Information transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

An information transmission method and apparatus. The information transmission method comprises: a terminal device receiving a first reference signal by means of a plurality of antenna elements; and the terminal device sending direction information of the terminal device, wherein the direction information is determined on the basis of first information, the first information being obtained by means of measuring the first reference signal. It can be seen therefrom that in the method, direction information of a terminal device is determined, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function, and thus services based on the direction of the terminal device are supported. In addition, the terminal device determines the direction information on the basis of first information obtained by means of measuring a first reference signal, which reduces the dependence of the terminal device on sensors, thus reducing the complexity of hardware in the terminal device.

Description

Information transmission method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on November 16, 2023, with application number 202311533939.X and application name “Information Transmission Method and Device”, the entire 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 an information transmission method and device. Background Art

[0003] Positioning is a key technology in mobile communication networks. Cellular positioning accurately identifies the location of terminal devices, enabling them to provide a variety of location-based services. With the emergence of a wide range of new applications, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), as well as various industrial and service robotics applications, simply positioning terminal devices is insufficient to meet the demands of these new services. Enhancing positioning capabilities is a technical challenge that needs to be addressed.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides an information transmission method and apparatus for determining the direction information of a terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method. This method can be applied to a terminal device, a chip within the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receiving a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements; and the terminal device transmitting directional information of the terminal device, where the directional information is determined based on the first information, which is obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

[0007] It can be seen that this method determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function, thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services). In addition, the terminal device determines the direction information based on the first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal, reducing the terminal device's dependence on sensors and reducing the complexity of the hardware in the terminal device.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the direction information is determined based on the first information, including: the direction information is determined based on the first information and second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first request information, where the first request information is used to request the terminal device to report direction information.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0016] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0017] In a second aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method that can be applied to a terminal device, a chip within the terminal device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the terminal device's functions. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device receives a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements; the terminal device transmits first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information indicates the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements. The first information and the second information are used to determine the terminal device's direction information.

[0018] This method facilitates determining the orientation of a terminal device, enhancing positioning capabilities and supporting services based on the orientation of the terminal device (e.g., AR / VR / MR video services). Furthermore, the terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain the first information, reducing the terminal device's reliance on sensors and the complexity of the terminal device's hardware.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0021] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0023] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0024] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second request information, where the second request information is used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information.

[0025] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0026] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0027] In a third aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method that can be applied to a network device, a chip within the network device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the network device's functions. The following description uses a network device as an example. The method includes: the network device receiving a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements; and the network device transmitting directional information of the terminal device, the directional information being determined based on first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

[0028] It can be seen that this method determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function, thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services).

[0029] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0030] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0032] In an optional implementation, the direction information is determined based on the first information, including: the direction information is determined based on the first information and second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0035] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device receiving fourth request information, where the fourth request information is used to request the network device to configure a second reference signal.

[0036] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the network device sending third information for configuring the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: a number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between a port corresponding to the second reference signal and an antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

[0037] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the network device receives second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements; and the network device determines third information based on the second information.

[0038] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method. This method can be applied to a network device, a chip within the network device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the network device's functions. The following description uses a network device as an example. The method includes: the network device receives a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The network device then transmits first information, which is obtained by measuring the second reference signal and is used to determine the terminal device's directional information.

[0040] It can be seen that this method is conducive to determining the direction information of the terminal device, enhancing the positioning function, and thus supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services).

[0041] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0042] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0043] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0044] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is determined based on the first information and the second information. The second information includes the distance between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements; or the second information includes the relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0045] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0046] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the network device receiving fourth request information, where the fourth request information is used to request the network device to configure a second reference signal.

[0047] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the network device sending third information for configuring the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: a number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between a port corresponding to the second reference signal and an antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

[0048] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the network device receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate a relative position relationship of the plurality of antenna elements, and the network device determining third information based on the second information.

[0049] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0050] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method, which can be applied to a terminal device, a chip in a terminal device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The following description is taken as an example of a terminal device. The method includes: the terminal device receives third information, and the third information is used to configure a second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association relationship between the port corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna array, or the association relationship between the second reference signal and the antenna array. Based on the third information, the terminal device sends a second reference signal through multiple antenna arrays, and the second reference signal is used to determine the direction information of the terminal device.

[0051] It can be seen that this method is conducive to determining the direction information of the terminal device, enhancing the positioning function, and thus supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services).

[0052] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0053] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0054] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device sends second information, the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements, and the second information is used to determine the direction information of the terminal device in combination with a second reference signal.

[0055] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0056] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0057] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0058] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an information transmission method, which can be applied to a positioning device, a chip in a positioning device, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the positioning device functions. The following description uses a positioning device as an example. The method includes: the positioning device receives first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements. Based on the first information and the second information, the positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device.

[0059] It can be seen that this method determines the direction information of the terminal device, enhances the positioning function, and thus supports services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services).

[0060] In an optional implementation, the direction information is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0061] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0065] In an optional implementation, the reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are first reference signals received by the multiple antenna elements, or the reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are second reference signals sent by the multiple antenna elements.

[0066] In an optional implementation, the reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are first reference signals. The method further includes: the positioning device sending a second request message, the second request message being used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information.

[0067] In an optional implementation, the reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is a second reference signal. The method further includes: the positioning device sending a fourth request message, the fourth request message being used to request the network device to configure the second reference signal.

[0068] In an optional embodiment, the reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is a second reference signal. The method further includes: the positioning device sending second information, the second information being used to determine third information, and the third information being used to configure the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna elements, or the association between the second reference signal and the antenna elements.

[0069] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the positioning device sending third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0070] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0071] In the seventh aspect, the present application also provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal device, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in a terminal device that performs the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the fifth aspect, or a device used in conjunction with a terminal device, and the communication device has the function of implementing some or all of the embodiments described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the fifth aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may be a network device, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in a network device that performs the method / operation / step / action described in the third aspect or the fourth aspect, or a device used in conjunction with a network device, and the communication device has the function of implementing some or all of the embodiments described in the third aspect or the fourth aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may be a positioning device, or a module or unit (e.g., a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit) in a positioning device that performs the method / operation / step / action described in the sixth aspect, or a device used in conjunction with a positioning device, and the communication device has the function of implementing some or all of the embodiments described in the sixth aspect. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions.

[0072] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions in the above method. Optionally, the communication device may also include a communication unit configured to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. Optionally, the communication device may also include a storage unit coupled to the processing unit and the communication unit to store program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. In addition, the processing unit may be used to control the communication unit to transmit and receive data / signaling.

[0073] In one embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements and to send direction information of the communication device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

[0074] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0075] In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements. The communication unit is further configured to transmit first information and second information, wherein the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information indicates a relative positional relationship between the multiple antenna elements. The first information and the second information are used to determine directional information of the communication device.

[0076] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0077] In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The communication unit is further configured to transmit direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

[0078] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0079] In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The communication unit is further configured to transmit first information, the first information being obtained by measuring the second reference signal and used to determine direction information of the terminal device.

[0080] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0081] In another embodiment, the communication unit is configured to receive third information used to configure a second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between a port corresponding to the second reference signal and an antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and an antenna element. The communication unit is further configured to transmit the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements based on the third information, the second reference signal being used to determine directional information of the communication device.

[0082] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fifth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] In another embodiment, a communication unit is configured to receive first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information is configured to indicate a relative positional relationship between the multiple antenna elements. The communication unit is further configured to determine direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0084] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the sixth aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0085] As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions to the processor, and the processor is configured to cause the communication device to perform the method described in the first aspect when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor. The transceiver or communication interface may be configured to transmit and receive signals and / or data.

[0086] In one embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements and to send direction information of the communication device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

[0087] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0088] In another embodiment, a transceiver is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements. The transceiver is further configured to transmit first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information indicates a relative positional relationship between the multiple antenna elements. The first information and the second information are used to determine directional information of the communication device.

[0089] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the second aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0090] In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The transceiver is further configured to transmit direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

[0091] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the third aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0092] In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The transceiver is further configured to transmit first information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the second reference signal and is used to determine direction information of the terminal device.

[0093] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fourth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0094] In another embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive third information used to configure a second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between a port corresponding to the second reference signal and an antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and an antenna element. The transceiver is further configured to transmit the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements based on the third information, the second reference signal being used to determine directional information of the communication device.

[0095] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the fifth aspect above and will not be described in detail here.

[0096] In another embodiment, a transceiver is configured to receive first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information is configured to indicate a relative positional relationship between the multiple antenna elements. The transceiver is further configured to determine direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0097] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the sixth aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0098] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; and the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip or chip system.

[0099] During implementation, the processor can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband-related processing, and the transceiver or communication interface can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices can be provided on separate chips, or at least partially or entirely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. The analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver (or communication interface) on the same chip, while the digital baseband processor can be provided on a separate chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with multiple application processors (such as, but not limited to, a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system on a chip (SoC). Whether each device is provided independently on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of the product design. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0100] In an eighth aspect, the present application also provides a processor for executing the various methods described above. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned signal and receiving the above-mentioned signal in the above-mentioned method can be understood as the process of outputting the above-mentioned signal by the processor, and the process of inputting the above-mentioned signal by the processor. When outputting the above-mentioned signal, the processor outputs the above-mentioned signal to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver (or communication interface). After being output by the processor, the above-mentioned signal may also need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver (or communication interface). Similarly, when the processor receives the above-mentioned input signal, the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal, the above-mentioned signal may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0101] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual functions or internal logic in the relevant descriptions, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations directly performed by the RF circuit and antenna.

