Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method is applicable to an ultra-wideband-based wireless personal area network system including an 802.15 series protocol, such as an 802.15.4a protocol, an 802.15.4z protocol, or an 802.15.4ab protocol. The method includes a step of: a first communication device determining a first information element, the first information element including at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to configure a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of a second communication device, and the second information being used to configure a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device; and a step of the first communication device transmitting the first information element to the second communication device. In this manner, the second communication device can complete preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or preamble configuration for the first measurement process based on the first information element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] (...)Compared with conventional wireless communication technologies, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system can achieve higher ranging and positioning accuracy that can reach the centimeter level. In a UWB communication system, impulses with a pulse width of only the nanosecond level are used as the basic signals of the UWB communication system. Therefore, the UWB communication system is characterized by a high transmission rate, a large system capacity, and the like.

[0004] Currently, for UWB devices supporting the 802.15.4ab protocol, both initial synchronization and ranging processes of the UWB device need to be executed based on the corresponding preamble. However, existing preamble configuration patterns cannot enable UWB devices supporting the 802.15.4ab protocol to complete the preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or the preamble configuration for the ranging process.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus for supporting a UWB device to complete a preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or a preamble configuration for a measurement process.​​

[0006] According to a first embodiment, a communication method is provided, the method comprising the steps of: a first communication device determining a first information element, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of a second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device; and the first communication device transmitting the first information element to the second communication device.

[0007] In this application, the first information and / or the second information are configured in the first information element, thereby enabling the second communication device to be supported in completing a preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or a preamble configuration for a first measurement process based on the first information and / or the second information in the first information element.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the first information element further includes at least one of the third and fourth pieces of information, the third piece of information indicating the type of the first sequence, and the fourth piece of information indicating the type of the second sequence.

[0009] Therefore, the second communication device determines the type of the corresponding first sequence and / or the type of the corresponding second sequence based on the third and / or fourth information in the first information element, thereby generating the corresponding preamble sequence more effectively.

[0010] In possible implementations, the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

[0011] Therefore, the second communication device determines the type information of the first measurement process based on the fifth information of the first information element, thereby more effectively completing the measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0012] In possible implementations, the first type of measurement process includes at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

[0013] In a possible implementation, this method further includes the step of a first communication device transmitting a second information element to a second communication device, wherein the second information element includes a sixth piece of information, the sixth piece of information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

[0014] In this approach, integrity protection verification can be performed through integrity fragmentation to determine whether an attack has occurred during the ranging process.

[0015] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, which indicates whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

[0016] In this approach, the number of preamble fragments is dynamically updated, thereby allowing the receiving and transmitting devices to better adapt to dynamic changes in the channel environment. This approach improves measurement accuracy between the receiving and transmitting devices, or reduces interference with other devices.

[0017] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

[0018] In a possible implementation, this method further includes the step of a first communication device transmitting a third information element to a second communication device, the third information element being used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0019] In possible implementations, if the second communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is based on the third information element; or if the second communication device supports both the third and second information elements, the second measurement process is based on both the second and third information elements.

[0020] In a possible implementation, this method further includes the step of a first communication device receiving indication information from a second communication device, the indication information indicating whether the second communication device supports at least one of narrowband signaling functionality and multi-millisecond transmission functionality.

[0021] According to the aforementioned technical solution, in this application, the first communication device can determine whether the second communication device supports NB signaling and MMS functions. This helps the first communication device to make appropriate measurement configurations in subsequent measurement processes.

[0022] In a possible implementation, this method further includes the step of a first communication device transmitting feedback information to a second communication device, the feedback information indicating that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

[0023] According to a second aspect, there is a step in which a second communication device receives a first information element from a first communication device, where the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for the initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, and the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device, and a step in which the second communication device determines at least one of the first sequence and the second sequence based on the first information element. A communication method is provided that includes these steps.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first information element further includes at least one of third information and fourth information, the third information indicates the type of the first sequence, and the fourth information indicates the type of the second sequence.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first information element further includes fifth information, and the fifth information indicates the type of the first measurement process.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the type of the first measurement process includes at least one of a ranging process based on non-multi-millisecond transmission, a ranging process based on multi-millisecond transmission, or a ranging process based on multi-millisecond transmission assisted by a narrowband signal.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the method further includes a step in which the second communication device receives a second information element from the first communication device, where the second information element includes sixth information, and the sixth information indicates the number of ranging integrity fragments.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second information element further includes seventh information, and the seventh information indicates whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the second information element further includes eighth information, and the eighth information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interleaved multi-millisecond transmission, or the eighth information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is non-interleaved multi-millisecond transmission.

[0030] In a possible implementation, this method further includes a step in which a second communication device receives a third information element from a first communication device, and the third information element is used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0031] In a possible implementation, if the second communication device supports the third information element and does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is based on the third information element, or if the second communication device supports the third information element and the second information element, the second measurement process is based on the second information element and the third information element.

[0032] In a possible implementation, before the second communication device receives a first information element from the first communication device, this method further includes a step in which the second communication device transmits indication information to the first communication device, and the indication information indicates whether the second communication device supports at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function, and this method further includes a step in which the second communication device receives feedback information from the first communication device, and the feedback information indicates that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

[0034] According to a third embodiment, a communication device is provided, the communication device including a processing unit configured to determine a first information element, wherein the first information element comprises at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of a second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a transceiver unit configured to transmit the first information element to a second communication device.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the first information element further includes at least one of the third and fourth pieces of information, the third piece of information indicating the type of the first sequence, and the fourth piece of information indicating the type of the second sequence.

[0036] In possible implementations, the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

[0037] In possible implementations, the first type of measurement process includes at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

[0038] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second information element to a second communication device, the second information element containing a sixth piece of information, the sixth piece of information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

[0039] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, which indicates whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

[0040] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

[0041] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a third information element to a second communication device, which is used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0042] In possible implementations, if the second communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is based on the third information element; or if the second communication device supports both the third and second information elements, the second measurement process is based on both the second and third information elements.

[0043] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive indication information from a second communication device, which indicates whether the second communication device supports at least one of the following: narrowband signaling capabilities and multi-millisecond transmission capabilities.

[0044] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit feedback information to a second communication device, indicating that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

[0045] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a transceiver unit configured to receive a first information element from a first communication device, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the communication device, and a processing unit configured to determine at least one of the first sequence and the second sequence based on the first information element.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first information element further includes at least one of the third and fourth pieces of information, the third piece of information indicating the type of the first sequence, and the fourth piece of information indicating the type of the second sequence.

[0047] In possible implementations, the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

[0048] In possible implementations, the first type of measurement process includes at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

[0049] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second information element from a first communication device, the second information element containing a sixth piece of information, the sixth piece of information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

[0050] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, which indicates whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

[0051] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or the eighth piece of information indicating that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

[0052] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third information element from a first communication device, the third information element being used in a second measurement process between this communication device and the first communication device.

[0053] In possible implementations, if the communication device supports a third information element but not a second information element, the second measurement process is based on the third information element; or, if the communication device supports both the third and second information elements, the second measurement process is based on both the second and third information elements.

[0054] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit indication information to a first communication device, which indicates whether the communication device supports at least one of the following: narrowband signaling capabilities and multi-millisecond transmission capabilities.

[0055] In possible implementations, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive feedback information from a first communication device, indicating that the communication device is not permitted to access the network.

[0056] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device including a processor is provided. The processor is coupled to memory and is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to enable the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the first aspect and any possible implementations thereof, or to enable the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the second aspect and any possible implementations thereof.

[0057] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided which includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface. The logic circuit is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to enable the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the first aspect and any possible implementations thereof, or to enable the communication device to perform a method according to any one of the second aspect and any possible implementations thereof.

[0058] According to the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program or instruction is provided. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform a method according to any one of the first aspect and any possible implementations thereof, or the computer is enabled to perform a method according to any one of the second aspect and any possible implementations thereof.

