Wireless communication methods and devices

Abstract

A wireless communication method and device are provided. The method includes the following: A first device receives a first target signal and a second target signal in a target time unit. The first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the second target signal includes a third signal, the first and third signals are transmitted spontaneously by the second device, the second signal is transmitted by the third device by backscattering of a fourth signal, and the first signal, the third signal and the fourth signal all include pilot signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to wireless communication methods and devices.

Background Art

[0002] A zero-power terminal can implement back-scattering communication based on a wireless signal. A zero-power (also referred to as zero power consumption) terminal has the characteristic of low complexity and only supports simple modulation methods such as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK). Therefore, when a zero-power terminal accesses the system, the receiver in the system uses the method of envelope detection to receive the signal transmitted by the zero-power terminal. This affects the signal reception performance.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the present application, a wireless communication method and device are provided. This is advantageous for improving the reception performance of signals transmitted by zero-power terminals.

[0004] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided. This method includes the following. A first device receives a first target signal and a second target signal in a target time unit. The first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the second target signal includes a third signal, the first signal and the third signal are spontaneously transmitted by a second device, the second signal is transmitted by a fourth signal being back-scattered by a third device, and the first signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal all include pilot signals.

[0005] In a second embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided. This method includes the following: A third device backscatters a fourth signal within a first time period in a target time unit, and does not backscatter the fourth signal within a second time period in the target time unit. The fourth signal is transmitted spontaneously by the second device, and the fourth signal includes a pilot signal.

[0006] In a third embodiment, a wireless communication method is provided, which includes the following: A second device transmits a first signal within a first time period in a target time unit and a third signal within a second time period in the target time unit. The first and third signals are transmitted spontaneously by the second device, and the first and third signals include pilot signals, and the first signal is used by the third device to perform backscattering within the first time period.

[0007] In the fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is configured to perform the method in the first aspect or each embodiment thereof. Specifically, the communication device comprises a functional unit configured to perform the method in the first aspect or each embodiment thereof.

[0008] In the fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is configured to perform the method in the second aspect or each embodiment thereof. Specifically, the communication device comprises a functional unit configured to perform the method in the second aspect or each embodiment thereof.

[0009] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device is configured to perform the method in the third aspect or each embodiment thereof. Specifically, the communication device comprises a functional unit configured to perform the method in the third aspect or each embodiment thereof.

[0010] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device comprises a processor and memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs. The processor is configured to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory to perform any of the first to third aspects or the methods in each embodiment of that aspect.

[0011] In the eighth aspect, a chip is provided. The chip is configured to perform any of the first to third aspects or the methods in each embodiment of that aspect. Specifically, the chip includes a processor, which is configured to call and execute a computer program stored in memory to cause a device equipped with the chip to perform any of the first to third aspects or the methods in each embodiment of that aspect.

[0012] In the ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, which is configured to cause a computer to execute any of the first to third aspects or the methods in each embodiment of that aspect.

[0013] In the tenth embodiment, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes computer program instructions, which are configured to cause a computer to execute any of the first to third embodiments or the methods in each embodiment of that embodiment.

[0014] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program is provided. When the computer program is executed on a computer, it is configured to cause the computer to execute any of the first to third aspects or the methods in each embodiment of that aspect.

[0015] According to the above proposed technology, in both cases where the third device performs backscattering and where the reflective device does not perform backscattering, the first device can obtain channel information of the backscattering link of the third device by performing channel estimation using the pilot signal of the primary system, and furthermore, can receive data transmitted by the third device based on the channel information of the backscattering link. This improves the data reception performance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system architecture according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a zero-power communication system according to this application. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating energy harvesting according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing backscatter communication according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a circuit diagram showing resistive load modulation according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) coding scheme. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of a unipolar return-to-zero (RZ) coding scheme. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the Manchester coding scheme. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a Miller coding scheme. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing a system to which the embodiment of this application is applied. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a model of a symbiotic communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing signal relationships in a symbiotic communication system. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a backscattered signal according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing another wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing backscattering based on a downlink signal according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing backscattering based on an uplink channel according to an embodiment of the present application. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

[0017] The technical proposal of embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the drawings of embodiments of this application. Clearly, the embodiments described are only some, and not all, embodiments of this application. All other embodiments that a person skilled in the art can obtain without creative effort based on the embodiments of this application are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0018] The technical invention of the embodiment of this application can be applied to various types of communication systems. For example, global system for mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE-A (advanced long term evolution) system, new radio (NR) system, evolved new radio system, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) system, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) system, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (WiFi), 5th generation (5th generation) Examples include 5G generation communication systems, cellular Internet of Things (IoT) systems, cellular passive IoT systems, and other communication systems.

[0019] Generally speaking, connections supported by conventional communication systems are easily achieved, but their number is limited. However, with advancements in communication technology, mobile communication systems will not only support conventional communication, but will also be able to support device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) communication. Embodiments of this application can be applied to these communication systems.

[0020] Selectively, the communication system in the embodiments of this application can be applied to a carrier aggregation (CA) scenario, a dual connectivity (DC) scenario, and a standalone (SA) networking scenario.

[0021] Selectively, the communication system in the embodiments of this application can be applied to an unlicensed spectrum, where the unlicensed spectrum can be considered a shared spectrum. Alternatively, the communication system in the embodiments of this application can be applied to a licensed spectrum, where the licensed spectrum can be considered a non-shared spectrum.

[0022] In the embodiments of this application, each embodiment will be described by combining a network device and a terminal device. The terminal device may also be called user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.

[0023] In the embodiments of this application, the network device can be used to communicate with a mobile device. The network device may be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, a base transceiver station (BTS) in GSM or CDMA, a node B (NB) in WCDMA, an evolutionary node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a gNB (generation node B) in an NR network, a network device in cellular IoT, a network device in cellular passive IoT, a network device in a future advanced PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) network, or a network device in an NTN network, etc.

[0024] As an example rather than an limitation, in embodiments of this application, the network device may have mobile characteristics; for example, the network device may be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a middle Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device may be a base station located on land or water.

[0025] In embodiments of this application, a network device provides services to a cell, and a terminal device communicates with the network device via transmission resources (e.g., frequency domain resources or spectral resources) used by the cell. The cell may be a cell corresponding to a network device (e.g., a base station), and the cell may belong to a macro base station or to a base station corresponding to a small cell. Small cells may include metro cells, micro cells, pico cells, femto cells, etc. These small cells have the characteristics of small coverage and low transmission power, making them suitable for providing high-speed data transmission services.

[0026] Terminal devices may be stations (ST) in a WLAN, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in next-generation communication systems, such as NR networks, or terminal devices in future advanced PLMN networks, terminal devices in cellular IoT, terminal devices in cellular passive IoT, and so on.

[0027] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be deployed on land (handheld, wearable, in-vehicle, etc.), including indoors and outdoors; on water (e.g., on a ship); or in the air (e.g., on an airplane, balloon, satellite, etc.).

[0028] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transmission and reception capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in telemedicine, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0029] As an example rather than an limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for wearable devices developed by intelligently designing everyday clothing such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes by applying wearable technology. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on a user's body or integrated into a user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but can also achieve powerful functionality through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. In a broad sense, wearable smart devices include devices that have full functionality and a large size and can achieve all or part of their functionality without relying on a smartphone (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.), as well as devices that focus only on specific application functions and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones (e.g., any smart bracelet for vital sign monitoring, smart jewelry, etc.).

[0030] Exemplary, a communication system 100 applied to embodiments of this application is shown in Figure 1. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110, which may be a device that communicates with terminal devices 120 (or communication terminals, also called terminals). The network device 110 provides communication coverage to a specific geographic area and can communicate with terminal devices within that coverage area.

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates one network device and two terminal devices. Selectively, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices and a number of other terminal devices within the coverage area of ​​each network device. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0032] Selectively, the communication system 100 may further include other network entities, such as a network controller or a mobile management entity. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0033] A device having communication functions in a network / system according to the embodiment of this application may be called a communication system. The communication system 100 shown in Figure 1 will be described as an example. The communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120, both having communication functions. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may be the specific devices described above, and will not be repeated here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as other network entities, including a network controller and a mobile management entity. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0034] In this specification, the terms "system" and "network" should be understood to be interchangeable. In this specification, the term "and / or" simply describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that there are three types of relationships. For example, A and / or B indicates three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone. Also in this specification, the symbol " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0035] It should be understood that the term "indicate" as used in the embodiments of this application may be direct, indirect, or indicate a related relationship. For example, A indicating B may mean that A directly indicates B (for example, that B can be obtained by A), that A indirectly indicates B (for example, that A indicates C and B can be obtained by C), or that there is a related relationship between A and B.

[0036] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "corresponding" may mean that there is a direct or indirect corresponding relationship between the two, or that there is a related relationship between the two, or that there is a relationship such as instruction and instruction, setting and setting.

[0037] In embodiments of this application, “predefined” can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes or corresponding tables in a device (including, for example, terminal devices and network devices), or by other means that can be used to indicate relevant information, and the application is not limited to such specific methods of implementation. For example, “predefined” may mean defined in a protocol.

[0038] In embodiments of this application, “protocol” may mean a standard protocol in the field of communications. Examples may include the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applicable to future communications systems. This application is not limited thereto.

[0039] To facilitate understanding of the technical concepts of the embodiments of this application, the related technologies of this application will be described.

[0040] 1. Zero-power communication

[0041] Key technologies for zero-power communications include energy (or power) collection, backscatter communications, and low-power technologies.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, a typical zero-power communication system (e.g., a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system) includes a network device (e.g., a reader / writer for an RFID system) and a zero-power terminal (e.g., an electronic tag). The network device is used to transmit radio power supply signals and downlink communication signals to the zero-power terminal and to receive backscatter signals from the zero-power terminal. A basic zero-power terminal comprises an energy collection module, a backscatter communication module, and a low-power computing module. The zero-power terminal may also include memory and sensors for storing some basic information (such as item identification information) and sensing data such as ambient temperature and ambient humidity.

