Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to a communication method and apparatus. In the communication method, a terminal device can receive, on M frequency domain units, a reference signal from a network device by means of a first beam. Because different frequency domain units among the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the terminal device can determine, on the basis of the reference signal, energy information of each frequency domain unit among the M frequency domain units, and thus can send to the network device first information used to determine a first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit having the highest energy among the M frequency domain units). Accordingly, on the basis of the first frequency domain unit, the network device can send to a positioning server indication information used to determine the location of the terminal device. That is to say, positioning is achieved on the basis of frequency domain unit-level energy information on a single beam, thereby avoiding the problem of large beam overheads caused by beam scanning alignment and avoiding the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by performing positioning based on beam-level energy information.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application with application number 202311400533.4 filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on October 26, 2023, and priority to the Chinese patent application with the invention name “A Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In communication technology, positioning technologies such as angle of arrival (AoA) positioning technology have been proposed to locate terminal devices. However, AoA positioning technology requires beam scanning and alignment, which results in high beam overhead.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce beam overhead and further improve positioning accuracy.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the terminal device, or by a logical node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions. In this communication method, a reference signal from a network device can be received through a first beam on M frequency domain units, and the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thereby, first information can be sent to the network device, and the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. Furthermore, after receiving the reference signal from the network device through the first beam, the energy of the reference signal on the M frequency domain units can be measured separately to obtain the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, so that the first information can be sent to the network device.

[0007] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device can receive the reference signal from the network device through the first beam on M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the terminal device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, so that the first information for determining the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units) can be sent to the network device, thereby enabling the network device to send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the method further includes: receiving second information from a network device, where the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0009] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a terminal device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the terminal device, or by a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal device functions. In this communication method, second information can be received from a network device, and the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Thus, a reference signal from the network device can be received through the first beam on the M frequency domain units, and the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. In this way, first information can be sent to the network device, and the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. Furthermore, after receiving the reference signal from the network device through the first beam, the energy of the reference signal on the M frequency domain units can be measured separately to obtain the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units, so that the first information can be sent to the network device.

[0010] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device can receive the reference signal from the network device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units indicated by the network device. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the terminal device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, so that the first information for determining the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units) can be sent to the network device, thereby enabling the network device to send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, optionally, the first information includes an index of the first frequency domain unit.

[0012] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device indicates the index of the first frequency domain unit to the network device, which not only allows the network device to obtain the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units, but also saves signaling overhead.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, optionally, the first information includes energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, and the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is used to determine the first frequency domain unit. That is, after receiving the first information, the network device can determine the first frequency domain unit based on the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, optionally, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, which are the transmission paths between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0015] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, that is, the first frequency domain unit is related to the energy value of the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path, which can make the first frequency domain unit more accurate, and therefore, positioning based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit can also be more accurate.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, optionally, the method further includes: receiving third information from the positioning server, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0017] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. In this communication method, a reference signal can be sent to a terminal device via a first beam on M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thereby, first information from the terminal device can be received, and the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. In this way, indication information can be sent to a positioning server, and the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit. Further, after receiving the first information from the terminal device, the indication information can be determined based on the first frequency domain unit, so that the indication information can be sent to the positioning server.

[0018] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can send a reference signal to the terminal device through the first beam on M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the terminal device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, so that the first information for determining the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units) can be sent to the network device, thereby enabling the network device to send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0019] In combination with the third aspect, optionally, the method further includes: sending second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0020] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. In this communication method, a second information can be sent to the terminal device, and the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units; the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, and different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thus, a reference signal can be sent to the terminal device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units, and the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units; and then the first information from the terminal device can be received, and the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units. In this way, an indication information can be sent to the positioning server, and the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit. Furthermore, after receiving the first information from the terminal device, indication information may be determined based on the first frequency domain unit, so that the indication information may be sent to the positioning server.

[0021] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can indicate M frequency domain units to the terminal device, so that the terminal device receives the reference signal from the network device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the terminal device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, so that the first information for determining the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units) can be sent to the network device, thereby enabling the network device to send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0022] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the first information includes an index of the first frequency domain unit.

[0023] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can obtain the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units through the index of the first frequency domain unit, which can save signaling overhead.

[0024] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the first information includes energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, and the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is used to determine the first frequency domain unit. That is, after receiving the first information, the network device can determine the first frequency domain unit based on the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units.

[0025] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, where the transmission path is the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; before sending the indication information to the positioning server, the method also includes: determining the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determining the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path.

[0026] As can be seen, in the above embodiment, the network device can determine the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determine the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path. In other words, the first frequency domain unit is related to the energy value at the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path, which can make the first frequency domain unit more accurate, and therefore, positioning based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit can also be more accurate.

[0027] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit, including: the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and a first angle value, where the first angle value is an angle value within the angular range of the first beam dispersion. In other words, the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and the first angle value.

[0028] It can be seen that in the above embodiments, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion, or the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam and the first angle value. This realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0029] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes a directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit.

[0030] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can indicate the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit to the positioning server, which reduces the process of the positioning server calculating the directional angle and thus speeds up the positioning process.

[0031] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and the first angle value, where the first angle value is an angle value within the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0032] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device includes the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, so that the positioning server can determine the position of the terminal device based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, which realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0033] In combination with the third aspect or the fourth aspect, optionally, the first angle value is the angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located; or, the first angle value is the minimum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or, the first angle value is the maximum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the terminal device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions. In this communication method, a reference signal can be sent to a network device through a first beam on M frequency domain units; wherein the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0035] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device can send a reference signal to the network device through the first beam on M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the network device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, and determine the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units), so that the network device can send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0036] In combination with the fifth aspect, optionally, the method further includes: receiving first information from a network device, where the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the terminal device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the terminal device functions. In this communication method, first information can be received from a network device, and the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, and different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thereby, a reference signal can be sent to the network device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units, and the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units.

[0038] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device can send a reference signal to the network device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units indicated by the network device. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the network device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, and determine the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units), so that the network device can send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0039] In a seventh aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. In this communication method, a reference signal from a terminal device can be received through a first beam on M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thereby, an indication information can be sent to a positioning server. The indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. Furthermore, after receiving the reference signal from the terminal device through the first beam, the energy of the reference signal on the M frequency domain units can be measured separately to obtain the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, so that the indication information can be determined based on the first frequency domain unit and sent to the positioning server.

[0040] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the terminal device can send a reference signal to the network device through the first beam on M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the network device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, and determine the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units), so that the network device can send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0041] In combination with the seventh aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0042] In an eighth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a module (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) applied to the network device, or by a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. In this communication method, a first information can be sent to the terminal device, and the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; thereby, a reference signal from the terminal device can be received through the first beam on the M frequency domain units, and the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. In this way, an indication information can be sent to the positioning server, and the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device. The indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. Furthermore, after receiving the reference signal from the terminal device through the first beam, the energy of the reference signal in M ​​frequency domain units can be measured separately to obtain the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units, so that the indication information can be determined based on the first frequency domain unit and sent to the positioning server.