[0059] According to the eighth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform a method according to any one of the first aspect and any possible implementations thereof, or the computer is enabled to perform a method according to any one of the second aspect and any possible implementations thereof. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0060] [Figure 1]This is a diagram of a communication system 100 to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the structure of information element #S used for preamble construction. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the phases of the UWB ranging round. [Figure 4] This is a dialogue flowchart of the communication method 400 according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of the type of MMS ranging according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the structure of the first information element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the structure of the second information element according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the structure of the indication information according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 10] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 1100 according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device 1300 according to an embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0061] Hereafter, the technical solution of this application will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0062] The technical solution of this application can be applied to a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The standard currently used for WPANs is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15 series. WPANs can be used for short-range communication between digital assistive devices, such as telephones, computers, and assistive devices. Technologies supporting wireless personal area networks include Bluetooth, ZigBee, ultra-wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA) connectivity technology, and home radio frequency (HomeRF). From a network architecture perspective, a WPAN is located at the lowest layer of the overall network architecture and is for short-range wireless connectivity between devices, i.e., point-to-point short-range connections; it can be considered a short-range wireless communication network. Based on different application scenarios, WPANs are further classified into high-rate (HR) WPANs and low-rate (LR) WPANs. HR WPANs can be used to support a variety of high-rate multimedia applications, including the delivery of high-quality audio and video, and the transmission of multi-megabyte music and image documents. LR WPANs may be for general services in everyday life.

[0063] In a personal area network (PAN), devices can be classified into full-function devices (FFDs) and reduced-function devices (RFDs) based on their communication capabilities. FFDs can communicate with each other, and FFDs can communicate with RFDs. RFDs cannot communicate directly with each other. RFDs can only communicate with FFDs, or transfer data through a single FFD. An FFD associated with another RFD is called the RFD coordinator. RFDs are primarily used for simple control applications, such as light switches and passive infrared sensors. They transmit small amounts of data and occupy small amounts of transmission and communication resources. Therefore, RFDs have low costs. The coordinator is sometimes also called a personal area network (PAN) coordinator or central control node. The PAN Coordinator is the main control node for the entire network, and each ad-hoc network can have only one PAN Coordinator, which has the functions of member identity management, link information management, and packet forwarding.

[0064] Optionally, the device in the embodiments of this application (e.g., a transmitting device or a receiving device) may be a device that supports the 802.15 series, for example, a device that supports multiple WPAN standards, such as the 802.15.4a protocol, the 802.15.4z protocol, and the WPAN standard under discussion or a subsequent version thereof.

[0065] Optionally, this application may be applied to UWB-based WPAN systems including 802.15 series protocols, such as 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab protocols, and may also support next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or EHT, IEEE 802.11ax, and 802.11b.

[0066] In the embodiments of this application, the device may be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, computer, mobile phone, home smart device, in-vehicle communication device, etc.

[0067] In embodiments of this application, the device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system may be any one or more types of computer operating systems that perform service processing through processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the specific structure of the implementer of the method provided in embodiments of this application is not particularly limited in embodiments of this application, as long as a program recording the code of the method provided in embodiments of this application is executed and it is possible to perform communication by the method provided in embodiments of this application. For example, the method provided in embodiments of this application may be executed by an FFD or RFD, or by a functional module located within an FFD or RFD that is capable of calling and executing a program.

[0068] In addition, aspects or features of this application may be implemented as methods, apparatus, or products using standard programming and / or engineering technologies. As used in this application, the term “product” covers computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable component, carrier, or media. For example, computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage components (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, and flash memory components (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks, or key drives). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media configured to store information. The term “machine-readable media” may include, but are not limited to, wireless channels, as well as various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0069] The technical solutions of this application may be further applicable to wireless local area network systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) networks. This application may also be applicable to other possible communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, and fifth-generation (5) systems. th 5G communication systems and 6th generation (6 th It may be further applicable to generation (6G) communication systems.

[0070] The aforementioned communication systems to which this application is applicable are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems to which this application is applicable are not limited to them. This is uniformly stated herein and will not be described again in detail thereafter.

[0071] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal may be a device having wireless transceiver functionality, and specifically may be user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.Terminal devices may alternatively include satellite phones, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, wireless modems, or machine-type communication devices, or cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), customer-premises equipment (CPE), smart point of sale (POS) machines, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, communication devices carried by high-altitude aircraft, wearable devices, unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, terminals in device-to-device (D2D) communication, terminals in V2X, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, and smart grids. These may include wireless terminals in grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and terminal devices in advanced communication networks beyond 5G. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0072] In embodiments of this application, the device configured to perform the functions of a terminal device may be a terminal device, or a device capable of supporting a terminal device in performing those functions, such as a chip system. The device may be attached to a terminal device or used in conjunction with a terminal device. In embodiments of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or include a chip and other separate components.

[0073] The network device in the embodiments of this application is a device having wireless transceiver functionality and is configured to communicate with terminal devices. The access network device may be a node in a radio access network (RAN), and may also be called a base station or RAN node. The access network device may be an evolved NodeB (eNB, or eNodeB) in LTE, a base station in a 5G network such as a gNodeB (gNB), a base station in an evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) beyond 5G, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch, a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) access device, and the like.

[0074] The network devices in embodiments of this application may further include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small cells), relay stations, transmitting and receiving points (TRPs), transmission points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. The network devices may further include central units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (C-RAN) systems, and network devices in NTN communication systems. This is not particularly limited in embodiments of this application.

[0075] In embodiments of this application, the device configured to perform the functions of a network device may be a network device, or a device capable of supporting a network device in performing those functions, such as a chip system. The device may be attached to a network device or used in conjunction with a network device. In embodiments of this application, the chip system may include a chip, or include a chip and other separate components.

[0076] Hereafter, applicable communication systems related to the technical solutions disclosed in this application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0077] Figure 1 is a diagram of a communication system 100 to which embodiments of the present application are applicable. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes communication devices 110 and 120. The number of communication devices included in the communication system 100 is not limited in this application. Communication devices 110 and 120 may be any of the terminal devices listed above, or any of the network devices listed above. This is not limited in this application. Figure 1 is for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0078] In Figure 1, UWB communication can be performed between communication device 110 and communication device 120. For example, UWB communication includes transmission applications such as sensing, ranging, positioning, and communication. An example where UWB transmission is ranging is used for description. In a ranging scenario, communication device 110 may act as an initiator (the initiator is a UWB device capable of starting the UWB ranging process, and can be a transmitter / receiver), and communication device 120 may act as a responder (the responder is a UWB device that responds to the ranging process started by the initiator, and can be a receiver / transmitter).

[0079] In Figure 1, both communication devices 110 and 120 may be UWB devices supporting the 802.15.4z protocol, or UWB devices supporting the 802.15.4ab protocol, or UWB devices supporting another protocol. This is not limited to the present application. For the sake of clarity, the present application uses an example in which both communication devices 110 and 120 are UWB devices supporting the 802.15.4ab protocol, but other scenarios are not limited.

[0080] As described above, communication devices supporting UWB communication need to perform preamble configuration for initial synchronization and preamble configuration for the ranging process. For example, communication device 110 performs initial synchronization based on a first preamble and performs the ranging process based on a second preamble. The configuration information for the first preamble and the configuration information for the second preamble need to be configured and transmitted by communication device 110, which acts as the initiator. Refer to Figure 2 for the preamble configuration format.

[0081] Figure 2 shows the structure of Information Element (IE) #S used for preamble configuration. As shown in Figure 2, Information Element #S includes a channel configuration interval presence (CCIP) field, a dynamic preamble selection (DPS) duration presence (DDP) field, a preamble sequence selection presence (PSP) field, a channel number field, a CCI field, a DPS field, a transmitter preamble code (Tx preamble code) field, a receiver preamble code (Rx preamble code) field, and a preamble symbol repetitions (PSR) field.

[0082] Specifically, the CCIP field indicates whether the CCI field exists, the DDP field indicates whether the DPS duration field exists, and the PSP field indicates whether a field related to preamble sequence selection exists. Fields related to preamble sequence selection include the transmitter preamble code field, the receiver preamble code field, and the PSR field. The channel number field indicates the UWB channel number, the CCI field indicates channel configuration interval information, the DPS duration field indicates the duration of the DPS, and the PSR field indicates preamble symbol repetition.

[0083] The transmitter preamble code field indicates an index value, which corresponds to the preamble sequence used by the transmitter (the transmitting device of information element #S) to transmit the UWB signal in the upcoming ranging process. The receiver preamble code field also indicates an index value, which corresponds to the preamble sequence used by the receiver (the receiving device of information element #S) to receive the UWB signal in the upcoming ranging process. The type of preamble sequence indicated by the transmitter and receiver preamble fields is a preamble sequence based on an Ipatov sequence, which includes the Ipatov sequences defined in the existing 802.15.4z protocol.

