Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a communication apparatus. The method can be applied to the field of communications. The method comprises: determining first antenna layout information, wherein the first antenna layout information comprises: position coordinates of a plurality of array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information being used for indicating an array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; and sending the first antenna layout information. By means of the method, antenna resources used for sensing can be effectively reduced, and the overheads of air interface transmissions are reduced.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on December 12, 2023, with application number 202311703424.X and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] With the development and advancement of communication technology, base stations in future cellular networks will not only enable the interconnection of people and things but also possess perception capabilities. The enabling technology that enables the coexistence, mutual assistance, and reciprocity of communication and perception functions is called communication-perception integration. Communication-perception integration integrates communication and perception functions into a single base station system, sharing the same hardware resources. For example, large-scale multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) array antennas can have up to 32×32 elements. How antenna resources are allocated for communication and perception directly impacts the performance of communication-perception integration.

[0004] Currently, antennas in base stations are often densely spaced at intervals of half the received signal wavelength, λ. However, this spacing is not essential for sensing tasks. Therefore, if antenna ports for sensing are not selected based on specific application scenarios, using dense antenna arrays for sensing will result in a waste of antenna resources. Furthermore, if sparsely spaced antennas can meet measurement requirements, resource utilization costs can be reduced. However, current solutions for selecting sensing antenna ports based on application scenarios suffer from high air interface transmission overhead, which urgently needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can effectively save antenna resources used for perception and save air interface transmission overhead.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which is used to measure a node. The method includes: determining first antenna layout information, the first antenna layout information including: position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information being used to indicate array element positions in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; and sending the first antenna layout information.

[0007] Optionally, the measurement node may be a monostatic measurement node or a receiving measurement node in a bistatic measurement node. Further optionally, the measurement node may be a terminal device or a network device.

[0008] Optionally, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout may be determined based on position coordinates of multiple elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0009] In this embodiment of the present application, the measurement node can transmit first antenna layout information, thereby facilitating the processing node to obtain a sensing result based on the first antenna layout information. This eliminates the need for the measurement node to transmit the position coordinates of each element in the two-dimensional antenna array layout, reducing the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node and thereby saving air interface transmission overhead.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0011] Each of the plurality of array element arrangements may be arranged in a specific shape, such as a rectangle, a square, an ellipse, a circle, and the like.

[0012] Optionally, the center point of the area surrounded by the multiple array elements can be an array element coordinate in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the array element can be a selected or unselected array element for sending a perception signal; further optionally, the coordinates of the center point are the coordinates of the center point in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the coordinates of the center point are the coordinate origin.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present application, a two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, and the area enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is in a specific proportional relationship with the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this way, the one-dimensional antenna array element layout can be conveniently and quickly mapped to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, thereby facilitating the measurement node to determine the first antenna layout information.

[0014] With reference to the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is a horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is a vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0015] Optionally, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval may be preset.

[0016] Optionally, the above-mentioned array element spacing in the horizontal direction may be the array element spacing in the x-axis direction in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the array element spacing in the vertical direction may be the array element spacing in the y-axis direction in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as a plurality of rectangular array elements, the first antenna layout information transmitted by the measurement node may include: the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval. In this manner, the measurement node does not need to transmit the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. The processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the aforementioned parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse enclosed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0019] The fact that the angular interval between the elements in each elliptical element arrangement and the center point is the third value can be understood as follows: the angle formed by the connecting lines between the elements in each elliptical element arrangement and the center point is the third value.

[0020] Optionally, the second value and the third value may be preset.

[0021] In this embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as multiple elliptical array elements, the first antenna layout information transmitted by the measurement node may include the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the second value, and the third value. In this manner, the processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the aforementioned parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first perception signal based on a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout; and sending perception data based on the first perception signal.

[0023] Optionally, the measuring node may first generate perception data based on the first perception signal, and then send the perception data.

[0024] Alternatively, after generating the sensing data, the measuring node may obtain a sensing result based on the sensing data without sending the sensing data.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present application, a measurement node can receive a sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna array element layout and transmit sensing data based on the sensing signal, so that a processing node can determine a sensing result based on the sensing data. Because the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple elements in a one-dimensional array element layout, the measurement node does not need to use a dense antenna array to receive the sensing signal, effectively saving antenna resources used for sensing. Furthermore, this communication method is highly generalizable and applicable to various communication sensing scenarios.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, before receiving the first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the method also includes: sending a second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

[0027] In this embodiment of the present application, when the measurement node is a monostatic measurement node, the measurement node can obtain the first perception signal based on the second perception signal it transmits, and transmit perception data based on the first perception signal. This eliminates the need for additional transmitting measurement nodes, thereby reducing communication system costs.

[0028] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is used for a processing node, and the method includes: receiving one or more first antenna layout information, the one or more first antenna layout information including: position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; receiving perception data, and processing the perception data based on the one or more first antenna layout information.

[0029] Optionally, the processing node may be a terminal device or a network device, and the processing node processes the perception data based on one or more first antenna layout signals to obtain a perception result.

[0030] Optionally, the sensing result may include a single or multiple results including distance measurement, angle measurement, speed measurement, or frequency measurement (Doppler) imaging.