[0043] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can indicate M frequency domain units to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can send a reference signal to the network device through the first beam on the M frequency domain units. Because different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, the network device can determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units based on the reference signal, and determine the first frequency domain unit (that is, the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information in the M frequency domain units), so that the network device can send indication information for determining the position of the terminal device to the positioning server based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0044] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, where the transmission path is the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; before sending the indication information to the positioning server, the method also includes: determining the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determining the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path.

[0045] As can be seen, in the above embodiment, the network device can determine the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determine the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path. In other words, the first frequency domain unit is related to the energy value at the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path, which can make the first frequency domain unit more accurate, and therefore, positioning based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit can also be more accurate.

[0046] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units, including: the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and a first angle value, where the first angle value is an angle value within the angular range of the first beam dispersion. In other words, the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and the first angle value.

[0047] It can be seen that in the above embodiments, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion, or the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam and the first angle value. This realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0048] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes a directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit.

[0049] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the network device can indicate the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit to the positioning server, which reduces the process of the positioning server calculating the directional angle and thus speeds up the positioning process.

[0050] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, the first angle value.

[0051] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device includes the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, so that the positioning server can determine the position of the terminal device based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, which realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0052] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the first angle value is the angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located; or, the first angle value is the minimum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or, the first angle value is the maximum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion.

[0053] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the method further includes: receiving second information from a positioning server, the second information being used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at a frequency domain unit level.

[0054] In combination with the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, optionally, the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at the frequency domain unit level, including: the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the energy value at the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device.

[0055] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a positioning server, or by a module (such as a processor, chip, or chip system, etc.) applied to the positioning server, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the positioning server functions. In this communication method, indication information from a network device can be received, and the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The indication information is determined based on a first frequency domain unit, and the first frequency domain unit is the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among M frequency domain units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0056] As can be seen, in the above embodiment, the positioning server can receive indication information from the network device, and the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit. In other words, this implements positioning based on frequency domain unit-level energy information on a single beam, which not only avoids the high beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0057] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit, including: the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam and the first angle value, and the first angle value is an angle value within the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0058] It can be seen that in the above embodiments, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion, or the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam and the first angle value. This realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0059] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes a directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit.

[0060] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the positioning server can obtain the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit, which reduces the process of calculating the directional angle by the positioning server and thus speeds up the positioning process.

[0061] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the indication information includes at least one of the following items: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, the indication information includes at least one of the following items: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and a first angle value, where the first angle value is an angle value within the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0062] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, the indication information for determining the position of the terminal device includes the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, so that the positioning server can determine the position of the terminal device based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, which realizes positioning based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0063] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the first angle value is the angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located; or, the first angle value is the minimum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or, the first angle value is the maximum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion.

[0064] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending third information to the terminal device, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0065] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending second information to the network device, where the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0066] In combination with the ninth aspect, optionally, the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at the frequency domain unit level, including: the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the energy value at the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device.

[0067] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for implementing the method described in any one of aspects 1 to 9. The communication device may be a terminal device, a network device, or a positioning server, or a module (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) of the terminal device, network device, or positioning server, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device, network device, or positioning server.

[0068] In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor is used to execute any of the methods described in any of the first to ninth aspects. The communication device can be a terminal device, a network device, or a positioning server, or a module of the terminal device, network device, or positioning server (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device, network device, or positioning server. At least one processor can execute a computer program or instruction in a memory so that the above method is executed. The memory can be included in the communication device or can be located outside the communication device. In addition, the communication device can also include an interface.

[0069] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed, the computer executes any one of the methods described in any one of aspects 1 to 9.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed by a computer, the computer executes any method as described in any one of aspects one to nine.

[0071] In the fourteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes at least one processor and an interface, the processor is used to read and execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the instructions are executed, the chip executes any method described in any one of the first to ninth aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] FIG1 is a basic architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a specific possible network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG4 is an antenna pattern provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of different frequencies corresponding to different energy peaks provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a phase shifter and a time delay device in a network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG7 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a process of positioning based on a downlink reference signal according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of positioning based on uplink reference signals provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "system" and "network" can be used interchangeably. Unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in this application is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be one or more. In addition, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between network elements and identical or similar items with substantially the same functions. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and terms such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences.

[0084] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in the embodiments of the present application mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0085] The following specific implementation methods further describe in detail the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the following are only specific implementation methods of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

[0086] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0087] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to long term evolution (LTE) architecture, fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G), wireless local area networks (WLAN) systems, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication systems, LTE-vehicle (LTE-V), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle networking, machine type communications (MTC), etc. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other future communication systems, such as 6G communication systems, etc. In future communication systems, the functions may remain the same, but the names may change.

[0088] The following describes the infrastructure of the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application. The communication system provided by the present application may include one or more network devices, one or more terminal devices, and a positioning server.

[0089] The following explanation uses the system architecture shown in Figure 1 as an example. For ease of description, in Figure 1, network equipment may be referred to as a radio access network (RAN). As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a RAN 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and may also include at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110, and the RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 may be independent and distinct physical devices, or they may be a single physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the RAN nodes. Terminal devices and RAN nodes can be connected to each other via wired or wireless means.

[0090] The RAN 100 may be a cellular system related to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as an LTE, 5G mobile communication system, or an evolved system after 5G (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN 100 may also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc. The RAN 100 may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0091] The core network device may include a positioning server. Optionally, the core network device may also include an access and mobility management device. For example, the positioning server may communicate with the network device via the access and mobility management device.

[0092] It should be noted that the number of devices in Figure 1 is for illustration only and should not be considered as a specific limitation of the present application.

[0093] 1. Terminal Equipment

[0094] A terminal device is an entity on the user side that is used to receive signals, or send signals, or both receive and send signals. The terminal device is used to provide one or more of voice services and data connectivity services to the user. The terminal device may be a device that includes wireless transceiver functions and can cooperate with network equipment to provide communication services to the user. Specifically, the terminal device may refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, user device or road side unit (RSU). The terminal device may also be a drone, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a station (ST) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a smart phone, a cordless phone, a wireless data card, a tablet computer, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device (also referred to as a wearable smart device), a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a transportation security system, or a similar device. The terminal device may also be a terminal in a 5G system or a terminal in a next-generation communication system, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0095] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form factor of the terminal device. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete components.