[0084] It can be understood that initial synchronization of a UWB device includes two types: initial synchronization based on a UWB signal and initial synchronization based on a narrowband (NB) signal. For initial synchronization based on a UWB signal, the performance requirements for the preamble sequence for initial synchronization differ from those for the ranging process (hereafter, an example where the ranging process is a multi-millisecond (MMS) transmission will be used for description), and separate preamble sequences may be configured for the initial synchronization process and the MMS ranging process, respectively. For example, for initial synchronization, a preamble sequence based on an Ipatov sequence may be selected. This is not limited herein. For the MMS ranging process, a preamble sequence based on a Golay sequence may be selected, or a preamble sequence based on a complementary zero-sum cross-correlation code block (CZC), or a preamble sequence based on an Ipatov sequence may be selected. This is not limited herein.

[0085] From the above, it can be seen that a preamble sequence based on an Ipatov sequence can be configured for both the initial synchronization process and the MMS ranging process of a UWB device. When an Ipatov sequence-based UWB device receives information element #S, it may not be possible for the UWB device supporting the 802.15.4ab protocol to distinguish the purpose of the preamble sequence indicated by information element #S; in other words, it may not be possible to determine whether the Ipatov sequence-based preamble sequence is used for initial synchronization or for the MMS ranging process.

[0086] In consideration of the aforementioned technical issues, this application provides an ultrawideband communication method and communication apparatus for supporting a UWB device in completing a preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or a preamble configuration for a measurement process.

[0087] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, some terms or concepts that may be used in the embodiments of this application are first briefly described.

[0088] Rangefinding Round: In the previous generation IEEE 802.15.4z standard, a single rangefinding process was defined as a rangefinding round. The minimum processing time unit of each rangefinding round is a rangefinding slot. A rangefinding round is classified into three phases: the rangefinding control phase, the rangefinding phase, and the rangefinding result reporting phase (measurement reporting phase). Figure 3 shows the phases of a UWB rangefinding round. In the IEEE 802.15.4z standard, the rangefinding control phase includes one rangefinding slot, while in the currently discussed IEEE 802.15.4ab standard, the rangefinding control phase may include multiple rangefinding slots, as can be understood from Figure 3.

[0089] Measurement includes measurement processes such as distance measurement, sensing, positioning, or communication performed based on UWB signals. Correspondingly, for example, if the measurement is distance measurement, the corresponding measurement round is a distance measurement round. As another example, if the measurement is sensing, the corresponding measurement round is a sensing round.

[0090] In this application, the term "fragment (fragment or segment) signal" may also be referred to as a "block signal," "short signal," "partial signal," "fragment," or "block." The name of the fragment signal is not limited if it is possible to use the fragment signal to identify that a UWB signal is divided into multiple UWB signals, and each of the multiple UWB signals obtained through the division has a time length of less than 1 millisecond, and that one of the UWB signals obtained through the division is transmitted in each millisecond. Optionally, multiple fragment signals obtained by dividing a UWB signal may be the same. For example, multiple fragment signals obtained by dividing a UWB signal may be a preamble having the same configuration. A preamble having the same configuration includes, but is not limited to, the preamble length and the sequence used by the preamble. A preamble is a group of sequences that may be used to identify the identity of a device when a device interacts with another device or accesses a network, and / or to perform channel state measurements.

[0091] In addition, the term "frame structure" in this application may also be referred to as "frame format." The name of the frame structure is not limited if it can be used to describe the characteristics of a signal frame, such as the structure / format of a UWB signal frame.

[0092] Hereafter, the ultrawideband communication method in the embodiment of this application will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0093] Figure 4 is an interaction flowchart of communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. Method 400 may be performed by a first communication device and a second communication device, or by a module and / or component (e.g., a chip or integrated circuit) having the corresponding function installed in the first communication device and the second communication device. This is not limited in the present application. The first communication device may be a network device or a terminal device, and the second communication device may be a network device or a terminal device. This is also not limited in the present application. Hereafter, the first communication device and the second communication device will be used as examples for description. As shown in Figure 4, Method 400 includes the following steps.

[0094] S410: The first communication device determines a first information element, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0095] Specifically, the fact that the first information element includes at least one of the first information and the second information may mean that the first information element includes the first information, or that the first information element includes the second information, or that the first information element includes both the first and second information.

[0096] It should be understood that the first information can be used to construct a first sequence, and the first sequence can be used for the initial synchronization of the second communication device. In other words, the first information can be used by the second communication device to perform a preamble configuration for initial synchronization. The second information can be used to construct a second sequence, and the second sequence can be used in a first measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device. In other words, the second information can be used by the second communication device to perform a preamble configuration for the first measurement process.

[0097] In possible implementations, the first measurement process includes at least one of a ranging process, a sensing process, or a positioning process. For ease of description, the following example will use a configuration where the first measurement process is a ranging process.

[0098] In possible implementations, the first sequence may further include a first preamble sequence, a first preamble field, a first preamble symbol, or another alternative or similar representation. Similarly, the second sequence may further include a second preamble sequence, a second preamble field, a second preamble symbol, or another alternative or similar representation.

[0099] S420: The first communication device transmits the first information element to the second communication device.

[0100] In response, the second communication device receives the first information element from the first communication device.

[0101] S430: The second communication device determines at least one of the first sequence and the second sequence based on the first information element.

[0102] Specifically, the first information element includes first information, and the second communication device determines a first sequence based on the first information to complete the preamble configuration for initial synchronization. The first information element includes second information, and the second communication device determines a second sequence based on the second information to complete the preamble configuration for the first measurement process. The first information element includes first and second information. The second communication device determines a first sequence based on the first information and a second sequence based on the second information to complete the preamble configuration for initial synchronization and the preamble configuration for the first measurement process.

[0103] As described above, after receiving information element #S, the second communication device may not be able to distinguish the purpose of the preamble sequence indicated by that information element #S. For example, it may not be possible to determine whether the preamble sequence indicated by information element #S is used for initial synchronization or for the first measurement process. Therefore, the second communication device may not be able to complete the preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or the preamble configuration for the first measurement process based on information element #S.

[0104] In conclusion, in this application, the first information and / or the second information are configured in the first information element, thereby enabling the second communication device to be supported in completing a preamble configuration for initial synchronization and / or a preamble configuration for the first measurement process based on the first information and / or the second information in the first information element.

[0105] In possible implementations, the first information element further includes at least one of the third and fourth pieces of information.

[0106] Specifically, the first information element contains the first information, which may further contain the third information, the third information indicating the type of the first sequence. The first information element contains the second information, which may further contain the fourth information, the fourth information indicating the type of the second sequence. The first information element contains the first and second information, which may further contain the third and fourth information, the third and fourth information indicating the type of the first and second sequences, respectively. Therefore, the second communication device determines the corresponding first sequence type and / or the corresponding second sequence type based on the third and / or fourth information in the first information element to better generate the corresponding preamble sequence.

[0107] In the example, the first sequence type may include Ipatov sequences, and the second sequence type may include Golay sequences, CZC sequences, and Ipatov sequences.

[0108] Optionally, Golay sequences may further include two types: Golay sequences supported by the 802.15.4ab protocol and Golay sequences not supported by the 802.15.4ab protocol.

[0109] Optionally, Ipatov sequences may further include three types: Ipatov sequences supported by the 802.15.4ab protocol, Ipatov sequences supported by the 802.15.4z protocol, and Ipatov sequences not supported by either the 802.15.4ab or 802.15.4z protocol.

[0110] Optionally, CZC sequences may further include two types: CZC sequences supported by the 802.15.4ab protocol and CZC sequences not supported by the 802.15.4ab protocol.

[0111] In possible implementations, the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

[0112] Specifically, the first measurement process type includes a non-MMS-based ranging process, an MMS-based ranging process, or an MMS ranging process assisted by an NB signal. Therefore, the second communication device determines the type information of the first measurement process based on the fifth information of the first information element to better complete the measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0113] In possible implementations, method 400 further includes the following:

[0114] S440: The first communication device transmits a second information element to the second communication device, the second information element containing a sixth piece of information, the sixth piece of information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

[0115] In response, the second communication device receives the second information element from the first communication device and determines the number of ranging integrity fragments based on the sixth information.

[0116] In this approach, integrity protection verification can be performed through integrity fragmentation to determine whether an attack has occurred during the ranging process.

[0117] In possible implementations, the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, which indicates whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

[0118] In response, the second communication device can decide whether to update the number of preamble fragments based on the seventh piece of information.

[0119] In this approach, the number of preamble fragments is dynamically updated, thereby allowing the receiving and transmitting devices to better adapt to dynamic changes in the channel environment. This approach improves measurement accuracy between the receiving and transmitting devices, or reduces interference with other devices.

