also include frequency band indication information, which is used to indicate the frequency band corresponding to the capability information. In this embodiment, the capability information may be frequency band combination (BC). That is, the capability information (e.g., the first maximum duration) of the same device (e.g., the first device) may differ under different frequency band combinations.

[0206] For example, the first maximum duration of the first device in 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) is 16 ms, and the first maximum duration of the first device in 3.5 GHz is 12 ms.

[0207] Optionally, the capability information of the first device may also include other capabilities (described later).

[0208] Optionally, the third device may obtain the capability information of the first device by: the first device sending its own capability information to the third device; correspondingly, the third device may receive capability information from the first device. Based on this, before executing step A1, the third device may also send a first capability query request to the first device, the first capability query request being used to request the first device's capability to maintain phase continuity. In some examples, the first capability query information may include indication information for indicating a first tolerance level, so that the first maximum duration in the capability information reported by the first device is determined based on the first tolerance level. In some examples, the first tolerance level is predefined.

[0209] Step A2: The third device determines the configuration information of at least one C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device, such as the duration or length of the C-TDW. The at least one C-TDW includes a first C-TDW. That is, the third device configures at least one C-TDW.

[0210] In single-station sensing mode, where the first device is both the transmitter of the sensing signal and the receiver of the corresponding reflected signal, the third device can configure the C-TDW with reference to / based on the capabilities of the first device. In some examples, X1 is less than or equal to X0.

[0211] In dual-station sensing mode, where the first device is a transmitter of the sensing signal and the second device is a receiver of the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal, the third device can configure at least one C-TDW with reference to / based on the capabilities of the first and second devices. Accordingly, the process by which the third device determines the configuration information of at least one C-TDW may include steps A2-1 and A2-2:

[0212] Step A2-1: The third device acquires the capability information of the second device, which includes information indicating the ability of the second device to maintain phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal. It should be understood that the method by which the third device acquires the capability information of the second device can refer to the method by which the third device acquires the capability information of the first device in step A1 above; some identical examples will not be described again.

[0213] Optionally, the capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following: a second maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity.

[0214] In this embodiment of the application, the second maximum duration can be identified by X0'.

[0215] The second maximum duration can be the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity at the second tolerance level.

[0216] Optionally, the third device may acquire the capability of the second device by sending its capability information to the third device; correspondingly, the third device may receive capability information from the second device. Based on this, before executing step A2-1, the third device may also send a second capability query request to the second device, which requests the acquisition of the first device's capability to maintain phase continuity. In some examples, the second capability query information may include indication information for indicating a second tolerance level, so that the second maximum duration in the capability information reported by the second device is determined based on the second tolerance level.

[0217] Step A2-2: The third device determines the configuration information of at least one C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device and the capability information of the second device.

[0218] In one possible design, the process by which the third device determines the configuration information of at least one C-TDW can be divided into the following two parts:

[0219] In the first part, the third device determines the time domain length corresponding to any one of the at least one C-TDWs, such as the number of time slots.

[0220] In the embodiments of this application, the time domain length of each C-TDW in the at least one C-TDW configured by the third device may be the same or different, and this application does not impose any limitation. For example, if the time domain length of each C-TDW in the at least one C-TDW configured by the third device is 4, then X1 = 4. As another example, if the time domain length of some C-TDWs in the at least one C-TDW configured by the third device is 2 time slots, and the time domain length of another part of the C-TDWs is 6 time slots, then X1 = 2 or X1 = 6. To simplify the description of the following embodiments, the examples provided in this application are described with the same time domain length of the C-TDWs, but this does not constitute a limitation of this application; that is, the time domain length of each C-TDW in at least one C-TDW is X1.

[0221] For example, in single-station sensing mode, step A2 may specifically include: the third device can determine the time domain length of at least one C-TDW based on the first maximum duration. For example, assuming the first maximum duration is 8 time slots, i.e., X0 = 8, then if the time domain length of any one of the at least C-TDWs is less than or equal to X0, then X1 ≤ 8.

[0222] For example, in the dual-station sensing mode, step A2-2 may specifically include: the third device can determine the time domain length of at least one C-TDW based on the first maximum duration and the second maximum duration. For instance, assuming the first maximum duration is 8 time slots, i.e., X0 = 8, and the second maximum duration is 6 time slots, then if the time domain length of any one of the at least C-TDWs is less than or equal to X0 and less than or equal to X0', then X1 ≤ 6.

[0223] It should be understood that, under normal circumstances, X0, X0', and X1 use the same time-domain unit.

[0224] In the second part, the third device determines the identification information of the time-domain resources corresponding to the starting positions of at least one C-TDW, such as the identification information of a time slot. For example, this process may include steps 1 to 3.

[0225] Step 1: The third device can also acquire time-frequency resource information occupied by the sensing signal; the first device can determine the duration of the sensing signal transmission based on this time-frequency resource information. In one example, the duration can be the interval (identified by Y0) between the start position and the end position of the sensing signal transmission.

[0226] In this embodiment, the sensing signal of the target object can be understood as all sensing signals required for radio frequency sensing of the target object, while the sensing signal transmitted within the aforementioned first C-TDW can be a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object. In this embodiment, the sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object is part or all of the sensing signal of the target object.

[0227] Step 2: The third device can divide the duration of the sensing signal transmission into multiple continuous segments based on the value of Y0 and the value of the time domain length (e.g., X0) of at least one C-TDW; that is, the third device can determine multiple C-TDWs.

[0228] When Y0 is an integer multiple of X1 (i.e., Y0 is divisible by X1), the third device can divide the duration of the sensing signal transmission into Y0 / X1 segments, thus obtaining Y0 / X1 C-TDWs. (Reference) Figure 5 Assuming Y0 = 16 and X1 = 4, the third device can identify four C-TDWs, labeled TDW1, TDW2, TDW3, and TDW4 respectively. The first C-TDW can be any one of the aforementioned four C-TDWs.

[0229] When Y0 is not an integer multiple of X1 (i.e., Y0 is not divisible by X1), the third device can divide the duration of the sensing signal transmission into ceil(Y0 / X1) segments (or floor(Y0 / X1) + 1 segments), thus obtaining ceil(Y0 / X1) C-TDWs. In this case, one of these ceil(Y0 / X1) C-TDWs may have a time domain length that is not X1 (e.g., less than X1). This application does not limit the location configuration method (e.g., start or end) of the C-TDW with this special time domain length in the entire time domain resource; the third device can agree on this location configuration method in advance with the sensing nodes (including but not limited to the first device). Here, ceil(Y0 / X1) represents rounding up Y0 / X1, and floor(Y0 / X1) represents rounding down Y0 / X1. For example, assuming Y0 = 18 and X1 = 4, the third device can determine five C-TDWs, with the first four C-TDWs having a time domain length of 4 and the last C-TDW having a time domain length of 2. This application does not elaborate on the implementation process of this example, but reference can be made to the implementation processes of other embodiments.

[0230] Step 3: The third device determines the time slot identification information of the starting position of each C-TDW in at least one C-TDW.

[0231] Still referencing Figure 5 The 16 time slots are identified as 1 to 16. The time slot at the start of the first C-TDW is identified as 1, the time slot at the start of the second C-TDW is identified as 5, the time slot at the start of the first C-TDW is identified as 9, and the time slot at the start of the first C-TDW is identified as 13.

[0232] Step A3: The third device sends configuration information for at least one C-TDW to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives configuration information for at least one C-TDW from the third device. For example, the third device sends configuration information for a first C-TDW to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives configuration information for the first C-TDW from the third device.

[0233] In some examples, configuration information for at least one C-TDW may be carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message, downlink control information (DCI), or medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) instruction. For example, configuration information for at least one C-TDW may be carried in the time domain window length field of any of the aforementioned messages.