[0096] 2. Network Equipment

[0097] A network device is an entity on the network side that is used to send signals, receive signals, or both send and receive signals. A network device can be a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices.

[0098] In one possible scenario, a network device may be a device with base station functionality, such as an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or a non-terrestrial network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), i.e., a device that can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite. A network device may be a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station, or various forms of control nodes, such as a network controller or a wireless controller. Specifically, network devices can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells) in heterogeneous network (HetNet) scenarios, relay stations, access points (APs), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node Bs, or home node Bs, HNBs), baseband units (BBUs) and remote radio units (RRUs) in distributed base station scenarios, transmission points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, and the like. They can also be antenna panels for base stations. A control node can connect to multiple base stations and configure resources for multiple terminals covered by these base stations. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functionality may vary.For example, it can be a gNB in ​​5G, or a network-side device in a network after 5G, or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, or vehicle network communication. This application does not limit the specific name of the network device. The network device can also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a baseband pool (BBU pool) and RRU under a cloud radio access network (CRAN), etc.

[0099] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist the terminal device in achieving wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It is understandable that the network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU may be divided into a network device in the access network RAN, or the CU may be divided into a network device in the core network (CN), without limitation here.

[0100] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called open CU (openCU, O-CU), DU may also be called open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP may also be called open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP may also be called open CU-UP (open CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU may also be called open RU (open RU, O-RU). For convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0101] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be a network device; it can also be a device that can support the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0102] 3. Positioning Server

[0103] The positioning server is used to provide the interaction of the information required for positioning by selecting the corresponding positioning method according to the positioning accuracy requirements, latency requirements, etc., and selecting the corresponding communication protocol, and is used to provide other information required for positioning services, or positioning strategies. In 4G communications, the positioning server can be an evolved serving mobile location center (E-SMLC). In 5G communications, the positioning server can be a location management function (LMF) network element. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) communications, the positioning server can still be an LMF network element, or have other names, which is not limited in this application.

[0104] 4. Access and Mobility Management Devices

[0105] The access and mobility management device is mainly used for the registration, mobility management, and tracking area update processes of terminal devices in mobile networks. The access and mobility management device terminates the non-access stratum (NAS) message, completes registration management, connection management, and reachability management, allocates tracking area lists (TAlist) and mobility management, and transparently routes session management (SM) messages to the session management network element. In 5G communications, the access and mobility management device can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. Namf is a service-based interface provided by the AMF network element. The AMF network element can communicate with other network functions through Namf. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G) communication, the access and mobility management device can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, and this application does not limit this.

[0106] The following takes the 5G communication system as an example and illustrates a specific possible network architecture diagram applicable to the embodiment of the present application in combination with Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, it includes the above-mentioned UE, gNB (or ng-eNB), AMF network element and LMF network element.

[0107] The UE and ng-eNB can communicate via the LTE-Uu interface, and the UE and gNB can communicate via the New Radio (NR)-Uu ​​interface. The gNB (or ng-eNB) can include multiple transmit points (TPs). Optionally, the gNB (or ng-eNB) can also include multiple receive points (RPs). This can also be understood as the gNB (or ng-eNB) including multiple transmit and receive points (TRPs). Generally, the gNB and ng-eNB can communicate via the Xn interface. The gNB (or ng-eNB) and the AMF network element can communicate via the NG control plane (NG-C) interface. The AMF network element can communicate via the NLs interface.

[0108] It should be noted that in Figure 2, the control plane and user plane of the LMF network element are E-SMLC and secure user plane positioning platform (SUPL location platform, SLP), respectively, which can realize the interaction of various types of information with gNB, ng-eNB, UE, etc.

[0109] It is understandable that the network elements or functions shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). In one possible implementation, the above-mentioned network elements or functions can be implemented by one device, or by multiple devices together, or can be a functional module within a device. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. In addition, in the following text, for the convenience of description, "network element" can be omitted. For example, the LMF network element in the embodiment of the present application expresses the same meaning as LMF, but for the convenience of description, the word "network element" is omitted, and the rest is similar.

[0110] In order to facilitate understanding of the contents of this solution, some of the terms involved in the embodiments of this application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. This part is only for ease of understanding and cannot be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0111] 1. Frequency domain unit

[0112] The frequency domain unit mentioned in this application may refer to a continuous resource in the frequency domain. Exemplarily, the frequency domain unit may be at least one subcarrier, or other frequency domain granularity, such as at least one resource element (RE), at least one resource block (RB), at least one resource block group (RBG), at least one sub-channel, at least one bandwidth part (BWP), or at least one carrier.

[0113] Generally, a resource block can be a number of contiguous subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, a resource block can include 12 subcarriers. Multiple resource blocks can form a resource block group. A carrier is a continuous frequency range that complies with system specifications. This frequency range is determined by the carrier's center frequency (denoted as the carrier frequency) and the carrier's bandwidth. A carrier can include one or more partial bandwidths. A partial bandwidth can include one or more subchannels, and a subchannel can include multiple resource blocks. A subchannel can also be called a subband.

[0114] In this application, the frequency domain unit index can be used to uniquely identify the frequency domain unit. The frequency domain unit index can also have other names, such as the identification of the frequency domain unit, the number of the frequency domain unit, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0115] 2. Energy information

[0116] The energy information involved in this application is the result of energy measurement of the reference signal, such as one or more of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR).

[0117] The reference signal can be a reference signal that can be used for positioning and is divided into an uplink reference signal and a downlink reference signal. The uplink reference signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS) or other reference signals, such as a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). The downlink reference signal can be a positioning reference signal (PRS) or other reference signals, such as a tracking reference signal (TRS) and CSI-RS.

[0118] 3. Transmission path

[0119] The transmission path mentioned in this application can be called a propagation path, which can be divided into a non-line of sight (NLOS) path and a line of sight (LOS) path.

[0120] When the direct path between the transmitting and receiving devices is blocked by an obstacle, the wireless signal reaches the receiving device after reflection and diffraction. The data measured by the receiving device, such as arrival time, time difference, and angle of incidence, will not accurately reflect the actual distance between the transmitting and receiving devices. This can be called NLOS. In other words, the wireless signal does not reach the receiving device directly from the transmitting device, but rather reaches the receiving device through reflection, scattering, and diffraction from other objects. In this case, the wireless signal transmission path is called an NLOS path. Conversely, if the data measured by the receiving device can accurately reflect the actual distance between the transmitting and receiving devices, it can be called line of sight (LOS). In other words, the wireless signal transmission path between the transmitting and receiving devices is a straight line. In this case, the wireless signal transmission path is called an LOS path.

[0121] It should be noted that the sending end device may be a terminal device and the receiving end device may be a network device. Alternatively, the sending end device may be a network device and the receiving end device may be a terminal device.