[0043] For example, an energy collection module collects energy carried by radio waves in space (e.g., radio waves transmitted by a network device in Figure 2) to power the low-power computing module of a zero-power terminal and realize backscatter communication. Once the zero-power terminal acquires energy, it can receive control commands from the network device and transmit data to the network device in a backscatter manner based on the control commands. The transmitted data may be data stored in the zero-power terminal itself (e.g., identification information such as the product's manufacturing date, brand, and manufacturer, or pre-written information). The zero-power terminal can be equipped with various types of sensors, thereby reporting data collected by each type of sensor based on the zero-power mechanism.

[0044] The following explains the key technologies involved in zero-power communication.

[0045] 1. Radio Frequency (RF) Power Harvesting

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the radio frequency energy collection module collects energy from electromagnetic waves in space based on the principle of electromagnetic induction to obtain the energy necessary to operate the zero-power terminal, such as the low-power demodulation / modulation module, sensors, and memory access. Therefore, the zero-power terminal does not require a conventional battery.

[0047] 2. Backscattering communication

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, a zero-power terminal receives a carrier signal transmitted from a network device, modulates that carrier signal, loads the information that needs to be transmitted, and radiates the modulated signal from its antenna. This information transmission process is called backscatter communication. There is a close relationship between backscatter and load modulation. In load modulation, the circuit parameters of the zero-power terminal's oscillation circuit are adjusted and controlled according to the tempo of the data stream, thereby changing parameters such as the magnitude of the zero-power terminal's impedance to complete the modulation process. Load modulation techniques mainly include two methods: resistive load modulation and capacitive load modulation. As shown in Figure 5, in resistive load modulation, the load is connected in parallel to a resistor, and this resistor is turned on or off according to the control of the binary data stream. Since the on / off switching of the resistor results in a change in voltage in the circuit, amplitude shift keying (ASK) is realized, that is, the modulation and transmission of the signal are achieved by adjusting the amplitude of the backscatter signal of the zero-power terminal. Similarly, in capacitive load modulation, the resonant frequency of the circuit can be changed by switching a capacitor on and off, enabling frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation. That is, signal modulation and transmission are achieved by adjusting the operating frequency of the backscattered signal of a zero-power terminal.

[0049] Thus, zero-power terminals achieve backscatter communication by modulating the incoming wave signal using a load modulation method. Therefore, zero-power terminals have the following significant advantages. (1) Because it does not spontaneously transmit signals, it does not require complex radio frequency links such as power amplifiers (PAs) or radio frequency filters. (2) Since there is no need to spontaneously generate high-frequency signals, a high-frequency crystal oscillator is not required. (3) With backscatter communication, the terminal does not need to consume its own energy to transmit signals.

[0050] 3, encoding technology

[0051] Data transmitted by zero-power terminals can represent binary "1"s and "0"s using different coding formats. Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems generally utilize one of the following coding methods: non-return-to-zero (NRZ) coding, Manchester coding, unipolar return-to-zero (RZ) coding, differential biphase (DBP) coding, differential coding, pulse interval coding (PIE), bi-phase space coding (FM0), Miller coding, and differential coding. Generally speaking, different coding techniques represent 0s and 1s with different pulse signals.

[0052] 3.1 Non-zero return (NRZ) encoding

[0053] In non-zero-return coding, a high level represents the binary number 1, and a low level represents the binary number 0. Figure 6 shows an example of non-zero-return (NRZ) coding. The waveform shown in Figure 6 has no gaps or intervals between symbols, and the code is transmitted within the entire symbol time, hence it is called non-zero-return coding.

[0054] 3.2 Single flow RZ encoding

[0055] In unicurrent RZ coding, when the code "1" is transmitted, a positive current is emitted, but the duration of the positive current is shorter than the time width of one symbol, i.e., a narrow pulse is emitted. When the code "0" is transmitted, no current is transmitted at all. Figure 7 shows an example of a unicurrent RZ coding scheme.

[0056] As can be seen by comparing NRZ and unicurrent RZ coding, both are unicurrent codes, but the duty cycle of NRZ is 100%, while the duty cycle of unicurrent RZ is 50%.

[0057] 3.3 Manchester coding

[0058] Manchester coding is also called split-phase coding or biphase coding. In Manchester coding, 1 and 0 are distinguished by the difference in the phase of the voltage transition. A transition from a higher voltage to a lower voltage represents 1, and a transition from a lower voltage to a higher voltage represents 0. Figure 8 shows an example of a Manchester coding scheme.

[0059] 3.4 Mirror coding

[0060] Miller coding is an improved version of Manchester coding. In Miller coding, any boundary (or edge) in the middle of a bit period represents a binary 1, and a level that does not change over the next bit period represents a binary 0. That is, in Miller coding, a level transition in the middle of a bit represents data 1, and the absence of a level transition in the middle of a bit represents data 0. If binary 0s appear consecutively, the level transition occurs at the end time of this bit. Figure 9 shows an example of Miller coding. As can be seen from Figure 9, in Miller coding, the level change occurs at the start time of the bit period. This makes it easier for the receiver to reconstruct the bit timing.

[0061] 3.5 Differential Biphase (DBP) Coding

[0062] In differential biphase (DBP) coding, any boundary in the middle of a bit period represents a binary 0, and the absence of a boundary represents a binary 1. Additionally, the level inverts at the start of each bit period.

[0063] 3.6 Differential encoding

[0064] In differential coding, each 1 in the binary number being transmitted results in a change in the signal level. A binary 0 results in no change in the signal level.

[0065] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, power supply signals, scheduling signals, and carrier signals related to zero-power communication will be described.

[0066] 1. Power supply signal

[0067] The power supply signal is the energy source for the zero-power terminal to collect energy.

[0068] The power supply signal may be transmitted by a base station, smartphone, smart gateway, charging station, micro base station, etc.

[0069] Regarding the frequency band, the frequency band of the radio waves used for power supply may be low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0070] Regarding the waveform, the radio waves used for power supply may be sine waves, square waves, triangular waves, pulse waves, rectangular waves, etc.

[0071] Furthermore, the power supply signal may be a continuous wave or a discontinuous wave (i.e., interruptions for a certain period of time are permitted).

[0072] Selectively, the power supply signal may be an existing signal in the 3GPP standard. Examples include the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). Alternatively, the power supply signal may be a wireless fidelity (WIFI) signal or a Bluetooth® signal.

[0073] Selectively, the power supply signal may be implemented by a newly added signal. For example, a dedicated power supply signal may be added.

[0074] 2. Scheduling signal (also called trigger signal)

[0075] The trigger signal is used to trigger or schedule a zero-power terminal to perform data transmission.

[0076] The trigger signal may be transmitted by a base station, smartphone, smart gateway, or the like.

[0077] Regarding the frequency band, the frequency band of the radio waves used for triggering or scheduling may be low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0078] Regarding the waveform, the radio waves used for triggering or scheduling may be sine waves, square waves, triangular waves, pulses, rectangular waves, etc.

[0079] Furthermore, the trigger signal may be a continuous wave or a discontinuous wave (i.e., interruptions for a certain period of time are permitted).

[0080] Selectively, the trigger signal may be an existing signal in the 3GPP standard. Examples include SRS, PUSCH, PRACH, PUCCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, PBCH, or Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth signals, etc.

[0081] Selectively, the trigger signal may be implemented by a newly added signal. For example, a new signal dedicated to triggering or scheduling may be added.

[0082] 3. Carrier signal

[0083] The carrier signal is used by the zero-power terminal to generate a backscatter signal. For example, the zero-power terminal can modulate the received carrier signal according to the information that needs to be transmitted to form a backscatter signal.

[0084] The carrier signal may be transmitted by a base station, smartphone, smart gateway, or the like.

[0085] Regarding the frequency band, the frequency band of the radio waves for the carrier signal may be low frequency, medium frequency, high frequency, etc.

[0086] Regarding the waveform, the radio waves for the carrier signal may be sine waves, square waves, triangular waves, pulse waves, rectangular waves, etc.

[0087] Furthermore, the carrier signal may be a continuous wave or a discontinuous wave (i.e., interruptions for a certain period of time are permitted).

[0088] Selectively, the carrier signal may be an existing signal in the 3GPP standard. Examples include SRS, PUSCH, PRACH, PUCCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, PBCH, or Wi-Fi signals, Bluetooth signals, etc.

[0089] Selectively, the carrier signal may be realized by a newly added signal. For example, a dedicated carrier signal may be added to generate the backscatter signal.

[0090] In the embodiments of this application, the power supply signal, scheduling signal, and carrier signal may be the same signal or different signals. For example, the power supply signal may be a carrier signal, and the scheduling signal may be a carrier signal.

[0091] Zero-power communication offers significant advantages such as ultra-low cost, zero power consumption, and small size, making it widely applicable to various industries, including vertical logistics, smart warehousing, intelligent agriculture, energy and power, and the industrial internet. It can also be applied to personal applications such as smart wearables and smart homes.

[0092] In some scenarios, depending on the energy source and usage method of the zero-power terminal, zero-power terminals can be classified into the following types:

[0093] 1. Passive zero-power terminal

[0094] Zero-power terminals (e.g., electronic tags in RFID systems) do not require a built-in battery. When a zero-power terminal approaches a network device (e.g., a reader / writer in an RFID system), the zero-power terminal is within the near-field formed by radiation from the network device's antenna. Therefore, the antenna of the zero-power terminal generates an induced current through electromagnetic induction, and this induced current drives the low-power chip circuit of the zero-power terminal. This enables operations such as demodulation of the forward link signal and modulation of the back-link (also called a reflected link) signal. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal transmits signals using a backscatter realization method.