[0234] Referring to the methods shown in steps A1 to A3 above, in this embodiment of the application, the third device can send a capability query request to multiple sensing nodes (including but not limited to the first device and the second device) to obtain capability information corresponding to the multiple sensing nodes respectively; the third device can also select the sensing node (the first device and / or the second device) required for radio frequency sensing of the target object from the multiple nodes based on the capability information corresponding to the multiple sensing nodes respectively, and the specific selection process is not limited in this application.

[0235] In another possible design, the method by which the first device obtains the first C-TDW may include: the first device determining the configuration information of at least one C-TDW based on its capability information; the at least one C-TDW includes the first C-TDW. For example, when the first device does not receive the configuration information of at least one C-TDW from the third device, the first device can determine the configuration information of the at least one C-TDW itself. This process can be referred to step A2 above and will not be repeated here.

[0236] S402: The first device transmits the sensing signal of the target object within the first C-TDW according to the configuration information of the first C-TDW.

[0237] For example, after the first device acquires the configuration information of the first C-TDW, it transmits a sensing signal on the time-domain resources corresponding to the first C-TDW. (Referring to...) Figure 5 Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW2, the first device can transmit sensing signals on time slot resources identified as time slot 5 to 8.

[0238] S403: The receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal receives the reflected signal in the first C-TDW. The reflected signal is obtained after the sensing signal sent by the first device in S402 is reflected by the target object.

[0239] For example, such as Figure 4As shown, in single-station sensing mode, the receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal is also the first device; in dual-station sensing mode, the receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal is the second device.

[0240] S404: The receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal can determine the sensing result of the target object based on the reflected signal received in the first C-TDW.

[0241] Assuming that the first device can maintain phase continuity within the first C-TDW, and the receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal can also maintain phase continuity within the first C-TDW, the receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal can perform binding processing on the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal. For example, the receiving device corresponding to the reflected signal can perform coherent processing on the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal received within the first C-TDW, such as performing distance and Doppler estimation based on the 2D-FFT algorithm.

[0242] By employing the schemes shown in S401 to S404, the C-TDW enables the transmitting device (e.g., the first device) and receiving device (e.g., the second device) to reach a consensus, clearly defining the range for maintaining phase continuity and avoiding losses caused by misalignment. For example, assuming the X0 corresponding to the transmitting device and the X0' corresponding to the receiving device are different, without the C-TDW, the transmitting device might maintain phase continuity based on X0, and correspondingly, the receiving device might perform binding processing based on X0'. When X0' is smaller than X0, it is unnecessary for the transmitting device to maintain phase continuity based on X0. Furthermore, by reasonably designing the size and position of the C-TDW, a good trade-off can be achieved between sensing performance and implementation complexity. In addition, at the boundaries of the C-TDW, the transmitting and receiving devices can also perform frequency offset error correction, timing correction, power control, etc.

[0243] In some examples, the sensing signal transmitted by the first device in S402 is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; in other words, the sensing signal transmitted by the first device in S402 is a subset of the sensing signal of the target object. Correspondingly, the reflected signal received by the receiving device in S403 is a sub-signal of all reflected signals corresponding to the target object.

[0244] The transmitting device (e.g., the first device) and the receiving device (e.g., the second device) can transmit sensing signals within multiple C-TDWs (including the first C-TDW); accordingly, the implementation process of S404 may include the following S405 to S408 (not shown in the figure).

[0245] S405: The first device acquires the configuration information of the second C-TDW corresponding to the sensing signal of the target object. The configuration information of the second C-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the second C-TDW. It should be understood that the time domain size of the second C-TDW may be the same as or different from that of the first C-TDW, and this application does not limit it. S405 can refer to the communication method of S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0246] In some examples, S401 and S405 can be executed together. For example, at least one C-TDW in the aforementioned steps A1 to A3 may include a first C-TDW and a second C-TDW; that is, the third device may send the configuration information of the second C-TDW to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration information of the second C-TDW from the third device.

[0247] S406: The first device transmits a sensing signal on the second C-TDW according to the configuration information of the second C-TDW. The communication method of S406 can be referred to in S402, and will not be repeated here.

[0248] S407: The receiving device receives the reflected signal within the second C-TDW. This reflected signal is obtained after the sensing signal sent by the first device in S406 is reflected by the target object. S407 can refer to the communication method of S403, and will not be repeated here.

[0249] S408: The receiving device can determine the sensing result of the target object based on the reflected signal received in the first C-TDW and the reflected signal received in the second C-TDW.

[0250] Assuming that the first device and the receiving device can maintain phase continuity within the second C-TDW, the receiving device can perform binding processing on the reflected signals received within the second C-TDW. This application does not limit the specific implementation method by which the receiving device determines the sensing result of the target object based on the binding processing results corresponding to the reflected signals within different C-TDWs. For example, the receiving device can average the binding processing results corresponding to the reflected signals within multiple C-TDWs to determine the sensing result of the target object. Alternatively, the receiving device can perform a weighted average of the binding processing results corresponding to the reflected signals within multiple C-TDWs according to the weights of each C-TDW (e.g., the weights are determined based on the length of each C-TDW) to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0251] Conversely, if the first device cannot maintain phase continuity within the second C-TDW, or the receiving device cannot maintain phase continuity within the second C-TDW, then the receiving device can process the reflected signals received within the second C-TDW separately (e.g., incoherent processing).

[0252] In some scenarios, the radio frequency sensing process may require the first device (and / or the second device) to process other events, some of which may cause the phase continuity of the device (first device or second device) to be lost. In this application embodiment, such events are referred to as "first events." It should be understood that "first events" refers to a class of events that may cause the phase continuity of the device to be lost, rather than a specific event that has already occurred.

[0253] Optionally, the sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event may include, but is not limited to, any of the following: the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the first device does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; the frequency domain resources corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the spatial relations corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different (e.g., beam switching will cause a change in the spatial relations); the transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; the power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different.

[0254] In the embodiments of this application, "the frequency domain resources occupied by two adjacent sub-signals are different" can be understood as: different frequency domain sizes and / or different frequency domain positions, which is not limited in this application.

[0255] In the embodiments of this application, non-sensor signals include, but are not limited to, uplink communication signals, downlink communication signals, or sidelink communication signals. For example, non-sensor signals can be any of the following: physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) messages, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) messages, sounding reference signals (SRS) messages, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) messages, synchronization signal blocks (SSB) messages, and downlink control information (DCI) messages.

[0256] Based on the foregoing explanation of the first event, assuming that the first event occurs within the first C-TDW in the communication methods shown in S401 to S404, the first device will be unable to maintain phase continuity within the first C-TDW, which will cause performance loss to radio frequency sensing.

[0257] Optionally, the first event may occupy a portion of the time domain, or it may not occupy a portion of the time domain, or it may occupy a shorter portion of the time domain. For example, assuming the first event is the transmission of a non-sensing signal by the first device (or the second device), then the non-sensing signal needs to be transmitted between two adjacent sub-signals, and the first event occupies a portion of the time domain. As another example, assuming the first event is the beam-switching operation performed by the first device (or the second device), then the spatial relationship between two adjacent sub-signals changes, but the first event does not occupy a portion of the time domain, or it occupies a shorter portion of the time domain.

[0258] In this embodiment, the first event occupying a time-domain location is also referred to as a gap event. When a gap event exists, the first device may not be able to maintain phase continuity. In this embodiment, this method of transmitting sensing signals with discontinuous time-domain locations can be called non-back-to-back (NonB2B) SeRS transmission. In this embodiment, when the first event does not occupy a time-domain location, it can be understood that the start and end positions of the first event are (approximately) the same.

[0259] Based on this, the capability information of the first device in step A1 may further include first capability information, which indicates that the first device supports the transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations. In some examples, the capability information includes a SeRS-bundling non-back to back TX field, and the first capability information may be carried in this SeRS-bundling non-back to back TX field.