[0122] 4. Beam

[0123] A beam can be a predefined set of beamforming weights in the context of codebook-based precoding, or a dynamically defined set of beamforming weights in the context of non-codebook-based precoding (e.g., eigen-based beamforming (EBB)). A beam can also be a predefined set of phase shift preprocessors used to combine signals from an antenna array in the radio frequency (RF) domain. For example, a terminal device can rely on codebook-based precoding to transmit uplink signals or receive downlink signals, and a network device can rely on non-codebook-based precoding to form certain radiation patterns to send downlink signals or receive uplink signals.

[0124] Generally speaking, a transmitting device can send data to a receiving device via a transmit beam, and a receiving device can receive data from the transmitting device via a receive beam. The transmit beam and receive beam can be referred to as a beam pair. These beams may have similar spatial domain characteristics, such as beam direction, and are referred to as spatially quasi-collocated (QCL). For example, the majority of the transmit energy of the transmit beam and the majority of the receive energy of the receive beam can be oriented in similar but opposite directions. For example, on a two-dimensional plane, the transmit energy of the transmit beam and the receive energy of the receive beam can be oriented 180 degrees relative to each other.

[0125] Currently, in communications technology, positioning technologies, such as AoA positioning technology, have been proposed to locate terminal devices. However, AoA positioning technology requires beam scanning and alignment, which results in high beam overhead. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method to address this issue.

[0126] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Specifically, the terminal device, network device and positioning server mentioned later may be the terminal device, network device and positioning server involved in Figure 1, respectively. It should be pointed out that the message name between the network elements or the name of the parameters in the message in the following embodiment is only an example, and other names may also be used in the specific implementation. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. The processing performed by the single execution subject (terminal device or network device) shown in the embodiments of the present application may also be divided into multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects may be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device may be divided into at least one of the CU, DU and RU.

[0127] As shown in FIG3 , a communication method is provided in an embodiment of the present application, which includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0128] 301. A terminal device receives a reference signal from a network device via a first beam on M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. A bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles in the first beam, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0129] Correspondingly, the network device sends a reference signal to the terminal device via the first beam on the M frequency domain units. The reference signal here may refer to a downlink reference signal, and details can be referred to the above related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0130] The first beam can refer to a receive beam of a terminal device or a transmit beam of a network device. Specifically, the terminal device can receive a reference signal from the network device via the receive beam across M frequency domain units. The network device can transmit a reference signal to the terminal device via the transmit beam across M frequency domain units. Therefore, the transmit beam and receive beam here can be understood as a beam pair.

[0131] Optionally, the total bandwidth corresponding to the M frequency domain units can be included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. For example, assuming that M is 2, the two frequency domain units are subcarrier 0 and subcarrier 1, respectively. The total bandwidth of subcarrier 0 and subcarrier 1 is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam.

[0132] It should be pointed out that, in the present application, the bandwidths corresponding to different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units may be the same or different. In addition, the pointing angle of the frequency domain unit under the first beam mentioned in the present application may refer to the angle value corresponding to the energy peak of the frequency domain unit under the first beam. For example, in the antenna pattern of Figure 4, the first beam covers an area from 0° to 90° (not shown in Figure 4). The pointing angle of the frequency domain unit under the first beam is the angle value of the line between the point in the antenna pattern where the antenna gain is 0 and the point corresponding to the energy peak of the frequency domain unit under the first beam relative to 0°.

[0133] Optionally, the terminal device measures the energy of the reference signal on M frequency domain units respectively to obtain energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. There may be at least one transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, such as N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In other words, the reference signal can be transmitted on N transmission paths. Therefore, the terminal device can also measure the energy of the reference signal on the N transmission paths respectively. In this way, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units can be understood as one of the following, specifically:

[0134] 1. The energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units may be the sum or maximum value of the energy values ​​on the N transmission paths.

[0135] For example, assume that M is 3, N is 2, the three frequency domain units are subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 2, and the N transmission paths are the LOS path and the NLOS path. For example, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 may be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 may be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, and the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 2 may be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path. Alternatively, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 may be the maximum value of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 may be the maximum value of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, and the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 2 may be the maximum value of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path.

[0136] 2. The energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units may include energy values ​​on N transmission paths.

[0137] For example, assuming that M is 3 and N is 2, the three frequency domain units are subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 2, and the N transmission paths are the LOS path and the NLOS path. For example, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 may include the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 may include the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, and the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 2 may include the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path.

[0138] Optionally, the method may further include: the terminal device receives second information from the network device, and the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units. For example, the second information may include the frequency domain resources of the reference signal (the frequency point resources where the reference signal is located, the number of frequency domain resources used by the reference signal, and the subcarrier spacing), and the frequency domain resources of the reference signal include M frequency domain units. In one possible implementation, the second information may also include at least one of the following: the time domain resources of the reference signal (period, offset, occupied length, number of repetitions, repetition interval, time domain position for determining the occurrence of the reference signal and the occupied time domain length, etc.), code domain resources (sequence of the reference signal, cyclic shift of the reference signal), etc. In this case, the second information may also be referred to as resource configuration information of the reference signal.

[0139] Optionally, the second information may be carried in, for example, a radio resource control (RRC) message, downlink control information (DCI) or a media access control-control element (MAC CE).

[0140] 302. The network device receives first information from the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine a first frequency domain unit having the maximum energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0141] Correspondingly, the terminal device sends the first information to the network device. Generally, before the terminal device sends the first information to the network device, the terminal device needs to know the way to report the energy information to the network device. In this case, the terminal device can know the way to report the energy information to the network device through instructions from the positioning server. For example, the terminal device receives third information from the positioning server, and the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level. The third information can, for example, be Long Term Evolution Technology Positioning Protocol Request Location Information (LPPrequestlocationinformation) or New Radio Positioning Protocol Request Location Information (NRPParequestlocationinformation).

[0142] Optionally, the first information may be a measurement report (measurement report). The first information may be carried in, for example, an RRC message, uplink control information (UCI) or MAC CE.

[0143] The first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units. There are several implementation methods, specifically:

[0144] 1. The first information includes an index of the first frequency domain unit. In this case, M frequency domain units are associated with M indexes. Optionally, the network device may indicate to the terminal device the association relationship between the M frequency domain units and the M indexes. The association relationship between the M frequency domain units and the M indexes includes the association relationship between the first frequency domain unit and the index of the first frequency domain unit.

[0145] 2. The first information includes energy information of each of the M frequency domain units, and the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units is used to determine the first frequency domain unit. In other words, after receiving the first information, the network device can determine the first frequency domain unit based on the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units.