[0102] During implementation, the processor may be a processor specifically configured to execute these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on separate chips. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of memory or the configuration of the memory and the processor.

[0103] In a ninth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the terminal device, network device, and positioning device of the above aspects. In another possible design, the system may also include other devices that interact with the terminal device and / or network device and / or positioning device in the solution provided by the present application.

[0104] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is run, the method described in any one of the first to sixth aspects above is executed.

[0105] In the eleventh aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, the computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, enables the method described in any one of the above-mentioned first to sixth aspects to be executed.

[0106] In a twelfth aspect, the present application further provides a chip, comprising a processor. The processor is configured to execute code or instructions to implement the method described in any one of aspects 1 to 6 above. Optionally, the chip further comprises an interface, the processor being coupled to the interface, and the interface being configured to receive or output signals.

[0107] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in any one of the first to sixth aspects. In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0108] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network positioning architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a side chain positioning architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] FIG4 is a flow chart of an information transmission method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the orientation of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0116] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another antenna array provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0119] FIG12 is a flow chart of an information transmission method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0120] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] FIG14 is a flow chart of an information transmission method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0123] FIG16 is a flow chart of an information transmission method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0127] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0128] First, in order to better understand the information transmission method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is described.

[0129] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, global mobile communication systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, universal mobile communication systems, fourth generation (4G) mobile communication systems, fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems, new radio (NR) communication systems, and with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be used for subsequent evolved communication systems, such as sixth generation (6G) mobile communication systems, seventh generation (7G) mobile communication systems, and so on.

[0130] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of a positioning architecture of a 5G network provided in an embodiment of the present application. The architecture includes user equipment (UE), a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), and a core network. Among them, NG-RAN includes the next-generation LTE base station (next-generation eNodeB, ng-eNB) and a 5G base station (gNodeB, gNB). The core network includes a location management function (LMF) network element and an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. Optionally, the architecture shown in Figure 1 may also include an enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) and a secure user plane location (SUPL) positioning platform (SLP).

[0131] The UE and ng-eNB communicate via the LTE-Uu interface, the UE and gNB communicate via the NR-Uu interface, the ng-eNB and gNB communicate via the Xn interface, the ng-eNB and AMF network element communicate via the NG-C interface, the gNB and AMF network element communicate via the NG-C interface, and the AMF and LMF network elements communicate via the NLs interface. The AMF network element can be used to receive positioning service requests for a specific UE initiated by other network elements in the network and can also be used to send received positioning service requests to the LMF network element. The LMF network element can be used to process received positioning service requests and initiate related positioning procedures.

[0132] In addition, the UE in Figure 1 can also be replaced by a SUPL enabled terminal (SET), and the ng-eNB and / or gNB can also be replaced by a transmission point (TP).

[0133] In addition to being located in the core network and independent of the gNB as shown in Figure 1, the LMF network element can also be integrated into the gNB in ​​actual applications. In this case, the LMF network element is also called local LMF.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a side link positioning architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application, which exemplarily illustrates a side link (SL)-based positioning architecture in three scenarios. As shown in scenario one in Figure 2, two UEs can achieve mutual positioning by sending SL positioning reference signals (PRS) in a scenario without network coverage, for example, to achieve mutual ranging or angle measurement. As shown in scenario two in Figure 2, a UE can achieve positioning by receiving SL positioning reference signals sent by multiple road side units (RSU). As shown in scenario three in Figure 2, two UEs within the network coverage area can achieve mutual positioning by sending SL positioning reference signals under the control of the base station, and send the positioning results to the LMF network element in the core network through the base station.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the communication system includes a terminal device, a network device, and a positioning device. The terminal device can communicate with the network device, the terminal device can communicate with the positioning device, and the network device can communicate with the positioning device. Among them, the positioning device can be, for example, a location management server or a location server or a positioning center, and the positioning device can be, for example, a device or a logic module or a functional module. For example, the positioning device can be the LMF network element in Figure 1. In the communication system shown in Figure 3, the positioning device is independent of the network device, the positioning device communicates with the terminal device through an external interface, and the positioning device communicates with the network device through an external interface.

[0136] In addition to the independent positioning device shown in Figure 3, the positioning device can also be integrated into the network device. In this case, the positioning device is part of the network device. Communication between the positioning device and the network device occurs via the network device's internal interface, and communication between the positioning device and the terminal device occurs via the network device's external interface. This shows that the network device has positioning device functionality and can be used to perform positioning device-related operations.

[0137] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device has wireless communication capabilities. The terminal device may also be referred to as UE, terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device, and may be applied to 4G, 5G, and even 6G systems. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be a joint device that transmits and receives digital signals on an ordinary telephone line, and can also be a handheld terminal, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a computer, a wearable device, a head mounted display (HMD), a virtual reality (VR) terminal device (such as VR glasses), an augmented reality (AR) terminal device (such as AR glasses), a mixed reality (MR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a processing device connected to a wireless modem, a tactile terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a factory machine / equipment, a machine type communication terminal, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a transportation security (transportation) terminal ... Safety), wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, RSUs, and so on.

[0138] Network equipment has wireless transceiver functions, including but not limited to: base station (BS), radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home network equipment (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission and reception point (TRP), transmission point (TP), transceiver node, relay equipment, or small station or micro station with base station functions. Among them, a base station is a device deployed in a radio access network that can provide wireless communication functions, which can also be called base station equipment, such as an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, ng-eNB, Node B, base station (gNodeB or gNB) in a 5G system, base station in a 6G system, base station in a future communication system, etc. A base station can consist of a base station unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be placed in different locations. For example, the RRU can be remotely located in a high-traffic area, while the BBU can be placed in a central equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be placed in the same equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be separate components within the same rack. Base stations can take the following forms: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small cells), pico base stations, relay stations, access points, balloon stations, and so on.

[0139] The ng-eNB is a device or apparatus deployed in a radio access network that meets 4G standards and provides wireless communication capabilities for terminal devices. An ng-eNB can be a base station or access point of various forms, or a transmission resource routing (TRP) that transmits and receives reference signals. A gNB is a device or apparatus deployed in a radio access network that meets 5G standards and provides wireless communication capabilities for terminal devices. A gNB can be a base station or access point of various forms, or a TRP that transmits and receives reference signals, or a transmission measurement function (TMF).

[0140] In an optional embodiment, the network device is a RAN node in a radio access network (RAN). The RAN may be a cellular system related to the third generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 4G or 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as a 6G mobile communication system). The RAN may also be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. The RAN may also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0141] RAN nodes are sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entities or access nodes, etc., which constitute part of the communication system to help terminals achieve wireless access. In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a BS, eNodeB, access point (AP), TRP, gNB, the next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an on-board device, etc. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be an RSU.

[0142] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be 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 can be set separately, or they can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0143] 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 O-CU (Open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the 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.

[0144] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present application use terminal devices, network devices, and positioning devices as examples to illustrate the corresponding methods, but the present application does not limit the execution of the methods. For example, the device in the method can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the device to implement the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device.

[0145] An embodiment of the present application provides an information transmission method 100. In this information transmission method 100, a terminal device receives a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements. The terminal device then transmits directional information of the terminal device, where the directional information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal. Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic flow chart of the information transmission method 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. This information transmission method 100 includes the following steps.

[0146] S101: A network device sends a first reference signal. Correspondingly, a terminal device receives the first reference signal via multiple antenna elements.

[0147] The terminal device receives the first reference signal via multiple antenna elements, which means that the terminal device receives the first reference signal via some or all of the multiple antenna elements. The multiple antenna elements refer to two or more antenna elements. Optionally, when the multiple antenna elements are two or more antenna elements, at least three of the multiple antenna elements are used to define a plane. It is understood that at least three of the multiple antenna elements are not on the same straight line.

[0148] In addition, the number of network devices that transmit the first reference signal may be one or more. That is, step S101 includes: each of the one or more network devices transmits the first reference signal; accordingly, the terminal device receives the first reference signal from each of the one or more network devices through multiple antenna arrays. For example, the number of network devices is 2, and the number of antenna arrays of terminal device #1 is 3. Network device #1 transmits first reference signal #1, and network device #2 transmits first reference signal #2. Optionally, terminal device #1 receives first reference signal #1 through some or all of antenna arrays among antenna array #1, antenna array #2, and antenna array #3, and receives first reference signal #2 through some or all of antenna arrays among antenna array #1, antenna array #2, and antenna array #3.

[0149] Optionally, in the embodiments of this application, the "antenna array" can be replaced with an antenna unit, or can also be replaced with an antenna module, or can also be replaced with an antenna port. In one optional embodiment, the antenna unit or antenna module includes an antenna array. For ease of illustration, the embodiments of this application use the "antenna array" as an example.