[0031] Optionally, the above-mentioned multiple first antenna array element information can come from one or more measurement nodes. For example, the two first antenna layout information can come from two measurement nodes respectively. Further optionally, one of the two measurement nodes is a transmitting measurement node and the other is a receiving measurement node.

[0032] In this embodiment of the present application, a processing node can receive sensing data and process the sensing data based on one or more first antenna layout information to obtain a sensing result. This eliminates the need for the processing node to obtain the position coordinates of each element in the two-dimensional antenna array layout from the measurement node, reducing the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node and thereby saving air interface transmission overhead.

[0033] In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present application, a two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, and the area enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is in a specific proportional relationship with the position coordinates of multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this way, the one-dimensional antenna array element layout can be conveniently and quickly mapped to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, making it easier for a processing node to determine the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna layout based on the first antenna layout information to obtain a perception result.

[0035] With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is a horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is a vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as a plurality of rectangular array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include: the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval. In this manner, the processing node does not need to receive the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. The processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the above parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0037] With reference to the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse formed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as multiple elliptical array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the second value, and the third value. In this manner, the processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the aforementioned parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0039] According to a third aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes: a receiving measurement node, a transmitting measurement node and a processing node; the receiving measurement node is used to send first antenna layout information and perception data to the processing node, where the perception data is obtained by the receiving measurement node based on a second perception signal sent by the transmitting measurement node, and the first antenna layout information includes: first position coordinate information and first shape information, the first position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the first shape information is used to indicate the array element position in a two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the transmitting measurement node is used to send second antenna layout information to the processing node, and the second antenna layout information includes: second position coordinate information and second shape information, the second position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the second shape information is used to indicate the array element position in a two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the processing node is used to process the perception data based on the first antenna layout information and the second antenna layout information.

[0040] Optionally, the multiple position coordinates in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout in the first position coordinate information and the second position coordinate information may be the same or different. Similarly, the array element positions in the two-dimensional antenna layout indicated by the first shape information and the second shape information may be the same or different.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present application, when the measurement node is a dual-static measurement node, the processing node can process the sensing data based on the first antenna layout information sent by the receiving measurement node and the second antenna layout information sent by the transmitting measurement node to obtain a sensing result. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the receiving and transmitting measurement nodes, thereby saving air interface transmission overhead.

[0042] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present application, a two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, and the area enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is in a specific proportional relationship with the position coordinates of multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this way, the one-dimensional antenna array element layout can be conveniently and quickly mapped to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, making it easier for a processing node to determine the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna layout based on the first antenna layout information to obtain a perception result.

[0044] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the first shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is the ratio of the side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is the horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is the vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as a plurality of rectangular array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include: the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval. In this manner, the processing node does not need to receive the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. The processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the above parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0046] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the first shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse formed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as multiple elliptical array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the second value, and the third value. In this manner, the processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout based on the aforementioned parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0048] In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the transmitting measurement node is further used to send the second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the receiving measurement node is further used to receive the first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal; the receiving measurement node is further used to determine the perception data based on the first perception signal.

[0049] In this embodiment of the present application, the transmitting measurement node can send a second sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the receiving measurement node can receive the first sensing signal and determine sensing data based on the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this way, the receiving and transmitting measurement nodes do not need to use a dense antenna array for sensing and interaction, effectively conserving antenna resources used for sensing.

[0050] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processing unit and a sending unit; the processing unit is used to determine first antenna layout information, the first antenna layout information comprising: position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information being used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the sending unit is used to send the first antenna layout information.

[0051] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0052] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is a horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is a vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0053] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse formed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0054] In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the device further includes: a receiving unit; the receiving unit is used to receive a first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout; the sending unit is also used to send perception data according to the first perception signal.

[0055] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further used to send a second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a receiving unit and a processing unit; the receiving unit is used to receive one or more first antenna layout information, wherein the one or more first antenna layout information include: position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the processing unit is used to receive perception data and process the perception data based on the one or more first antenna layout information.

[0057] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0058] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is a horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is a vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0059] In combination with the fifth aspect, in certain implementations of the fifth aspect, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse enclosed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, configured to enable the device to implement the method in any one of the implementation modes of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0061] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the device also includes a memory, and the at least one processor is coupled to the memory for reading and executing instructions in the memory, so that the device implements the method in any one of the implementations of the first or second aspect above.

[0062] In combination with the sixth aspect, in certain implementations of the sixth aspect, the apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the at least one processor is coupled to the communication interface for controlling communication between the communication interface and other devices.

[0063] In combination with the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the communication interface is a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a circuit for executing the method in any one of the implementations of the first or second aspect above.

[0065] In combination with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the circuit is a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0066] In combination with the seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the chip further includes: an input / output interface, and the circuit is used to control the input / output interface to achieve communication with other devices.

[0067] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the method in any one of the implementation modes of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is run, the computer executes the method in any one of the implementation modes of the first or second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of antenna array elements in an antenna panel provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a perception scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a sparse antenna array element layout obtained based on a sensing scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is applicable;

[0073] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another scenario applicable to the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG6 is a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional sparse antenna array element layout obtained by a rectangular mapping rule according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a two-dimensional sparse antenna array element layout obtained by an elliptical mapping rule according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG9 is another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a simulation scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG11 is a schematic diagram comparing perception results obtained by a dense antenna layout and a sparse antenna layout provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG12 is another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " means or, for example, A / B can mean A or B; "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0085] In the embodiments of this application, prefixes such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different description objects and have no limiting effect on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the described objects. The use of prefixes such as ordinal numbers in the embodiments of this application to distinguish description objects does not constitute a limitation on the described objects. For a statement of the described objects, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and the use of such prefixes should not constitute an unnecessary limitation.