[0120] In possible implementations, the second information element further contains the eighth information, which indicates the MMS type.

[0121] Specifically, MMS types include interlaced MMS and uninterlaced MMS. For a detailed description of MMS types, please refer to Figure 5.

[0122] Figure 5 is a diagram of the type of MMS ranging according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5(a), for non-interlaced MMS ranging, the initiator may transmit multiple consecutive UWB signal blocks to the responder, and the responder may transmit multiple consecutive UWB signal blocks to the initiator. In addition, there is no interlacing between the UWB signal blocks transmitted by the initiator and the UWB signal blocks transmitted by the responder. In the present application, a non-interlaced MMS ranging mode is used, which allows for signal enhancement and mitigates UWB signal attenuation in long-range or line-of-sight blocked scenarios. As shown in Figure 5(b), for interlaced MMS ranging, the initiator and responder alternately transmit UWB signal blocks to each other.

[0123] In possible implementations, method 400 may further include the following steps:

[0124] S450: The first communication device transmits a third information element to the second communication device, and the third information element is used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

[0125] In response, the second communication device receives a third information element from the first communication device and executes a second measurement process based on the third information element. For a description of the second measurement process, please refer to the description of the first measurement process. Details will not be described again here.

[0126] In S450, the third information element may be an advanced ranging control information element (ARC IE), which can be used to construct the measurement information used in the second measurement process for the second communication device. For specific details of the ARC IE, please refer to the existing protocol. Further details will not be described here.

[0127] In the example, if the second communication device supports the third information element but not the second information element, the second measurement process is performed based on the third information element. If the second communication device supports both the third and second information elements, the second measurement process is performed based on the second and third information elements.

[0128] Specifically, if the ranging control message (RCM) transmitted by the first communication device to the second communication device includes a third information element (e.g., ARC IE) but does not include a second information element, then the second measurement process between the first and second communication devices is based on the third information element, i.e., on the 802.15.4z protocol. This also means that the second measurement process is a non-MMS ranging process. If the RCM transmitted by the first communication device to the second communication device includes both the third and second information elements, and the second communication device supports the second information element, then the second measurement process between the first and second communication devices is based on both the third and second information elements (i.e., the measurement process is performed according to the procedures specified in the 802.15.4ab protocol). If the second communication device does not support the second information element, the second measurement process between the first and second communication devices is based on the third information element (i.e., the measurement process is performed according to the procedure specified in the 802.15.4z protocol).

[0129] In possible implementations, method 400 may further include the following steps:

[0130] S460: The second communication device transmits indication information to the first communication device, which indicates whether the second communication device supports at least one of the following: narrowband signaling function and multi-millisecond transmission function.

[0131] In response, the first communication device receives indication information from the second communication device and, based on the indication information, determines whether the second communication device supports at least one of the NB signaling function and the MMS function.

[0132] S470: The first communication device transmits feedback information to the second communication device, indicating that the second communication device is not authorized to access the network.

[0133] In response, the second communication device receives feedback information from the first communication device and, based on the feedback information, determines that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

[0134] Specifically, if the second communication device indicates to the first communication device by using indication information that the second communication device does not support at least one of the NB signaling function and / or MMS function, the first communication device sends feedback information to the second communication device, which indicates to the second communication device that it is not permitted to access the network. The reason why the second network device is not permitted to access the network may be that the second communication device does not support the NB signaling function and / or that the second communication device does not support the MMS function.

[0135] According to the aforementioned technical solution, in this application, the first communication device can determine whether the second communication device supports NB signaling and MMS functions. This helps the first communication device to make appropriate measurement configurations in subsequent measurement processes.

[0136] Regarding the aforementioned technical solutions, such as those described in S440 to S470, please note that the order of steps S440 to S470 is not limited in this application. For example, S440 may be performed before S470, or S450 may be performed before S440.

[0137] In the following sections, the method shown in Figure 4 will be described further, with reference to other attached drawings.

[0138] Figure 6 is a diagram of the structure of the first information element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, the first information element includes a CCIP field, a DDP field, a PSP field, a channel number field, a ranging mode field, an initial sync. sequence selection presence field, an MMS ranging sequence selection presence field, a CCI field, a DPS duration field, a sequence usage type field, a transmitter MMS code (Tx MMS code) field, a receiver MMS code (Rx MMS code) field, a PSR field, a transmitter gap size for MMS ranging (Tx Gap size for MMS ranging), a receiver gap size for MMS ranging (Rx Gap size for MMS ranging), a transmitter initial sync. code field (Tx initial sync. code), and a receiver initial sync. code field (Rx initial sync. code).

[0139] For a description of the sequence usage type field, please refer to Table 1.

[0140] [Table 1]

[0141] In Table 1, the Initial Synchronization Sequence Type field contains 2 bits and has four possible values, each with a different meaning. For example, the first value (e.g., 0) indicates that Ipatov sequences supported by the 802.15.4-2020 and 802.15.4z protocols are enabled. In this case, the Transmitter Initial Synchronization field, Receiver Initial Synchronization field, and PSR field are all present. The second value (e.g., 1) indicates that additional Ipatov sequences (i.e., Ipatov sequences not supported by the 802.15.4-2020 and 802.15.4z protocols) are enabled. In this case, the Transmitter Initial Synchronization field, Receiver Initial Synchronization field, and PSR field are all present. The third value (e.g., 2) indicates that the field is not activated. Therefore, the value of the Initial Synchronization Sequence Selection field is 0, and the fourth value may be spare. Please understand that the above description is merely an example for illustrative purposes and is not intended as a final limitation.

[0142] In Table 1, the MMS sequence type field contains 2 bits and has four possible values, each representing a different meaning. For example, the first value (e.g., 0) indicates that complementary set-based sequences are enabled. Complementary set-based sequences include Golay and CZC sequences. In this case, the transmitter MMS code field, receiver MMS code field, and PSR field are all present, as are the transmitter gap size field for MMS ranging and the receiver gap size field for MMS ranging. The second value (e.g., 1) indicates that the Ipatov sequence is enabled. In this case, the transmitter MMS code field, receiver MMS code field, and PSR field are all present. The third value (e.g., 2) indicates that the field is not activated. Therefore, the value of the MMS ranging sequence selection field is 0, and the fourth value may be reserved. Please understand that the above description is merely an example for illustrative purposes and is not intended as a final limitation.

[0143] For a description of the distance measurement mode field, please refer to Table 2.

[0144] [Table 2]

[0145] In Table 2, the sequence configuration requirements that can be supported by separate values ​​for the distance measurement mode field are as follows: A value of 0 indicates a preamble sequence configuration for initial synchronization. A value of 1 indicates the preamble sequence configuration for initial synchronization and the preamble sequence configuration for the MMS ranging process. A value of 2 indicates the preamble sequence configuration for the MMS ranging process. Value = 3: Reserved.

[0146] Please understand that the above description is merely an example for illustrative purposes and is not intended as a final limitation.

[0147] The meaning of the "Initial Synchronization Sequence Selection Status" field in the first information element is as follows: 1) If the Initial Synchronization Sequence Selection field is 0, it indicates that the Initial Synchronization Sequence Type field does not exist in the first information element / is not triggered in the first information element. 2) If the Initial Synchronization Sequence Selection field is 1, it indicates that the Initial Synchronization Sequence Type field exists in the first information element / is triggered in the first information element.

[0148] Please understand that the above description is merely an example for illustrative purposes and is not intended as a final limitation.

[0149] The meaning of the MMS ranging sequence selection field in the first information element is as follows: 1) If the MMS ranging sequence selection field is 0, it indicates that the MMS sequence type field does not exist in the first information element / is not triggered in the first information element. 2) If the MMS ranging sequence selection field is 1, it indicates that the MMS sequence type field is present in the first information element / is triggered in the first information element.

[0150] Please understand that the Initial Synchronization Sequence Selection field is enabled only when the Distancing Mode field is equal to 0 or 1, and the MMS Distancing Sequence Selection field is enabled only when the Distancing Mode field is equal to 1 or 2.