[0150] Optionally, the network device is a RAN node, and the network device sending the first reference signal in step S101 is: the RAN node sending the first reference signal.

[0151] In an optional embodiment, the first reference signal is used for positioning, and the first reference signal may be, for example, a PRS. In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the first reference signal. In addition to being a PRS, the first reference signal may also be other signals used for positioning and for downlink transmission.

[0152] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a third request message, the third request message being used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement. Optionally, the terminal device's capabilities related to direction measurement include one or more of the following: the terminal device's signal measurement capability, the number of antenna elements of the terminal device, or second information. The second information is used to indicate the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements, and the second information may be, for example, antenna pattern information of the terminal device.

[0153] In one optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device, the third request information is sent directly by the positioning device to the terminal device; alternatively, the third request information is sent by the positioning device to the terminal device via another network element (e.g., via a network device providing services to the terminal device). In another optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is integrated into the network device, the third request information is sent by the network device providing services to the terminal device to the terminal device.

[0154] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device sending response information, the response information being used to indicate the terminal device's capabilities related to direction measurement. In one optional manner, if the positioning device is independent of the network device, the response information is sent directly by the terminal device to the positioning device; alternatively, the response information is sent by the terminal device to the positioning device via another device (e.g., a network device providing services to the terminal device). In another optional manner, if the positioning device is integrated into the network device, the response information is sent by the terminal device to the network device providing services to the terminal device.

[0155] Optionally, the response information includes one or more of the following: indication information indicating the terminal device's signal measurement capability, the number of antenna arrays of the terminal device, and second information. The second information indicates the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna arrays, and may be, for example, antenna array (pattern) information of the terminal device. In addition to the aforementioned information, the response information may also include information indicating other direction measurement-related capabilities possessed by the terminal device, without limitation.

[0156] In one optional embodiment, the second information includes one or more of the following: distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements, absolute coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements, relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements, and angles between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements. Optionally, the second information also includes indexes of the antenna elements corresponding to one or more of the above items. Furthermore, in addition to the aforementioned information, the second information may also include other information indicating the relative positional relationship of the plurality of antenna elements, without limitation.

[0157] The distance between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements is the distance between different antenna elements in some or all of the plurality of antenna elements. The coordinates or absolute coordinates of the plurality of antenna elements are the coordinates or absolute coordinates of some or all of the plurality of antenna elements. The relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements are the relative coordinates between different antenna elements in some or all of the plurality of antenna elements. The angle between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements is the angle between different antenna elements in some or all of the plurality of antenna elements.

[0158] Optionally, the relative coordinates between the multiple antenna elements are the coordinates of some or all of the multiple antenna elements relative to a reference point. The reference point may be, for example, any one of the multiple antenna elements. Optionally, the second information also includes an index of the antenna element serving as the reference point and an index of the antenna element corresponding to the relative coordinates.

[0159] For example, the multiple antenna elements of the terminal device are antenna element #1 (whose index is index #1), antenna element #2 (whose index is index #2) and antenna element #3 (whose index is index #3), the distance between antenna element #1 and antenna element #2 is d1, the distance between antenna element #1 and antenna element #3 is d2, and the distance between antenna element #2 and antenna element #3 is The second information includes: {index #1, index #2, d1}, {index #1, index #3, d2}, {index #2, index #3, Alternatively, antenna element #1 is used as the reference point, the coordinates of antenna element #2 relative to the reference point are (0, d1), and the coordinates of antenna element #3 relative to the reference point are (d2, 0). The second information includes: index #1, {index #2, (0, d1)}, and {index #3, (d2, 0)}.

[0160] In this embodiment of the present application, elements within the same "{}" are associated with each other. For example, {index #1, index #2, d1} indicates that the distance between antenna element #1 corresponding to index #1 and antenna element #2 corresponding to index #2 is d1. For another example, using antenna element #1 as the reference point, {index #2, (0, d1)} indicates that the coordinates of antenna element #2 corresponding to index #2 relative to the reference point are (0, d1). This will not be further explained below.

[0161] S102. The terminal device sends direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information, and the first information is obtained by measuring a first reference signal.

[0162] Optionally, the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, which can be replaced by: the first information is obtained based on the first reference signal. In one optional manner, the first information is obtained based on the first reference signal, including: the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal. Alternatively, the first information can be obtained based on the first reference signal by other means, without limitation.

[0163] In one optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device, the direction information is sent directly from the terminal device to the positioning device, or the direction information is sent from the terminal device to the positioning device via another device (e.g., a network device providing services to the terminal device). In another optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is integrated into the network device, the direction information is sent from the terminal device to the network device providing services to the terminal device.

[0164] Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain first information; and the terminal device determines direction information of the terminal device based on the first information.

[0165] In an optional embodiment, the first information includes phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements. The phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are phases corresponding to at least two of the multiple antenna elements.

[0166] For example, a terminal device receives first reference signal #1 and first reference signal #2 via antenna elements #1 through #4. The terminal device measures first reference signal #1 and obtains phases #1 through #4 corresponding to antenna elements #1 through #4, respectively. The terminal device measures first reference signal #2 and obtains phases #5 through #8 corresponding to antenna elements #1 through #4, respectively. Therefore, the first information includes at least two phases from phase #1 through #8. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference, which is determined based on at least two phases from phase #1 through #8. For example, the first information includes phase difference #1, phase difference #2, phase difference #3, and phase difference #4, where phase difference #1 is the difference between phase #1 and phase #2, phase difference #2 is the difference between phase #1 and phase #3, phase difference #3 is the difference between phase #5 and phase #6, and phase difference #4 is the difference between phase #5 and phase #7.

[0167] In addition, the phase corresponding to the antenna element can be, for example, the phase of the line of sight (LOS) path, the phase of the first path, the phase of the additional path, or the phase of the non-line of sight (NLOS) path, without limitation.

[0168] Optionally, the first information also includes one or more of the following: time of arrival (TOA) of the first reference signal, information obtained based on TOA measurement, angle of arrival (AOA) of the first reference signal, or reference signal receiving power (RSRP) corresponding to the first reference signal. Optionally, the information obtained based on TOA measurement may include, for example, one or more of the following: reference signal time difference (RSTD), relative time of arrival (RTOA), round-trip time (RTT), or rx-tx time difference, etc.

[0169] Optionally, the TOA of the first reference signal may be the TOA of the first reference signal on at least one path, the AOA of the first reference signal may be the AOA of the first reference signal on at least one path, and the RSRP corresponding to the first reference signal may be the RSRP corresponding to the first reference signal on at least one path. In addition, RSRP can also be referred to as reference signal received path power (RSRPP). In the embodiment of the present application, "path" can be understood as: the path through which the signal travels from the transmitting end to the receiving end. For example, the TOA of the first reference signal on at least one path can be understood as: the TOA of the first reference signal on at least one path through which the signal travels from the network device to the terminal device.

[0170] In an optional embodiment, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the direction of movement of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device. The direction information may be, for example, heading information, or may also be orientation information. In addition, the direction information may be represented by a vector. For example, the direction information is a three-dimensional vector (0, 0, 1), and the direction information indicates the direction of the Z axis. For another example, the direction information is a two-dimensional vector (0, 1), and the direction information indicates the direction of the Y axis. Alternatively, the direction information may also be represented by a set of transformation relationships. For example, the direction information is (α, β, γ), which indicates the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system. The direction information is explained below, as described in the following optional embodiments 1.1 to 1.4.

[0171] In implementation 1.1, directional information is represented by a rotational relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system. The first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. In other words, the directional information can be represented by the rotational relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system.

[0172] In the embodiment of the present application, the relative position between the local coordinate system of the terminal device and the terminal device remains unchanged. It is understandable that when the terminal device performs operations such as rotation or translation, the local coordinate system also performs corresponding operations such as rotation or translation. Among them, the rotation operation of the terminal device will cause the orientation of the terminal device to change. For example, in conjunction with Figure 5, a black circular pattern is used to represent the terminal device. With the terminal device as the coordinate origin, the positive direction of the x-axis represents the right side of the terminal device (right), the negative direction of the x-axis represents the left side of the terminal device (left), the positive direction of the y-axis represents the top side of the terminal device (up), the negative direction of the y-axis represents the bottom side of the terminal device (down), the positive direction of the z-axis represents the front side of the terminal device (forward), and the negative direction of the z-axis represents the back side of the terminal device (backward); the terminal device can rotate around one or more axes of the x-axis, y-axis, or z-axis. Among them, the rotation of the terminal device around the x-axis can also be called pitch, the rotation of the terminal device around the y-axis can also be called yaw, and the rotation of the terminal device around the z-axis can also be called roll.

[0173] In addition, the local coordinate system of the terminal device can be determined based on a reference point of the terminal device. For example, the local coordinate system of the terminal device uses the reference point of the terminal device as the coordinate origin. The reference point of the terminal device can be predefined. For example, the center of mass of the plane in which multiple antenna elements are located can be used as the reference point of the terminal device, or any antenna element among the multiple antenna elements of the terminal device can be used as the reference point of the terminal device.