[0086] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR) and future sixth generation (6G) system, etc.

[0087] The terminal device (UE) in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a user device, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. The terminal device may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a future 6G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0088] The network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device for communicating with a terminal device, and the network device may be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device, referred to as a RAN device. For example, the network device may be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system; it may also be a module or unit that performs part of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete the functions of part of the physical layer or all of the physical layer. For the specific description of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific equipment form adopted by the network device.

[0089] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different RAN nodes implement part of the functions of the base station respectively. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, DU, CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or 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).

[0090] 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 an open radio access network (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 takes 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.

[0091] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the network device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the network device functions. The control subsystem that includes the network device functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the terminal device functions.

[0092] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction to the concepts and technologies involved in the embodiments of the application is given.

[0093] (1) Perception, also known as wireless perception, refers to sending electromagnetic energy into space. By receiving the radio waves reflected by the objects in the space, the information of the object can be calculated. For example, parameters such as position, direction, height, speed, size, movement path, etc. can also be detected. The internal and external shape and structure of the object can be perceived and better understood by exploring the transmission, echo, reflection and scattering of radio waves. As one of the electromagnetic wave sensing technologies, wireless sensing technology can be used as an important alternative technology for security inspection, hidden object detection, environmental reconstruction and monitoring due to its penetrability and security.

[0094] The following introduces the technical problems to be solved by this application and the technical solutions adopted.

[0095] With the development and advancement of communication technology, base stations in future cellular networks will not only enable the interconnection of people and things but also possess perception capabilities. The enabling technology that enables the coexistence, mutual assistance, and reciprocity of communication and perception functions is called communication-perception integration. Communication-perception integration integrates communication and perception functions into a single base station system, sharing the same hardware resources. For example, a MIMO array antenna can have up to 32×32 elements. How antenna resources are allocated for communication and perception directly impacts the performance of communication-perception integration.

[0096] Currently, as shown in Figure 1, antenna elements in base stations are often densely spaced at intervals of half the received signal wavelength, λ. However, this spacing is not essential for sensing tasks. Antenna elements can also be sparsely spaced, depending on the physical characteristics and scope of the observation area. Therefore, if antenna ports for sensing are not selected based on specific application scenarios, using a dense antenna array for sensing will result in a waste of antenna resources. Furthermore, if sparsely spaced antennas can meet measurement requirements, resource usage costs can be further reduced.

[0097] Currently, many optimization algorithms exist for antenna sparse array configuration. For example, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing algorithms, and particle swarm optimization can be used to obtain sparse antenna element layouts. Figure 2 shows a method for optimizing a two-dimensional antenna element layout based on an application scenario. In Figure 2, hollow circles represent grid locations, and solid dots represent targets to be sensed. Based on the scenario in Figure 2, a measurement node can obtain the two-dimensional sparse antenna element layout shown in Figure 3 and measure the target to be sensed based on this two-dimensional sparse antenna element layout. In Figure 3, hollow circles represent elements not selected for transmitting sensing signals, and circles marked with a cross represent elements selected for transmitting sensing signals. However, this scenario-based approach to selecting sensing antenna ports suffers from high transmission overhead, which urgently needs to be addressed. For example, the measurement node needs to obtain and transmit the position coordinates of each element in the two-dimensional sparse antenna element layout in real time based on the scenario. The processing node needs to receive these position coordinates for each element and perform sensing calculations. This processing approach results in high air interface transmission overhead.

[0098] In an embodiment of the present application, a communication method and a communication device are provided, which can effectively save antenna resources used for sensing and save air interface transmission overhead.

[0099] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0100] As shown in FIG4 , the application scenario may be a scenario in which a dual-base measurement node is used to sense an environmental target (e.g., a building, car, or truck). In this application scenario, a processing node and two measurement nodes (including a transmit (Tx) measurement node and a receive (Rx) measurement node) may be included. The measurement nodes and processing node may be terminal devices or network devices.

[0101] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another scenario to which the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0102] As shown in Figure 5, the application scenario may be a scenario where a single-base measurement node senses an environmental target (e.g., a building, car, or truck). In this application scenario, a measurement node and a processing node may be included. The measurement node and the processing node may be terminal devices or network devices.

[0103] FIG6 is a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 600 may be applied to the application scenario of FIG4 or FIG5 . Method 600 may include steps S601 to S603 .

[0104] S601: A measurement node determines first antenna layout information.

[0105] The first antenna layout information includes: position coordinates of multiple elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the shape information is used to indicate the position of the elements in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0106] Optionally, the measurement node may be a monostatic measurement node or a receiving measurement node in a bistatic measurement node. Further optionally, the measurement node may be a terminal device or a network device.