[0260] In this application embodiment, "re-maintaining phase continuity and transmitting sensing signals after a first event occurs within a C-TDW" is referred to as SeRS binding restart; that is, the sensing node (e.g., the first device) supports re-maintaining phase continuity and transmitting sub-signals of sensing signals after the first event ends in any C-TDW (e.g., the first C-TDW).

[0261] Based on this, the capability information of the first device in step A1 may also include second capability information, which indicates that the first device supports re-phase continuous transmission of the sensing signal sub-signal after the first event ends. In some examples, the capability information includes a SeRS bundling restart field, and the second capability information may be carried in this SeRS bundling restart field.

[0262] Similarly, in step A2-1 above, the capability information of the second device may also include third capability information and / or fourth capability information. The third capability information is used to indicate that the second device supports transmitting sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations; the fourth capability information is used to indicate that the second device supports resuming the transmission of sub-signals of sensing signals while maintaining phase continuity after the first event ends.

[0263] For example, in Figure 5 Based on the example diagram of time-domain resource allocation shown, Figure 6 An example diagram of resource allocation is provided for the case where a first event exists.

[0264] refer to Figure 6 Assuming that time slot 2 is used for the transmission of non-sensing signals, there is a first event in time slot 2; correspondingly, the sensing signal sub-signal transmitted in time slot 1 is phase-discontinuous with the sensing signal sub-signal transmitted in time slots 3-4; furthermore, the receiver cannot perform binding processing on the reflected signals corresponding to the sensing signals transmitted in time slots 1 and 3-4, which will cause performance loss for radio frequency sensing.

[0265] Still referencing Figure 6 Suppose that a power switch occurs at the time node between time slot 10 and time slot 11, that is, there is a first event between time slot 10 and time slot 11; accordingly, the sensing signal transmitted on time slots 9-10 is phase discontinuous with the sensing signal transmitted on time slots 11-12; furthermore, the receiver cannot perform binding processing on the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal transmitted on time slots 9-12, which will cause performance loss for radio frequency sensing.

[0266] Based on the communication methods shown in S401 to S404, in the event of a first event occurring within the first C-TDW, the sensing node cannot maintain phase continuity within the first C-TDW, which causes performance loss for radio frequency sensing. To minimize this loss, embodiments of this application also provide a communication method that can be executed after S401 of the aforementioned communication method. The following, in conjunction with the appendix... Figure 7 The technical solution will be described in detail with reference to specific method embodiments. The communication method may include the following S701.

[0267] S701: The first device maintains phase continuity within a first actual time window (A-TDW) for transmitting the first sensing signal; that is, the first event occurs within the first C-TDW and does not occur within the first A-TDW. Here, the first A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW.

[0268] In some scenarios, when there is no first event in a certain C-TDW, it can be understood that the C-TDW contains only one A-TDW, and the time domain length of the C-TDW is the same as the length of the A-TDW.

[0269] In some examples, the first sensing signal sent by the first device in S701 is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0270] Optionally, the first device may also send configuration information of the first A-TDW to the second device. The configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time-domain location of the first A-TDW. In some examples, the configuration information of the first A-TDW is also used to indicate the processing method of the sensing signals within the first A-TDW, that is, to indicate whether the reflected signals corresponding to the sensing signals within the first A-TDW can be bound and processed.

[0271] Optionally, the first device supports transmitting sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations. In this case, the capability information of the first device in step A1 may include first capability information. For example, suppose the first event occupies a portion of the time-domain location (refer to...). Figure 8a and Figure 8b As shown in the example diagram of time-domain resource allocation, the time-domain location of the sensing signal may be discontinuous; therefore, the first device can execute S701 on the premise that it is determined that the first device supports the transmission of sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations.

[0272] In one possible design, the first device can also perform a first event, and the communication method can also include S702:

[0273] S702: The first device (or the second device) may also perform the first event within the first C-TDW.

[0274] Assuming the first event is the transmission of a non-sensing signal, then the first device (or the second device) transmits the non-sensing signal within the first C-TDW. (See reference) Figure 8a The first device can transmit the non-sensing signal in time slot 2; Reference Figure 8bThe first device can transmit the non-sensing signal in the time slot marked as 1.

[0275] The following is through Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8c The temporal resource allocation example diagram shown illustrates the temporal resource allocation method in the first C-TDW where the first event exists.

[0276] refer to Figure 8a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW1 in the figure, and the first event occupies the time slot marked as 2 in TDW1, then the first A-TDW in S701 can be TDW1-1 or TDW1-2.

[0277] refer to Figure 8b Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW2 in the diagram, and the first event occupies the time slot marked as 1 in TDW2, then the first A-TDW in S701 can be TDW2-1.

[0278] refer to Figure 8c Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW3 in the figure, the first event does not occupy a time domain position, and the first event is located at the time node between the time slot with time slot identifier 2 and the time slot with time slot identifier 3, then the first A-TDW in S701 can be TDW3-1 or TDW3-2.

[0279] In some examples, the third device can also acquire a first event that may exist within the first C-TDW and the temporal resources occupied by the first event within the first C-TDW; correspondingly, the third device can also send indication information to the first device (and / or the second device) to enable the first device (and / or the second device) to determine the location of the A-TDW based on the indication information. For example, the first device receives indication information A from the third device, which indicates the temporal resources occupied by the first event within the first C-TDW; in this case, the first event indicated by indication information A includes the first event on the first device side and may also include the first event on the second device side. As another example, the second device can also receive indication information B from the third device, which indicates the temporal resources occupied by the first event within the first C-TDW; in this case, the first event indicated by indication information B includes the first event on the second device side and may also include the first event on the first device side.

[0280] It should be understood that in dual-station sensing mode, the binding processing of the reflected signal of the sensed signal within the same time window can only be achieved if both the first and second devices can maintain phase continuity within that time window. Conversely, if either the first or second device cannot maintain phase continuity within the time window, then maintaining phase continuity for the other device will be meaningless. Using the aforementioned scheme, the first device can accurately obtain the time-domain resources occupied by the first event through indication information A, avoiding the loss of radio frequency sensing performance caused by differing judgments of the first and second devices regarding the first event. Similarly, the second device can accurately obtain the time-domain resources occupied by the first event through indication information B, avoiding the loss of radio frequency sensing performance caused by differing judgments of the first and second devices regarding the first event.

[0281] In one possible design, the first C-TDW may include at least two A-TDWs, and the communication method may also include the following S703.

[0282] S703: The first device maintains phase continuity within the second A-TDW where the second sensing signal is transmitted; that is, the first event does not exist within the second A-TDW; the second A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW. The phases of the first A-TDW and the second A-TDW are discontinuous. Accordingly, the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal transmitted within the first A-TDW can be processed by binding, and the reflected signal corresponding to the second sensing signal transmitted within the second A-TDW can be processed by binding; the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal cannot be processed by binding with the second sensing signal. Even so, compared to a scheme where all sensing signals within the first C-TDW cannot be processed by binding, the schemes shown in S701 to S703 can maximize the range of binding processing within the first C-TDW and improve sensing performance.

[0283] For example, the first A-TDW is Figure 8a In TDW1-1, the second A-TDW is Figure 8a TDW1-2 in the middle; the first TDW is Figure 8c TDW3-1 in the middle, the second A-TDW is Figure 8c TDW3-2 in the middle.

[0284] In some examples, the second sensing signal sent by the first device in S702 is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object.

[0285] Optionally, the first device may also send configuration information of the second A-TDW to the second device. The configuration information of the second A-TDW is used to indicate the time-domain location of the second A-TDW. In some examples, the configuration information of the second A-TDW is also used to indicate the processing method of the sensing signals within the second A-TDW, that is, to indicate whether the reflected signals corresponding to the sensing signals within the second A-TDW can be bound and processed.