[0095] As can be seen from the above, whether using a forward link or a backward link, a passive zero-power terminal does not require a built-in battery to operate. A passive zero-power terminal is a true zero-power terminal.

[0096] Passive zero-power terminals do not require batteries, and both the RF and baseband circuits are very simple. They do not require components such as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers (PAs), crystal oscillators, or analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), resulting in many advantages such as small size, light weight, low cost, and long lifespan.

[0097] 2. Semi-passive zero-power terminal

[0098] While a semi-passive zero-power terminal itself does not have a conventional battery, it collects radio wave energy using an RF energy collection module and can store the collected energy in an energy storage unit (e.g., a capacitor). After acquiring the energy, the energy storage unit can power the low-power chip circuitry of the zero-power terminal. This enables operations such as demodulation of the forward link signal and modulation of the backward link signal. For backscatter links, the zero-power terminal uses a backscattering implementation method to transmit signals.

[0099] As can be seen from the above, neither forward-link nor backward-link semi-passive zero-power terminals require an internal battery to operate. During operation, energy stored in a capacitor is used, but this energy originates from radio wave energy collected by an energy collection module. Therefore, semi-passive zero-power terminals are truly zero-power terminals.

[0100] Semi-passive zero-power terminals inherit many of the advantages of passive zero-power terminals, and therefore offer numerous benefits such as being small, lightweight, low-cost, and having a long lifespan.

[0101] 3. Active zero-power terminal

[0102] Zero-power terminals used in some scenarios may be active zero-power terminals. These types of devices can incorporate a battery. The battery is used to power the zero-power terminal's low-power chip circuitry, enabling operations such as demodulation of forward link signals and modulation of backward link signals. However, for backscatter links, zero-power terminals utilize the backscattering method for signal transmission. Therefore, the zero-power aspect of this type of device is primarily reflected in the fact that it does not require power from the terminal itself for backlink signal transmission, instead relying on the backscattering method.

[0103] The built-in battery of an active zero-power terminal supplies power to the RFID chip, increasing the read-write distance of the terminal and improving communication reliability. Therefore, active zero-power terminals are suitable for applications where relatively high demands are required in terms of communication distance and read latency.

[0104] In some scenarios, depending on the type of transmitter, zero-power devices can be classified into the following types:

[0105] 1) Zero-power devices based on backscattering

[0106] This type of zero-power device transmits uplink data using the backscattering method described above. This type of zero-power device does not have an active transmitter capable of spontaneous transmission, but only a transmitter capable of backscattering. Therefore, when this type of zero-power device transmits data, the network device must provide a carrier wave. This type of zero-power device transmits data by performing backscattering based on that carrier wave.

[0107] 2) Zero-power devices based on active transmitters

[0108] This type of zero-power device transmits uplink data using an active transmitter that has the ability to transmit spontaneously. Therefore, this type of zero-power device can transmit data using its own active transmitter, and does not require a network device to provide the carrier wave. The active transmitter applied to the zero-power device may be, for example, an ultra-low power ASK or ultra-low power FSK transmitter. When transmitting a 100 μW signal, the total power consumption can be reduced to 400 μW to 600 μW.

[0109] 3) Zero-power devices that include both a transmitter with backscattering capability and an active transmitter.

[0110] This type of zero-power device can support both backscatter-capable and active transmitters. Depending on different circumstances (power levels, available environmental energy) or based on network device scheduling, this type of zero-power device can determine which type of signal transmission method to use—i.e., whether to use an active transmitter or a backscatter-capable transmitter—for signal transmission.

[0111] With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), existing IoT communication technologies are no longer sufficient to meet the IoT communication needs in many scenarios. Examples include the following:

[0112] 1. Harsh communication environment

[0113] Some IoT scenarios may be exposed to extreme environments such as high temperatures, extremely low temperatures, high humidity, high pressure, high radiation, or high-speed movement. Examples include ultra-high voltage substations, monitoring of high-speed train tracks, environmental monitoring in extremely cold regions, and industrial production lines. In these scenarios, existing IoT devices may become inoperable due to the limitations of their operating environment under normal power supplies. Furthermore, extreme operating environments are disadvantageous for IoT maintenance, such as battery replacement.

[0114] 2. Need for extremely small device form factors

[0115] In several IoT communication scenarios, such as food traceability, product distribution, and smart wearables, terminals need to be extremely small in size to facilitate their use in these scenarios. For example, IoT terminals for product management in distribution are typically in the form of electronic tags and are embedded in product packaging in a very small form. Also, compact wearable devices, for example, can meet user needs and improve the user experience.

[0116] 3. Need for extremely low-cost IoT communication

[0117] In many IoT communication scenarios, the cost of IoT devices needs to be sufficiently low to be competitive compared to other alternative technologies. For example, in logistics or warehousing scenarios, IoT devices can be attached to each item to facilitate the management of large volumes of goods in circulation. Communication between these devices and the logistics network allows for precise management of the entire logistics process and cycle. In these scenarios, the price of IoT devices needs to be sufficiently competitive.

[0118] Therefore, to cover these unmet IoT communication needs, ultra-low-cost, extremely small, and battery-free / maintenance-free IoT devices need to be developed, even on cellular networks. Zero-power IoT devices can meet just that need.

[0119] Zero-power IoT may also be called Ambient power enabled IoT (abbreviated as Ambient IoT or AMP IoT). Zero-power devices may also be called Ambient IoT devices or AMP IoT devices. Ambient IoT devices refer to IoT devices that utilize various types of environmental energy, such as radio frequency energy, light energy, solar energy, thermal energy, and mechanical energy. Such devices do not need to have energy storage capabilities, or they may have very limited energy storage capabilities. For example, a capacitor with a capacitance of several tens of microfibers may be used.

[0120] Ambient IoT can be used in at least the following four types of scenarios: 1. Object recognition for product management in logistics and production lines, and for supply chain management. 2. Environmental monitoring, including monitoring of temperature, humidity, and harmful gases in the operating and natural environments. 3. Positioning applications such as indoor positioning, smart object detection, and object positioning on production lines. 4. Smart control of various electrical appliances in smart homes (on / off air conditioners, temperature control), and smart control of various facilities in agricultural greenhouses (automatic watering, fertilization).

[0121] As 5G industry applications increase, the types of connected devices and application scenarios are also expanding, leading to higher demands on the cost and power consumption of communication terminals. Battery-free, low-cost passive IoT devices are becoming a key technology for cellular IoT, and as the types and number of devices connected to 5G networks increase, the Internet of Everything (IoE) will truly become a reality. Passive IoT devices can be based on zero-power communication technologies such as RFID, and are further extended to be applied to cellular IoT.

[0122] In a typical ambient backscatter communication system, a reflective device (e.g., an electronic tag) can utilize radio waves in space to achieve backscatter communication. As shown in Figure 10, a primary system consisting of one router and one conventional terminal communicates, and the reflective device transmits the information it needs to send to a reader / writer by performing backscatter modulation on the downlink signal transmitted from the router. The reflective device and the reader / writer constitute a secondary system that supports backscatter communication technology.

[0123] In the system model described above, since the secondary and primary systems use the same frequency spectrum, the secondary system's communication may interfere with the primary system's communication link. Specifically, the backscattered signal from the reflective device may alias with the primary system's signal, causing interference to the primary system's receiver. In this case, while the secondary system using backscatter has advantages, the primary system's data transmission may be impaired.

[0124] To address the above challenges, the concept of symbiotic communication (or symbiotic radio) was proposed. In symbiotic communication, based on backscattering, good coordination between the primary and secondary systems not only eliminates interference from the backscattered signal generated by the secondary system to the primary system, but also converts the backscattered signal into a signal useful to the primary system.

[0125] In the symbiotic communication system model shown in Figure 11, the primary system consists of a primary transmitter (PTx) and a primary receiver (PRx), while the secondary system consists of a secondary transmitter (STx) and a secondary receiver (SRx). STx implements backscatter modulation using the signal transmitted from PTx. As shown in Figure 12, the chip width Cp of the backscatter signal from the secondary system and the chip width Cs of the signal from the primary system satisfy a K-fold relationship, i.e., Cp = K * Cs. Therefore, the backscatter signal does not change in the time domain interval corresponding to the K chips of the primary system. Consequently, when the primary system performs coherent demodulation using K chips as the unit, the backscatter signal from the secondary system corresponds to an additional multipath signal mixed into the primary received signal of the primary system. Therefore, due to these constraints, the secondary system completes its own communication by performing backscattering dependent on the primary system's signal, while not only avoiding interference with the primary system but also contributing to improving the primary system's performance by providing multipath signals. Because this delicate relationship between the primary and secondary systems is similar to a biological symbiotic relationship, the above communication system model is named the symbiotic communication model.

[0126] Symbiotic communication solves the problem of wireless power transfer in zero-power communication, while also resolving the frequency spectrum issue for zero-power communication. Zero-power communication can share the frequency spectrum with conventional communication, allowing zero-power communication and conventional communication to coexist smoothly on the same frequency spectrum. Therefore, symbiotic communication can be an important realization of zero-power communication.

[0127] During signal transmission by a backscattering device, in some embodiments, the receiver of the primary system receives and demodulates the signal using methods such as envelope detection. This affects the signal reception performance.

[0128] In view of the above, in the invention provided in the embodiment of this application, the receiver of the primary system can estimate the channel information of the backscatter link of the backscatter device during signal reception, and further perform channel compensation based on that channel information. This improves the signal reception performance. Alternatively, the primary receiver can perform channel estimation for signals received in different time periods and, based on the channel estimation results for those different time periods, identify the bit information transmitted by the reflecting device, thereby enabling data reception by the reflecting device.