[0174] The global coordinate system and the reference coordinate system are coordinate systems that remain fixed as the terminal device rotates or translates. It is understood that when the terminal device rotates or translates, the global coordinate system and the reference coordinate system will not perform the corresponding rotation or translation operations. For example, the origin of the global coordinate system is the origin of the earth, the z-axis of the global coordinate system points to the North Pole along the earth's axis, and the x-axis and y-axis of the global coordinate system are located in the equatorial plane. For another example, the reference coordinate system can be predefined or manually set.

[0175] Optionally, the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system is represented by a rotation angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system. The direction information may include: the rotation angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system.

[0176] Exemplarily, the rotation angles between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system are α, β, and γ. In conjunction with Figure 6, the first coordinate system consists of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Rotate the xy plane (i.e., the plane where the x-axis and y-axis are located) about the z-axis to obtain the x'-axis, y'-axis, and z'-axis (the z'-axis is the same as the z-axis), and α is the rotation angle between the x'-axis and the x-axis. Rotate the x'-z' plane (i.e., the plane where the x'-axis and z'-axis are located) about the y'-axis to obtain the x"-axis, y"-axis (the y"-axis is the same as the y'-axis), and z"-axis, and β is the rotation angle between the z'-axis and the z'-axis. Rotate the y"-z" plane (i.e., the plane where the y"-axis and z"-axis are located) about the x"-axis to obtain the x"'-axis (the x"'-axis is the same as the x"-axis), y"'-axis, and z"'-axis, and γ is the rotation angle between the y"'-axis and the y"-axis. The x"'-axis, y"'-axis, and z"'-axis constitute the second coordinate system.

[0177] In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of using the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system to represent the direction information. For example, in the direction information, the rotation angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system is represented in the form of a vector or a numerical value. For example, taking the scenario shown in Figure 6 as an example, the direction information includes: (α, β, γ). Alternatively, the direction information includes: α, β, γ.

[0178] In implementation 1.2, the directional information is represented by the angle between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system. The first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. In other words, the directional information can be represented by the angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system. For a detailed description of the global coordinate system, the reference coordinate system, and the local coordinate system of the terminal device, please refer to the relevant description in implementation 1.1 and will not be repeated here.

[0179] Optionally, the angular relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system is represented by the angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system. The direction information may include: the angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system. For example, taking the case where the multiple antenna arrays of the terminal device are 3 antenna arrays, in combination with Figure 7, the first coordinate system is a coordinate system consisting of the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis, and the second coordinate system is a coordinate system consisting of the x' axis, the y' axis, and the z' axis. The direction information can be used to indicate the angle between the x' axis and the x-axis, the angle between the y' axis and the y-axis, and the angle between the z' axis and the z-axis.

[0180] In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of using the angle relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system to represent the direction information. For example, in the direction information, the angle between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system is represented in the form of a vector or a numerical value. For example, taking the scene shown in Figure 7 as an example, the angle between the x' axis of the second coordinate system and the x-axis of the first coordinate system is ρ1, the angle between the y' axis of the second coordinate system and the y-axis of the first coordinate system is ρ2, and the angle between the z' axis of the second coordinate system and the z-axis of the first coordinate system is ρ3. The direction information includes: (ρ1, ρ2, ρ3). Alternatively, the direction information includes: ρ1, ρ2, ρ3.

[0181] In embodiment 1.3, directional information is represented using the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. That is, the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located can be used to depict directional information. Furthermore, this embodiment of the application does not limit the specific form in which the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located is used to represent directional information. For example, the directional information can be represented using a vector or a numerical value to represent the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0182] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna arrays as the multiple antenna arrays, the first coordinate system is a coordinate system consisting of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. The distribution of the three antenna arrays of the terminal device in the first coordinate system is shown in FIG8 , and the plane where the three antenna arrays are located is the plane where the gray triangle pattern in FIG8 is located. In the first coordinate system, the plane equation corresponding to the plane where the three antenna arrays are located can be shown as formula (1). Ax+By+Cz+D=0 (1)

[0183] The direction information includes: (A, B, C, D). Alternatively, the direction information includes: A, B, C, D.

[0184] In embodiment 1.4, directional information is represented by normal vectors of the planes in which the multiple antenna arrays are located. In other words, the directional information can be represented by normal vectors of the planes in which the multiple antenna arrays are located. Furthermore, this embodiment of the application does not limit the specific form in which the directional information is represented by the normal vectors of the planes in which the multiple antenna arrays are located. For example, the directional information may be represented by vectors or numerical values.

[0185] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna arrays as the multiple antenna arrays, the first coordinate system is a coordinate system consisting of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. The distribution of the three antenna arrays of the terminal device in the first coordinate system is shown in FIG9 . The plane where the three antenna arrays are located is the plane where the gray triangle pattern is located in FIG9 , and the normal vectors of the plane where the three antenna arrays are located are shown by the dotted arrows in FIG9 . The plane equation corresponding to the plane where the three antenna arrays are located is shown in Formula (1). Therefore, the normal vectors of the plane where the three antenna arrays are located are (A, B, C). The directional information includes: (A, B, C). Alternatively, the directional information includes: A, B, C.

[0186] In embodiment 1.5, directional information is represented by the orientations of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple elements. In other words, the orientations of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple elements can be used to characterize directional information. This embodiment is applicable to situations where multiple antenna elements can form a linear array, or a linear array approximation. Furthermore, the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific form of representing directional information using the orientations of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple elements. For example, the directional information can be represented in the form of a vector or a numerical value to represent the orientations of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple elements.

[0187] For example, if the terminal device has two antenna elements, the coordinates of one antenna element are (x1, y1, z1), and the coordinates of the other antenna element are (x2, y2, z2). The direction information includes: (x1-x2, y1-y2, z1-z2).

[0188] In an optional embodiment, the directional information is determined based on the first information and the second information, where the second information indicates the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements. Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device determining the directional information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information. For a detailed description of the second information, please refer to the aforementioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0189] Optionally, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system. Optionally, the terminal device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determines the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information; the terminal device determines the direction information based on the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system.

[0190] Optionally, the terminal device determines the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determines at least one phase difference based on the first information; the terminal device determines the distance between different antenna arrays among the multiple antenna arrays based on the second information; the terminal device determines the coordinates of at least one antenna array among the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system based on at least one phase difference and the distance between different antenna arrays among the multiple antenna arrays.

[0191] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna elements, the terminal device receives the first reference signal #1 from the network device #1 and the first reference signal #2 from the network device #2 through the three antenna elements. The terminal device measures the first reference signal #1 and obtains the phases corresponding to the three antenna elements as follows: The terminal device measures the first reference signal #2 and obtains the phases corresponding to the three antenna elements as follows: in, The following formulas (2) to (7) are also satisfied.

[0192] Where λ is the wavelength, c is the speed of light, δ1 is the synchronization time error measured on the first reference signal #1, φ0 is the initial phase measured on the first reference signal #1, δ2 is the synchronization time error measured on the first reference signal #2, φ1 is the initial phase measured on the first reference signal #2, and n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, and n6 are all noise. and is the distance between the three antenna arrays and network device #1. and It is the distance between the three antenna elements and network device #2.

[0193] The coordinates of the three antenna elements in the first coordinate system are (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), and (x3, y3, z3). The coordinates of network device #1 in the first coordinate system are (x i ,y i , z i ), the coordinates of network device #2 in the first coordinate system are (x j ,y j , z j ) as an example, The following formulas (8) to (13) are satisfied.

[0194] based on It can be determined and Phase difference and Phase difference and Phase difference as well as and Phase difference For the convenience of calculation, ignoring the noise, based on formula (2) to formula (7), it can be determined and Formulas (14) to (17) are also satisfied.

[0195] Based on the second information, the distance d between different antenna elements in the three antenna elements can be determined. 12 d 13 d 23 .d 12 d 13 d 23 It also satisfies the equations (18) to (20).

[0196] In addition, the coordinates of one of the multiple antenna arrays in the first coordinate system can be obtained through absolute positioning. For example, one of the three antenna arrays is used as the reference point of the terminal device. The coordinates of the reference point of the terminal device in the first coordinate system can be determined through absolute positioning methods such as time difference of arrival (TDOA), AOA, multi-round trip time (Multi-RTT), and carrier phase positioning, thereby determining the coordinates of one of the three antenna arrays in the first coordinate system. Taking (x1, y1, z1) obtained through absolute positioning as an example, based on formulas (8) to (20), the values ​​of x2, y2, z2, x3, y3, and z3 can be obtained, and then the coordinates of the other two antenna arrays in the first coordinate system can be determined, namely (x2, y2, z2) and (x3, y3, z3).

[0197] The operation of determining direction information by the terminal device is explained below, as described in the following optional implementations 2.1 to 2.4.

[0198] Implementation 2.1, the terminal device determines direction information, including: the terminal device determines the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system, and uses the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system to represent the direction information.

[0199] Optionally, the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system is determined based on the first information and the second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements. For a detailed description of the second information, please refer to the above-mentioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0200] Optionally, the terminal device determines the rotational relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determines the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system at the second moment based on the first information and the second information; the terminal device determines the rotational relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system based on the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system at the second moment and the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system at the first moment. For a detailed description of the operation of the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system at the second moment based on the first information and the second information, reference can be made to the aforementioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0201] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna elements, the terminal device has determined that the coordinates of antenna element #1 in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (x1, y1, z1), the coordinates of antenna element #2 in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (x2, y2, z2), and the coordinates of antenna element #3 in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (x3, y3, z3). Furthermore, the coordinates of antenna element #1 in the first coordinate system at the first moment are (a1, b1, c1), the coordinates of antenna element #2 in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (a2, b2, c2), and the coordinates of antenna element #3 in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (a3, b3, c3).