[0286] Optionally, before executing S703, the first device may determine that the first device supports resuming phase-continuous transmission of the sensing signal after the first event ends; in this case, the capability information of the first device in step A1 may include second capability information.

[0287] In some examples, the first device does not support resuming phase-continuous transmission of the sensing signal after the first event has ended. (See reference) Figure 8a The first device can maintain phase continuity within TDW1-1 (first A-TDW), but does not maintain phase continuity within TDW1-2 (second A-TDW). (Reference) Figure 8b The first device does not maintain phase continuity within TDW2-1. (Reference) Figure 8c The first device can maintain phase continuity within TDW3-1 (first A-TDW), and the first device does not maintain phase continuity within TDW3-2 (second A-TDW).

[0288] It should be understood that the first event in S702 occurs between the first A-TDW and the second A-TDW, and the execution order of S701 and S703 can be interchanged; this application does not impose any limitation on this. That is, when the first A-TDW precedes the second A-TDW, the first event exists after the termination of the first A-TDW and before the start of the second A-TDW, and the phase of the first device at the termination time of the first A-TDW is discontinuous with the phase at the start time of the second A-TDW; when the first A-TDW follows the second A-TDW, the first event exists after the termination of the second A-TDW and before the start of the first A-TDW, and the phase of the first device at the start time of the first A-TDW is discontinuous with the phase at the termination time of the second A-TDW.

[0289] Based on the communication methods shown in S701 to S703 above, the following will be conducted through... Figure 9a The illustrated time-domain resource allocation example diagram describes the process by which the first device transmits a sensing signal within the first C-TDW. (Reference) Figure 9aGiven Y0 = 20 and X1 = 4, the temporal domain resources of the target object's sensing signal can be divided into five C-TDWs, identified as TDW1, TDW2, TDW3, TDW4, and TDW5. TDW1 can include TDW1-1 and TDW1-2, TDW2 can include TDW2-1 and TDW2-2, TDW3 can include TDW3-1, TDW4 can include TDW4-1, and TDW5 can include TDW5-1 and TDW5-2. The following examples illustrate the relationship between one or more A-TDWs within the first C-TDW and the first event:

[0290] Example 1: If the starting position of the first first event is the same as the starting position of the first C-TDW, then the starting position of the first A-TDW is the first time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal after the ending position of the first first event. Further, if there is no second first event, then the ending position of the first A-TDW is the ending position of the first C-TDW; otherwise, the ending position of the first A-TDW is the last time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal before the second first event. (Reference) Figure 9a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW4, and the starting position of the first event is the same as the starting position of TDW4, then the starting position of TDW4-1 is the first time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal after the ending position of the first event. In the absence of a second first event, the ending position of TDW4 is the same as the ending position of TDW4-1. (Reference) Figure 9a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW5, and the TDW includes two first events (occupying time slots labeled 17 and 19 respectively), the starting position of the first event is the same as the starting position of TDW5. Therefore, the starting position of TDW5-1 is the first time domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals after the ending position of the first first event. Since there is a second first event, the ending position of TDW5-1 is the last time domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals before the second first event. The starting position of TDW5-2 is the first time domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals after the ending position of the second first event, and the ending time of TDW5-2 is the same as the ending time of TDW5.

[0291] Example 2: If the starting position of the first event is different from the starting position of the first C-TDW, then the starting position of the first A-TDW is the starting position of the first C-TDW, and the ending position of the first A-TDW is the last time-domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals before the first event. (Reference) Figure 9a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW2, the starting position of TDW2-1 is the starting position of TDW2, and the ending position of TDW2-1 is the last time-domain resource used to transmit the sensing signal before the first event.

[0292] Example 3: If the end position of the last first event is the same as the end position of the first C-TDW, then the end position of the last A-TDW is the last time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal before the last first event. Further, if the first C-TDW includes only one first event, then the start position of the last A-TDW is the start position of the C-TDW; otherwise, the start position of the last A-TDW is the first time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal after the end position of the penultimate first event. (Reference) Figure 9a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW3, the end position of TDW3-1 is the last time-domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals before the last first event; since TDW3 includes only one first event, the start position of TDW3-1 is the start position of TDW3. In some examples, Figure 9a Any C-TDW can be replaced with Figure 9b The example time window configuration is shown in the image; see reference. Figure 9b Assume the first C-TDW is TDW6 (occupying time slots labeled x1, x2, x3, and x4), TDW6 includes two first events (occupying time slots labeled x1, x3, and x4 respectively), and the last A-TDW is TDW6-1. The starting position of TDW6-1 is the first time domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals after the ending position of the first first event, and the ending position of TDW6-1 is the last time domain resource used for transmitting sensing signals before the second first event; that is, TDW6-1 occupies the time slot labeled x2.

[0293] Example 4: If the end position of the last first event is different from the end position of the first C-TDW, then the start position of the last A-TDW is the first time-domain resource used for transmitting the sensing signal after the end position of the last first event, and the end position of the last A-TDW is the end position of the first C-TDW. (Reference) Figure 9a Assuming the first C-TDW is TDW4, and the end position of the last first event is different from the end position of TDW4, then the start position of TDW4-1 is the first time-domain resource used to transmit the sensing signal after the end position of the last first event, and the end position of TDW4-1 is the end position of TDW4.

[0294] Example 5: An A-TDW not mentioned in Examples 1 through 4 above can be located between two adjacent events. (See reference) Figure 9a Assume the first C-TDW is TDW5, and TDW5-1 is located between the two first events.

[0295] If the first device supports re-transmitting the sensing signal in phase continuity after the first event ends, then the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal transmitted in each A-TDW divided within the first C-TDW can be bound and processed; if the first device does not support re-transmitting the sensing signal in phase continuity after the first event ends, then the following two cases are explained.

[0296] Scenario 1: When the starting position of the first event within the first C-TDW is the same as the starting position of the first C-TDW, the reflected signals transmitted within the A-TDW within the first C-TDW cannot be bound and processed. For example, the reflected signals transmitted within TDW4-1 cannot be bound and processed. Similarly, the reflected signals transmitted within TDW5-1 and TDW5-2 cannot be bound and processed.

[0297] Scenario 2: When the starting position of the first event within the first C-TDW differs from the starting position of the first C-TDW, reflected signals transmitted within the first A-TDW within the first C-TDW can be processed by binding, while reflected signals transmitted within other positions within the first C-TDW cannot. For example, reflected signals transmitted within TDW1-1 can be processed by binding, but reflected signals transmitted within TDW1-2 cannot. Similarly, reflected signals transmitted within TDW2-1 can be processed by binding, but reflected signals transmitted within TDW2-2 cannot. And again, reflected signals transmitted within TDW3-1 can be processed by binding.

[0298] In some possible examples, based on the communication methods shown in S701 to S703 above, the first device can configure information to indicate the time-domain location and / or processing method corresponding to the multiple sensing signal sub-signals respectively.

[0299] Optionally, the configuration information may include a sensing signal sub-signal processing method indication field, which is used to indicate the processing method corresponding to the sensing signal sub-signal.

[0300] In some examples, transmitting the sensing signal of the target object requires time domain resources of Y0 time slots, and the processing method indication field occupies Y0-1 bits.

[0301] Combination Figure 9a The example diagram of time domain resource allocation shows that transmitting the sensing signal of the target object requires 20 time domain resources. The processing method indication field can occupy 19 bits. The 19 bits are used to indicate the processing method of the sensing signal from the 2nd to the 20th time slot. When the value of the nth bit is 1, it means that the reflected signal transmitted in the (n+1)th time slot and the nth time slot can be bound together for processing.

[0302] Assuming the first device supports resuming continuous phase transmission of the sensing signal after the first event, the value of the processing method indicator field can be "1010001011000110000". The bit order is explained below:

[0303] 1. “101” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 1 and time slot identifier 2 in TDW1 can be bound together for processing, the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 2 and time slot identifier 3 cannot be bound together for processing, and the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 3 and time slot identifier 4 can be bound together for processing.