[0129] To facilitate understanding of the technical proposal of the embodiments of this application, the technical proposal of this application will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies can be optionally combined with the technical proposal of the embodiments of this application, and all of them fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application include at least a part of the following:

[0130] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless communication method 1300 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, this method 1300 includes at least a part of the following:

[0131] S1310: The third device performs backscattering based on the signal transmitted by the second device to obtain a backscattered signal. The backscattered signal includes the pilot signal.

[0132] Accordingly, the first device receives the backscattered signal.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second device spontaneously transmits a signal.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first device may be a receiver of the primary system. For example, the first device may be a network device, specifically a base station in a cellular communication system or an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi system. Alternatively, the first device may be a terminal device, specifically a conventional terminal in a cellular communication system or a station (STA) in a Wi-Fi system.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second device may be a transmitter of the primary system. For example, the second device may be a terminal device, specifically a conventional terminal in a cellular communication system or an STA in a WIFI system. Alternatively, the second device may be a network device, specifically a base station in a cellular communication system or an AP in a WIFI system.

[0136] In the embodiments of this application, the conventional terminal may refer to a terminal device that does not communicate using a backscatter method.

[0137] In some embodiments, the third device may be a transmitter for a secondary system.

[0138] In some embodiments, the third device is also called a reflective device, a backscatter device (BD), a zero-power device, a zero-power terminal, or an ambient power-enabled IoT device.

[0139] In some specific embodiments, the first device is a network device in a cellular system, the second device is a terminal device in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflection device.

[0140] In some other specific embodiments, the first device is a terminal device in a cellular system, the second device is a network device in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflection device.

[0141] In several other specific embodiments, both the first and second devices are terminal devices in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflective device.

[0142] In some specific embodiments, the first device is an access point (AP) in a WIFI system, the second device is a site interface (STA) in a WIFI system, and the third device is a reflector device.

[0143] In some specific embodiments, the first device is an STA in a WIFI system, the second device is an AP in a WIFI system, and the third device is a reflector.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first device can perform channel estimation for the backscatter link of the third device based on a pilot signal in the backscattered signal to identify the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device, and further receive the data signal in the backscattered signal based on the channel information of the backscatter link. This can improve the signal reception performance.

[0145] In some embodiments, the pilot signal may be a specific sequence. This specific sequence may be predefined or set by the first device to the third device. That is, the understanding of the pilot signal by the reflective device and the understanding of the pilot signal by the peer device are consistent.

[0146] Since low-order modulation methods such as on-off keying (OOK) modulation are typically used in backscatter communication, the OOK modulation method may be used for the pilot signal, i.e., the sequence consisting of 0s or 1s. "0" may indicate that a high-level signal has been transmitted, and "1" may indicate that a low-level signal has been transmitted. Alternatively, "1" may indicate that a high-level signal has been transmitted, and "0" may indicate that a low-level signal has been transmitted.

[0147] In some embodiments, the pilot signal may be a sequence of mixed 0s and 1s, and may be a sequence of all 0s or all 1s, as shown in Figure 14. Using a sequence of all high-level signals as the pilot signal is advantageous for the peer device to perform channel estimation sufficiently and improve the accuracy of channel estimation.

[0148] In this application, the specific position of the pilot signal in the backscattered signal is not limited; it is sufficient that the understanding of the pilot signal's position by the reflecting device and the understanding of the pilot signal's position by the peer device (i.e., the first device) coincide. For example, the pilot signal may be located at the beginning, end, or middle of the backscattered signal, or it may be alternately distributed across multiple different parts of the backscattered signal. Selectively, the different pilot portions may or may not be of equal length.

[0149] In some embodiments, the primary system transmitter does not transmit a signal at the resource location where the reflecting device transmits a pilot signal. This reduces interference from the primary system's signal to the reflecting device's pilot signal (which affects the accuracy of channel estimation).

[0150] Selectively, the resource location for the reflective device to transmit the pilot signal may be predefined or set by the first device.

[0151] In some embodiments, in addition to the pilot signal, other signals transmitted by the reflective device can employ a symbiotic communication method with the primary system signal, i.e., utilize the same spectral resources for communication.

[0152] Accordingly, in the embodiments of this application, by adding a pilot signal to the backscatter signal, the receiving device can perform channel estimation for the backscatter link based on the pilot signal, and further receive data in the backscatter signal based on the estimated channel information of the backscatter link. This improves the data reception performance.

[0153] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing a wireless communication method 200 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the method 200 includes at least a part of the following:

[0154] S201: The second device spontaneously transmits the first signal and the third signal. The third device transmits the second signal by backscattering. The second signal is obtained by backscattering the fourth signal. The fourth signal is transmitted spontaneously.

[0155] Accordingly, the first device receives a first target signal and a second target signal. The first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, and the second target signal includes a third signal.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first device may be a receiver of the primary system. For example, the first device may be a network device, specifically a base station in a cellular communication system or an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi system. Alternatively, the first device may be a terminal device, specifically a conventional terminal in a cellular communication system or a station (STA) in a Wi-Fi system.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second device may be a transmitter of the primary system. For example, the second device may be a terminal device, specifically a conventional terminal in a cellular communication system or an STA in a WIFI system. Alternatively, the second device may be a network device, specifically a base station in a cellular communication system or an AP in a WIFI system.

[0158] In some embodiments, the third device may be a transmitter for a secondary system.

[0159] In the embodiments of this application, the third device is also called a reflective device, a backscatter device (BD), a zero-power device, a zero-power terminal, or an ambient power-enabled IoT device.

[0160] In some specific embodiments, the first device is a network device in a cellular system, the second device is a terminal device in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflection device.

[0161] In some other specific embodiments, the first device is a terminal device in a cellular system, the second device is a network device in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflection device.

[0162] In several other specific embodiments, both the first and second devices are terminal devices in a cellular system, and the third device is a reflective device.

[0163] In some specific embodiments, the first device is an access point (AP) in a WIFI system, the second device is a site interface (STA) in a WIFI system, and the third device is a reflector device.

[0164] In some specific embodiments, the first device is an STA in a WIFI system, the second device is an AP in a WIFI system, and the third device is a reflector.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first signal, the third signal, and the fourth signal are also referred to as primary system signals. The second signal is also referred to as secondary system signals or backscatter signals. The primary system signals include pilot signals. The second signal obtained by the third device backscattering the fourth signal may also include pilot signals. That is, pilot signals do not necessarily need to be added to the backscatter signals.

[0166] In some embodiments, the fourth signal may be transmitted by the second device. That is, the carrier signal for backscatter may be provided by the transmitter of the primary system.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first signal and the fourth signal may be the same signal. That is, the third device can obtain the second signal by backscattering the first signal.

[0168] Furthermore, the transmission direction of the fourth signal is not limited in this application. For example, the fourth signal may be a downlink signal, an uplink signal, or a sidelink signal. That is, the origin of the carrier signal for backscatter may be a downlink signal, an uplink signal, or a sidelink signal.

[0169] As shown in Figure 16, the network device transmits a downlink (DL) signal to UE1, and UE2 and UE3 also receive the DL signal. Therefore, UE2 and UE3 can perform backscattering based on the DL signal.

[0170] As shown in Figure 17, UE1 transmits an uplink (UL) signal to the network device, and UE2 and UE3 also receive the UL signal. Therefore, UE2 and UE3 can perform backscattering based on the UL signal.

[0171] In some embodiments, symbiotic communication between a primary and a secondary system can be achieved by satisfying a K-fold relationship between the chip width of the second signal and the chip width of the fourth signal, where K is greater than 1. For example, the symbol width of one backscattering symbol is the symbol width of K orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

[0172] In some embodiments, the time-domain resources for the second device to transmit the first signal and the time-domain resources for the third device to transmit the second signal overlap by at least part. For example, the first signal and the second signal are transmitted within the same time period.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first target signal and the second target signal are received in different time-domain resources. For example, the first target signal and the second target signal are received within different time periods or in different time units.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first target signal and the second target signal can be used to identify the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device. For example, the first device can perform channel estimation on both the first and second target signals and identify the channel information of the backscatter link based on the difference between the channel estimation results of the first and second target signals. Furthermore, the first device can receive the data signal in the second signal based on the channel information of the backscatter link.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first target signal may be considered to be the signal received when the reflecting device performs backscattering, and the second target signal may be considered to be the signal received when the reflecting device does not perform backscattering.

[0176] In some embodiments, the signal of the primary system may be transmitted continuously and used to perform backscattering when a reflecting device is required to transmit the signal. The first and third signals may be considered as two parts of the continuously transmitted signal of the primary system.

[0177] When a reflective device performs backscattering, the receiver of the primary system can simultaneously receive the primary system signal (including the pilot signal) and the backscattered signal obtained by the reflective device backscattering the primary system signal (including the backscattered signal of the primary system's pilot signal). Therefore, when the receiver of the primary system performs channel estimation using the primary system's pilot signal, the channel estimation result obtained can be considered to be the sum of the primary system link channel and the backscattering link channel.

[0178] That is, H1 = H プライマリーシステムチャネル +H 後方散乱リンクチャネル That is the case.

[0179] Here, H1 represents the channel estimation result obtained by performing channel estimation based on the first target signal, H プライマリーシステムチャネル H represents the primary system link channel. 後方散乱リンクチャネル This represents the backscatter link channel.

[0180] If the reflective device does not perform backscattering, the primary system receiver can receive the primary system signal (including the pilot signal). Therefore, when the primary system receiver performs channel estimation using the primary system's pilot signal, the resulting channel estimation will include only the primary system link channel.

[0181] That is, H2 = H プライマリーシステムチャネル That is the case.

[0182] Here, H2 represents the channel estimation result obtained by performing channel estimation based on the second target signal, and H プライマリーシステムチャネル This represents the primary system link channel.

[0183] Furthermore, the receiver of the primary system can identify the channel information of the backscatter link based on the difference between H1 and H2.