[0151] In addition, the first information element includes the transmitter MMS code field, the receiver MMS code field, the transmitter gap size for MMS ranging, the receiver gap size for MMS ranging, the transmitter initial synchronization code field, and Receiving The meaning of the initial synchronization code field for the signal equipment is as follows: The transmitter MMS code field indicates an index value, which corresponds to the preamble sequence used by the transmitter (first communication device) to transmit the UWB MMS fragment signal in the upcoming first measurement process. The preamble sequence indicated by this field may be from a Golay sequence, a CZC sequence, or an Ipatov sequence. The receiver MMS code field indicates an index value, which corresponds to the preamble sequence used by the receiver (second communication device) to receive the UWB MMS fragment signal in the corresponding upcoming first measurement process. The preamble sequence indicated by this field may be from a Golay sequence, a CZC sequence, or an Ipatov sequence. The MMS ranging transmitter gap size field is used in conjunction with the transmitter MMS code field and is an index value. Each index value corresponds to a value representing the gap size; that is, different index values ​​correspond to different gap size values. The receiver gap size field for MMS ranging is used in conjunction with the receiver MMS code field and is an index value. Each index value corresponds to a value representing the gap size; that is, different index values ​​correspond to different gap size values. The transmitter initial synchronization code field indicates an index value, and the preamble sequence indicated by this field may be from an Ipatov sequence. The receiver initial synchronization code field indicates an index value, and the preamble sequence indicated by this field may be from an Ipatov sequence.

[0152] It should be noted that the format of the first information element is not limited in this application, and any fields and field formats that can reflect embodiments of this application fall within the scope of protection. This is not limited in this application. In other words, newly introduced fields such as the ranging mode, initial sequence selection, MMS ranging sequence selection, sequence usage type, TX MMS code, RX MMS code, TX gap size for MMS ranging, RX gap size for MMS ranging, TX initial synchronization code, and RX initial synchronization code, which are part of the first information element in this application, are merely specific examples. The message size values ​​of these fields and their locations within the information element are not limited in this application. Figure 6 is merely an exemplary format of the first information element.

[0153] In addition, the specific name of the first information element is not limited in this application. For example, the first information element may be called an enhanced ranging channel and preamble code selection information element (eRCPCS IE). For example, a newly added eRCPCS IE may reuse a spare list row in the nested IE list defined in Tables 7 to 18 of the 802.15.4z protocol. The elements in the list row include the IE's sub-ID value, IE name, IE type, object that uses the IE (e.g., upper layer, UL), and object that creates the IE (upper layer protocol). IE types include data type, enhanced beacon type, enhanced acknowledgment message type, and multipurpose type.

[0154] Newly added eRCPCS IEs can be identified and processed by devices that need to perform measurement functions. For example, an eRCPCS IE might be configured in the higher protocol layer of a transmitter device and forwarded to the transmitter device's MAC layer. Alternatively, the receiver device's MAC layer might forward the received eRCPCS IE to the receiver device's higher protocol layer, which then performs recognition processing on the eRCPCS IE.

[0155] To facilitate understanding, the newly added eRCPCS IE will be described in detail below, with reference to Table 3.

[0156] Table 3 shows the expansions and extensions of Tables 7 to 18 in the existing 802.15.4z protocol. For the sake of brevity, existing definitions in Tables 7 to 18 are not reflected in Table 3. Specifically, it can be understood from Table 3 below that newly added eRCPCS IEs may be added to the nested IE list defined in Tables 7 to 18 in the existing 802.15.4z protocol and can be used as newly added IEs in the 802.15.4ab protocol or subsequent versions of the protocol. Specifically, the extra sub-ID values ​​in the nested IE list defined in Tables 7 to 18 in the existing 802.15.4z protocol may indicate newly added eRCPCS IEs.

[0157] [Table 3]

[0158] In Table 3, T can be one or more values ​​between 0x5d and 0x7f. Table 3 may be an expansion and extension of the nested IE list defined in Tables 7 to 18 in the existing 802.15.4z protocol. In addition, X in Table 3 indicates that the eRCPCS IE is an IE of data type, i.e., that the eRCPCS IE is carried by a data frame.

[0159] Figure 7 is a diagram of the structure of a second information element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 7, the second information element includes an update of number of preamble fragments enabled field, a number of ranging integrity fragments present field, an MMS mode field, a number of preamble fragments present field, a number of ranging integrity fragments field, and so on.

[0160] Specifically, the field for updating the number of preamble fragments that is enabled indicates whether an update of the number of fragments in the MMS ranging phase exists in the second information element / is triggered in the second information element. A value of 0 indicates that the update is not triggered, and a value of 1 indicates that the update is triggered. If an update of the number of preamble fragments is triggered, one or more other IEs and / or one or more frame structures capable of completing the update of the number of preamble fragments may be triggered accordingly, and one or more other IEs and / or one or more frame structures capable of completing the update of the number of preamble fragments are not limited in this application. The field for the number of ranging integrity fragments that exist indicates whether a field for the number of ranging integrity fragments exists in the second information element / is triggered in the second information element. A value of 0 indicates that a field for the number of ranging integrity fragments does not exist, and a value of 1 indicates that a field for the number of ranging integrity fragments exists. The MMS mode field in the second information element indicates the MMS mode. MMS mode = 0 indicates interlaced MMS ranging, and MMS mode = 1 indicates uninterlaced MMS ranging. See Figure 5 for MMS types. Details will not be described again here. The indication values ​​for MMS mode are not limited in this application. For example, MMS mode = 1 may indicate interlaced MMS ranging, and MMS mode = 0 may indicate uninterlaced MMS ranging.

[0161] It should be noted that the format of the second information element is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Any fields and field formats that can reflect embodiments of the present application are within the scope of protection of this application. This is not limited in this application. In other words, newly introduced fields such as the update of the number of enabled preamble fragments, the number of existing ranging integrity fragments, the MMS mode, and the number of ranging integrity fragments, which are part of the second information element, are merely specific examples in this embodiment of the present application. The message size values ​​of these fields and their locations in the information element are not limited in this application. Figure 7 is merely an exemplary form of the second information element.

[0162] In addition, the specific name of the second information element is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the second information element may be called an enhanced unified control information element (eUC IE). For example, a newly added eUC IE may reuse a spare list row in the nested IE list defined in Tables 7 to 18 of the 802.15.4z protocol. The reuse method of the newly added eUC IE is the same as the reuse method of the eRCPCS IE described above. Details are not described again here.

[0163] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of indication information according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the indication information includes a Narrowband Assisted (NBA) Support Type field, a Device Type field, a Power Source field, a Receiver On When Idle field, an Association Type field, an MMS Support Type field, a Security Capability field, and an Allocate Address field. For descriptions of the Power Source field, Receiver On When Idle field, Association Type field, Security Capability field, and Allocate Address field, please refer to existing protocols. Details are not described here.

[0164] Specifically, the NBA Support Type field indicates whether the second communication device supports the NBA. A first value (e.g., 0) in the NBA Support Type field indicates that the second communication device does not support the NBA, while a second value (e.g., 1) indicates that the second communication device supports the NBA.

[0165] If the NBA support type field is 0, the second communication device may transmit indication information by using a pre-configured UWB signal, or by using a non-UWB signal, such as a Bluetooth signal.

[0166] The MMS support type field indicates whether the second communication device supports MMS. A first value (e.g., 0) in the MMS support type field indicates that the second communication device does not support MMS, and a second value (e.g., 1) indicates that the second communication device supports MMS.

[0167] Accordingly, the feedback information transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device may be in the format shown in Table 4.

[0168] [Table 4]

[0169] The meaning of the association status field values ​​in Table 4 is explained in Table 5.

[0170] [Table 5]

[0171] As shown in Table 5, for example, an association status of 0x00 indicates a successful association, an association status of 0x01 indicates that the PAN is fully operational, an association status of 0x02 indicates that PAN access is denied, an association status of 0x03 indicates a hopping sequence offset overlap, an association status of 0x04 indicates that access is denied (due to not supporting the NB function), an association status of 0x05 indicates that access is denied (due to not supporting the MMS function), association statuses 0x06 to 0x7f are spare values, an association status of 0x80 indicates a successful fast association, and association statuses 0x81 to 0xff are spare values. In this application, the association status values ​​used to indicate that corresponding access has been denied (due to lack of support for NB functionality) and that corresponding access has been denied (due to lack of support for MMS functionality) are not limited and are merely examples.

[0172] The format of the indication information shown in Figure 8 is not limited in this application, and any fields and field formats that can reflect embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection. In other words, the newly introduced fields such as the NBA support type and MMS support type shown in Figure 8 are merely specific examples in this application. The message size values ​​of these fields, and the location of these fields in the message that carries them, are not limited in this application, and Figure 8 is merely an illustrative format.

[0173] In this embodiment of the present application, the controller initiator is assumed to be a third-party device (neither initiator nor responder). In the distance measurement control phase, the controller broadcasts control messages, including scheduling IE, to participating devices participating in the UWB application process. The controller may alternatively be an initiator device or a responder device. Unless otherwise specified, in this embodiment of the present application, the example in which a third-party device is used as the controller is used by default for descriptive purposes. The methods provided in this application are applicable to cases where the responder is the controller or the controller is the initiator device. Further details are not described again.