[0304] 2. “0001” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 5 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 4 of TDW1 cannot be bound together for processing; the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 7 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 5 of TDW2 cannot be bound together for processing; the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 7 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 8 of TDW2 can be bound together for processing.

[0305] 3. “0110” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 9 of TDW3 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 8 of TDW2 cannot be bound together for processing, but the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 9 to 11 of TDW3 can be bound together for processing.

[0306] 4. “0011” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 14 of TDW4 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 11 of TDW3 cannot be bound together for processing, but the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 14 to 16 of TDW4 can be bound together for processing.

[0307] 5. “0000” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 18 of TDW5 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 16 of TDW4 cannot be processed together. The reflected signals transmitted in time slots 18 and 20 of TDW5 need to be processed separately, that is, they cannot be processed together.

[0308] The following explains the case where the first device does not support restarting and continuously transmits sensing signals while maintaining phase after the first event ends. Figure 9a Based on the temporal resource allocation example diagram shown, this application also provides Figure 9c The diagram shows an example of time-domain resource allocation. Figure 9c The reflected signals transmitted in the A-TDWs (TDW1-1 and TDW3-1) identified in the code can be processed in a bundle, while the remaining time slots are the time slots corresponding to the first event or the time slots where the reflected signals need to be processed separately.

[0309] Assuming the first device does not support restarting and continuously transmitting sensing signals while maintaining phase after the first event, the value of the processing method indicator field can be "1000000011000000000". The bit order is explained below:

[0310] 1. "100" indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 1 and time slot identifier 2 in TDW1 can be processed together, while the reflected signals transmitted in other time slot identifiers (such as 3 or 4) need to be processed separately.

[0311] 2. “0000” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in TDW2 (time slot identifiers 5 to 8) all need to be processed separately;

[0312] 3. “0110” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 9 to 11 in TDW3 can be bundled and processed, while the reflected signals transmitted in other time slots (e.g., 12) need to be processed separately.

[0313] 4. “0000” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in TDW4 (time slot identifiers 13 to 16) all need to be processed separately;

[0314] 5. “0000” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in TDW5 (time slot identifiers 17 to 20) all need to be processed separately.

[0315] In one possible design, the time-domain positions of the first C-TDW and the second C-TDW are continuous, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap. The communication method may also include the following S704.

[0316] S704: The first device maintains phase continuity within the third A-TDW during which the third sensing signal is transmitted; the third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW; the first event does not exist within the third A-TDW. Optionally, the first event exists within the second C-TDW.

[0317] When the time-domain positions of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are continuous, the first device can maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0318] It should be understood that the first device can decide on its own whether to configure itself to maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW; or, the sensing server can indicate via a message or pre-agreed upon (e.g., a standard protocol) whether to maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW. In the case of indication via a message by the sensing server, the sensing server can also send the message to the sensing receiving node or have it relayed to the sensing receiving node by the sensing transmitting node.

[0319] Similarly, the third device can decide on its own whether to configure itself to maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW; or, the sensing server can indicate through messages or pre-agreed (such as a standard protocol) whether to maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0320] Generally, if the time domain position of the first C-TDW precedes the time domain position of the second C-TDW, then the continuity of the time domain positions of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW requires that: the end position of the first A-TDW is the same as the end position of the first C-TDW, and the start position of the third A-TDW is the same as the start position of the second C-TDW; or, if the time domain position of the first C-TDW follows the time domain position of the second C-TDW, then the continuity of the time domain positions of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW requires that: the start position of the first A-TDW is the same as the start position of the first C-TDW, and the end position of the third A-TDW is the same as the end position of the second C-TDW.

[0321] Still combined Figure 9a The temporal resource allocation example diagram shown illustrates the temporal positional relationship between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0322] In some examples, the first C-TDW is TDW1, the second C-TDW is TDW2, then the first A-TDW can be TDW1-2, and the third A-TDW can be TDW2-1.

[0323] In some other examples, the first C-TDW is TDW3, the second TDW is TDW2, then the first A-TDW can be TDW3-1, and the third A-TDW can be TDW2-2.

[0324] Optionally, the third sensing signal sent by the first device in S703 is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object.

[0325] Optionally, the first device may also send configuration information of the third A-TDW to the second device; wherein the configuration information of the third A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the third A-TDW.

[0326] Optionally, the first device may also send first indication information to the second device; and / or, the first device may also send first indication information to the third device. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the phases of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are continuous or discontinuous. For example, the first indication information may include a bit, where a value of 1 indicates that the phases of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are continuous, and a value of 0 indicates that the phases of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are discontinuous.

[0327] For example, assuming the first device supports continuously transmitting sensing signals while maintaining phase after the first event, the value of the processing method indicator field could be "1011001111000111000". The bit order is explained below:

[0328] 1. “101” indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 1 and time slot identifier 2 in TDW1 can be bound together for processing, the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 2 and time slot identifier 3 cannot be bound together for processing, and the reflected signals transmitted in time slot identifier 3 and time slot identifier 4 can be bound together for processing.

[0329] 2. "1001" indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 5 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slots 3 and 4 of TDW1 can be bound together for processing; the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 7 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 5 of TDW2 cannot be bound together for processing; and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 7 of TDW2 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 8 of TDW2 can be bound together for processing.

[0330] 3. "1110" indicates that the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 9-11 in TDW3 and the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 7-8 in TDW2 can be bundled for processing, meaning the bundled processing size is 5 time slots;

[0331] 4. “0011” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 14 of TDW4 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 11 of TDW3 cannot be bound together for processing, but the reflected signals transmitted in time slots 14 to 16 of TDW4 can be bound together for processing.

[0332] 5. “1000” indicates that the reflected signal transmitted in time slot 18 of TDW5 and the reflected signal transmitted in time slots 14-16 of TDW4 can be processed together, that is, the size of the processing is 4 time slots. The reflected signals transmitted in time slots 18 and 20 of TDW5 need to be processed separately, that is, they cannot be processed together.

[0333] Assume the first indication information is used to indicate the phase continuity of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW. When the first A-TDW precedes the third A-TDW, the phase continuity of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW can be understood as: the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW are continuous; when the first A-TDW follows the third A-TDW, the phase continuity of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW can be understood as: the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end of the third A-TDW are continuous.

[0334] In some examples, the sensing server (e.g., a third device) can combine the result of the binding processing of the reflected signal fed back by at least one sensing node (e.g., including the first device) with the first indication information to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0335] Optionally, the sum of the durations of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration. Correspondingly, when the time-domain positions of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are continuous and the sum of the durations of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW is less than or equal to the set duration, the first device can maintain phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0336] refer to Figure 9a The sum of the durations of TDW1-2 and TDW2-1 is less than or equal to the set length; or the sum of the durations of TDW3-1 and TDW2-2 is less than or equal to the set length.

[0337] In some examples, the first device can also acquire a set time. The methods by which the first device acquires the set time include, but are not limited to, the following methods one and two.

[0338] Method 1:

[0339] The first device can determine the set duration based on the first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the first device can maintain phase continuity. Generally speaking, when the radio frequency sensing of the target object adopts a single-site sensing mode, the set duration can be calculated using method one. The first device does not need to interact with the third device through signaling, which can reduce signaling overhead.

[0340] Optionally, the first device may also send the set duration to the second device.

[0341] Method 2:

[0342] Step B1: The third device obtains the first maximum duration of the first device, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity.

[0343] Step B2: The third device can determine the set duration based on the first maximum duration.

[0344] When the radio frequency sensing of the target object adopts a dual-station sensing mode, i.e., the first device is the transmitting device for the sensing signal and the second device is the receiving device; in this case, the third device can determine the set duration based on the maximum duration corresponding to the first device and the second device, respectively. The process of the third device determining the set duration may include steps B2-1 and B2-2:

[0345] Step B2-1: The third device acquires the second maximum duration of the second device; the second maximum duration is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the first sensing signal and the reflected signal corresponding to the second sensing signal.