[0107] The two-dimensional antenna array element layout may be determined based on the position coordinates of multiple elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0108] In one embodiment, a two-dimensional antenna element layout includes multiple element arrangements of the same shape, the regions enclosed by the multiple element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple element arrangements is equal to the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple elements. In this way, the measurement node can conveniently and quickly map the one-dimensional antenna element layout to a two-dimensional antenna element layout, thereby facilitating the measurement node's determination of the first antenna layout information.

[0109] Optionally, each of the multiple array element arrangements may be arranged in a specific shape, such as a rectangle, a square, an ellipse, a circle, etc.

[0110] Optionally, the center point of the area surrounded by the multiple array elements can be the coordinates of an array element in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the array element can be a selected or unselected array element for sending the perception signal; further optionally, the coordinates of the center point are the coordinates of the center point in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the coordinates of the center point are the coordinate origin.

[0111] In one embodiment, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is the ratio of the side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is the array element interval in the horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is the array element interval in the vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0112] Optionally, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval may be preset.

[0113] Optionally, the above-mentioned array element spacing in the horizontal direction may be the array element spacing in the x-axis direction in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the array element spacing in the vertical direction may be the array element spacing in the y-axis direction in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0114] For example, the measurement node can first obtain the position coordinate vectors P of multiple elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout as shown in (a) of Figure 7 according to the application scenario and the requirements of array element sparsity. x , multiple array elements are P x The center of (the origin in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout) is uniformly translated as the center point, and multiple rectangular array element arrangements as shown in Figure 7 (b) can be obtained. Among them, the intervals of the array elements in the x-direction and y-direction in each array element arrangement are Δ x ,Δ y , the side length ratio of each rectangular array element is k, that is, the first antenna array element layout information includes: P x , Δ x , Δ y and k. For the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, the position coordinate is P x The i-th array element of (i) can be translated to have a side length of P x (i) and k P x (i) Rectangular array element arrangement. That is, the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple matrix array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0115] Optionally, after obtaining the multiple matrix array element arrangements shown in FIG7(b), the multiple rectangular array element arrangements may be subjected to conformal scaling, ultimately obtaining the two-dimensional antenna array element layout shown in FIG7(c). Conformal scaling may change the sparsity of the multiple matrix array element arrangements (increasing or decreasing the number of selected array elements) so that the two-dimensional antenna array element layout meets the requirements of practical applications. In this case, the first antenna array element layout information may include, in addition to the above-mentioned Δ x , Δ y , k and P x In addition, the sparsity parameter S after shape-preserving scaling can also be included.

[0116] In one embodiment, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse formed by each of the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0117] The fact that the angular interval between the elements in each elliptical element arrangement and the center point is the third value can be understood as follows: the angle formed by the connecting lines between the elements in each elliptical element arrangement and the center point is the third value.

[0118] Optionally, the second value and the third value may be preset.

[0119] For example, the measurement node can first obtain the position coordinate vectors P of multiple elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout as shown in (a) of Figure 8 according to the application scenario and the requirements of array element sparsity. x , multiple array elements are P x The center of the antenna array (the origin in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout) is used as the center point for scanning (the scanning interval is Δ θ ), multiple elliptical array element arrangements can be obtained, and the eccentricity of the ellipse surrounded by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements can be e. For the one-dimensional antenna array element layout with position coordinates P x The i-th array element of (i) can be scanned to obtain a long axis P x (i), the minor axis is The elliptical array element arrangement, the angular spacing of the array elements on the elliptical array element arrangement is Δ θ That is, the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple elliptical array elements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. At this time, the first antenna array element layout information includes: and Δ θ .

[0120] Optionally, after obtaining multiple elliptical array element arrangements, the multiple elliptical array element arrangements can be subjected to conformal scaling processing to ultimately obtain a two-dimensional antenna array element layout as shown in (b) of FIG8 . Conformal scaling can change the sparsity of the multiple elliptical array element arrangements (increasing or decreasing the number of selected elements) so that the two-dimensional antenna array element layout meets the needs of actual applications. In this case, the first antenna array element layout information may include, in addition to the above-mentioned Δ x , Δ y , k and P x In addition, the sparsity parameter S after shape-preserving scaling can also be included.

[0121] In one embodiment, before step S601, the measuring node may receive a first sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna element layout, where the two-dimensional antenna element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple elements in a one-dimensional antenna element layout. The measuring node may then send sensing data to the processing node based on the first sensing signal. This eliminates the need for the measuring node to use a dense antenna array to receive the first sensing signal, effectively conserving antenna resources used for sensing.

[0122] Optionally, the measuring node may first generate perception data based on the first perception signal, and then send the perception data.

[0123] Alternatively, after generating the sensing data, the measuring node may obtain a sensing result based on the sensing data without sending the sensing data.

[0124] In one embodiment, before a measurement node receives a first sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the measurement node may transmit a second sensing signal based on the two-dimensional antenna array element layout to sense the environment. The first sensing signal is an echo signal of the second sensing signal. This eliminates the need for additional transmitting measurement nodes, thereby reducing communication system costs.

[0125] S602: The measurement node sends first antenna layout information to the processing node.

[0126] Optionally, when the plurality of array elements are arranged as a plurality of rectangular array elements, the shape information of the two-dimensional antenna array element layout may include: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval.

[0127] Optionally, when the plurality of array elements are arranged as a plurality of elliptical array elements, the shape information of the two-dimensional antenna array element layout may include: a second value and a third value.