[0174] The signal carriers that carry the designed first and second information elements are not limited in the embodiments of this application. Specifically, the signal carriers may be UWB signals or non-UWB signals. Non-UWB signals may be NB signals or Bluetooth signals.

[0175] The type of frame for carrying the designed first / second information element is not limited in this application. For example, the frame type may be a data frame or a MAC command frame.

[0176] Similarly, the signal carriers that carry the indication information shown in Figure 8 are not limited in this application. Specifically, the signal carriers may be UWB signals or non-UWB signals. Non-UWB signals may be NB signals or Bluetooth signals.

[0177] Similarly, the type of frame for carrying indication information shown in Figure 8 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the frame type may be a data frame or a MAC command frame.

[0178] The combinations of fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 are not limited in this application. The eRCPCS IE, eUC IE, and indication information shown in Figure 8 are merely examples. In other words, the newly added fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 may be divided into separate frame structures. The frame structures are not limited in this application. For example, a frame structure may be an IE or of another type. For example, if the frame structure is an IE, the newly introduced fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 may be divided into separate IEs. For example, these newly introduced fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 may be divided into another IE, or may be represented by reusing an IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol. Another IE, and an IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol, may be one or more IEs. In other words, one or more of the newly introduced fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 may form another IE together with one or more fields not included in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8, or may be represented by reusing an IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol. Another IE is not limited in this application. In addition, one or more fields included in another IE are not limited in this application. An IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol is not limited in this application. In addition, one or more fields included in an IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol are not limited in this application. In addition, another IE / an IE in an existing 802.15.4z protocol may be split into separate frames as an alternative. The frame types of the separate frames may also be different. This is not limited in this application.For example, the frame type may be a data frame or a MAC command frame. The foregoing description of combinations where the frame structure is IE is also applicable to combinations where the frame structure is of a different type. Further details are not described here again. In other words, any frame structure that can reflect the purpose of one or more fields in the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8, regardless of the combination, falls within the scope of protection of this application.

[0179] The ultrawideband communication method provided in this application may be applied to one or more of the following applications: UWB ranging, sensing, positioning, and communication. This is not particularly limited in this application. For example, the ranging control phase shown in Figures 3 and 5 of this application may be understood as one of the measurement control phases, the ranging phase may be understood as one of the measurement phases, and the ranging reporting phase may be understood as one of the measurement reporting phases. As another example, the ultrawideband communication method provided in this application may be applied to a UWB sensing procedure. The measurement control phase may be understood as a sensing control phase, the measurement phase may be understood as a sensing phase, and the measurement reporting phase may be understood as a sensing result reporting phase.

[0180] In addition, it should be noted that the names of the separate phases of a single measurement round mentioned above are merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, the measurement control phase may be understood as the phase for configuring the parameters required in the measurement round; another example, the measurement phase may be understood as the phase for taking measurements; and yet another example, the measurement results reporting phase may be understood as the phase for reporting the measurement results, and may also be called the end of the measurement phase.

[0181] It should be noted that the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 provided in this application may be used in any phase of the measurement round, or in the device discovery and connection establishment phase before the measurement begins. In other words, the phase in which the first information element / second information element / indication information is used is not limited in this application.

[0182] Optionally, the first information element / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 provided in this application may be carried in newly added messages or in existing messages, for example, in messages in the 802.15.4z protocol (e.g., RCM messages), or may be evolved from messages in the 802.15.4z protocol, or may be improved and / or reused based on existing messages. This is not particularly limited in this application.

[0183] It should be noted that the first / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 provided in this application may be used for a one-to-one measurement case, i.e., a case with one measurement initiator and one measurement responder, or it may be extended to one-to-many or many-to-many cases, i.e., a case with one measurement initiator and multiple measurement responders, or a case with multiple measurement initiators and multiple measurement responders. Further details are not described herein. The measurement cases to which the first / second information element / indication information shown in Figure 8 applies are not limited in this application.

[0184] The above describes the method embodiment in the embodiment of this application, and the following describes the corresponding apparatus embodiment.

[0185] To implement the functions in the methods provided in embodiments of this application, terminals and network devices may each include hardware structures and / or software modules to implement their functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether any of the aforementioned functions are performed using hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0186] Figure 9 is a block diagram of the structure of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and a communication interface 920. The processor 910 and the communication interface 920 may be connected to each other via a bus 930. The communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 may be a first communication device or a second communication device.

[0187] Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a memory 940.

[0188] Memory 940 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Memory 940 is configured to store associated instructions and data.

[0189] The processor 910 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). If the processor 910 is a single CPU, that CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0190] If the communication device 900 is the first communication device, the processor 910 in the communication device 900 is configured to read a computer program or instruction stored in the memory 940 and perform an operation to determine a first information element, for example, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device, and an operation to transmit the first information element to the second communication device.

[0191] As another example, an operation may be performed to transmit a second information element to a second communication device.

[0192] As another example, an operation may be performed to transmit a third information element to a second communication device.

[0193] The above description is used merely as an example. If the communication device 900 is the first communication device, the communication device 900 is responsible for performing the method or step related to the first communication device in the above-described method embodiment.

[0194] If the communication device 900 is a second communication device, the processor 910 in the communication device 900 is configured to read a computer program or instruction stored in the memory 940 and perform, for example, an operation to receive a first information element from the first communication device, wherein the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device, and an operation to determine the first sequence and / or the second sequence based on the first information element.

[0195] As another example, an operation may be performed to receive a second information element from a first communication device.

[0196] As another example, an operation may be performed to receive a third information element transmitted by a first communication device.

[0197] The above description is used merely as an example. If the communication device 900 is a second communication device, the communication device 900 is responsible for performing the method or step related to the second communication device in the above-described method embodiment.

[0198] The above description is merely an example. For specific details, please refer to the information provided in the method embodiments. In addition, for the implementation of each operation in Figure 9, please refer further to the corresponding descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figure 4.

[0199] Figure 10 is a block diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 may be a network device or a terminal device (the first communication device may be a network device or a terminal device) as described in the above embodiment, or it may be a chip or module in a network device or terminal device, and is configured to carry out the method described in the above embodiment. The communication device 1000 includes a transceiver module 1010 and a processing module 1020. Hereafter, the transceiver module 1010 and the processing module 1020 will be described by using examples.

[0200] The transceiver module 1010 may include a transmit module and a receive module, respectively, configured to perform the transmit function or the receive function in the method embodiment described above. The transceiver module 1010 may further include a processing module configured to perform functions other than transmit or receive.

[0201] If the communication device 1000 is the first communication device, for example, the processing module 1020 is configured to determine a first information element, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first and second communication devices. The transceiver module 1010 is configured to transmit the first information element to the second communication device.

[0202] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage module 1030. The storage module 1030 is configured to store a program or code used to perform the method described above.

[0203] The above description is used merely as an example. If the communication device 1000 is the first communication device, then the communication device 1000 is responsible for performing the method or step related to the first communication device in the above-described method embodiment.

[0204] Communication device 1000 is 2 In the case of a communication device, for example, the transceiver module 1010 is configured to receive a first information element, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first and second communication devices. The processing module 1020 is configured to determine the first sequence and / or the second sequence based on the first information element.

[0205] Optionally, the communication device 1000 further includes a storage module 1030. The storage module 1030 is configured to store a program or code used to perform the method described above.

[0206] The above description is used merely as an example. If the communication device 1000 is a second communication device, the communication device 1000 is responsible for performing the method or step related to the second communication device in the above-described method embodiment.

[0207] Furthermore, for details on how to perform each operation in Figure 10, please refer to the corresponding descriptions of the methods shown in the embodiments described above. Details will not be described again here.

[0208] The apparatus embodiments shown in Figures 9 and 10 are used to implement the content described in Figure 4 of the method embodiment described above. Therefore, for specific execution steps and methods of the apparatus shown in Figures 9 and 10, please refer to the content described in the method embodiment described above.

[0209] It should be understood that the aforementioned transceiver module may include a transmit module and a receive module. The transmit module is configured to perform the transmit action of the communication device, and the receive module is configured to perform the receive action of the communication device. For the sake of simplicity, the transmit module and the receive module are integrated into a single transceiver module in this embodiment of the present application. A summarized description is provided here, and the details will not be described again thereafter.