[0346] Step B2-2: The third device determines the set duration based on the first maximum duration and the second maximum duration.

[0347] Optionally, the set duration is less than or equal to the first maximum duration and the set duration is less than or equal to the second maximum duration.

[0348] Step B3: The third device can send second indication information to the first device; correspondingly, the first device can receive the second indication information from the third device; the second indication information is used to instruct the first device to maintain phase continuity between two consecutive A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of two time-domain consecutive A-TDWs is less than or equal to a set duration; the two consecutive A-TDWs are located in different C-TDWs; the second indication information includes the set duration.

[0349] Optionally, the third device may also send third indication information to the second device; the third indication information is used to indicate that phase continuity is maintained between the two time-domain consecutive A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of the two time-domain consecutive A-TDWs is less than or equal to a set duration; the two time-domain consecutive A-TDWs are located in different C-TDWs; the third indication information includes the set duration.

[0350] Generally, regardless of whether the target object's radio frequency sensing adopts a single-site sensing mode or a dual-site sensing mode, the first device can use method two to obtain the set duration indicated by the third device. Furthermore, in dual-site sensing mode, method two can be used to obtain the set duration, allowing the third device to determine the set time by combining the capability information of the first and second devices (e.g., the maximum duration for which phase continuity can be maintained). This makes the set time more accurate and avoids situations where either the transmitting or receiving device of the sensing signal is incompatible with performing joint sensing of multiple sensing signals within the set time.

[0351] In some possible designs, based on the communication method shown in S701, the first device and / or the second device may also execute S705 and S706. The following description uses the second device as an example, but does not constitute a limitation of this application. For example, in single-station sensing mode, the second device in the following communication methods can all be replaced by the first device.

[0352] S705: The second device maintains phase continuity within the first A-TDW when receiving the first reflected signal; the first reflected signal is the signal obtained by the first sensing signal sent by the first device within the first A-TDW after being reflected by the target object.

[0353] Optionally, before executing S705, the second device may also receive configuration information of the first A-TDW from the first device. The configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time-domain location of the first A-TDW. Optionally, the configuration information of the first A-TDW is also used to indicate the processing method of the sensed signals within the first A-TDW. In some examples, before executing S705 and S706, the second device may also determine, based on the configuration information of the first A-TDW, that the reflected signals transmitted within the first A-TDW can be bonded and processed.

[0354] S706: The second device determines the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0355] Optionally, when both S701 and S703 are executed, the process by which the second device in S706 determines the sensing result of the target object may include the following steps C1 and C2.

[0356] Step C1: The second device maintains phase continuity within the second A-TDW when receiving the second reflected signal; the second reflected signal is the signal obtained by the second sensing signal sent by the first device within the second A-TDW after being reflected by the target object.

[0357] Before executing step C1, the second device may also receive configuration information of the second A-TDW from the first device. This configuration information indicates the time-domain location of the second A-TDW. Optionally, the configuration information may also indicate the processing method for the sensed signals within the second A-TDW. In some examples, before executing steps C1 and C2, the second device may also determine, based on the configuration information of the second A-TDW, that the reflected signals transmitted within the second A-TDW can be bonded and processed.

[0358] Step C2: The second device determines the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflection signal and the second reflection signal.

[0359] For example, the second device can perform binding processing on the first reflected signal received within the first A-TDW to determine sensing sub-result A; the second device can perform binding processing on the second reflected signal received within the second A-TDW to determine sensing sub-result B; the second device can determine the sensing result of the target object based on sensing sub-result A and sensing sub-result B.

[0360] Optionally, when both S701 and S704 are executed, the process by which the second device in S706 determines the sensing result of the target object may include the following steps D1 and D2.

[0361] Step D1: The second device maintains phase continuity within the third A-TDW when receiving the third reflected signal; the third reflected signal is the signal obtained by the first device sending the third sensing signal within the third A-TDW after reflection by the target object.

[0362] Optionally, before performing step D1, the second device may also receive configuration information of the third A-TDW from the first device. The configuration information of the third A-TDW is used to indicate the time-domain location of the third A-TDW.

[0363] Step D2: When the time-domain positions of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are continuous, the second device determines that the phase is continuous between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0364] For example, the second device may also receive first indication information from the first device, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the phases of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are continuous or discontinuous; when the first indication information is used to indicate that the phases of the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW are continuous, the second device may execute step D2.

[0365] In some examples, the sum of the durations of the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration. The second device can acquire the set duration; for example, the second device can receive the set duration from the first device; or, for instance, the second device can receive third indication information from a third device; the third indication information instructs the second device to maintain phase continuity between two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration; the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs are located within different C-TDWs; the third indication information includes the set duration.

[0366] Step D3: The second device determines the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflection signal and the third reflection signal.

[0367] For example, the second device can perform binding processing on the first reflected signal received in the first A-TDW and the third reflected signal received in the third A-TDW, thereby determining the sensing result of the target object.

[0368] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0369] It should also be noted that each step in the above embodiments can be executed by a corresponding device, or by a component such as a chip, processor, or chip system within that device. The embodiments of this application do not limit their execution. The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples of execution by a corresponding device. Furthermore, the specific implementation methods or examples in the above embodiments do not limit the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application.

[0370] Based on the same technical concept, this application provides a communication device, which includes modules, units or means that perform the method steps in the above method embodiments. The functions, units or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0371] For example, see Figure 10 The communication device 1000 may include a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002.

[0372] Optionally, the communication module 1002 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. It should be noted that the communication device 1000 may only include a sending module and not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1000 may only include a receiving module and not a sending module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above scheme executed by the communication device 1000 includes both sending and receiving actions.

[0373] The processing module 1001 is used for data processing. The communication module 1002 can realize the corresponding communication functions.

[0374] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1001 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 1000 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0375] It should be understood that all relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0376] The processing module 1001 in the above embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The communication module 1002 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry. The communication module 1002 can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface.

[0377] For example, the communication device 1000 may be a first device or a component configured within the first device. The processing module 1001 is configured to perform the following steps via the communication module 1002: maintaining phase continuity within a first A-TDW in which a first sensing signal is transmitted; wherein the first A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW, and a first event occurs within the first C-TDW; the first event is an event that causes phase continuity to be lost.

[0378] In one possible design, the processing module 1001 is further configured to perform the following steps via the communication module 1002: maintaining phase continuity within a second A-TDW that transmits the second sensing signal; the second A-TDW being a subset of the first C-TDW; when the first A-TDW occurs before the second A-TDW, a first event occurs after the termination of the first A-TDW and before the start of the second A-TDW, and the phase of the communication device 1000 at the termination time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the start time of the second A-TDW are discontinuous; when the first A-TDW occurs after the second A-TDW, a first event occurs after the termination of the second A-TDW and before the start of the first A-TDW, and the phase of the communication device 1000 at the start time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the termination time of the second A-TDW are discontinuous.

[0379] In one possible design, the first sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; and / or, the second sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0380] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: send configuration information of the first A-TDW and / or configuration information of the second A-TDW to the second device; wherein the configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the first A-TDW, and the configuration information of the second A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the second A-TDW; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0381] In one possible design, the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW that transmits the third sensing signal are continuous; the third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap; the processing module 1001 is further configured to perform the following steps via the communication module 1002: maintaining phase continuity within the third A-TDW; maintaining phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0382] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: send first indication information to a second device, the second device being a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal; and / or, the communication module 1002 is used to: send first indication information to a third device, the third device being used to manage the communication device 1000; when the first A-TDW precedes the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the communication device 1000 at the end of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW are continuous; when the first A-TDW follows the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the communication device 1000 at the beginning of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end of the third A-TDW are continuous.