[0202] The coordinates of the reference point of the terminal device in the first coordinate system at the first moment are (a0, b0, c0), and the coordinates of the reference point of the terminal device in the first coordinate system at the second moment are (x0, y0, z0). The rotation matrix R of the second coordinate system relative to the first coordinate system satisfies formulas (21) to (23).

[0203] Based on formula (21) to formula (23), it can be determined that R satisfies formula (24).

[0204] In addition, R also satisfies formula (25).

[0205] Where cos is the cosine function, and sin is the sine function. α, β, and γ are the rotation angles of the second coordinate system relative to the first coordinate system. For details, see the relevant explanation in Implementation 1.1 and will not be repeated here. Based on Formulas (24) and (25), the values ​​of α, β, and γ can be determined, and thus the rotation relationship of the second coordinate system relative to the first coordinate system can be determined.

[0206] For example, assume that the terminal device has three antenna elements, and antenna element #1 is used as the reference point of the terminal device. A first coordinate system consists of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Referring to Figure 10 , at the first moment, the coordinates of antenna element #1 in the first coordinate system are (0, 0, 0), the coordinates of antenna element #2 in the first coordinate system are (1, 0, 0), and the coordinates of antenna element #3 in the first coordinate system are (0, 1, 0). The terminal device rotates from the first moment to the second moment, causing the orientation of the terminal device to change. At the second moment, the coordinates of antenna element #1 in the first coordinate system are (x1, y1, z1), the coordinates of antenna element #2 in the first coordinate system are (x2, y2, z2), and the coordinates of antenna element #3 in the first coordinate system are (x3, y3, z3). Therefore, the rotation matrix R of the second coordinate system relative to the first coordinate system satisfies formula (26).

[0207] Based on formula (25) and formula (26), the rotation angles α, β, and γ of the second coordinate system relative to the first coordinate system can be determined as shown in formulas (27) to (29), respectively. β=arcsin(z1-z2) (28)

[0208] Among them, cos is the cosine function, and arcsin is the inverse sine function.

[0209] In addition, the rotation relationship between the first coordinate system and the second coordinate system may be determined based on other methods besides the first information and the second information, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

[0210] In embodiment 2.2, the terminal device determines direction information, including: the terminal device determines normal vectors of the planes where the multiple antenna arrays are located, and uses the normal vectors of the planes where the multiple antenna arrays are located to represent the direction information. The normal vector represents a vector perpendicular to the plane where the antenna arrays are located.

[0211] Optionally, the normal vectors of the planes where the multiple antenna elements are located are determined based on the first information and the second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements. Detailed description of the second information can be found in the aforementioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0212] Optionally, the terminal device determines the normal vectors of the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information; and the terminal device determining the normal vectors of the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located based on the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system. A detailed description of the operation of the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information can be found in the aforementioned related description and is not repeated here.

[0213] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna arrays as the multiple antenna arrays, the coordinates of the three antenna arrays in the first coordinate system are (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), and (x3, y3, z3). Assume that the normal vectors of the plane where the three antenna arrays are located are (A, B, C), and A, B, and C satisfy formulas (30) to (32). A(x2-x1)+B(y2-y1)+C(z2-z1)=0 (30) A(x3-x1)+B(y3-y1)+C(z3-z1)=0 (31) A(x3-x2)+B(y3-y2)+C(z3-z2)=0 (32)

[0214] By jointly solving formulas (30) to (32), the values ​​of A, B, and C can be determined, and thus the normal vectors of the planes where the three antenna elements are located in the first coordinate system can be determined.

[0215] In addition, the normal vectors of the planes where the multiple antenna elements are located may be determined based on other methods in addition to the first information and the second information, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0216] In embodiment 2.3, the terminal device determines directional information, including: the terminal device determining a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located, and using the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located to represent the directional information. Optionally, the method further includes: the terminal device sending plane information to a positioning device or a network device, the plane information being used to indicate the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located, and the plane information representing the directional information.

[0217] Optionally, the planes where the multiple antenna elements are located are determined based on the first information and the second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative positional relationship between the multiple antenna elements. Detailed description of the second information can be found in the aforementioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0218] Optionally, the terminal device determines the planes in which the multiple antenna elements are located based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information; and the terminal device determining the planes in which the multiple antenna elements are located based on the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system. A detailed description of the operation of the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information can be found in the aforementioned related description and is not repeated here.

[0219] For example, taking the case where the terminal device has three antenna arrays as the multiple antenna arrays, the coordinates of the three antenna arrays in the first coordinate system are (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), and (x3, y3, z3). Based on formulas (30) to (32), the normal vectors (A, B, C) of the plane where the three antenna arrays are located in the first coordinate system can be determined. Assume that in the first coordinate system, the plane equation corresponding to the plane where the three antenna arrays are located is Ax+By+Cz+D=0; by substituting any coordinate of (x1, y1, z1), (x2, y2, z2), and (x3, y3, z3) into Ax+By+Cz+D=0, the value of D can be determined, and then the plane equation corresponding to the plane where the three antenna arrays are located can be determined.

[0220] In addition, the plane where the multiple antenna elements are located can be determined based on the first information and the second information, or based on other methods, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0221] In embodiment 2.4, the terminal device determines direction information, including: the terminal device determines the orientation of a linear array corresponding to multiple elements, and uses the orientation corresponding to the multiple elements to represent the direction information. This embodiment can be applied to the case where multiple antenna elements form a linear array, or a near-linear array.

[0222] Optionally, the directions of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple arrays are determined based on the first information and the second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna arrays. Detailed description of the second information can be found in the above-mentioned related description and will not be repeated here.

[0223] Optionally, the terminal device determines the orientation of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple antenna elements based on the first information and the second information, including: the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information; and the terminal device determining the orientation of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple antenna elements based on the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system. A detailed description of the operation of the terminal device determining the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system based on the first information and the second information can be found in the aforementioned related description and is not repeated here.

[0224] For example, consider a terminal device with two antenna elements. The coordinates of one antenna element are (x1, y1, z1), and the coordinates of the other antenna element are (x2, y2, z2). The vectors representing the orientation of the linear arrays corresponding to the two antenna elements are (x1-x2, y1-y2, z1-z2) or (x2-x1, y2-y1, z2-z1).

[0225] In addition, the directions of the linear arrays corresponding to the multiple arrays may be determined based on other methods besides the first information and the second information, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0226] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device receives a first request message, where the first request message is used to request the terminal device to report direction information. In an optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device, the first request message may be sent directly by the positioning device to the terminal device; or, the first request message may be sent by the positioning device to the terminal device via another device (e.g., a network device providing services to the terminal device). In another optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is integrated into the network device, the first request message is sent by the network device providing services to the terminal device to the terminal device.

[0227] In an optional embodiment, the terminal device sending directional information of the terminal device includes: the terminal device sending one or more directional information. In the case where the terminal device sends one directional information, the directional information is obtained by measuring first reference signals received by multiple antenna elements. It is understood that after receiving the first reference signal, the terminal device may determine the directional information based on the first information obtained by measuring the received first reference signal, and then send the directional information.

[0228] For example, at time #1, the terminal device receives first reference signal #1 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #1 to obtain first information #1, determines direction information #1 based on first information #1, and sends direction information #1. At time #2, the terminal device receives first reference signal #2 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #2 to obtain first information #2, determines direction information #2 based on first information #2, and sends direction information #2. At time #3, the terminal device receives first reference signal #3 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #3 to obtain first information #3, determines direction information #3 based on first information #2, and sends direction information #3. Here, time #1 is earlier than time #2, and time #2 is earlier than time #3.

[0229] In addition, when a terminal device transmits multiple directional information, the multiple directional information corresponds one-to-one to the multiple first information. The directional information is determined based on the first information corresponding to the directional information. The multiple first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signals received multiple times through multiple antenna elements. It is understood that after receiving the first reference signal, the terminal device may determine the directional information based on the first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal received this time, and transmit the multiple directional information after a period of time or after a predefined number of signal receptions.

[0230] For example, at time #1, the terminal device receives first reference signal #1 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #1 to obtain first information #1, and determines direction information #1 based on first information #1. At time #2, the terminal device receives first reference signal #2 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #2 to obtain first information #2, and determines direction information #2 based on first information #2. At time #3, the terminal device receives first reference signal #3 through multiple antenna elements, measures first reference signal #3 to obtain first information #3, and determines direction information #3 based on first information #2. At time #4, the terminal device sends direction information #1, direction information #2, and direction information #3. Here, time #1 is earlier than time #2, time #2 is earlier than time #3, and time #3 is earlier than time #4.