[0146] 3. The first information includes energy information of at least one frequency domain unit among the M frequency domain units whose energy information is greater than a threshold. That is, after receiving the first information, the network device may determine the first frequency domain unit based on the energy information of each frequency domain unit among the at least one frequency domain unit. The threshold value may be a predefined or preconfigured value greater than 0 and is not limited here.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units is the sum or maximum value of the energy values ​​on the N transmission paths. The network device can determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units based on the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. For example, assuming that M is 4, N is 2, the three frequency domain units are subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 3, and the N transmission paths are the LOS path and the NLOS path. For example, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 can be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, that is, 41dB; the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 can be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, that is, 31dB; the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 2 can be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, that is, 150dB; the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 3 can be the sum of the energy values ​​on the LOS path and the NLOS path, that is, 30dB. Therefore, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 2 is the largest, and the network device can use subcarrier 2 as the first frequency domain unit.

[0148] In another possible embodiment, the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units may include energy values ​​on N transmission paths. The network device may determine the maximum energy value of each of the M frequency domain units on the transmission path, and thus may determine the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each of the M frequency domain units on the transmission path. Exemplarily, assuming that M is 2 and N is 2, the two frequency domain units are subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 1, and the N transmission paths are the LOS path and the NLOS path. For example, the energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 may include the energy value of the LOS path and the energy value on the NLOS path, and the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 and the LOS path is greater than the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 and the NLOS path. The energy information of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 may include the energy value of the LOS path and the energy value on the NLOS path, and the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 and the LOS path is greater than the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 and the NLOS path. If the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 0 and the LOS path is greater than the energy value of the reference signal on subcarrier 1 and the LOS path, the network device may use subcarrier 0 as the first frequency domain unit.

[0149] 303. The positioning server receives indication information from the network device, where the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit.

[0150] Correspondingly, the network device sends instruction information to the positioning server.

[0151] The indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit and can be understood as one of the following, specifically:

[0152] 1. The indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion. In this case, it can also be understood that the indication information is the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit. Optionally, the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit meets the following conditions:

[0153] θ0 is the minimum angle value in the first beam dispersion angle range, f is the difference between the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the frequency of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the minimum angle value in the first beam dispersion angle range, θ M is the maximum angle value in the first beam dispersion angle range, f c is the RF carrier frequency corresponding to the first beam, and F is the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam.

[0154] Optionally, the frequency of a certain frequency domain unit (such as the first frequency domain unit, etc.) mentioned in this application may refer to the center frequency of the frequency domain unit, or other frequencies except the center frequency, which is not limited here.

[0155] It should be pointed out that the dispersion mentioned in this application can be replaced by squint, skew or offset, etc. Generally speaking, beam dispersion can refer to the different pointing angles corresponding to different frequencies within the bandwidth corresponding to the beam. In other words, the spatial angles at which the energy peaks corresponding to different frequencies within the bandwidth corresponding to the beam are located are different. As shown in Figure 5, there are three subcarriers, namely subcarrier 0 to subcarrier 2. For ease of understanding, in Figure 5, the pointing angles corresponding to each subcarrier are presented in the form of a sub-beam similar to a certain beam, but in essence, the three subcarriers all correspond to the same beam, that is, the bandwidth of each subcarrier in the three subcarriers is included in the bandwidth of the same beam. In 5-1 of Figure 5, the pointing angle corresponding to subcarrier 1 is aligned with the terminal device. In 5-2 of Figure 5, the pointing angle corresponding to subcarrier 2 is aligned with the terminal device. Combined with the simulation diagram on the right side of Figure 5, it can be seen that the spatial angle at which the energy peak corresponding to subcarrier 1 is located is different from the spatial angle at which the energy peak corresponding to subcarrier 2 is located.

[0156] The angular range of the first beam dispersion may include an interval defined by a minimum angle value and a maximum angle value. The angular range may also include or exclude boundary points, such as the minimum angle value and / or the maximum angle value, which are not limited herein. Optionally, the angular range may be predefined or preconfigured. The minimum angle value and the maximum angle value may also be referred to as a starting angle value and an ending angle value, respectively.

[0157] In the present application, the angle values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion can be achieved by configuring a phase shifter (PS) and a time delayer (TD) in a network device. The phase shifter is used to adjust the phase value of an antenna array in the network device, and the time delayer is used to adjust the delay value of the antenna array. The number of antenna arrays can be one or more, used to transmit the first beam. As can be seen here, by configuring the phase shifter and the time delayer, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units can have different pointing angles under the first beam.

[0158] The following describes in detail the specific process of configuring phase shifters and time delayers to make different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam in conjunction with Figure 6. Make the pointing angle of one frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units under the first beam the minimum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion; the value of the delay device The pointing angle of one of the M frequency domain units under the first beam is made to be the maximum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion. Mis the frequency of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the maximum angle value, and m is the serial number of the mth array in the antenna array of the network device. In this way, after the baseband signal output by the baseband of the network device is input into the RF chain, it can pass through the phase shifter and time delayer in sequence, and finally be transmitted through the antenna array, that is, the first beam is transmitted. Because the phase shifter and time delayer are configured to corresponding values, the pointing angles of different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units under the first beam can be different, for example, in the range of θ0 to θ M Nonlinear distribution between.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the angular range of the first beam dispersion can be determined based on the width of the first beam and the first angle value. In other words, the angular range of the first beam dispersion can also be replaced by the width of the first beam and the first angle value. Therefore, the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion, or it can be replaced by the indication information being determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and the first angle value.

[0160] The width of the first beam may refer to the width of the first beam dispersion and / or the range of the width of the first beam dispersion. The first angle value is an angle value within the angle range of the first beam dispersion. For example, the first angle value is the angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located; or the first angle value is the minimum angle value within the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or the first angle value is the maximum angle value within the angle range of the first beam dispersion. Optionally, the angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located may be included in the angle range of the first beam dispersion.

[0161] In another possible implementation, the angular range of the first beam dispersion can be determined based on any two different angular values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion. In other words, the angular range of the first beam dispersion can also be replaced by any two different angular values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion. Therefore, the indication information can be determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion, or it can be replaced by the indication information being determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and any two different angular values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0162] Among them, any two different angle values ​​in the angle range of the first beam dispersion can be, for example, the minimum angle value and the maximum angle value in the angle range, or the minimum angle value and other angle values ​​in the angle range except the minimum angle value and the maximum angle value, or the maximum angle value and other angle values, etc., which are not listed here one by one.

[0163] 2. The indication information includes the frequency of the first frequency domain unit.

[0164] In a possible implementation, the indication information further includes an angular range of the first beam dispersion. In this case, the positioning server may determine the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0165] In another possible implementation, the indication information further includes the width of the first beam and the first angle value. In this case, the positioning server may determine the directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam and the first angle value.