[0184] For example, H 後方散乱リンクチャネル =H1-H2.

[0185] Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, when estimating the channel information of the backscatter link, the reflecting device does not need to transmit a dedicated pilot signal, thus eliminating pilot overhead and avoiding any impact on the primary system.

[0186] Furthermore, the first device can receive the data portion of the backscattered signal transmitted by the third device based on the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the primary system link channel when the reflective device performs backscattering and the primary system link channel when the reflective device does not perform backscattering may be the same or similar. For example, the time period when the reflective device performs backscattering and the time period when the reflective device does not perform backscattering may be adjacent, or the interval between them may be short. Alternatively, the length of the time period when backscattering occurs and the length of the time period when backscattering does not occur may be less than a certain threshold. In these cases, it can be considered that no change occurs in the primary system link channel.

[0188] The following describes specific embodiments of the channel estimation method described above, using concrete examples.

[0189] Embodiment 1

[0190] In some embodiments, the time domain position of the target time unit is predetermined or set by a first or second device.

[0191] For example, the target time unit may be a time unit specifically for channel estimation, and may also be called a channel estimation time unit.

[0192] For example, during symbiotic communication, a specific time unit for channel estimation can be reserved. During this time unit, by switching between a state in which the reflecting device backscatters and a state in which it does not backscatter, the receiver of the primary system can receive a first target signal including the backscattered signal and a second target signal not including the backscattered signal, and furthermore, can identify the channel information of the reflecting device's link based on the first and second target signals.

[0193] In some embodiments, the primary system signal needs to be continuously transmitted in the target time unit. By switching between a backscattering state and a non-backscattering state in the target time unit, the primary system receiver receives a first target signal including the backscattered signal and a second target signal not including the backscattered signal, and can further identify the channel information of the link of the reflecting device based on the first and second target signals.

[0194] In some embodiments, the target time unit is periodic.

[0195] For example, the period length of the target time unit may be equal to an integer multiple of the length of the time unit of the primary system.

[0196] In one specific embodiment, when a reflective device and an NR system coexist, the communication between the base station and a conventional terminal in the NR system is the primary communication system, and the backscatter communication is the secondary communication system. In this case, the length of the period of the time unit for channel estimation may be an integer multiple of the slot or radio frame.

[0197] In some embodiments, the period of the target time unit may be predefined or set by a first or second device.

[0198] For example, the transmitter and reflector of the primary system know the period of the target time unit in advance. Alternatively, the receiver of the primary system notifies the transmitter and reflector of the primary system of the period of the target time unit. Alternatively, the transmitter of the primary system notifies the receiver and reflector of the primary system of the period of the target time unit.

[0199] In some embodiments, the length of the target time unit may be predefined or set by a first or second device.

[0200] For example, the transmitter and reflector of the primary system know the length of the target time unit in advance. Alternatively, the receiver of the primary system notifies the transmitter and reflector of the primary system of the length of the target time unit. Alternatively, the transmitter of the primary system notifies the receiver and reflector of the primary system of the length of the target time unit.

[0201] In some embodiments, the length of the target time unit may be an integer multiple of the length of the time unit of the primary system.

[0202] For example, if the primary system is an NR system, the target time unit may be one slot, multiple slots, one wireless frame, or multiple wireless frames.

[0203] In some embodiments, within a single cycle, the distribution of target time units satisfies a first pattern.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first pattern is predefined or set by a first or second device.

[0205] Selectively, if the target time unit includes multiple slots or multiple wireless frames, these multiple slots or multiple wireless frames may be continuous or discontinuous. In some of the multiple slots or some of the multiple wireless frames, the reflecting device performs backscattering, while in other of the multiple slots or other of the multiple wireless frames, the reflecting device does not perform backscattering.

[0206] In some embodiments, the target time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, where the first target signal is received within the first time period and the second target signal is received within the second time period. That is, the reflective device performs backscattering within the first time period and does not perform backscattering within the second time period.

[0207] Furthermore, this application does not limit the order in which the first and second time periods occur. For example, the first time period may occur after the second time period, or the first time period may occur before the second time period.

[0208] In some embodiments, the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit are predetermined or set by the first or second device. That is, the time zones in which the reflective device performs backscattering and the time zones in which it does not perform backscattering are predetermined or set by the receiver or transmitter of the primary system.

[0209] For example, the transmitter and reflector of the primary system know in advance the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit. Alternatively, the receiver of the primary system notifies the transmitter and reflector of the primary system of the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit. Alternatively, the transmitter of the primary system notifies the receiver and reflector of the primary system of the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit.

[0210] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first time period and the second time period are predetermined or set by the first or second device.

[0211] Selectively, the lengths of the first time period and the second time period may be the same or different.

[0212] For example, the transmitter and reflector of the primary system know the lengths of the first and second time zones in advance. Alternatively, the receiver of the primary system notifies the transmitter and reflector of the primary system of the lengths of the first and second time zones. Alternatively, the transmitter of the primary system notifies the receiver and reflector of the primary system of the lengths of the first and second time zones.

[0213] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the backscatter signal is the same as the bandwidth of the primary system signal, or the bandwidth of the backscatter signal is a part of the bandwidth of the primary system signal. For example, the bandwidth of the primary system signal may be 100 MHz, and the bandwidth of the backscatter signal may be the lowest frequency of 10 MHz within 100 MHz.

[0214] Figure 18 shows the distribution of channel estimation time units according to an embodiment of the present application. Within a single channel estimation time unit, the reflective device can switch between a backscattering mode and a backscattering-free mode. For example, backscattering may occur within a first time period and not within a second time period within a single channel estimation time unit. Selectively, the first and second time periods may each occupy half of the slots. Seven OFDM symbols are an example.

[0215] Embodiment 2: The target time unit is determined based on the encoding scheme used for the data signal in the second signal.

[0216] In some embodiments, the target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit.

[0217] Selectively, a particular bit may be bit 1 (also known as binary 1) or bit 0 (also known as binary 0), and is specifically identified based on the encoding scheme of the data signal. This application is not limited thereto.

[0218] In other words, in this embodiment 2, the target time unit is not a time unit dedicated to channel estimation, but rather a time unit for data transmission by the reflection device. Adopting this method is advantageous in reducing the resource overhead that would otherwise be incurred by providing a dedicated channel estimation time unit.

[0219] In some embodiments, the reflective device can encode the data to be transmitted using a specific encoding scheme, and further transmit the encoded bit information, for example, by transmitting one bit in one time unit. For simplicity of distinction and explanation, this time unit will be referred to as a bit time unit.

[0220] Selectively, the bit-time unit may correspond to one or more slots in the primary system, or one or more wireless frames.

[0221] In some embodiments, the length of the target time unit may be equal to the length of one bit time unit.

[0222] In different encoding schemes, bits 0 and 1 may be represented by different waveforms. In encoding schemes used in reflective devices, if a particular bit is represented by a waveform containing both high-level and low-level signals (for example, the first half of a bit time unit is high-level and the second half is low-level, or the first half of a bit time unit is low-level and the second half is high-level), the reflective device can perform backscattering within the time period corresponding to the high level and refrain from backscattering within the time period corresponding to the low level. That is, the target time unit is a time unit for transmitting a particular bit, and the waveform used to transmit a particular bit is a waveform consisting of a high-level signal and a low-level signal.

[0223] For example, in unidirectional RZ coding, if the first half of a bit period in a bit time unit is high level and the remaining half is low level, it represents the binary number "1", and if it is low level throughout the entire bit period, it represents the binary number "0". In this case, the reflective device performs backscattering within the first half of the bit period for transmitting bit 1, and does not perform backscattering within the remaining half of the bit period. As shown in Figure 19, in the bit time unit for transmitting bit 1, backscattering occurs during the high-level time period and does not occur during the low-level time period.

[0224] Furthermore, for example, if the first half of a bit-time unit is low level and the remaining half is high level, it represents the binary number "0", and if it is low level throughout the entire bit period, it represents the binary number "1". In this case, the reflective device may choose not to perform backscattering within the first half of the bit period for transmitting bit 0, but to perform backscattering within the remaining half of the bit period.

[0225] In some embodiments, the target time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, where the first target signal is received within the first time period and the second target signal is received within the second time period.

[0226] Selectively, the first time zone may be a time zone corresponding to a high level in a bit time unit for transmitting a specific bit, and the second time zone may be a time zone corresponding to a low level in a bit time unit for transmitting a specific bit.

[0227] Furthermore, this application does not limit the order in which the first and second time periods occur. For example, the first time period may occur after the second time period, or the first time period may occur before the second time period.

[0228] Furthermore, the length of the first time period and the length of the second time period are not limited in this application. For example, the length of the first time period and the length of the second time period may be the same or they may be different.

[0229] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 19, the target time unit is one slot, and the first time period and the second time period may each occupy half of the slot. Alternatively, if the target time unit is multiple slots, the first time period may occupy some of the multiple slots, and the second time period may occupy the remaining portion of the multiple slots.

[0230] In some embodiments, the target time unit is one radio frame, and the first time period and the second time period may each occupy half of the radio frame. Alternatively, if the target time unit is multiple radio frames, the first time period may occupy some of the multiple radio frames, and the second time period may occupy the other portion of the multiple radio frames.

[0231] In some embodiments of this application, the method 200 further includes: determining whether at least one time unit is a target time unit based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in at least one time unit, in other words, determining whether at least one time unit is used to transmit a particular bit, in other words, determining whether backscattering occurred by the reflecting device in at least one time unit, in other words, determining whether bit information transmitted by the reflecting device in at least one time unit, for example, whether bit 0 or bit 1 was transmitted.