[0231] Taking the example of a positioning device independent of a network device, an exemplary information transmission method is provided below. As shown in Figure 11, this exemplary information transmission method includes: exchanging configuration information between the positioning device and the network device. For example, the configuration information is used to configure a first reference signal, and the configuration information includes, for example, the location of the network device. The positioning device sends a third request message to the terminal device, requesting the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement. The terminal device sends a response message to the positioning device, indicating the terminal device's capabilities related to direction measurement. The terminal device receives the first reference signal sent by the network device via multiple antenna elements. The terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain first information. Based on the first information, the terminal device determines its direction information. The positioning device sends a first request message to the terminal device, requesting the terminal device to report its direction information. The terminal device sends the direction information to the positioning device. The positioning device can then transmit the terminal device's location and direction information to the network device, which can then distribute corresponding video content or perform service-related operations based on the terminal device's location and direction information.

[0232] In summary, in the information transmission method 100, the terminal device receives a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements; the terminal device transmits directional information of the terminal device, which is determined based on the first information, which is obtained by measuring the first reference signal. It can be seen that this method of determining the directional information of the terminal device is conducive to enhancing the positioning function and providing a capability foundation for services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services), thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device.

[0233] In addition, the direction information of the terminal device determined based on this method can also be used in combination with the position of the terminal device (for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal device) to meet the business's positioning requirements for the terminal device and improve business quality.

[0234] In addition, the terminal device determines direction information based on the first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal, which reduces the terminal device's dependence on sensors and reduces the complexity of hardware in the terminal device.

[0235] Please refer to FIG. 12 , which is a flow chart of an information transmission method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The information transmission method 200 includes the following steps.

[0236] S201. A network device sends a first reference signal; correspondingly, a terminal device receives the first reference signal through multiple antenna elements.

[0237] S202: The terminal device sends first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring a first reference signal and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the first information and the second information.

[0238] S203: The positioning device determines direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0239] The difference between information transmission method 200 and information transmission method 100 is that: in information transmission method 100, after the terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain the first information, it determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and sends the direction information of the terminal device; while in information transmission method 200, after the terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain the first information, it sends the first information, and the positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0240] In addition, the operation of the positioning device determining the direction information of the terminal device is similar to the operation of the terminal device determining the direction information of the terminal device in the information transmission method 100. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of the information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here. For a detailed description of the information transmission method 200, please refer to the relevant description of the information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0241] In addition, Figure 12 illustrates the situation where the positioning device is independent of the network device. In this situation, the first information and the second information can be sent directly by the terminal device to the positioning device; or, the first information and the second information can also be sent by the terminal device to the positioning device through other devices (for example, a network device that provides services to the terminal device).

[0242] In addition to the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device as shown in Figure 12, the positioning device can also be integrated in the network device. In this case, the first information and the second information are sent by the terminal device to the network device that provides services for the terminal device. The "positioning device receives the first information and the second information" in step S202 is replaced by: the network device receives the first information and the second information; the "positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information" in step S203 is replaced by: the network device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0243] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving a second request message, the second request message being used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information. In one optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device, the second request message may be sent directly by the positioning device to the terminal device; alternatively, the second request message may be sent by the positioning device to the terminal device via another device (e.g., a network device providing services to the terminal device). In another optional manner, in the case where the positioning device is integrated into the network device, the network device providing services to the terminal device sends the second request message to the terminal device.

[0244] In an optional implementation, the terminal device further performs an operation of sending response information (the response information is used to indicate the capability of the terminal device related to direction measurement), and the second information can be carried in the response information.

[0245] The following example uses a positioning device independent of a network device as an example to provide an exemplary information transmission method, as shown in Figure 13. As shown in the dashed box in Figure 13, the information transmission method shown in Figure 13 differs from the information transmission method shown in Figure 11 in that the positioning device sends a second request message to the terminal device, requesting the terminal device to report first and second information. The terminal device sends the first and second information to the positioning device, with the second information indicating the relative positions of multiple antenna elements. Based on the first and second information, the positioning device determines the terminal device's direction.

[0246] In summary, the information transmission method 200 determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function and providing a capability base for services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video and other services), thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device. In addition, the direction information of the terminal device determined based on this method can also be used in combination with the position of the terminal device (for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal device) to meet the positioning requirements of the terminal device for the service and improve the quality of the service. In addition, the terminal device measures the first reference signal to obtain the first information, which reduces the terminal device's dependence on the sensor and reduces the complexity of the hardware in the terminal device.

[0247] An embodiment of the present application also provides an information transmission method 300, in which a network device receives a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements; the network device determines directional information of the terminal device, where the directional information is determined based on first information, which is obtained by measuring the second reference signal. Furthermore, for the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device, the information transmission method 300 further includes: the network device transmits directional information to the positioning device. Taking the case where the positioning device is independent of the network device as an example, a flow chart of the information transmission method 300 is shown in FIG14 . The information transmission method 300 includes the following steps.

[0248] S301. The terminal device sends a second reference signal through multiple antenna elements; accordingly, the network device receives the second reference signal.

[0249] In an optional embodiment, the second reference signal is a sounding reference signal (SRS). In addition, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the second reference signal. In addition to the SRS, the second reference signal may also be other signals used for positioning and uplink transmission, such as a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a phase-tracking reference signal (PT-RS), a sensing reference signal (Sensing RS), etc.

[0250] In an optional embodiment, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane. Detailed description can be found in the relevant description in the information transmission method 100, which will not be repeated here.

[0251] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the positioning device sending fourth request information to the network device, where the fourth request information is used to request the network device to configure the second reference signal; and accordingly, the network device receives the fourth request information.

[0252] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the network device sending third information, the third information being used to configure the second reference signal; and the terminal device correspondingly receiving the third information. The terminal device sending the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements includes: the terminal device sending the second reference signal via the multiple antenna elements based on the third information. Optionally, the third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna elements, or the association between the second reference signal and the antenna elements.

[0253] For example, if a terminal device has three antenna elements, and the third information indicates that port #1 is associated with antenna element #3, port #2 is associated with antenna element #1, and port #3 is associated with antenna element #2, the terminal device transmits the second reference signal corresponding to port #2 on antenna element #1, transmits the second reference signal corresponding to port #3 on antenna element #2, and transmits the second reference signal corresponding to port #1 on antenna element #3.

[0254] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the positioning device sending second information to the network device, the second information indicating the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements; and the network device receiving the second information. Optionally, the method further includes: the network device determining third information based on the second information. For a detailed description of the second information, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here. Optionally, if the positioning device also sends a fourth request message to the network device, the second information may be included in the fourth request message.

[0255] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving third request information, the third request information being used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement. Detailed descriptions can be found in the relevant descriptions in the information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0256] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device sending response information, the response information being used to indicate the direction measurement-related capabilities possessed by the terminal device. Detailed descriptions can be found in the relevant descriptions in the information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0257] S302: The network device sends direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring a second reference signal. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the direction information of the terminal device.

[0258] In an optional embodiment, when multiple network devices receive the second reference signal, for network devices among the multiple network devices except the network device providing services for the terminal device, the network device will send the first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal to the network device providing services for the terminal device; the network device providing services for the terminal device will then determine the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information corresponding to the multiple network devices respectively, and send the direction information of the terminal device to the positioning device.

[0259] For example, terminal device #1 transmits a second reference signal via three antenna elements. Network device #1 measures the received second reference signal to obtain first information #1. Network device #2 measures the received second reference signal to obtain first information #2. Network device #3 measures the received second reference signal to obtain first information #3. Network device #1 is the network device providing service for terminal device #1. Network device #2 sends first information #2 to network device #1, and network device #3 sends first information #3 to network device #1. Network device #1 determines the terminal device's direction based on first information #1, first information #2, and first information #3, and sends this direction to the positioning device.

[0260] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to multiple antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements. Optionally, the first information also includes one or more of the following: the time of arrival (TOA) of the second reference signal, the area of ​​arrival (AOA) of the second reference signal, or the RSRP corresponding to the second reference signal. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0261] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0262] In an optional implementation, the directional information is represented by the rotational relationship or angle between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the directional information is represented by the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the directional information is represented by the normal vectors of the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. For a detailed explanation, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0263] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is determined based on the first information, including: the direction information is determined based on the first information and second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0264] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The directional information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here.

[0265] In addition, in the information transmission method 300, the operation of the network device determining the direction information of the terminal device is similar to the operation of the terminal device determining the direction information of the terminal device in the information transmission method 100. For specific explanations, please refer to the relevant explanations of the operation of the terminal device determining the direction information of the terminal device in the information transmission method 100, and will not be repeated here.

[0266] Taking the positioning device as an example, an exemplary information transmission method is provided below. As shown in Figure 15, this exemplary information transmission method includes: the positioning device sends a third request message to the terminal device, requesting the terminal device to report its capabilities related to direction measurement. The terminal device sends a response message to the positioning device, indicating the terminal device's capabilities related to direction measurement. The response message includes second information indicating the relative positions of multiple antenna elements. The positioning device sends a fourth request message to the network device, requesting the network device to configure a second reference signal. The fourth request message includes the second information. The network device sends third information to the terminal device, configuring the second reference signal. The third information is determined based on the second information. Based on the third information, the terminal device transmits the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements. The network device determines the terminal device's direction information based on the first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal, and sends the direction information to the positioning device.