[0128] S603: The processing node processes the sensing data according to the first antenna layout information.

[0129] Optionally, before step S603 , the method 600 further includes: the processing node receiving the sensing data sent by the measuring node.

[0130] Exemplarily, in step S603, the processing node processes the sensing data according to the first antenna layout information to obtain a sensing result.

[0131] Optionally, the sensing result may include a single or multiple results including distance measurement, angle measurement, speed measurement, or frequency measurement (Doppler) imaging.

[0132] In one embodiment, the processing node may receive multiple pieces of first antenna layout information sent by multiple measurement nodes and process the sensing data based on the multiple pieces of first antenna layout information. In this way, the method 600 may be applicable to different communication scenarios, making the method 600 highly generalizable.

[0133] For example, the two pieces of first antenna layout information may come from two measurement nodes respectively. Further optionally, one of the two measurement nodes is a transmitting measurement node, and the other is a receiving measurement node.

[0134] In this embodiment of the present application, the measurement node can transmit first antenna layout information, thereby facilitating the processing node to obtain a sensing result based on the first antenna layout information. This eliminates the need for the measurement node to transmit the position coordinates of each element in the two-dimensional antenna array layout, reducing the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node and thereby saving air interface transmission overhead.

[0135] The following introduces a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to the application scenario shown in Figure 5.

[0136] The communication system includes: a receiving measurement node, a transmitting measurement node and a processing node; the receiving measurement node is used to send first antenna layout information and perception data to the processing node, where the perception data is obtained by the receiving measurement node based on a second perception signal sent by the transmitting measurement node, and the first antenna layout information includes: first position coordinate information and first shape information, where the first position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the first shape information is used to indicate the array element position in a two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the transmitting measurement node is used to send second antenna layout information to the processing node, where the second antenna layout information includes: second position coordinate information and second shape information, where the second position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the second shape information is used to indicate the array element position in a two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the processing node is used to process the perception data based on the first antenna layout information and the second antenna layout information.

[0137] Optionally, the multiple position coordinates in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout in the first position coordinate information and the second position coordinate information may be the same or different. Similarly, the array element positions in the two-dimensional antenna layout indicated by the first shape information and the second shape information may be the same or different.

[0138] Optionally, the second antenna layout information may be one of the plurality of first antenna layout information in method 600 .

[0139] In an embodiment of the present application, when the measurement node is a dual-static measurement node, the processing node can process the sensing data based on the first antenna layout information sent by the receiving measurement node and the second antenna layout information sent by the transmitting measurement node to obtain a sensing result. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the receiving and transmitting measurement nodes, thereby saving air interface transmission overhead.

[0140] In one embodiment, a two-dimensional antenna element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, wherein the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is equal to the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements. This allows receiving measurement nodes and transmitting measurement nodes to conveniently and quickly map a one-dimensional antenna element layout to a two-dimensional antenna element layout.

[0141] In one embodiment, the plurality of array element arrangements are a plurality of rectangular array element arrangements, and the first shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the plurality of rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is a horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is a vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0142] Exemplarily, the first shape information and the second shape information may include: Δ x , Δ y and k, that is, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the transmitting measurement node is the same as the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node.

[0143] Exemplarily, the first shape information includes: Δ x1 , Δ y1 and k1, the second shape information includes: Δ x2 , Δ y2 and k2, that is, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the transmitting measurement node is different from the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node.

[0144] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as a plurality of rectangular array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include: the position coordinates, the first value, the first interval, and the second interval of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this manner, the processing node does not need to receive the position coordinates of each array element in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. The processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node based on the above parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the receiving measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0145] In one embodiment, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse formed by each of the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0146] Exemplarily, the first shape information and the second shape information include: and Δ θ , that is, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the transmitting measurement node is the same as the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node.

[0147] Exemplarily, the first shape information includes: and Δ θ1 , the second shape information includes: and Δθ2 , that is, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the transmitting measurement node is different from the two-dimensional antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present application, when the multiple array elements are arranged as multiple elliptical array elements, the first antenna layout information received by the processing node may include the position coordinates, second values, and third values ​​of the multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this manner, the processing node can restore the position coordinates of each array element in the second antenna array element layout corresponding to the receiving measurement node based on the aforementioned parameters in the first antenna layout information. This reduces the amount of data transmitted by the measurement node, thereby reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0149] In one embodiment, the transmitting measurement node is further used to send a second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the receiving measurement node is further used to receive a first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal; and the receiving measurement node is further used to determine perception data based on the first perception signal.

[0150] In this embodiment of the present application, the transmitting measurement node can send a second sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the receiving measurement node can receive the first sensing signal and determine sensing data based on the two-dimensional antenna array element layout. In this way, the receiving and transmitting measurement nodes do not need to use a dense antenna array for sensing and interaction, effectively conserving antenna resources used for sensing.

[0151] Figure 9 is another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 900 can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 4. Method 900 can be a specific description of steps S601 to S603 in method 600, or it can be a specific description of the steps performed by each execution entity in the above-mentioned communication system. Method 900 may include steps S901 to S909.

[0152] S901: A transmitting measurement node and a receiving measurement node map a one-dimensional antenna array element layout to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout according to a mapping rule.