[0210] Figure 11 shows a communication device 1100 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 may be configured to perform the functions of a network device or terminal device (when the first communication device is a network device or terminal device) in the method described above. The communication device 1100 may be a chip in the network device or terminal device.

[0211] The communication device 1100 includes an input / output interface 1120 and a logic circuit 111 0 Includes. The input / output interface 1120 may be an input / output circuit. Logic circuit 111 0 This may be a signal processor, chip, or other integrated circuit capable of carrying out the method of this application. The input / output interface 1120 is configured to input or output signals or data.

[0212] For example, if the communication device 1100 is the first communication device, then the logic circuit 111 0The first information element is configured to determine a first information element, which includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first and second communication devices. The input / output interface 1120 is configured to transmit the first information element to the second communication device. Logic circuit 111 0 It is configured to perform some or all of the steps in any one of the methods provided in this application.

[0213] For example, if communication device 1100 is a second communication device, the input / output interface 1120 is configured to receive a first information element from the first communication device, the first information element comprising at least one of first information and second information, the first information being used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence being used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information being used to constitute a second sequence, the second sequence being used in a first measurement process between the first and second communication devices. Logic circuit 111 0 It is configured to perform some or all of the steps in any one of the methods provided in this application. For example, logic circuit 111 0 It is configured to determine a first sequence and / or a second sequence based on a first information element.

[0214] In possible implementations, logic circuit 111 0 It executes instructions stored in memory to perform functions performed by network devices or terminal devices.

[0215] Optionally, the communication device 1100 further includes memory. Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0216] Optionally, the memory is located outside the communication device 1100.

[0217] In possible implementations, logic circuit 111 0 It inputs / outputs messages or signaling through the input / output interface 1120. This logic circuit may be a signal processor, chip, or other integrated circuit capable of carrying out the method in the embodiments of this application.

[0218] The above description of the apparatus in Figure 11 is merely an example for descriptive purposes. This apparatus can be configured to perform the method described in the above-described embodiment. For specific details, please refer to the description of the above-described method embodiment. Details will not be described again here.

[0219] Figure 12 is a block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1200 may be a network device (if the first communication device is a network device) or a chip. The communication device 1200 may be configured to perform operations performed by the network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7.

[0220] If the communication device 1200 is a network device, for example, a base station, then Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the base station structure. The base station consists of part 1210, part 1220, and part 12 3Including 0. Part 1210 is mainly configured to perform baseband processing, control the base station, etc. Part 1210 is usually the control center of the base station and is sometimes called a processor and is configured to control the base station to perform processing operations on the network device side in the method embodiments described above. Part 1220 is mainly configured to store computer program code and data. Part 1230 is mainly configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals, and to perform conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals. Part 1230 is sometimes called a transceiver module, transceiver machine, transceiver circuit, transceiver, etc. The transceiver module in part 1230 is sometimes called a transceiver machine, transceiver, etc. and includes an antenna 1233 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure). The radio frequency circuit is mainly configured to perform radio frequency processing.

[0221] Optionally, components configured to perform receiving functions in section 1230 may be considered receiver machines, and components configured to perform transmitting functions may be considered transmitter machines. In other words, section 1230 includes receiver machine 1232 and transmitter machine 1231. Receiver machines may also be referred to as receiving modules, receivers, receiving circuits, etc., and transmitter machines may be referred to as transmitting modules, transmitters, transmitting circuits, etc.

[0222] Parts 1210 and 1220 may include one or more boards, each board may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are configured to read and execute programs from memory to perform baseband processing functions and control base stations. If there are multiple boards, they may be interconnected to increase processing power. In an optional implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, or multiple boards may share one or more memories, or multiple boards may share one or more processors simultaneously.

[0223] For example, in the implementation, the transceiver module in part 1230 is configured to perform the receive and transmit-related processes performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The processor in part 1210 is configured to perform the processing-related steps performed by the network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0224] In another implementation, the processor in part 1210 is configured to execute processing-related processes performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0225] In another implementation, the transceiver module in part 1230 is configured to perform the receive and transmit-related processes that are performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 4.

[0226] Please understand that Figure 12 is merely an example and not an exhaustive one. The network device, including the processor, memory, and transceiver, does not have to depend on the structure shown in Figures 9 through 11.

[0227] If the communication device 1200 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, memory, and a processor. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor is a processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. The transmit operation performed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiment may be understood as an output of the chip, and the receive operation performed by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiment may be understood as an input of the chip.

[0228] Figure 13 is a block diagram of a communication device 1300 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 may be a terminal device (if the first communication device is a terminal device), a processor of the terminal device, or a chip. The communication device 1300 may be configured to perform operations performed by the terminal device or communication device in the method embodiment described above.

[0229] If the communication device 1300 is a terminal device, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 13, the terminal device includes a processor, memory, and transceiver. The memory may store computer program code. The transceiver includes a transmitter machine 1331, a receiver machine 1332, a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1333, and an input / output device (not shown in the figure).

[0230] The processor is primarily configured to process communication protocols and data, control terminal devices, execute software programs, and process data for software programs. Memory is primarily configured to store software programs and data. Radio frequency circuits are primarily configured to perform conversions between baseband signals and radio frequency signals, and to process radio frequency signals. Antennas are primarily configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, display screens, or keyboards, are primarily configured to receive data entered by the user and output data to the user. Note that some types of terminal devices may not have input / output devices.

[0231] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, then outputs the baseband signal to a radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit then performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through an antenna. When data is transmitted to a terminal device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal back into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes that data. For ease of description, Figure 13 shows only one memory, one processor, and one transceiver. Actual terminal device products may have one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory is sometimes called a storage medium or storage device. Memory may be located independently of the processor or integrated with the processor. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0232] In this embodiment of the present application, an antenna and radio frequency circuit having transmitting and receiving functions may be considered as a transceiver module of a terminal device, and a processor having processing functions may be considered as a processing module of a terminal device.

[0233] As shown in Figure 13, the terminal device includes a processor 1310, memory 1320, and transceiver 1330. The processor 1310 may also be called a processing unit, processing board, processing module, or processing unit. The transceiver 1330 may also be called a transceiver unit or transceiver device.

[0234] Optionally, components configured to perform the receiving function in transceiver 1330 may be considered a receiving module, and components configured to perform the transmitting function in transceiver 1330 may be considered a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 1330 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver is sometimes called a transceiver machine, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit. A receiver is sometimes called a receiver machine, receiving module, or receiver circuit. A transmitter is sometimes called a transmitter machine, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit.

[0235] For example, in the implementation, the processor 1310 is configured to perform processing actions on the terminal device side in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and the transceiver 1330 is configured to perform transmission and reception actions on the terminal device side in Figures 3 to 7.

[0236] For example, in the implementation, the processor 1310 is configured to perform processing actions on the terminal device side in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, and the transceiver 1330 is configured to perform transmit and receive actions on the terminal device side in Figure 4.

[0237] Please understand that Figure 13 is merely an example and not an exhaustive one. The terminal device, including the transceiver module and processing module, does not have to depend on the structure shown in Figures 9 through 11.

[0238] If the communication device 1300 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, memory, and transceiver. The transceiver may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor may be a processing module, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit on the chip. A transmit operation performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment may be understood as an output of the chip, and a receive operation performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment may be understood as an input of the chip.

[0239] This application further provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to call instructions stored in memory from memory and execute those instructions, enabling the communication device on which the chip is installed to perform the method in the above example.

[0240] This application further provides another chip including an input interface, an output interface, and a processor. The input interface, the output interface, and the processor are connected through an internal connection path. The processor is configured to execute code in memory. When the code is executed, the processor is configured to perform the method in the example described above. Optionally, the chip further includes memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs or code.

[0241] This application further provides a processor configured to be coupled to memory and configured to perform methods and functions related to a network device or terminal device in any of the embodiments described above.

[0242] Another embodiment of this application provides a computer program product including instructions. The method of the above-described embodiment is carried out when this computer program product is run on a computer.

[0243] This application further provides a computer program in which the method described in the above-described embodiment is carried out when this computer program is executed on a computer.

[0244] Another embodiment of this application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program. The method of the above-described embodiment is carried out when this computer program is executed by a computer.

[0245] In the description of embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, “multiple” means two or more. “At least one of the following items” or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including a single item or any combination of multiple items. For example, “at least one of a, b, or c” could refer to a, b, c, “a and b,” “a and c,” “b and c,” or “a, b, and c,” where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0246] In addition, for the purpose of clearly describing the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, terms such as “first” and “second” are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish between identical or similar items that provide essentially the same function or purpose. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as “first” and “second” do not limit the number or order of execution, nor do they indicate a clear distinction. In addition, in the embodiments of this application, words such as “example” or “for example” are used to represent an example or description.