[0267] Optionally, in the case where multiple network devices receive the second reference signal, the network device providing services to the terminal device among the multiple network devices sends the third information to the positioning device in addition to sending the third information to the terminal device. The positioning device sends the third information to the other network devices among the multiple network devices except the network device providing services to the terminal device, which facilitates the other network devices to receive the second reference signal based on the third information. The other network devices determine the first information based on the received second reference signal and send the first information to the network device providing services to the terminal device. The network device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information, including: the network device serving the terminal device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information determined by each of the multiple network devices.

[0268] In summary, the information transmission method 300 determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function and providing a capability base for services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services), thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device. In addition, the direction information of the terminal device determined based on this method can also be combined with the location of the terminal device (for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal device) to meet the business's positioning requirements for the terminal device and improve the quality of the service.

[0269] In view of the fact that the positioning device is independent of the network device, the embodiment of the present application further provides an information transmission method 400. Please refer to Figure 16, which is a flow chart of an information transmission method 400 provided in the embodiment of the present application. The information transmission method 400 includes the following steps.

[0270] S401. The terminal device sends a second reference signal through multiple antenna elements; accordingly, the network device receives the second reference signal.

[0271] S402: The network device sends first information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the second reference signal. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the first information.

[0272] S403: The terminal device sends second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements. Correspondingly, the positioning device receives the second information.

[0273] S404: The positioning device determines direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0274] The difference between information transmission method 400 and information transmission method 300 is that: in information transmission method 300, after the network device measures the second reference signal to obtain the first information, the network device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information; while in information transmission method 400, the network device sends the first information after measuring the second reference signal to obtain the first information, and the positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0275] In addition, the operation of the positioning device determining the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information is similar to the operation of the terminal device determining the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information in information transmission method 100. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 100 and will not be repeated here. For a detailed description of information transmission method 400, please refer to the relevant description in information transmission method 300 and will not be repeated here.

[0276] An exemplary information transmission method is provided below, as shown in FIG17 . As shown in the dotted box in FIG17 , the difference between the information transmission method shown in FIG17 and the information transmission method shown in FIG15 is that: after the network device measures the second reference signal to obtain the first information, it does not perform the operation of determining the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information, but instead performs the operation of sending the first information to the positioning device, and then the positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information. Optionally, in the case where multiple network devices receive the second reference signal, the multiple network devices respectively measure the second reference signal to obtain the first information, and then send the first information to the positioning device; the positioning device determines the direction information of the terminal device based on the first information respectively sent by the multiple network devices.

[0277] In summary, the information transmission method 400 determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function and providing a capability base for services based on the direction of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services), thereby supporting services based on the direction of the terminal device. In addition, the direction information of the terminal device determined based on this method can also be combined with the location of the terminal device (for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal device) to meet the business's positioning requirements for the terminal device and improve the quality of the service.

[0278] In another embodiment, the information transmission method provided in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to the sidechain communication scenario. In this scenario, the "terminal device" in the aforementioned information transmission method can be replaced with: "first terminal device", and the "network device" in the aforementioned information transmission method can be replaced with: "second terminal device". The information transmission method in this scenario is similar to the aforementioned information transmission method and will not be repeated here.

[0279] An exemplary information transmission method includes: a first terminal device transmitting a third reference signal via multiple antenna elements; and a second terminal device receiving the third reference signal. The second terminal device determines direction information of the first terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the third reference signal.

[0280] An exemplary information transmission method includes: a second terminal device transmitting a fourth reference signal; and a first terminal device correspondingly receiving the fourth reference signal via multiple antenna elements. The first terminal device determines direction information of the first terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the fourth reference signal.

[0281] Optionally, the third reference signal or the fourth reference signal is an SL-PRS. However, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the types of the third reference signal and the fourth reference signal, which may be other signals used for positioning and sidelink transmission in addition to the SL-PRS.

[0282] Optionally, after determining the direction information of the first terminal device, the second terminal device or the first terminal device may also send the direction information of the first terminal device to the positioning device. This facilitates the positioning device to distribute video content or perform service-related operations for the first terminal device based on the direction information of the first terminal device. Optionally, the second terminal device or the first terminal device may directly send the direction information of the first terminal device to the positioning device; alternatively, the second terminal device or the first terminal device may send the direction information of the first terminal device to the positioning device via another network element.

[0283] In summary, this method determines the direction information of the terminal device, which is conducive to enhancing the positioning function and providing a capability base for services based on the orientation of the terminal device (for example, AR / VR / MR video services, etc.), thereby supporting services based on the orientation of the terminal device. In addition, the direction information of the terminal device determined based on this method can also be used in combination with the position of the terminal device (for example, the three-dimensional coordinates of the terminal device) to meet the positioning requirements of the terminal device and improve the quality of the service. In addition, the direction information is determined based on the reference signal received or sent by the terminal device through multiple antenna arrays, which reduces the terminal device's dependence on sensors and reduces the complexity of the hardware in the terminal device.

[0284] To implement the various functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device, network device, and positioning device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and implement the aforementioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0285] As shown in Figure 18, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1800. The communication device 1800 can be a terminal device, a network device and a positioning device, or a component of a terminal device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a component of a network device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.), or a component of a positioning device (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 1800 can also be other communication units for implementing the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1800 may include a processing unit 1801. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may also include a communication unit 1802, and the processing unit 1801 is used to control the communication unit 1802 to send and receive data / signaling. The communication unit 1802 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit 1802 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit can be used to send data / signaling, and the receiving unit can be used to receive data / signaling. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a storage unit 1803 , which may be used to store information and / or data and / or instructions, etc. The storage unit 1803 may interact with the processing unit 1801 and may also interact with the communication unit 1802 .

[0286] In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0287] The communication unit 1802 is configured to receive the first reference signal through multiple antenna elements and to send direction information of the communication device 1800 , where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

[0288] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0289] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0290] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the communication device 1800. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0291] In an optional implementation, the direction information is determined based on the first information, including: the direction information is determined based on the first information and second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements.

[0292] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0293] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0294] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive first request information, where the first request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to report direction information.

[0295] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive third request information, where the third request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0296] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0297] In another possible design, for a case where the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0298] Communication unit 1802 is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements. Communication unit 1802 is also configured to transmit first information and second information to a terminal device. The first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information indicates the relative positions of the multiple antenna elements. The first and second information are used to determine the direction of communication device 1800.

[0299] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0300] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0301] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0302] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the communication device 1800. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0303] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0304] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive second request information, where the second request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to report the first information and the second information.

[0305] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive third request information, where the third request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0306] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0307] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment:

[0308] The communication unit 1802 is configured to receive a second reference signal sent by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The communication unit 1802 is also configured to send direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

[0309] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0310] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0311] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0312] In an optional implementation, the direction information is determined based on the first information, including: the direction information is determined based on the first information and second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements.

[0313] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0314] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0315] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive fourth request information, where the fourth request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to configure a second reference signal.

[0316] In an optional implementation, communication unit 1802 is further configured to send third information used to configure the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

[0317] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate a relative position relationship between multiple antenna elements; and the network device determines third information based on the second information.

[0318] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0319] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment:

[0320] The communication unit 1802 is configured to receive a second reference signal sent by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The communication unit 1802 is further configured to send first information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the second reference signal and is used to determine direction information of the terminal device.

[0321] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0322] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0323] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0324] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is determined based on the first information and the second information. The second information includes the distance between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements; or the second information includes the relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0325] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0326] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive fourth request information, where the fourth request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to configure a second reference signal.

[0327] In an optional implementation, communication unit 1802 is further configured to send third information used to configure the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, an association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna element, or an association between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

[0328] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive second information indicating a relative position relationship of the plurality of antenna elements, and the network device determines third information based on the second information.

[0329] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0330] In another possible design, for a case where the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0331] Communication unit 1802 is configured to receive third information used to configure a second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and antenna elements, or the association between the second reference signal and antenna elements. Communication unit 1802 is further configured to transmit the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements based on the third information. The second reference signal is used to determine directional information of communication device 1800.

[0332] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0333] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the communication device 1800. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0334] In an optional embodiment, the communication unit 1802 is further used to send second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of multiple antenna elements, and the second information is used to determine the direction information of the terminal device in combination with the second reference signal.

[0335] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0336] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to receive third request information, where the third request information is used to request the communication device 1800 to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0337] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0338] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1800 is used to implement the function of the positioning device in the above method embodiment:

[0339] Communication unit 1802 is configured to receive first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information is configured to indicate the relative positions of the multiple antenna elements. Processing unit 1801 is configured to determine direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0340] In an optional implementation, the first information includes phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements. Alternatively, the first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on the phases corresponding to the plurality of antenna elements.

[0341] In an optional embodiment, the second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements, or the second information includes relative coordinates between the plurality of antenna elements.

[0342] In an optional implementation, the direction information of the terminal device is used to indicate the orientation of the terminal device, or to indicate the movement direction of the terminal device, or to indicate the rotation direction of the terminal device.

[0343] In an optional embodiment, the direction information is represented by a rotational relationship or angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located. Alternatively, the direction information is represented by a normal vector to the plane in which the multiple antenna elements are located.