[0166] In another possible implementation, the indication information further includes any two different angle values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion. In this case, the positioning server may determine the pointing angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and any two different angle values ​​within the angular range of the first beam dispersion.

[0167] It should be noted that in this application, the location of the terminal device can be the absolute location of the terminal device, such as the global positioning system (GPS) coordinates or the Beidou system coordinates. Alternatively, the location of the terminal device can be the relative location of the terminal device, such as the location of the terminal device relative to the network device. The location of the terminal device relative to the network device can be the angle of departure (AoD), etc.

[0168] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, positioning is achieved based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0169] As shown in FIG7 , another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0170] 701. A terminal device transmits a reference signal to a network device via a first beam over M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. A bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different directional angles under the first beam, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0171] Correspondingly, the network device receives the reference signal from the terminal device through the first beam on M frequency domain units. The reference signal here may refer to the uplink reference signal, and for details, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, after the network device receives the reference signal through the first beam, it can measure the energy of the reference signal on the M frequency domain units respectively, and obtain the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units. This means that the network device needs to know the specific method of measuring energy. For example, the network device can receive the second information from the positioning server, and the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the energy information at the frequency domain unit level. The second information can, for example, be positioning information requested by the long-term evolution technology positioning protocol or positioning information requested by the new wireless positioning protocol.

[0172] In addition, there can be at least one transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, such as N, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In other words, the reference signal can be transmitted along N transmission paths. Therefore, the network device can also measure the energy of the reference signal along each of the N transmission paths. In this way, the energy information of each of the M frequency domain units can be understood as one of the following, specifically:

[0173] 1. The energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units may be the sum or maximum value of the energy values ​​on the N transmission paths.

[0174] 2. The energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units may include energy values ​​on N transmission paths.

[0175] It should be noted that for the above-mentioned method 1 or method 2, the network device also needs to be informed of the energy measurement on the transmission path. In this case, the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the energy information at the frequency domain unit level. It can also be understood that the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine the energy value at the frequency domain unit level on the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device.

[0176] The first beam mentioned above can refer to a transmit beam of a terminal device or a receive beam of a network device. Specifically, the terminal device can transmit a reference signal to the network device via the transmit beam across M frequency domain units. The network device can receive the reference signal from the terminal device via the receive beam across M frequency domain units. Therefore, the transmit beam and receive beam here can be understood as a beam pair.

[0177] Optionally, the total bandwidth corresponding to the M frequency domain units may be included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam.

[0178] Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device receives first information from the network device, and the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units. For example, the first information may include the frequency domain resources of the reference signal (the frequency point resources where the reference signal is located, the number of frequency domain resources used by the reference signal, and the subcarrier spacing), and the frequency domain resources of the reference signal include M frequency domain units. In one possible implementation, the first information may also include at least one of the following: the time domain resources of the reference signal (period, offset, occupied length, number of repetitions, repetition interval, time domain position for determining the occurrence of the reference signal and the occupied time domain length, etc.), code domain resources (sequence of the reference signal, cyclic shift of the reference signal), etc. In this case, the first information may also be referred to as resource configuration information of the reference signal.

[0179] Optionally, the first information may be carried in an RRC message, DCI or MAC CE, for example.

[0180] 702. The positioning server receives indication information from the network device, where the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device. The indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit having the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0181] Correspondingly, the network device sends instruction information to the positioning server.

[0182] Among them, step 702 is similar to step 303 in Figure 3 and is not described again here.

[0183] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, positioning is achieved based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0184] The embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 7 are described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. It should be noted that the related concepts, operations, or logical relationships not explained in Figures 8 and 9 can be referred to the corresponding descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 7, respectively, and thus will not be repeated here.

[0185] As shown in FIG8 , a downlink reference signal positioning process provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0186] 801. The positioning server and the network device perform TRP configuration information exchange.

[0187] Optionally, the exchange of TRP configuration information can be implemented through a TRP request message (TRP information request) and a TRP response message (TRP information response). For example, the positioning server sends a TRP request message to the network device to request TRP configuration information from the base station; the positioning server receives a TRP response message from the network device, and the TRP response message includes the TRP configuration information. The TRP configuration information may include at least one of the following: the physical cell index of the TRP in the network device, the global cell index, the TRP index, the downtilt angle of the network device, the location information of the TRP, etc. The TRP here can be a group of radio frequency units co-located in the network device.

[0188] In a possible implementation, the positioning server may communicate with the network device through the access and mobility management device. For example, the positioning server sends a TRP request message to the network device through the access and mobility management device.

[0189] Optionally, the network device may also exchange positioning capability information with the terminal device. For example, the network device may send a positioning capability request to the terminal device and receive positioning capability information from the terminal device. The positioning capability information may include at least one of the following: a reference signal bandwidth supported by the terminal device and a reference signal period supported by the terminal device.

[0190] 802. The positioning server and the terminal device execute Long Term Evolution Positioning Protocol (LTE Positioning Protocol, LPP) capability transfer.

[0191] Optionally, LPP capability transfer can be implemented through a capability request message and a capability provision message. For example, a positioning server can send a capability request message to a terminal device, requesting positioning capability information; and receive a capability provision message from a network device, which can include positioning capability information.

[0192] 803. The positioning server sends a positioning request message (positioninginformationrequest) to the network device. The positioning request message is used to request the network device to configure resource configuration information of a reference signal for the terminal device.

[0193] Correspondingly, the network device receives a positioning request message from the positioning server.

[0194] 804. The network device sends second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0195] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0196] For step 804, please refer to the description of step 301 in FIG3 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0197] Optionally, the network device may determine the second information based on the above positioning capability information.

[0198] 805. The positioning server receives a positioning response message (positioning information response) from the network device. The positioning response message is used to indicate that the resource configuration of the reference signal has been completed.

[0199] Correspondingly, the network device sends a positioning response message to the positioning server.

[0200] 806. The terminal device receives third information from the positioning server, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0201] Correspondingly, the positioning server sends the third information to the terminal device.

[0202] For step 806, please refer to the description of step 302 in FIG. 3 and will not be elaborated here.

[0203] It should be noted that there is no necessary order for executing step 806 and steps 803 to 805. For example, step 806 can be executed before or after any one of steps 803 to 805, or simultaneously with any one of steps 803 to 805.

[0204] 807. The terminal device receives a reference signal from the network device via a first beam on M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. A bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles in the first beam, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0205] Correspondingly, the network device sends a reference signal to the terminal device through the first beam on M frequency domain units.

[0206] For step 807, please refer to the description of step 301 in FIG3 , which will not be repeated here.