[0153] The transmitting measurement node and the receiving measurement node may be arranged in a dual-base configuration, that is, the transmitting measurement node and the receiving measurement node are separated and are not the same measurement node.

[0154] Specifically, the transmitting measurement node and the receiving measurement node can select an appropriate one-dimensional antenna element layout (for example, the one-dimensional antenna element layout shown in (a) of FIG. 7 or (a) of FIG. 8 ) based on the measurement scenario and sparsity requirements, and map the one-dimensional sparse antenna layout to a two-dimensional sparse antenna layout according to a mapping rule. The mapping rule can be the rectangular or elliptical mapping rule described in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 and the text therein.

[0155] S902: The transmitting measurement node sends a second sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout.

[0156] The second perception signal can be used to perceive the environment.

[0157] S903: The receiving measurement node receives the first sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout to form sensing data.

[0158] The first perception signal may be an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

[0159] S904: The transmitting measurement node sends the second antenna layout information to the processing node.

[0160] For example, the second antenna layout information may be associated with the transmitting measurement node, and the second antenna layout information may include the P described in method 600. x (i), Δ x ,Δ y and k, or the second antenna layout information may include P described in method 600 x (i), Δ θ and e.

[0161] Optionally, the second antenna layout information may be one of the plurality of first antenna layout information in method 600 .

[0162] S905: The processing node receives the second antenna layout information.

[0163] S906: Receive first antenna layout information sent by the measurement node to the processing node.

[0164] Exemplarily, the first antenna layout information may be associated with the receiving measurement node, and the first antenna layout information may include the P described in method 600. x (i), Δ x ,Δ y and k, or the first antenna layout information may include P described in method 600 x (i), Δ θ and e.

[0165] Optionally, although the first antenna layout information and the second antenna layout information may include the same parameters, the specific values ​​of the parameters may be different.

[0166] S907: The processing node receives first antenna layout information.

[0167] S908: The receiving measurement node sends the sensing data to the processing node.

[0168] S909: The processing node calculates a perception result according to the first antenna layout information, the second antenna layout information, and the perception data.

[0169] For example, the standard back-projection algorithm processes the perception data as follows: first, matched filtering is performed on the transmitted signal data and the perception data to obtain multi-channel perception data after matched filtering, where each pair of transmitting and receiving antennas constitutes a channel. Then, the time delay τ from the imaging point (x, y, z) to any pair of transmitting and receiving antennas is calculated, that is:

[0170] In the above formula, (x T ,y T ,z T ) and (x R ,y R ,z R ) are the coordinates of the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, c is the speed of light.

[0171] Finally, the phase compensation factor exp(j2πfτ) generated by the delay is multiplied by the matched filtered multi-channel perception data and coherently accumulated to obtain the perception result. Here, j is an imaginary unit, and f is the operating frequency of the communication system. The calculation accuracy of the delay τ can be Δτ ≤ 8 / f. Considering that the operating frequency f of the communication system is generally greater than 1 GHz, that is, Δτ ≤ 8 nanoseconds, the calculation of the delay τ is very demanding and requires precise transmit and receive antenna coordinates. Therefore, the processing node needs to obtain accurate first and second antenna layout information.

[0172] Optionally, the processing node processes the perception data according to a correspondence between the second antenna layout information, the first antenna layout information, and the perception data to obtain a perception result.

[0173] Alternatively, the communication system may not include a processing node, and the functions of the processing node may be performed by a receiving measurement node, that is, method 900 may not execute steps S904 to S909, and after forming the perception data, the receiving measurement node may directly calculate the perception result based on the perception data.

[0174] It should be understood that the purpose of the processing node needing to receive the first antenna layout information and the second antenna layout information is to achieve coherent processing of the signal. In addition, in the context of integrated communication and perception, the antenna port is not only used for communication, but also for perception. The antenna port used for perception does not necessarily send a reference signal (for example, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)). If the receiving end (for example, the processing node in method 900) uses CSI-RS as a reference signal for measurement, it may cause erroneous channel measurement values, which will lead to precoding failure and thus affect the communication function. Therefore, the processing node also needs to receive the first antenna layout information or the second antenna layout information to avoid the above situation.

[0175] In an embodiment of the present application, in a bistatic sensing scenario, a transmitting measurement node can transmit a second sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna element layout. Correspondingly, a receiving measurement node can receive the first sensing signal based on the two-dimensional antenna element layout and generate sensing data. Because the two-dimensional antenna element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple elements in a one-dimensional element layout, the measurement node does not need to use a dense antenna array to receive the sensing signal, effectively conserving antenna resources used for sensing and reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0176] The technical effects achieved by the method 900 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 .

[0177] As shown in Figure 10, two measurement nodes perform sensing measurements on two buildings within a region, each consisting of discrete points. After sending the sensing data to the processing node, the processing node can obtain the measurement results shown in Figure 11. The two measurement nodes are equipped with a uniformly spaced two-dimensional dense antenna layout (with 1024 elements spaced half a wavelength apart) and a two-dimensional antenna element layout obtained using method 900 (also known as a sparse element layout, with 256 elements). Figure 11 (a) shows the sensing result obtained by the processing node based on the two-dimensional dense antenna layout, and Figure 11 (b) shows the sensing result obtained by the processing node based on the two-dimensional antenna element layout obtained using method 900.