[0383] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the communication device 1000 supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0384] In one possible design, the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine a set duration based on a first maximum duration, the first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the communication device 1000 supports maintaining phase continuity; or, the communication module 1002 is configured to: receive second indication information from a third device; the second indication information is used to instruct the communication device 1000 to maintain phase continuity between two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration; the two time-domain-contiguous A-TDWs are located within different C-TDWs; the second indication information includes the set duration; and the third device is used to manage the communication device 1000.

[0385] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive configuration information of a first C-TDW from a third device, the configuration information of the first C-TDW being used to indicate the time domain location of the first C-TDW; the third device is used to manage the communication device 1000.

[0386] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: send capability information of the communication device 1000 to a third device, the capability information of the communication device 1000 including information for instructing the communication device 1000 to maintain phase continuity; the capability information is used to determine the configuration information of the first C-TDW.

[0387] In one possible design, the capability information of the communication device 1000 includes at least one of the following: a first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the communication device 1000 supports maintaining phase continuity; first capability information, which indicates that the communication device 1000 supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; and second capability information, which indicates that the communication device 1000 resumes supporting the phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends.

[0388] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive a first capability query request from a third device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the communication device 1000 to maintain phase continuity.

[0389] In one possible design, the sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the communication device 1000 does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the communication device 1000 to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; the frequency domain resources corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the spatial domain relationships corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; and the power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different.

[0390] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive a first reflected signal within the first A-TDW; the first reflected signal is a signal obtained by reflecting the first sensing signal through the target object; the processing module 1001 is also used to: determine the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0391] For example, the communication device 1000 may be a third device or a component configured within a third device. The communication module 1002 is configured to: send configuration information of a first C-TDW to the first device; the configuration information of the first C-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the first C-TDW; wherein, the first A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW, and the first A-TDW is used to transmit a first sensing signal with continuous phase; a first event occurs within the first C-TDW, the first event being an event that causes the phase continuity of the sensing signal to be lost; the first device is a sensing signal transmitting device, and the communication device 1000 is used to manage the first device.

[0392] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: send configuration information of a second C-TDW to a first device, wherein the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap; wherein the third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the third A-TDW is used to transmit a third sensing signal; when the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are consecutive, the first device maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

[0393] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: receive first indication information from the first device; when the first A-TDW precedes the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW; when the first A-TDW follows the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW is continuous with the phase at the end of the third A-TDW.

[0394] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0395] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: acquire a first maximum duration of the first device, the first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; the processing module 1001 is configured to: determine a set duration based on the first maximum duration; the communication module 1002 is further configured to: send second indication information to the first device; the second indication information is used to instruct the first device to maintain phase continuity between two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs when the sum of the durations of two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs is less than or equal to the set duration; the two time-domain-continuous A-TDWs are located within different C-TDWs; the second indication information includes the set duration.

[0396] In one possible design, the processing module 1001 is specifically used to: obtain the second maximum duration of the second device through the communication module 1002; the second maximum duration is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal; determine a set duration based on the first maximum duration and the second maximum duration; the set duration is less than or equal to the first maximum duration and the set duration is less than or equal to the second maximum duration.

[0397] In one possible design, the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: receive capability information from the first device via the communication module 1002, the capability information of the first device including information for instructing the first device to maintain phase continuity; and determine configuration information of the first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device.

[0398] In one possible design, the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: receive capability information from a second device via the communication module 1002, the capability information of the second device including information indicating the capability of the second device to maintain phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for a reflected signal corresponding to a sensing signal; and determine configuration information of a first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device and the capability information of the second device.

[0399] In one possible design, the capability information of the first device includes at least one of the following: a first maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; first capability information, which indicates that the first device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; second capability information, which indicates that the first device resumes supporting phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends; and the capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following: a second maximum duration, which is the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; third capability information, which indicates that the second device supports transmitting sub-signals of the sensing signal at discontinuous time-domain locations; and fourth capability information, which indicates that the second device resumes supporting phase-continuous transmission of sub-signals of the sensing signal after the first event ends.

[0400] Optionally, the aforementioned first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports phase continuity can specifically be: the first maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the first device supports phase continuity under a first tolerance level; the aforementioned second maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the second device supports phase continuity can specifically be: the second maximum duration being the maximum duration for which the second device supports phase continuity under a second tolerance level.

[0401] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: send a first capability query request to the first device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity; and / or, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: send a second capability query request to the second device, the second capability query request being used to request the capability of the second device to maintain phase continuity.

[0402] In one possible design, the sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to a first threshold; the first device does not support the transmission of multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; the frequency domain resources corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the spatial domain relationships corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; the transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; the power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; wherein, the first device is a transmitting device for the sensing signal, and the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0403] For example, the communication device 1000 may be a second device or a component configured within the second device. The processing module 1001 is configured to perform the following steps via the communication module 1002: maintaining phase continuity within a first A-TDW in which the first reflected signal is received; the first reflected signal is a signal obtained by reflecting a first sensing signal sent by the first device within the first A-TDW after passing through a target object; the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal.

[0404] In one possible design, the first sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0405] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive configuration information of a first A-TDW from a first device; the configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the first A-TDW.

[0406] In one possible design, the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW receiving the third reflected signal are continuous. The third reflected signal is the signal obtained by reflecting the third sensing signal sent by the first device in the third A-TDW after passing through the target object. The third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap. The processing module 1001 is specifically used to perform the following steps through the communication module 1002: maintaining phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW; and determining the sensing result of the target object based on the first reflected signal transmitted in the first A-TDW and the third reflected signal transmitted in the third A-TDW.

[0407] In one possible design, the third sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; the sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

[0408] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive configuration information of a third A-TDW from the first device; the configuration information of the third A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the third A-TDW.

[0409] In one possible design, before maintaining phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW, the communication module 1002 is configured to: receive first indication information from the first device; when the first A-TDW precedes the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning of the third A-TDW are continuous; when the first A-TDW follows the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the beginning of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end of the third A-TDW are continuous.

[0410] In one possible design, the sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

[0411] In one possible design, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive a set duration from the first device; or, the communication module 1002 is used to: receive third indication information from the third device; the third indication information is used to instruct the communication device 1000 to maintain phase continuity between two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain when the sum of the durations of two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain is less than or equal to the set duration; the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain are located in different C-TDWs; the third indication information includes the set duration; the third device is used to manage the first device and the communication device 1000.

[0412] The following is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 11 As shown, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1100, including:

[0413] At least one processor 1101; and a communication interface 1103 communicatively connected to the at least one processor 1101; the at least one processor 1101 causes the device to perform the method steps in the above method embodiments through the communication interface 1103 by executing instructions stored in the memory 1102.

[0414] The memory 1102 may be located outside the device 1100. Alternatively, the memory 1102 may be located inside the device 1100. Optionally, the device 1100 includes the memory 1102, which is connected to the at least one processor 1101, and stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 1101. (Appendix) Figure 11 The dashed line indicates that memory 1102 is optional for device 1100.

[0415] The processor 1101 and the memory 1102 can be coupled through an interface circuit or integrated together; no restriction is imposed here.

[0416] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1101, memory 1102, and communication interface 1103. This application embodiment... Figure 11 The processor 1101, memory 1102, and communication interface 1103 are connected via a bus 1104. Figure 11 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 11 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.

[0417] Taking the first device as an example, when the communication device 1100 is the first device, the first device may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory may store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0418] The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data; controlling the first device; executing software programs; and processing data from those programs. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transmitter is used to send signals to other communication devices or equipment, and the receiver is used to receive signals from other communication devices or equipment.

[0419] When the communication device 1100 is a chip in the first device, the chip may include a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the first device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0420] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, implemented by reading software code stored in memory.