[0207] 808. The network device receives first information from the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine a first frequency domain unit having the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0208] Correspondingly, the terminal device sends the first information to the network device.

[0209] For step 808, please refer to the description of step 302 in FIG. 3 and will not be elaborated here.

[0210] 809. The positioning server receives indication information from the network device, where the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit.

[0211] Correspondingly, the network device sends instruction information to the positioning server.

[0212] For step 809, please refer to the description of step 303 in FIG3 and will not be repeated here.

[0213] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, positioning is achieved based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0214] As shown in FIG9 , a process for positioning based on an uplink reference signal is provided in an embodiment of the present application, including but not limited to the following steps:

[0215] 901. The positioning server and the network device perform TRP configuration information exchange.

[0216] Among them, step 901 is similar to step 801 in Figure 8 and is not described again here.

[0217] 902. The positioning server and the terminal device perform LPP capability transfer.

[0218] Among them, step 902 is similar to step 802 in Figure 8 and is not repeated here.

[0219] 903. The positioning server sends a positioning request message to the network device. The positioning request message is used to request the network device to configure resource configuration information of a reference signal for the terminal device.

[0220] Correspondingly, the network device receives a positioning request message from the positioning server.

[0221] Among them, step 903 is similar to step 803 in Figure 8 and is not repeated here.

[0222] 904. The network device sends first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0223] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0224] For step 904, please refer to the description of step 701 in FIG. 7 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0225] Optionally, the network device may determine the first information based on the above positioning capability information.

[0226] 905. The positioning server receives a positioning response message from the network device, where the positioning response message is used to indicate that the resource configuration of the reference signal has been completed.

[0227] Correspondingly, the network device sends a positioning response message to the positioning server.

[0228] 906. The network device receives second information from the positioning server, where the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at a frequency domain unit level.

[0229] Correspondingly, the positioning server sends the second information to the network device.

[0230] For step 906, please refer to the description of step 701 in FIG. 7 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0231] 907. The terminal device sends a reference signal to the network device via the first beam over the M frequency domain units. The reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units. The bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam. Different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0232] Correspondingly, the network device receives the reference signal from the terminal device through the first beam on M frequency domain units.

[0233] For step 907, please refer to the description of step 701 in FIG. 7 , which will not be elaborated here.

[0234] 908. The positioning server receives indication information from the network device, where the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit having the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0235] Correspondingly, the network device sends instruction information to the positioning server.

[0236] For step 908, please refer to the description of step 702 in FIG. 7 and will not be elaborated here.

[0237] It can be seen that in the above embodiment, positioning is achieved based on energy information at the frequency domain unit level on a single beam, which not only avoids the problem of large beam overhead caused by beam scanning alignment, but also avoids the problem of low positioning accuracy caused by positioning based on beam-level energy information.

[0238] It should be noted that Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a single network device. In actual applications, multiple network devices may exist, and the operations of these network devices are the same as those performed by the network devices in Figures 3, 7, 8, or 9. In other words, the positioning server can receive indication information from different network devices and, based on the indication information from these different network devices, determine the location of the terminal device. The specific process is not limited here.

[0239] It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, the above-mentioned devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0240] In the embodiments of the present application, the functional modules of the terminal device, network device, or positioning server can be divided according to the above method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods can be used.

[0241] Referring to Figure 10, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 can be applied to the method shown in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9 above. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes: a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002. The processing module 1001 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1002 can be a transceiver or a communication interface. In other words, the transceiver module 1002 includes a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending action in the method shown in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9 above, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving action in the method shown in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9 above. The communication device can be used to implement the terminal device, network device, or positioning server involved in any of the above method embodiments, or to implement the function of the network element involved in any of the above method embodiments. The network element or network function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage module 1003 for storing program codes and data of the communication device 1000 .

[0242] In one embodiment, when the communication device serves as a terminal device or a chip used in a terminal device, it executes the steps performed by the terminal device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The transceiver module 1002 is used to specifically execute the sending and / or receiving actions performed by the terminal device in any of the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, for example, to support the terminal device in executing other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 1001 can be used to support the communication device 1000 in executing the processing actions in the above-mentioned method embodiments, for example, to support the terminal device in executing other processes of the technology described herein.

[0243] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1002 is used to: receive a reference signal from a network device through a first beam on M frequency domain units, where the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; send first information to the network device, where the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0244] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further configured to receive second information from a network device, where the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0245] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further used to receive third information from the positioning server, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0246] Another example is that the transceiver module 1002 is used to: send a reference signal to the network device through the first beam on M frequency domain units; wherein the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0247] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further configured to receive first information from a network device, where the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0248] In another example, when the communication device functions as a network device or a chip used in a network device, and executes the steps performed by the network device in the above-described method embodiments, the transceiver module 1002 is configured to specifically execute the sending and / or receiving actions performed by the network device in any of the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, such as supporting the network device in executing other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 1001 may be configured to support the communication device 1000 in executing the processing actions in the above-described method embodiments, such as supporting the network device in executing other processes of the technology described herein.

[0249] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1002 is used to: send a reference signal to the terminal device through the first beam on M frequency domain units, where the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; receive first information from the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units; send indication information to the positioning server, where the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit.

[0250] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further used to send second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0251] Optionally, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, where the transmission path is the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the processing module 1001 is used to: determine the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determine the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path.

[0252] Also exemplarily, the transceiver module 1002 is used to: receive a reference signal from the terminal device through a first beam on M frequency domain units, where the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; send indication information to the positioning server, where the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

[0253] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further used to send first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine M frequency domain units.

[0254] Optionally, the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes the energy value on N transmission paths, where the transmission path is the transmission path between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the processing module 1001 is used to: determine the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path; and determine the first frequency domain unit based on the maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on the transmission path.

[0255] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further configured to receive second information from the positioning server, where the second information is configured to instruct the network device to determine energy information at a frequency domain unit level.

[0256] In another example, when the communication device functions as a positioning server or a chip used in a positioning server, and executes the steps performed by the positioning server in the above-described method embodiments, the transceiver module 1002 is configured to specifically execute the sending and / or receiving actions performed by the positioning server in any of the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, such as supporting the positioning server in executing other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 1001 can be configured to support the communication device 1000 in executing the processing actions in the above-described method embodiments, such as supporting the positioning server in executing other processes of the technology described herein.

[0257] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 1002 is used to receive indication information from a network device, the indication information is used to determine the location of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on a first frequency domain unit, which is the frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among M frequency domain units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0258] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further used to send third information to the terminal device, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0259] Optionally, the transceiver module 1002 is further used to send second information to the network device, where the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at the frequency domain unit level.