[0247] No embodiment or design solution described by “example” or “for example” in the embodiments of this application should be construed as being preferable or having more advantages than another embodiment or design solution. Strictly speaking, the use of terms such as “example” or “for example” is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner for the sake of ease of understanding.

[0248] Unless otherwise specified, the " / " in the description of embodiments of this application represents an "or" relationship between the related objects. For example, A / B may represent A or B. In this application, "and / or" describes only the relationship between the related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" may represent three cases: "only A exists," "both A and B exist," and "only B exists," where A and B may be singular or plural.

[0249] It should be understood that any “Embodiment” or “Embodiment” referred to throughout this specification means that certain features, structures, or characteristics related to that embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of this application.

[0250] Therefore, the terms "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more embodiments by using any appropriate manner.

[0251] The sequence numbers of the processes described above do not imply the execution order in the various embodiments of this application. The execution order of those processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of those processes and do not constitute any limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

[0252] It can be understood that any “embodiments” referred to throughout this specification means that certain features, structures, or characteristics related to those embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of this application.

[0253] Therefore, the embodiments described herein are not necessarily identical. In addition, these particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments by using any appropriate method.

[0254] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes do not represent the execution order in the various embodiments of this application. The execution order of those processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of those processes and does not constitute any limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

[0255] Parties to the art will notice that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, units and algorithmic steps can be implemented by electronic hardware, or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for their respective individual applications, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0256] For the purpose of convenient and concise description, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that detailed operating processes of the aforementioned systems, apparatus, and units should be referred to the corresponding processes in the method embodiments described above. Further details will not be described here again.

[0257] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other forms. For example, the described apparatus embodiments are merely examples. For example, the divisions into units are merely logical functional divisions, and in actual implementation, other divisions may exist. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated to form another system, or some functions may be ignored or not performed.

[0258] In addition, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection described or discussed may be implemented through several interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0259] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units; in other words, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0260] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated to form a single processing unit, each of these units may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated to form a single unit.

[0261] When functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, those functions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, or the parts that contribute to prior art, or some of those technical solutions, may be implemented in the form of a software product. That computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or some of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, ROM, RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0262] The foregoing description is merely a specific implementation in the embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection in the embodiments of this application. Any modifications or alternatives that are readily conceivable by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application shall fall within the scope of protection in the embodiments of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection in the embodiments of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection in the claims.

Claims

1. A step of determining a first information element using a first communication device, wherein the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for initial synchronization of a second communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, and the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device. The first communication device transmits the first information element to the second communication device. Includes, The first measurement process includes a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal, A communication method comprising the step of transmitting a second information element to a second communication device by the first communication device, wherein the second information element includes a sixth piece of information, and the sixth piece of information indicates the number of ranging integrity fragments.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information element further comprises at least one of third information and fourth information, the third information indicating the type of the first sequence and the fourth information indicating the type of the second sequence.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information element further comprises a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

4. The type of the first measurement process is The method according to claim 3, comprising at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, the seventh piece of information indicating whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

6. The aforementioned second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, The eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is an uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

7. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a third information element to a second communication device by the first communication device, wherein the third information element is used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

8. If the second communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is performed based on the third information element, or If the second communication device supports the third information element and the second information element, the second measurement process is the method according to claim 7, based on the second information element and the third information element.

9. Before the step of transmitting the first information element to the second communication device by the first communication device, the method: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving indication information from a second communication device by the first communication device, wherein the indication information indicates whether the second communication device supports at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function.

10. The indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support at least one of the narrowband signaling function and the multi-millisecond transmission function, and the method The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of transmitting feedback information to a second communication device by the first communication device, wherein the feedback information indicates that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

11. A step of receiving a first information element from a first communication device by a second communication device, wherein the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for initial synchronization of the second communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, and the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the second communication device. The second communication device determines at least one of the first sequence and the second sequence based on the first information element. Includes, The first measurement process includes a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal, The aforementioned method, A communication method comprising the step of receiving a second information element from the first communication device by the second communication device, wherein the second information element includes a sixth piece of information, the sixth piece of information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first information element further comprises at least one of third information and fourth information, the third information indicating the type of the first sequence and the fourth information indicating the type of the second sequence.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first information element further comprises a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

14. The first measurement process is The method according to claim 13, comprising at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, the seventh piece of information indicating whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

16. The aforementioned second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, The eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is an uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

17. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving a third information element from the first communication device by the second communication device, wherein the third information element is used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the first communication device.

18. If the second communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is performed based on the third information element, or If the second communication device supports the third information element and the second information element, the second measurement process is the method according to claim 17, based on the second information element and the third information element.

19. Prior to the step of receiving the first information element from the first communication device by the second communication device, the method: The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of transmitting indication information to the first communication device by the second communication device, wherein the indication information indicates whether the second communication device supports at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function.

20. The indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support at least one of the narrowband signaling function and the multi-millisecond transmission function, and the method The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of receiving feedback information from the first communication device by the second communication device, wherein the feedback information indicates that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

21. A processing unit configured to determine a first information element, wherein the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for initial synchronization of a second communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, and the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the communication device and the second communication device. A transceiver unit configured to transmit the first information element to the second communication device and Includes, The first measurement process includes a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal, The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a second information element to the second communication device, the second information element comprising a sixth information, the sixth information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first information element further comprises at least one of third information and fourth information, the third information indicating the type of the first sequence, and the fourth information indicating the type of the second sequence.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

24. The type of the first measurement process is The apparatus according to claim 23, comprising at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, the seventh piece of information indicating whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

26. The aforementioned second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, The eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or The apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is an uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

27. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a third information element to the second communication device, the third information element being used in a second measurement process between the second communication device and the communication device.

28. If the second communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is performed based on the third information element, or If the second communication device supports the third information element and the second information element, the second measurement process is the apparatus according to claim 27, based on the second information element and the third information element.

29. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive indication information from the second communication device, the indication information indicating whether the second communication device supports at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the indication information indicates that the second communication device does not support at least one of the narrowband signaling function and the multi-millisecond transmission function, and the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit feedback information to the second communication device, wherein the feedback information indicates that the second communication device is not permitted to access the network.

31. A transceiver unit configured to receive a first information element from a first communication device, wherein the first information element includes at least one of first information and second information, the first information is used to constitute a first sequence, the first sequence is used for initial synchronization of the communication device, the second information is used to constitute a second sequence, and the second sequence is used in a first measurement process between the first communication device and the communication device, A processing unit configured to determine at least one of the first sequence and the second sequence based on the first information element. Includes, The first measurement process includes a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal, The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second information element from the first communication device, the second information element comprising a sixth information, the sixth information indicating the number of ranging integrity fragments.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the first information element further comprises at least one of third information and fourth information, the third information indicating the type of the first sequence and the fourth information indicating the type of the second sequence.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the first information element further includes a fifth piece of information, the fifth piece of information indicating the type of the first measurement process.

34. The first measurement process is The apparatus according to claim 33, comprising at least one of a non-multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process, or a multi-millisecond transmission-based ranging process supported by a narrowband signal.

35. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the second information element further includes a seventh piece of information, the seventh piece of information indicating whether the number of preamble fragments will be updated.

36. The aforementioned second information element further includes an eighth piece of information, The eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is interlaced multi-millisecond transmission, or The apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the eighth piece of information indicates that the type of multi-millisecond transmission is an uninterlaced multi-millisecond transmission.

37. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third information element from the first communication device, the third information element being used in a second measurement process between the communication device and the first communication device.

38. If the communication device supports the third information element but does not support the second information element, the second measurement process is performed based on the third information element, or If the communication device supports the third information element and the second information element, the second measurement process is the apparatus according to claim 37, based on the second information element and the third information element.

39. The apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit indication information to the first communication device, the indication information indicating whether the communication device supports at least one of a narrowband signaling function and a multi-millisecond transmission function.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive feedback information from the first communication device, the feedback information indicating that the communication device is not permitted to access the network.

41. A communication device including a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory and is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to enable the communication device to perform the method according to claim 1.

42. A chip comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the logic circuit is configured to execute a computer program or instructions, enabling the chip to perform the method according to claim 1.

43. A computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program or instruction, wherein when the computer program or instruction is executed on the computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to claim 1.

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