[0421] For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0422] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0423] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0424] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0425] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, including a program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0426] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, including a program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0427] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0428] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which may include a first device and a third device. For example, this communication system can be used to implement... Figure 4 or Figure 7 The method flow is described in the text. Optionally, the communication system may also include other communication devices (e.g., a second device).

[0429] 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.

[0430] 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 1One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0431] 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.

[0432] 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.

[0433] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0434] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first device, characterized in that, The method includes: Maintain phase continuity within the first actual time window (A-TDW) during which the first sensing signal is transmitted; Wherein, the first A-TDW is a subset of the first configuration time window C-TDW, and the first C-TDW contains a first event; the first event is an event that causes phase continuity to be lost.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The phase remains continuous within the second A-TDW that transmits the second sensing signal; the second A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW; the first A-TDW and the second A-TDW do not overlap; When the first A-TDW precedes the second A-TDW, the first event occurs after the first A-TDW terminates and before the second A-TDW begins, and the phase of the first device at the termination time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the start time of the second A-TDW are discontinuous. When the first A-TDW occurs after the second A-TDW, the first event occurs after the second A-TDW terminates and before the first A-TDW begins, and the phase of the first device at the start of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end of the second A-TDW are discontinuous.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; and / or, the second sensing signal is a sub-signal of the sensing signal of the target object; The sensing signal of the target object is used to determine the sensing result of the target object.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the configuration information of the first A-TDW and / or the configuration information of the second A-TDW to the second device; Wherein, the configuration information of the first A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the first A-TDW, and the configuration information of the second A-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the second A-TDW; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first A-TDW and the third A-TDW that transmits the third sensing signal are consecutive; the third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the second C-TDW and the first C-TDW do not overlap; the method further includes: Phase continuity is maintained within the third A-TDW and between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first instruction message to a second device, the second device being a receiving device for a reflected signal corresponding to a sensing signal; and / or send the first instruction message to a third device, the third device being used to manage the first device; When the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning time of the third A-TDW are continuous. When the first A-TDW occurs after the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the start time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end time of the third A-TDW are continuous.

7. The method as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The set duration is determined based on a first maximum duration, where the first maximum duration is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; or The first device receives a second indication message from the third device; the second indication message is used to instruct the first device to maintain phase continuity between two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain when the sum of the durations of two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain is less than or equal to the set duration; the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain are located in different C-TDWs; the second indication message includes the set duration; the third device is used to manage the first device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The configuration information of the first C-TDW is received from the third device, wherein the configuration information of the first C-TDW is used to indicate the time domain location of the first C-TDW; the third device is used to manage the first device.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The capability information of the first device is sent to the third device, the capability information of the first device including information for indicating the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity; the capability information is used to determine the configuration information of the first C-TDW.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The capability information of the first device includes at least one of the following: The first maximum duration is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; First capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that the first device supports sub-signals for transmitting sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations; The second capability information is used to indicate that the first device supports the phase-continuous transmission of a sub-signal of the sensing signal after the first event has ended.

12. The method as described in claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first capability query request is received from the third device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: The duration of the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first device does not support the transmission of the multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; There is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; Any two adjacent sub-signals correspond to different frequency domain resources; The spatial relationships between any two adjacent sub-signals are different; The transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; The power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first reflected signal is received within the first A-TDW; the first reflected signal is the signal obtained by reflecting the first sensing signal through the target object. The sensing result of the target object is determined based on the first reflected signal.

15. A communication method applied to a third device, characterized in that, The method includes: The configuration information of the first configuration time window (C-TDW) is sent to the first device; the configuration information of the first C-TDW is used to indicate the time domain position of the first C-TDW. Wherein, the first actual time window A-TDW is a subset of the first C-TDW, the first A-TDW is used to transmit the first sensing signal with continuous phase; there is a first event in the first C-TDW, the first event is an event that causes the phase continuity of the sensing signal to be lost; the first device is a sensing signal transmitting device, and the third device is used to manage the first device.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send configuration information of a second C-TDW to the first device; the second C-TDW is different from the first C-TDW. The third A-TDW is a subset of the second C-TDW, and the third A-TDW is used to transmit the third sensing signal; when the third A-TDW and the first A-TDW are continuous, the first device maintains phase continuity between the first A-TDW and the third A-TDW.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first instruction information from the first device; When the first A-TDW is before the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the end time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the beginning time of the third A-TDW are continuous. When the first A-TDW occurs after the third A-TDW, the first indication information is used to indicate that the phase of the first device at the start time of the first A-TDW and the phase at the end time of the third A-TDW are continuous.

18. The method as described in claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The sum of the duration of the third A-TDW and the duration of the first A-TDW is less than or equal to a set duration; the first device supports maintaining phase continuity within the set duration.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain the first maximum duration of the first device, where the first maximum duration is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; The set duration is determined based on the first maximum duration; Send a second indication message to the first device; the second indication message is used to indicate that the first device maintains phase continuity between the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain when the sum of the durations of the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain is less than or equal to the set duration; the two consecutive A-TDWs in the time domain are located in different C-TDWs; the second indication message includes the set duration.

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, Determining the set duration based on the first maximum duration includes: The second maximum duration of the second device is obtained; the second maximum duration is used to indicate the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signal corresponding to the sensing signal; The set duration is determined based on the first maximum duration and the second maximum duration; the set duration is less than or equal to the first maximum duration and the set duration is less than or equal to the second maximum duration.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive capability information from the first device, the capability information of the first device including information for instructing the first device to maintain phase continuity; Based on the capability information of the first device, the configuration information of the first C-TDW is determined.

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, Determining the configuration information of the first C-TDW based on the capability information of the first device includes: The system receives capability information from a second device, which includes information indicating the capability of the second device to maintain phase continuity; the second device is a receiving device for a reflected signal corresponding to a sensing signal. Based on the capability information of the first device and the capability information of the second device, the configuration information of the first C-TDW is determined.

23. The method as described in claim 22, characterized in that, The capability information of the first device includes at least one of the following: The first maximum duration is the maximum duration for which the first device supports maintaining phase continuity; First capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that the first device supports sub-signals for transmitting sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations; Second capability information, which is used to indicate that the first device supports the phase-continuous transmission of a sensing signal sub-signal after the first event ends; The capability information of the second device includes at least one of the following: The second maximum duration is the maximum duration for which the second device supports maintaining phase continuity; Third capability information, which is used to indicate that the second device supports sub-signals for transmitting sensing signals at discontinuous time-domain locations; The fourth capability information is used to indicate that the second device supports the phase-continuous transmission of a sub-signal of the sensing signal after the first event has ended.

24. The method as described in claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first capability query request is sent to the first device, the first capability query request being used to request the capability of the first device to maintain phase continuity; and / or A second capability query request is sent to the second device, the second capability query request being used to request the capability of the second device to maintain phase continuity.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15-24, characterized in that, The sensing signal of the target object includes multiple sub-signals, and the first event includes at least one of the following: The duration of the interval between any two adjacent sub-signals is greater than or equal to the first threshold. The first device does not support the transmission of the multiple sub-signals at discontinuous time-domain locations, and there is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals; There is a time interval between any two adjacent sub-signals, and the time interval is used for the first device to perform the transmission of non-sensing signals; Any two adjacent sub-signals correspond to different frequency domain resources; The spatial relationships between any two adjacent sub-signals are different; The transmission power corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals is different; The power control parameters corresponding to any two adjacent sub-signals are different; The first device is a transmitting device for sensing signals, and the second device is a receiving device for the reflected signals corresponding to the sensing signals.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor for executing computer programs or instructions to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that, It also includes at least one memory for storing the computer program or instructions.

29. A communication system, characterized in that, include: The first device in the method of any one of claims 1-14, and the third device in the method of any one of claims 15-25.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method as described in any one of claims 1-25 is implemented.

31. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-25.

Images