[0260] In one possible embodiment, when the terminal device, network device, or positioning server is a chip, the transceiver module 1002 can be a communication interface, a pin, or a circuit. The communication interface can be used to input data to be processed into the processor and can output the processing results of the processor. In a specific implementation, the communication interface can be a general purpose input and output (GPIO) interface that can be connected to multiple peripheral devices (such as a display (LCD), a camera, a radio frequency (RF) module, an antenna, etc.). The communication interface is connected to the processor via a bus.

[0261] The processing module 1001 can be a processor that can execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage module to cause the chip to perform the method involved in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9. Furthermore, the processor can include a controller, an arithmetic unit, and registers. For example, the controller is primarily responsible for decoding instructions and issuing control signals for operations corresponding to the instructions. The arithmetic unit is primarily responsible for performing fixed-point or floating-point arithmetic operations, shift operations, and logical operations, and can also perform address operations and conversions. The registers are primarily responsible for storing register operands and intermediate operation results temporarily stored during instruction execution. In a specific implementation, the processor's hardware architecture can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) architecture, a microprocessor without interlocked piped stages architecture (MIPS) architecture, an advanced RISC machine (ARM) architecture, or a network processor (NP) architecture, among others. The processor can be single-core or multi-core. The storage module can be a storage module within the chip, such as a register or cache. The storage module may also be a storage module located outside the chip, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0262] It should be noted that the functions corresponding to the processor and the interface can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software, and there is no limitation here.

[0263] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. It is understandable that the communication device 1110 includes necessary means such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, which are appropriately configured together to implement this solution. The communication device 1110 can be the above-mentioned terminal device, network device or positioning server, or it can be a component (such as a chip) in these devices to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. The communication device 1110 includes one or more processors 1111. The processor 1111 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a terminal device, network device, or chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of software programs.

[0264] Optionally, in one design, the processor 1111 may include a program 1113 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction), and the program 1113 may be run on the processor 1111, so that the communication device 1110 performs the method described in the above embodiment. In another possible design, the communication device 1110 includes a circuit (not shown in Figure 11), which is used to implement the functions of the terminal device, network device or positioning server in the above embodiment. Optionally, the communication device 1110 may include one or more memories 1112, on which a program 1114 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction) is stored, and the program 1114 can be run on the processor 1111, so that the communication device 1110 performs the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0265] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 1111 and / or the memory 1112. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0266] Optionally, the communication device 1110 may further include a transceiver 1115 and / or an antenna 1116. The processor 1111 may also be referred to as a processing unit, and controls the communication device (e.g., a terminal device, a network device, or a positioning server). The transceiver 1115 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, and is configured to implement the transceiver function of the communication device via the antenna 1116.

[0267] Optionally, the transceiver 1115 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transmitter may be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is used to implement a transmitting function. The receiver may be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc., and is used to implement a receiving function. When the communication device 1110 is a chip in a terminal device, a network device, or a positioning server, the transceiver 1115 may be the input and output interface of the chip, corresponding to the receiving and transmitting functions in any of the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, 8, and 9, respectively.

[0268] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, comprising at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute any of the methods described in any of the embodiments in FIG. 3 , FIG. 7 , FIG. 8 , and FIG. 9 .

[0269] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed, the computer executes any method described in any of the embodiments in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9.

[0270] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to execute any of the methods described in any of the embodiments in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9.

[0271] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, which includes at least one processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to read and execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the instructions are executed, the chip executes any method described in any of the embodiments in Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9.

[0272] The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the network element units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software network element units.

[0273] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software network element unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of the present application, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, terminal device, cloud server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned methods of each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk. The above is only a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: On M frequency domain units, a reference signal from a network device is received through a first beam, where the reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units, a bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; Sending first information to the network device, where the first information is used to determine a first frequency domain unit having maximum energy information among the M frequency domain units.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received from the network device, where the second information is used to determine the M frequency domain units.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information includes an index of the first frequency domain unit.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information includes energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, and the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is used to determine the first frequency domain unit.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The energy information of each of the M frequency domain units includes energy values ​​on N transmission paths, where the transmission paths are transmission paths between a terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive third information from the positioning server, where the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to report frequency domain unit-level energy information.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: include: On M frequency domain units, a reference signal is sent to a terminal device through a first beam, where the reference signal is used to determine energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, a bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; receiving first information from the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine a first frequency domain unit with the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units; Send indication information to a positioning server, where the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information to the terminal device, where the second information is used to determine the M frequency domain units.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The first information includes an index of the first frequency domain unit.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The first information includes energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, and the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is used to determine the first frequency domain unit.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units includes an energy value on N transmission paths, where the transmission paths are transmission paths between the terminal device and the network device, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Before sending the indication information to the positioning server, the method further includes: Determine a maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on a transmission path; The first frequency domain unit is determined based on a maximum energy value of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units on a transmission path.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The indication information is determined based on the first frequency domain unit, including: The indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit and the angular range of the first beam dispersion; or, The indication information is determined based on the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and a first angle value, where the first angle value is an angle value within an angle range of dispersion of the first beam.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The indication information includes a directional angle corresponding to the first frequency domain unit.

14. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that: The indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or, The indication information includes at least one of the following: the frequency of the first frequency domain unit, the width of the first beam, and the first angle value. The first angle value is an angle value within an angle range of the first beam dispersion.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 14, characterized in that The first angle value is an angle value corresponding to the center frequency of the frequency band where the reference signal is located; or, The first angle value is the minimum angle value in the angle range of the first beam dispersion; or, The first angle value is a maximum angle value in an angle range of the first beam dispersion.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a reference signal to the network device through a first beam on the M frequency domain units; In which, the reference signal is used to determine the energy information of each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units, the bandwidth corresponding to each frequency domain unit in the M frequency domain units is included in the bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: First information is received from a network device, where the first information is used to determine the M frequency domain units.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: include: On M frequency domain units, a reference signal from a terminal device is received through a first beam, where the reference signal is used to determine energy information of each of the M frequency domain units, a bandwidth corresponding to each of the M frequency domain units is included in a bandwidth corresponding to the first beam, different frequency domain units in the M frequency domain units have different pointing angles under the first beam, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; Send indication information to a positioning server, where the indication information is used to determine the position of the terminal device, and the indication information is determined based on a first frequency domain unit having the largest energy information among the M frequency domain units.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending first information to the terminal device, where the first information is used to determine the M frequency domain units.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received from the positioning server, where the second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at a frequency domain unit level.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second information is used to instruct the network device to determine energy information at the frequency domain unit level, including: The second information is used to instruct the network device to determine an energy value at a frequency domain unit level on a transmission path between the terminal device and the network device.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device comprises at least one processor; wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, which, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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