[0232] If the reflecting device does not perform backscattering within two time periods within a single time unit, the difference in channel estimation results between these two time periods is small. Alternatively, if the reflecting device performs backscattering within one time period within a single time unit and does not perform backscattering within the other time period, the difference in channel estimation results between the two time periods is large. Based on this, the first device can select a target time unit for channel estimation. Alternatively, since different bit information transmitted by the reflecting device is represented by different waveforms, the channel estimation results between the two time periods can be used to identify the bit information transmitted by the reflecting device in that time unit.

[0233] In other words, embodiments of the present application provide a channel estimation scheme. The receiver of the primary system can select a time unit for channel estimation based on channel estimation results in two different time periods within a single time unit, and further estimate the channel information of the backscatter link of the reflecting device based on the channel estimation results in the two time periods within that time unit.

[0234] Embodiments of this application further provide a data reception scheme. The receiver of the primary system can determine, based on channel estimation results in two different time zones within a single time unit, whether bit information transmitted by the reflecting device in that time unit, for example, bit 0 or bit 1, was transmitted. For example, if the difference between the channel estimation results in the two time zones is large, it is determined that a specific bit was transmitted. Otherwise, it is determined that an unspecified bit was transmitted. Exemplarily, the specific bit is bit 1. If the difference between the channel estimation results in the two time zones is large, it is determined that bit 1 was transmitted. Otherwise, it is determined that bit 0 was transmitted. Exemplarily, the specific bit is bit 0. If the difference between the channel estimation results in the two time zones is large, it is determined that bit 0 was transmitted. Otherwise, it is determined that bit 1 was transmitted.

[0235] In some embodiments, at least one time unit includes a first time unit, the first time unit includes a first time period and a second time period. The first device performs channel estimation on signals received within the first time period and signals received within the second time period, respectively (or processes the data portion within these two time periods using the channel estimation results in the first time period and the channel estimation results in the second time period) to obtain a first channel estimation result and a second channel estimation result, and further determines whether the first time unit is a target time unit based on the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result.

[0236] In some situations, if the difference between the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result is large—for example, if the difference obtained by subtracting the second channel estimation result from the first channel estimation result is greater than the first threshold, or if the difference obtained by subtracting the first channel estimation result from the second channel estimation result is greater than the first threshold—it indicates that the reflecting device performed backscattering in one time period but not in the other. In that case, the first time unit can be identified as the target time unit; in other words, the first time unit is a time unit for transmitting a specific bit; in other words, the reflecting device transmitted a specific bit, for example, bit 1 or bit 0, in the first time unit.

[0237] In some other situations, if the difference between the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result is small, for example, if the difference obtained by subtracting the second channel estimation result from the first channel estimation result is smaller than the first threshold, or if the difference obtained by subtracting the first channel estimation result from the second channel estimation result is smaller than the first threshold, it indicates that the reflecting device did not perform backscattering within the two time periods. In that case, it can be identified that the first time unit is not the target time unit, in other words, the first time unit is not a time unit for transmitting a specific bit, in other words, the reflecting device transmitted a non-specific bit in the first time unit. If the specific bit is bit 1, the reflecting device transmitted bit 0 in the first time unit. Or, if the specific bit is bit 0, the reflecting device transmitted bit 1 in the first time unit.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first threshold may be predefined or set by a network device.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first device can determine, based solely on the pilot resources in the bit-time unit, whether the bit-time unit is a target time unit for channel estimation; in other words, whether the bit-time unit is used to transmit a particular bit; in other words, whether the reflecting device has performed backscattering in the bit-time unit.

[0240] In some other embodiments, the first device can determine whether a bit-time unit is a target time unit for channel estimation, based on the pilot resources in the bit-time unit and resources for data signal transmission other than the pilot resources of the primary system; in other words, it can determine whether the bit-time unit is used to transmit a particular bit; in other words, it can determine whether the reflecting device has performed backscattering in the bit-time unit.

[0241] Taking the second time unit as an example, determining whether at least one time unit is a target time unit based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in at least one time unit includes the following: Based on the pilot signal received within the third time period in the second time unit, channel estimation and data demodulation are performed on the signal received within the third time period to obtain a third channel estimation result and a first data demodulation result. Based on the pilot signal received within the fourth time period in the second time unit, channel estimation and data demodulation are performed on the signal received within the fourth time period to obtain a fourth channel estimation result and a second data demodulation result. Based on the fourth channel estimation result and the first data demodulation result, the signal received within the third time period is reconstructed to obtain a first data signal. Based on the signal received within the third time period and the first data signal, it is determined whether the second time unit is a target time unit.

[0242] For example, a residual signal is obtained by subtracting the first data signal from the signal received within the third time period, and then, based on the residual signal, it is determined whether or not the second time unit is the target time unit.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first device can perform energy detection on the residual signal to determine whether the second time unit is a target time unit based on the energy of the residual signal.

[0244] For example, if the energy of the residual signal is greater than the second threshold, the second time unit is identified as the target time unit, or in other words, the second time unit is identified as the time unit for transmitting a specific bit.

[0245] Furthermore, for example, if the energy of the residual signal is less than the second threshold, the second time unit is identified as not being the target time unit; in other words, the second time unit is not a time unit for transmitting a specific bit; in other words, the reflecting device transmitted a non-specific bit in the second time unit. For example, if the specific bit is bit 1, the reflecting device transmitted bit 0 in the second time unit. Or, if the specific bit is bit 0, the reflecting device transmitted bit 1 in the second time unit.

[0246] In some embodiments, the second threshold may be predefined or set by a network device.

[0247] In some embodiments, when transmitting a specific bit in a second time unit, the third time period may be a time period corresponding to a high-level signal, and the fourth time period may be a time period corresponding to a low-level signal.

[0248] Therefore, in this embodiment 2, there is no need to provide a dedicated time unit for channel estimation, and channel information of the backscatter link can be obtained using the encoding scheme of symbiotic communication. For example, the channel information of the backscatter link can be estimated using the signal in the time unit for transmitting a specific bit. This is advantageous in reducing resource overhead. Furthermore, data demodulation is performed on the backscatter signal based on the channel information of the backscatter link. This is advantageous in improving the reception performance of the signal.

[0249] In the above explanation, only the case where the reflective device employs OOK modulation was used as an example, but the above technical proposal is also applicable to other modulation schemes, such as FSK modulation. In this case, the reflective device can perform backscattering at a first frequency and not at a second frequency. Therefore, the receiver of the primary system can identify the channel information of the backscatter link of the reflective device based on the difference between the channel estimation result at the first frequency position and the channel estimation result at the second frequency position. The specific method of identification is similar to the method of identifying the channel information of the backscatter link of the reflective device based on the channel estimation results at two time points in the above embodiment, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0250] In some embodiments, if the reflective device backscatters at a first frequency but not at a second frequency, it indicates that a specific bit has been transmitted. If the reflective device does not backscatter at the first frequency but does backscatter at the second frequency, it indicates that an unspecified bit has been transmitted. Therefore, the receiver of the primary system can identify the bit information transmitted by the reflective device based on the channel estimation result at the first frequency position and the channel estimation result at the second frequency position. The specific method of identification is similar to the method of identifying the bit information transmitted by the reflective device based on the channel estimation results at the two time zones in the above embodiments, and therefore will not be explained further.

[0251] In the embodiments described above, in both cases—when the reflective device performs backscattering and when it does not—the receiver of the primary system can obtain channel information for the backscatter link of the reflective device by performing channel estimation using the pilot signal of the primary system. Furthermore, based on the channel information of the backscatter link, data transmitted by the reflective device can be received. This improves the data reception performance. Alternatively, based on the channel estimation results in both cases, the bit information transmitted by the reflective device can be identified. This enables data reception from the reflective device.

[0252] The method embodiments of this application were described in detail above with reference to Figures 13 to 19. Hereinafter, the apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail with reference to Figures 20 to 24. Note that the apparatus embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be found in the method embodiments.

[0253] Figure 20 is a block diagram showing a communication device 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 20, the communication device 400 comprises a communication unit 410. The communication unit 410 is configured to receive a first target signal and a second target signal in a target time unit, wherein the first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the second target signal includes a third signal, the first signal and the third signal are transmitted spontaneously by a second device, the second signal is transmitted by a third device through backscattering of a fourth signal, and the first signal, the third signal and the fourth signal all include pilot signals.

[0254] In some embodiments, the time domain position of the target time unit is predefined or set by a network device.

[0255] In some embodiments, the target time unit is periodic.

[0256] In some embodiments, within a single period, the distribution of target time units satisfies a first pattern.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first pattern is predefined or configured by a network device.

[0258] In some embodiments, the target time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, where the first target signal is received within the first time period and the second target signal is received within the second time period.

[0259] In some embodiments, the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit are predefined or set by a network device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first time zone and the second time zone are predetermined or set by a network device.

[0261] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the second signal is the same as the bandwidth of the first signal, or the bandwidth of the second signal is a portion of the bandwidth of the first signal.

[0262] In some embodiments, the target time unit is determined based on the encoding scheme used for the data signal in the second signal.

[0263] In some embodiments, the target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit.

[0264] In some embodiments, the target time unit includes a first time zone and a second time zone, where the first target signal is received within the first time zone and the second target signal is received within the second time zone. The first time zone corresponds to a high level in the time unit for the third device to transmit a particular bit, and the second time zone corresponds to a low level in the time unit for the transmission of a particular bit.

[0265] In some embodiments, the specific bit is bit 1.

[0266] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 further comprises a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to determine whether at least one time unit is a target time unit, based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in at least one time unit.

[0267] In some embodiments, at least one time unit includes a first time unit, the first time unit includes a first time period and a second time period. The processing unit is further configured to perform channel estimation on signals received within the first time period and signals received within the second time period to obtain a first channel estimation result and a second channel estimation result, and to determine whether the first time unit is a target time unit based on the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result.

[0268] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to identify the first time unit as the target time unit if the difference between the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result is greater than a first threshold.