[0344] In an optional embodiment, the first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system. The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of the at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

[0345] In an optional implementation, the reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are first reference signals received by the multiple antenna elements, or the reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are second reference signals sent by the multiple antenna elements.

[0346] In an optional implementation, the reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is the first reference signal. The communication unit 1802 is further configured to send a second request message, where the second request message is used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information.

[0347] In an optional implementation, the reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is a second reference signal. The communication unit 1802 is further configured to send a fourth request message, where the fourth request message is used to request the network device to configure the second reference signal.

[0348] In an optional embodiment, the reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is a second reference signal. Communication unit 1802 is further configured to send second information, where the second information is used to determine third information, and the third information is used to configure the second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna elements, or the association between the second reference signal and the antenna elements.

[0349] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1802 is further configured to send third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

[0350] In an optional implementation, at least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

[0351] The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, and no further details will be given.

[0352] The present application also provides a communication device 1900, as shown in Figure 19. Communication device 1900 can be a terminal device, a network device, or a positioning device, or can be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the terminal device, network device, or positioning device to implement the above-mentioned method. This device can be used to implement the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description of the above-mentioned method embodiment.

[0353] The communication device 1900 may include one or more processors 1901. The processor 1901 may be used to implement some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned terminal device, network device or positioning device through logic circuits or running computer programs. The processor 1901 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a CPU. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute software programs, and process data of software programs, wherein the communication device is, for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a distributed unit (DU) or a centralized unit (CU), etc.

[0354] Optionally, the communication device 1900 may include one or more memories 1902, on which instructions 1904 may be stored. The instructions may be executed on the processor 1901, causing the communication device 1900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, the memory 1902 may also store data. The processor 1901 and the memory 1902 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0355] The memory 1902 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0356] Optionally, the communication device 1900 may further include a transceiver 1905 and an antenna 1906. The transceiver 1905 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., and is configured to implement transceiver functions. The transceiver 1905 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., and is configured to implement a transmitting function.

[0357] In one possible design, for a case where the communication apparatus 1900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0358] The transceiver 1905 is configured to receive the first reference signal via multiple antenna elements and to send direction information of the communication device 1900 , where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

[0359] In another possible design, for a case where the communication device 1900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0360] Transceiver 1905 is configured to receive a first reference signal via multiple antenna elements. Transceiver 1905 is also configured to transmit first information and second information to a terminal device. The first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information indicates the relative positions of the multiple antenna elements. The first and second information are used to determine the direction of communication device 1900.

[0361] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1900 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment:

[0362] The transceiver 1905 is configured to receive a second reference signal transmitted by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The transceiver 1905 is also configured to transmit direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

[0363] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1900 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the above method embodiment:

[0364] The transceiver 1905 is configured to receive a second reference signal sent by a terminal device via multiple antenna elements. The transceiver 1905 is also configured to send first information, which is obtained by measuring the second reference signal and is used to determine direction information of the terminal device.

[0365] In another possible design, for a case where the communication device 1900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment:

[0366] Transceiver 1905 is configured to receive third information used to configure a second reference signal. The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association between the ports corresponding to the second reference signal and antenna elements, or the association between the second reference signal and antenna elements. Transceiver 1905 is further configured to transmit the second reference signal via multiple antenna elements based on the third information. The second reference signal is used to determine directional information of communication device 1900.

[0367] In another possible design, for the case where the communication device 1900 is used to implement the function of the positioning device in the above method embodiment:

[0368] Transceiver 1905 is configured to receive first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information indicates the relative positional relationship of the multiple antenna elements. Processor 1901 is configured to determine direction information of the terminal device based on the first information and the second information.

[0369] In another possible design, processor 1901 may include a transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0370] In another possible design, processor 1901 may optionally store instructions 1903. Instructions 1903, when executed on processor 1901, may cause communication device 1900 to perform the method described in the above method embodiment. Instructions 1903 may be fixed in processor 1901. In this case, processor 1901 may be implemented by hardware.

[0371] In another possible design, the communication device 1900 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending, receiving, or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0372] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the described functions for specific applications, but such implementations should not be construed as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0373] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and no further details will be given.

[0374] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0375] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0376] The present application also provides a computer program that, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0377] The present application also provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to execute code or instructions to implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip also includes an interface, the processor being coupled to the interface, and the interface being configured to receive or output signals.

[0378] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, an SSD).

[0379] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Receiving a first reference signal through a plurality of antenna elements; Sending direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information, and the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first request message is received, where the first request message is used to request the terminal device to report the direction information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The direction information is determined based on the first information, including: The direction information is determined based on the first information and the second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements.

4. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: Receiving a first reference signal through a plurality of antenna elements; Send first information and second information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the first reference signal, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna arrays, and the first information and the second information are used to determine the direction information of the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive second request information, where the second request information is used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

7. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method further comprises: Receiving a second reference signal sent by a terminal device through multiple antenna elements; Sending direction information of the terminal device, where the direction information is determined based on first information, and the first information is obtained by measuring the second reference signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The direction information is determined based on the first information, including: The direction information is determined based on the first information and the second information, and the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements.

9. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a network device, the method further comprises: Receiving a second reference signal sent by a terminal device through multiple antenna elements; Sending first information, where the first information is obtained by measuring the second reference signal, and the first information is used to determine direction information of the terminal device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Fourth request information is received, where the fourth request information is used to request the network device to configure the second reference signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: sending third information, where the third information is used to configure the second reference signal; The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association relationship between the port corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna element, or the association relationship between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate a relative position relationship between the plurality of antenna elements; Based on the second information, the third information is determined.

13. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device, the method comprises: receiving third information, where the third information is used to configure a second reference signal; The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association relationship between the port corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna element, or the association relationship between the second reference signal and the antenna element; Based on the third information, the second reference signal is sent through multiple antenna elements, and the second reference signal is used to determine the direction information of the terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second information, where the second information is used to indicate the relative position relationship of the multiple antenna elements, and the second information is used to determine the direction information of the terminal device in combination with the second reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive third request information, where the third request information is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

16. An information transmission method, characterized in that: Applied to positioning equipment, characterized in that, Receiving first information and second information, wherein the first information is obtained by measuring reference signals corresponding to multiple antenna elements of a terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate a relative position relationship between the multiple antenna elements; Based on the first information and the second information, direction information of the terminal device is determined.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The reference signal corresponding to the multiple antenna elements is a first reference signal received by the multiple antenna elements; or, The reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are second reference signals sent through the multiple antenna elements.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are the first reference signals; and the method further includes: Send a second request message, where the second request message is used to request the terminal device to report the first information and the second information.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are the second reference signals; and the method comprises: Send fourth request information, where the fourth request information is used to request the network device to configure the second reference signal.

20. The method according to claim 17 or 19, characterized in that The reference signals corresponding to the multiple antenna elements are the second reference signals; and the method further includes: sending the second information, where the second information is used to determine third information, and the third information is used to configure the second reference signal; The third information includes one or more of the following: the number of ports corresponding to the second reference signal, the association relationship between the port corresponding to the second reference signal and the antenna element, or the association relationship between the second reference signal and the antenna element.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a third request message, where the third request message is used to request the terminal device to report capabilities related to direction measurement.

22. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 8, 12, 16 to 21, characterized in that The first information and the second information are used to determine the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the plurality of antenna elements in a first coordinate system, where the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system; The direction information is determined based on the coordinates of at least one antenna element among the multiple antenna elements in the first coordinate system.

23. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 8, 12, 16 to 22, characterized in that The second information includes distances between different antenna elements in the plurality of antenna elements; or, The second information includes relative coordinates between the multiple antenna elements.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 16 to 23, characterized in that: The first information includes phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements; or, The first information includes at least one phase difference determined based on phases corresponding to the multiple antenna elements.

25. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that The direction information is represented by a rotation relationship or an angle relationship between a first coordinate system and a second coordinate system, the first coordinate system is a global coordinate system or a reference coordinate system, and the second coordinate system is a local coordinate system of the terminal device; or, The direction information is represented by the plane where the multiple antenna elements are located; or, The direction information is represented by a normal vector of a plane where the multiple antenna elements are located.

26. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that At least three antenna elements among the plurality of antenna elements are used to define a plane.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 22 to 26; or, The device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 and 22 to 26; or, The device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12 and 22 to 26; or, The device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 and 22 to 26; or, The device comprises a module or unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, 25, and 26; or, The device comprises a module or a unit for implementing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 26.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: Including processors; The processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 22 to 26, or the method of any one of claims 4 to 6, 22 to 26, or the method of any one of claims 7 to 12, 22 to 26, or the method of any one of claims 13 to 15, 25, 26, or the method of any one of claims 16 to 26.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 4 to 6, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 7 to 12, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 13 to 15, 25, 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 16 to 26.

30. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: Computer program code, when the computer program code is run, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 4 to 6, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 7 to 12, 22 to 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 13 to 15, 25, 26, or implements the method of any one of claims 16 to 26.

31. A chip, comprising a processor; The processor is used to execute codes or instructions so that the method described in any one of claims 1 to 3, 6, 22 to 26 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 4 to 6, 22 to 26 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 7 to 12, 22 to 26 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 13 to 15, 25, 26 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 16 to 26 is executed.

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