[0178] Combining FIG11 and the data in Table 1, it can be concluded that the two-dimensional antenna array element layout obtained using method 900 has similar perceptual performance to the two-dimensional dense antenna layout (the reconstruction accuracy, reconstruction completeness, reconstruction discreteness and recovery probability values ​​are similar).

[0179] Table 1

[0180] Figure 12 is another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 1200 can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 5. Method 1200 can be a specific description of steps S601 to S603 in method 600. Method 1200 can include steps S1201 to S1207.

[0181] S1201: A measurement node maps a one-dimensional antenna array element layout to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout according to a mapping rule.

[0182] The measurement node may be arranged in a single base, that is, the transmitting measurement node and the receiving measurement node are co-located and constitute one measurement node.

[0183] Specifically, the measurement node can select an appropriate one-dimensional antenna element layout (e.g., the one-dimensional antenna element layout shown in (a) of FIG. 7 or (a) of FIG. 8 ) based on the measurement scenario and sparsity requirements, and map the one-dimensional sparse antenna layout to a two-dimensional sparse antenna layout according to a mapping rule. The mapping rule can be the rectangular or elliptical mapping rule described in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 and the text therein.

[0184] S1202: The measurement node sends a second sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, and simultaneously receives the first sensing signal to form sensing data.

[0185] The second perception signal may be used to perceive the environment, and the first perception signal may be an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

[0186] S1203: The measurement node sends first antenna layout information to the processing node.

[0187] The first antenna layout information may include the P described in method 600. x (i), Δ x ,Δ y and k, or the first antenna layout information may include P described in method 600 x (i), Δ θ and e.

[0188] S1204: The processing node receives first antenna layout information.

[0189] S1205: The measurement node sends the sensing data to the processing node.

[0190] S1206: The processing node receives the sensing data.

[0191] S1207: The processing node may calculate a perception result according to the first antenna layout information and the perception data.

[0192] Optionally, the processing node processes the echo data according to the correspondence between the first antenna layout information and the perception data to obtain a perception result.

[0193] In an embodiment of the present application, in a single-base sensing scenario, a measurement node can transmit a second sensing signal based on a two-dimensional antenna element layout and receive the first sensing signal to form sensing data. Because the two-dimensional antenna element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple elements in a one-dimensional element layout, the measurement node does not need to use a dense antenna array to receive the sensing signal, effectively conserving antenna resources used for sensing and reducing air interface transmission overhead.

[0194] The application embodiment also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, which includes a unit corresponding to executing each step in implementing any of the above methods.

[0195] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 1300 may include a receiving unit 1310, a sending unit 1320, and a processing unit 1330. The receiving unit 1310 is used to receive instructions and / or data, and the sending unit 1320 is used to send instructions and / or data. The receiving unit 1310 and the sending unit 1320 may also be referred to as communication interfaces, communication units, or transceiver units. The processing unit 1330 is used to perform data processing to enable the device 1300 to implement the aforementioned communication method.

[0196] Optionally, the device 1300 further includes a storage unit for implementing a corresponding storage function and storing corresponding instructions and / or data.

[0197] As a design, the apparatus 1300 may execute the actions executed by the measuring node or the receiving measuring node in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0198] In one embodiment, a processing unit 1330 and a sending unit 1320; the processing unit 1330 is used to determine first antenna layout information, where the first antenna layout information includes: position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; the sending unit 1320 is used to send the first antenna layout information.

[0199] In one possible implementation, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by arranging multiple array elements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is the ratio of the side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is the horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is the vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse formed by each of the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0202] In one possible implementation, the device also includes: a receiving unit 1310; the receiving unit 1310 is used to receive a first perception signal according to a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on the position coordinates of multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout; and a sending unit 1320 is further used to send perception data according to the first perception signal.

[0203] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 1320 is further configured to send a second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

[0204] As a design, the device 1300 can perform the actions performed by the processing node in the above method embodiment.

[0205] In one embodiment, the device 1300 includes: a receiving unit 1310, used to receive one or more first antenna layout information, the one or more first antenna layout information including: position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; a processing unit 1330, used to receive perception data and process the perception data based on the one or more first antenna layout information.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by arranging multiple array elements of the same shape, the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas enclosed by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

[0207] In one possible implementation, the multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval. The first value is the ratio of the side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements. The first interval is the horizontal interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement. The second interval is the vertical interval between array elements in each rectangular array element arrangement.

[0208] In one possible implementation, the multiple array elements are arranged as multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value being the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of an ellipse formed by each of the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value being the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

[0209] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1400 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0210] The device 1400 includes a memory 1410, a processor 1420, and a communication interface 1430. The memory 1410, processor 1420, and communication interface 1430 are connected via an internal connection path. The memory 1410 is used to store instructions, and the processor 1420 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1410 to control the communication interface 1430 to obtain information or enable the device 1400 to implement the aforementioned communication method. Optionally, the memory 1410 can be coupled to the processor 1420 via an interface or integrated with the processor 1420.

[0211] It should be noted that the communication interface 1430 may be a transceiver such as, but not limited to, a transceiver. The communication interface 1430 may also include an input / output interface.

[0212] The processor 1420 stores one or more computer programs, which include instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1420, the apparatus 1400 executes the communication method in each of the above embodiments.