[0269] In some embodiments, at least one time unit includes a second time unit, and the second time unit includes a third time period and a fourth time period. The processing unit further includes Based on the pilot signal received within the third time period, perform channel estimation and data demodulation on the signal received within the third time period to obtain a third channel estimation result and a first data demodulation result. Based on the pilot signal received within the fourth time period, perform channel estimation and data demodulation on the signal received within the fourth time period to obtain a fourth channel estimation result and a second data demodulation result. Based on the fourth channel estimation result and the first data demodulation result, reconstruct the signal received within the third time period to obtain a first data signal. Based on the signal received within the third time period and the first data signal, it is configured to identify whether the second time unit is the target time unit.

[0270] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to subtract the first data signal from the signal received within the third time period to obtain a residual signal, and based on the residual signal, identify whether the second time unit is the target time unit.

[0271] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to identify that the second time unit is the target time unit when the energy of the residual signal is greater than a second threshold.

[0272] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to identify the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device based on the first target signal and the second target signal.

[0273] In some embodiments, the processing unit is further configured to perform channel estimation on each of the first target signal and the second target signal, and based on the difference between the channel estimation result of the first target signal and the channel estimation result of the second target signal, identify the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device.

[0274] In some embodiments, the communication unit 410 is further configured to receive a data signal in the second signal based on the channel information of the backscatter link.

[0275] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 is a network device or a terminal device.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second device is a terminal device or a network device.

[0277] In some embodiments, the third device is an ambient power-enabled IoT device.

[0278] In some embodiments, the fourth signal and the first signal are the same signal.

[0279] Optionally, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0280] Note that the communication device 400 according to the embodiments of the present application can correspond to the receiver of the first device or the primary system in the method embodiments of the present application. Also, the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 400 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the receiver of the first device or the primary system in the methods shown in FIGS. 13 to 19. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0281] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 21, the communication device 500 includes a processing unit 510. The processing unit 510 is configured to backscatter a fourth signal within a first time period in a target time unit and not backscatter the fourth signal within a second time period in a target time unit, the fourth signal being transmitted spontaneously by a second device, and the fourth signal including a pilot signal.

[0282] In some embodiments, the time domain position of the target time unit is predefined or set by a network device.

[0283] In some embodiments, the target time unit is periodic.

[0284] In some embodiments, within a single period, the distribution of target time units satisfies a first pattern.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first pattern is predefined or configured by a network device.

[0286] In some embodiments, the positions of the first time zone and the second time zone in the target time unit are predefined or set by a network device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the lengths of the first time zone and the second time zone are predetermined or set by a network device.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first time period is a time period during which the communication device 500 transmits a specific bit.

[0289] In some embodiments, the specific bit is bit 1.

[0290] In some embodiments, the communication device 500 is an ambient power-enabled IoT device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second device is a terminal device or a network device.

[0292] Selectively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0293] Furthermore, the communication device 500 according to the embodiment of this application can correspond to the third device or reflective device in the method embodiment of this application. Also, the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 500 are for carrying out the corresponding process of the third device or reflective device in the method shown in Figures 13 to 19. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0294] Figure 22 is a block diagram showing a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 22, the communication device 800 comprises a communication unit 810. The communication unit 810 is configured to transmit a first signal within a first time period in a target time unit and a third signal within a second time period in the target time unit, the first and third signals being transmitted spontaneously by the communication unit 810, the first and third signals including pilot signals, and the first signal being used by the third device to perform backscattering within the first time period.

[0295] In some embodiments, the time domain position of the target time unit is predefined or set by a network device.

[0296] In some embodiments, the target time unit is periodic.

[0297] In some embodiments, within one period, the distribution of the target time units satisfies the first pattern.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first pattern is predefined or set by the network device.

[0299] In some embodiments, the position of the first time zone in the target time unit and the position of the second time zone in the target time unit are predefined or set by the network device.

[0300] In some embodiments, the length of the first time zone and the length of the second time zone are predefined or set by the network device.

[0301] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the backscatter signal of the third device is the same as the bandwidth of the first signal, or the bandwidth of the backscatter signal of the third device is a part of the bandwidth of the first signal.

[0302] In some embodiments, the target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first time zone corresponds to the high level in the time unit for transmitting a specific bit, and the second time zone corresponds to the low level in the time unit for transmitting a specific bit.

[0304] In some embodiments, the specific bit is bit 1.

[0305] In some embodiments, the third device is an ambient power enabled IoT device.

[0306] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 is a terminal device or a network device.

[0307] Selectively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0308] Furthermore, the communication device 800 according to the embodiment of this application can correspond to the second device or primary system transmitter in the method embodiment of this application. Also, the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are for carrying out the corresponding process of the second device or primary system transmitter in the method shown in Figures 13 to 19. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0309] Figure 23 shows the structure of a communication device 600 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 shown in Figure 23 includes a processor 610. The processor 610 can realize the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program stored in memory.

[0310] Selectively, as shown in Figure 23, the communication device 600 may further include a memory 620. The processor 610 can implement the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program stored in the memory 620.

[0311] The memory 620 may be a standalone unit independent of the processor 610, or it may be integrated into the processor 610.

[0312] Selectively, as shown in Figure 23, the communication device 600 may further include a transceiver 630. The processor 610 can control the transceiver 630 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 630 can transmit information or data to other devices, or receive information or data transmitted by other devices.

[0313] The transceiver 630 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 630 may further include an antenna. The number of antennas may be one or more.

[0314] Selectively, the communication device 600 may specifically be the receiver of the first device or primary system in each embodiment of the present application. Furthermore, the communication device 600 may implement the corresponding process implemented by the receiver of the first device or primary system in each method of each embodiment of the present application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0315] Selectively, the communication device 600 may specifically be the transmitter of the second device or primary system in each embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the communication device 600 can implement the corresponding process implemented by the transmitter of the second device or primary system in each method of each embodiment of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0316] Selectively, the communication device 600 may be specifically the third device or reflective device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the communication device 600 can implement the corresponding processes realized by the third device or reflective device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0317] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a chip according to an embodiment of this application. The chip 700 shown in Figure 24 includes a processor 710. The processor 710 can realize the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program stored in memory.

[0318] Selectively, as shown in Figure 24, the chip 700 may further include a memory 720. The processor 710 can implement the method according to the embodiment of this application by calling and executing a computer program stored in the memory 720.

[0319] The memory 720 may be a standalone unit separate from the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0320] Selectively, the chip 700 may further include an input interface 730. The processor 710 can control the input interface 730 to communicate with other devices or chips. Specifically, the input interface 730 can acquire information or data transmitted by other devices or chips.

[0321] Selectively, the chip 700 further includes an output interface 740. The processor 710 can control the output interface 740 to communicate with other devices or chips. Specifically, the output interface 740 can output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0322] Selectively, the chip can be applied to the receiver of the first device or primary system of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the chip can implement the corresponding process implemented by the receiver of the first device or primary system in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0323] Selectively, the chip can be applied to the transmitter of the second device or primary system in each embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the chip can implement the corresponding process realized by the transmitter of the second device or primary system in each method of each embodiment of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0324] Selectively, the chip can be applied to a third device or reflective device of an embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the chip can implement the corresponding process realized by the third device or reflective device in each method of an embodiment of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0325] It should be understood that the chip according to the embodiment of this application may also be called a system-level chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-chip (SOC).

[0326] Figure 25 is a block diagram showing another communication system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 25, the communication system 1000 comprises a first device 1010, a second device 1020, and a third device 1030.

[0327] The first device 1010 may be configured to implement the corresponding function realized by the first device or the receiver of the primary system in the above method. The second device 1020 may be configured to implement the corresponding function realized by the second device or the transmitter of the primary system in the above method. The third device 1030 may be configured to implement the corresponding function realized by the third device or the reflecting device in the above method. For brevity, this will not be repeated here.

[0328] The processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiment may be completed by an integrated logic circuit in hardware form or by instructions in software form of the processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component. The processor may implement or execute the various methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any ordinary processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application may be executed and completed directly by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may reside in a mature storage medium in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. The storage medium is located in memory. The processor reads the information from memory and, in conjunction with the processor hardware, completes the steps of the method described above.

[0329] To ensure understanding, the memory of the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may 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. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) that functions as an external high-speed cache. Examples of various RAMs available include, but are not limited to, static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DRRAM). The memory in the systems and methods described in this application may include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0330] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memories are illustrative but not limiting. For example, the memories of the embodiments of this application may include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synch-link dynamic random access memory (synch-link DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DRRAM). In other words, the memories of the embodiments of this application may include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0331] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium used for storing computer programs.

[0332] Selectively, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the first device of the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0333] Selectively, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a second device of an embodiment of this application. The computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second device in each method of the embodiment of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0334] Selectively, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a third device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the third device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0335] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product that includes computer program instructions.

[0336] Selectively, the computer program product can be applied to the first device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0337] Selectively, the computer program product can be applied to a second device of an embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second device in each method of the embodiment of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0338] Selectively, the computer program product can be applied to a third device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the corresponding process implemented by the third device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0339] Embodiments of this application further provide computer programs.

[0340] Selectively, the computer program can be applied to the first device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made to execute the corresponding process implemented by the first device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0341] Selectively, the computer program can be applied to a second device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made to execute the corresponding process implemented by the second device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0342] Selectively, the computer program can be applied to a third device of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer is made to execute the corresponding process implemented by the third device in each method of the embodiments of this application. For brevity, this is not repeated here.

[0343] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, in conjunction with the exemplary units and algorithmic operations described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed by hardware or software will depend on the specific application of the invention and design constraints. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functions using different methods for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0344] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of easy and concise explanation, the specific operating processes of the above systems, apparatuses, and units can be described by referring to the corresponding processes in the above-described method embodiments. This will not be repeated here.

[0345] In some embodiments of this application, the systems, devices, and methods disclosed should be understood to be implementable in other forms. For example, the embodiments of the devices described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of a unit is merely a division of a logic function, and in actual implementation, it may have a different division form. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some of their features may be ignored or not performed. Furthermore, the coupling, direct coupling, and communication connections between them shown or considered may also be indirect coupling or communication connections by several interfaces, devices, or units, and may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0346] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. Components shown as units may or may not be physical units. That is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the technical proposal of this embodiment.

[0347] Furthermore, each functional unit according to each embodiment of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically independently, and two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0348] The functions may be implemented as software function units and, when sold or used as independent products, stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Under this understanding, the essential parts of the proposed invention of this application, or parts that contribute to the prior art, or parts of the proposed invention, may be expressed as a software product. This computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for causing a single computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of this application. The storage medium includes various types of media capable of storing program code, such as universal serial bus (USB) flash disks, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0349] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present application, and the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that a person skilled in the art could easily conceive within the scope of the art disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, The first device includes receiving a first target signal and a second target signal in a target time unit, The first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the second target signal includes a third signal, the first signal and the third signal are transmitted spontaneously by a second device, the second signal is transmitted by a third device by backscattering of a fourth signal, and the first signal, the third signal and the fourth signal each include a pilot signal. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

2. The time domain position of the aforementioned target time unit is predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned target time unit is periodic. The method according to 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. Within one period, the distribution of the target time units satisfies the first pattern. The method according to feature 3.

5. The first pattern is predefined or configured by a network device. The method according to feature 4.

6. The target time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, wherein the first target signal is received within the first time period and the second target signal is received within the second time period. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by the features described herein.

7. The position of the first time zone and the position of the second time zone in the target time unit are predetermined, or set by a network device, and / or The length of the first time period and the length of the second time period are predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to feature 6.

8. The bandwidth of the second signal is the same as the bandwidth of the first signal, or the bandwidth of the second signal is a part of the bandwidth of the first signal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the features described herein.

9. The target time unit is determined based on the encoding scheme used for the data signal in the second signal. The method according to feature 1.

10. The target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit. The method according to 1 or 9, characterized by the above.

11. The target time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, wherein the first target signal is received within the first time period, the second target signal is received within the second time period, the first time period is the time period corresponding to a high level in the time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit, and the second time period is the time period corresponding to a low level in the time unit for transmitting a specific bit. The method according to 1, 9, or 10, characterized by the features described above.

12. The aforementioned specific bit is bit 1. The method according to 10 or 11, characterized by the features described herein.

13. The above method further, This includes determining whether the at least one time unit is the target time unit based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in at least one time unit, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by...

14. The at least one time unit includes a first time unit, the first time unit includes a first time period and a second time period, and determining whether the at least one time unit is the target time unit based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in the at least one time unit is, Channel estimation is performed on the signals received within the first time period and the signals received within the second time period to obtain a first channel estimation result and a second channel estimation result, Based on the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result, it is determined whether the first time unit is a target time unit, including, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

15. Based on the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result, determining whether the first time unit is a target time unit is: If the difference between the first channel estimation result and the second channel estimation result is greater than a first threshold, the first time unit is identified as the target time unit, including The method according to feature 14.

16. The at least one time unit includes a second time unit, the second time unit includes a third time period and a fourth time period, and determining whether the at least one time unit is the target time unit based on the channel estimation result of the signal received in the at least one time unit is, Based on the pilot signal received within the third time period, channel estimation and data demodulation are performed on the signal received within the third time period to obtain a third channel estimation result and a first data demodulation result. Based on the pilot signal received within the fourth time period, channel estimation and data demodulation are performed on the signal received within the fourth time period to obtain a fourth channel estimation result and a second data demodulation result. Based on the fourth channel estimation result and the first data demodulation result, the signal received within the third time period is reconstructed to obtain the first data signal. Based on the signal received within the third time period and the first data signal, it is determined whether the second time unit is a target time unit. including, The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

17. Determining whether the second time unit is a target time unit based on the signal received within the third time period and the first data signal is: The residual signal is obtained by subtracting the first data signal from the signal received within the third time period, Based on the residual signal, determine whether the second time unit is the target time unit. including, The method according to 16, characterized by...

18. Based on the residual signal, determining whether the second time unit is the target time unit is: If the energy of the residual signal is greater than a second threshold, the second time unit is identified as the target time unit, including: The method according to feature 17.

19. The above method further, This includes identifying channel information of the backscatter link of the third device based on the first target signal and the second target signal, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized by the features described above.

20. Identifying the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device based on the first target signal and the second target signal is: Perform channel estimation for the first target signal and the second target signal, Based on the difference between the channel estimation result of the first target signal and the channel estimation result of the second target signal, the channel information of the backscatter link of the third device is identified. including, The method according to feature 19.

21. The above method further, This includes receiving the data signal in the second signal based on the channel information of the backscatter link, The method according to 19 or 20, characterized by the present invention.

22. The first device is a network device or a terminal device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized by...

23. The second device is a terminal device or a network device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by the features described herein.

24. The third device is an ambient power-enabled IoT (Internet of Things) device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized by...

25. The fourth signal and the first signal are the same signal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized by...

26. A wireless communication method, The third device includes backscattering the fourth signal within a first time period in the target time unit and not backscattering the fourth signal within a second time period in the target time unit, The fourth signal is transmitted spontaneously by the second device, and the fourth signal includes a pilot signal. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

27. The time domain position of the aforementioned target time unit is predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to the feature of 26.

28. The aforementioned target time unit is periodic. The method according to feature 26 or 27.

29. Within one period, the distribution of the target time units satisfies the first pattern. The method according to feature 28.

30. The first pattern is predefined or configured by a network device. The method according to feature 29.

31. The position of the first time zone and the position of the second time zone in the target time unit are predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, characterized by...

32. The length of the first time period and the length of the second time period are predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 31, characterized by...

33. The target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit. The method according to the feature of 26.

34. The first time period is the time period corresponding to a high level in the time unit for transmitting the specific bit, and the second time period is the time period corresponding to a low level in the time unit for transmitting the specific bit. The method according to feature 33.

35. The third device is an ambient power-enabled IoT (Internet of Things) device. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 34, characterized by...

36. The second device is a terminal device or a network device. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 35, characterized by...

37. A wireless communication method, The second device includes transmitting a first signal within a first time period in the target time unit and transmitting a third signal within a second time period in the target time unit. The first signal and the third signal are transmitted spontaneously by the second device, the first signal and the third signal include pilot signals, and the first signal is used by the third device to perform backscattering within the first time period. A wireless communication method characterized by the following:

38. The time domain position of the aforementioned target time unit is predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to feature 37.

39. The aforementioned target time unit is periodic. The method according to feature 37 or 38.

40. Within one period, the distribution of the target time units satisfies the first pattern. The method according to the feature of 39.

41. The first pattern is predefined or configured by a network device. The method according to the present invention, characterized by the present invention.

42. The position of the first time zone and the position of the second time zone in the target time unit are predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 41, characterized by...

43. The length of the first time period and the length of the second time period are predetermined or set by a network device. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 42, characterized by...

44. The bandwidth of the backscatter signal of the third device is the same as the bandwidth of the first signal, or the bandwidth of the backscatter signal of the third device is a part of the bandwidth of the first signal. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 42, characterized by...

45. The target time unit is a time unit for the third device to transmit a specific bit. The method according to feature 37.

46. The first time period is the time period corresponding to a high level in the time unit for transmitting the specific bit, and the second time period is the time period corresponding to a low level in the time unit for transmitting the specific bit. The method according to 45, characterized by...

47. The aforementioned specific bit is bit 1. The method according to 45 or 46, characterized by the above.

48. The third device is an ambient power-enabled IoT (Internet of Things) device. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 47, characterized by...

49. The second device is a terminal device or a network device. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 48, characterized by...

50. A communication device equipped with a communication unit, The communication unit is configured to receive a first target signal and a second target signal in a target time unit, wherein the first target signal includes a first signal and a second signal, the second target signal includes a third signal, the first signal and the third signal are transmitted spontaneously by a second device, the second signal is transmitted by a third device through backscattering of a fourth signal, and the first signal, the third signal and the fourth signal all include pilot signals. A communication device characterized by the following features.

51. A communication device equipped with a processing unit, The processing unit is configured to backscatter the fourth signal within a first time period in the target time unit and not backscatter the fourth signal within a second time period in the target time unit, the fourth signal is transmitted spontaneously by a second device, and the fourth signal includes a pilot signal. A communication device characterized by the following features.

52. A communication device equipped with a communication unit, The communication unit is configured to transmit a first signal within a first time period in a target time unit and a third signal within a second time period in the target time unit, wherein the first and third signals are transmitted spontaneously by the communication unit, the first and third signals include pilot signals, and the first signal is used by the third device to perform backscattering within the first time period. A communication device characterized by the following features.

53. A communication device comprising a processor and memory, The memory is configured to store computer programs, and the processor is configured to call and execute the computer programs stored in the memory to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, or the method according to any one of claims 26 to 36, or the method according to any one of claims 37 to 49. A communication device characterized by the following features.

54. A chip equipped with a processor, The processor is configured to call and execute a computer program stored in memory, causing the device equipped with the chip to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, or the method according to any one of claims 26 to 36, or the method according to any one of claims 37 to 49. A chip characterized by the following features.

55. A computer-readable storage medium, The computer-readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, or the method according to any one of claims 26 to 36, or the method according to any one of claims 37 to 49. A computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following features.

56. A computer program product that includes computer program instructions, The computer program instruction causes the computer to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 25, or the method described in any one of claims 26 to 36, or the method described in any one of claims 37 to 49. A computer program product characterized by the following features.

57. It is a computer program, The computer program causes the computer to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 25, or the method described in any one of claims 26 to 36, or the method described in any one of claims 37 to 49. A computer program characterized by the following features.

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