[0213] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor 1420 or by instructions in the form of software. The method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1410, and the processor 1420 reads the information in the memory 1410 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0214] Optionally, the communication interface 1430 in FIG. 14 may implement the receiving unit 1310 and the sending unit 1320 in FIG. 13 , and the processor 1420 in FIG. 14 may implement the processing unit 1330 in FIG. 13 .

[0215] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a program code. When the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes any one of the methods in Figures 6 to 12 above.

[0216] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the computer executes any one of the methods in Figures 6 to 12 above.

[0217] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, comprising: a circuit, wherein the circuit is used to execute any one of the methods in FIG. 6 to FIG. 12 above.

[0218] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0219] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0220] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0221] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0222] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0223] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0224] 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. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is used to measure a node, and the method comprises: Determine first antenna layout information, the first antenna layout information comprising: position coordinates of a plurality of array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information being used to indicate array element positions in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The first antenna layout information is sent.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas surrounded by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas surrounded by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval, the first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is an interval of array elements in a horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is an interval of array elements in a vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value is the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse surrounded by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value is the angular interval of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on position coordinates of a plurality of array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout; Send perception data according to the first perception signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Before receiving the first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the method further includes: A second perception signal is sent according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

7. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is used to process a node, and the method comprises: Receive one or more first antenna layout information, the one or more first antenna layout information including: position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, the shape information is used to indicate array element positions in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The sensing data is received, and the sensing data is processed based on the one or more first antenna layout information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The two-dimensional antenna array element layout includes multiple array element arrangements of the same shape, the areas surrounded by the multiple array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas surrounded by the multiple array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the multiple array elements.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval, the first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is an interval of array elements in a horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is an interval of array elements in a vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value is the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse surrounded by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value is the angular interval of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

11. A communication system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a receiving measurement node, a transmitting measurement node and a processing node; The receiving measurement node is used to send first antenna layout information and perception data to the processing node, where the perception data is obtained by the receiving measurement node based on a second perception signal sent by the transmitting measurement node, and the first antenna layout information includes: first position coordinate information and first shape information, where the first position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the first shape information is used to indicate the array element position in a two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The transmitting measurement node is used to send second antenna layout information to the processing node, the second antenna layout information comprising: second position coordinate information and second shape information, the second position coordinate information is used to indicate the position coordinates of multiple array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout, and the second shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The processing node is used to process the perception data based on the first antenna layout information and the second antenna layout information.

12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that The two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by a plurality of array element arrangements of the same shape, the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas of the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the plurality of array elements.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein: The multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the first shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval, the first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is an interval of array elements in a horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is an interval of array elements in a vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein: The multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the first shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value is the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse enclosed by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value is the angular spacing of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

15. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The transmitting measurement node is further used to send the second sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The receiving measurement node is further configured to receive a first perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal; The receiving measurement node is further used to determine the perception data according to the first perception signal.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a processing unit and a sending unit; The processing unit is used to determine first antenna layout information, wherein the first antenna layout information includes: position coordinates of multiple array elements in a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the shape information is used to indicate the array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The sending unit is used to send the first antenna layout information.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that The two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by a plurality of array element arrangements of the same shape, the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas of the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the plurality of array elements.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval, the first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is an interval of array elements in a horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is an interval of array elements in a vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

19. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value is the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse surrounded by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value is the angular interval of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

20. The device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The device further comprises: a receiving unit; The receiving unit is configured to receive a first sensing signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined based on position coordinates of a plurality of array elements in the one-dimensional antenna array element layout; The sending unit is further used to send perception data according to the first perception signal.

21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that The sending unit is further used to send a second perception signal according to the two-dimensional antenna array element layout, where the first perception signal is an echo signal corresponding to the second perception signal.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving unit and a processing unit; The receiving unit is used to receive one or more first antenna layout information, wherein the one or more first antenna layout information includes: position coordinates of multiple array elements on a one-dimensional antenna array element layout and shape information of a two-dimensional antenna array element layout, wherein the shape information is used to indicate an array element position in the two-dimensional antenna array element layout; The processing unit is used to receive the perception data and process the perception data based on the one or more first antenna layout information.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that The two-dimensional antenna array element layout is determined by a plurality of array element arrangements of the same shape, the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements have the same center point, and the ratio of the areas of the regions surrounded by the plurality of array element arrangements is the square of the ratio of the position coordinates of the plurality of array elements.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple rectangular array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a first value, a first interval, and a second interval, the first value is a ratio of side lengths of a rectangle enclosed by each matrix array element arrangement in the multiple rectangular array element arrangements, the first interval is an interval of array elements in a horizontal direction in each rectangular array element arrangement, and the second interval is an interval of array elements in a vertical direction in each rectangular array element arrangement.

25. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The multiple array element arrangements are multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the shape information includes: a second value and a third value, the second value is the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis of the ellipse surrounded by each elliptical array element arrangement in the multiple elliptical array element arrangements, and the third value is the angular interval of the array elements in each elliptical array element arrangement relative to the center point.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor and a memory, wherein the processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to read and execute instructions in the memory to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a program code, and when the computer program code is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

28. A chip, characterized in that: include: A circuit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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