Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used for selecting or paging at least one terminal device; receiving a first uplink message from a first terminal device, and receiving a second uplink message from a second terminal device; and sending a second message to a core network device, the second message comprising the first uplink message, the second uplink message, and first position information, and the first position information indicating the position of the first terminal device and the position of the second terminal device. By means of the process, an access network device can report the common first position information of multiple terminal devices to a network side through a message, thus saving the overhead of reporting position information.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on February 8, 2024, with application number 202410177348.1 and invention name "A Communication Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] Wireless communication systems have incorporated the Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Terminal devices can function as tags in the IoT, while base stations can function as readers. Tags can communicate with base stations. Tags are passive or semi-active devices. Typical applications include logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identity verification, and environmental monitoring. Many tags interact with base station antennas at any one time. In some scenarios, the core network needs to determine the location of tags, so the base station must report the location of each tag to the core network.

[0005] Since the tag contains a lot of data, the overhead of the base station reporting location information is also high. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the overhead of reporting location information.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by an access network device or a module or chip in the access network device. The method is described herein using the access network device as an example. The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used to select or page at least one terminal device; receiving a first uplink message from the first terminal device, and receiving a second uplink message from a second terminal device; and sending a second message to the core network device, the second message including the first uplink message, the second uplink message, and first location information, the first location information indicating the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by an access network device or a module or chip in the access network device, and is described herein using the access network device as the performing entity. The method comprises: sending a first message, wherein the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device; receiving N uplink messages from N terminal devices, wherein one uplink message of the N uplink messages is from one of the N terminal devices, where N is an integer greater than 1; and sending a second message to the core network device, wherein the second message includes the N uplink messages and first location information, wherein the first location information indicates the location of the N terminal devices.

[0009] Through the above process, after the access network device obtains uplink messages from multiple terminal devices, when reporting multiple uplink messages to the core network, the first location information of multiple terminal devices can be reported to the network side through one message, which can reduce the reporting overhead of location information and improve communication efficiency.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method also includes: receiving a first service request from a core network device, wherein the first service request is used to request a first service; wherein the first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, reading service, writing service, and deactivation service.

[0011] In the above solution, by reusing the service process of the first service and reporting the location information of the terminal device in the service process, signaling overhead is reduced and the complexity of the terminal device is lowered.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first location information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the micro radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; NR cell global identifier (cell global identifier, CGI); wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive N uplink messages, or the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward N uplink messages, or the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

[0013] In the above solution, TRP, PRU, etc. correspond to an area in the cell. Through these identification information, the reported location information of the terminal device can be made more accurate.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: area information corresponding to the TRP; area information corresponding to the PRU; area information corresponding to the head end; area information corresponding to the antenna; area information corresponding to the relay device; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive N uplink messages, or the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward N uplink messages, or the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

[0015] In the above solution, TRP, PRU, etc. correspond to an area in the cell. Through these identification information, the reported location information of the terminal device can be made more accurate.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first service request further includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device to be reported.

[0018] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one implementation, the core network device may further send second information, where the second information is used to indicate measurement of a message or signal of the terminal device. Optionally, the second information further indicates a measurement quantity, for example, the measurement quantity may include at least one of an angle, signal strength, and arrival time.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: measuring the first uplink message to obtain a first measurement result; sending the first measurement result to the core network device, and the first measurement result is used to determine the second location information of the first terminal device.

[0020] In the above solution, by using the measurement results to locate the terminal device, the positioning result is more accurate and the positioning accuracy is improved.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending positioning configuration information, wherein the positioning configuration information is used to transmit a positioning signal; receiving at least one positioning signal from the first terminal device; measuring the at least one positioning signal to obtain a second measurement result; and sending the second measurement result to the core network device, wherein the second measurement result is used to determine the third location information of the first terminal device.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation method, the positioning configuration information includes at least one of the following information: the sending period of the positioning signal, the number of times the positioning signal is sent, the positioning signal type, the sending time period of the positioning signal, the sending time offset value of the positioning signal, the frequency of the positioning signal, and the absolute sending time of the positioning signal.

[0023] In this implementation, the positioning signal is indicated by the positioning configuration information, so that the positioning signal can be accurately sent and the reliability of positioning can be improved.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation, at least one of the positioning signals includes a first positioning signal and a second positioning signal; the first positioning signal is determined based on a first carrier signal from a third terminal device, and the second positioning signal is determined based on a second carrier signal from the third terminal device, and the frequency position of the first carrier signal is different from the frequency position of the second carrier signal.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the execution subject of the method is a core network device or a module or chip in the core network device, and the method is described here by taking the core network device as the execution subject as an example. The method includes: receiving a second message from an access network device, the second message including first location information, a first uplink message of a first terminal device, and a second uplink message of a second terminal device, the first location information indicating the location of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. Alternatively, the second message includes the N uplink messages and the first location information, and the first location information indicates the location of the N terminal devices.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a first service request to the access network device, wherein the first service request is used to request a first service; wherein the first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, reading service, writing service, and deactivation service.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the micro radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; NR cell global identification; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: area information corresponding to the TRP; area information corresponding to the PRU; area information corresponding to the head end; area information corresponding to the antenna; area information corresponding to the relay device;

[0029] The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first service request further includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device in the cell to be reported.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a first measurement result from the access network device, where the first measurement result is determined based on the first uplink message; and the first measurement result is used to determine second location information of the first terminal device.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by an access network device or a module or chip in the access network device. The method is described herein using the access network device as an example. The method comprises: sending a first message, the first message being used to select or page at least one terminal device; receiving a first uplink message from the first terminal device; and sending a second message to the core network device, the second message including the first uplink message and first location information, the first location information indicating the location of the first terminal device.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the micro radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; NR cell global identification; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: area information corresponding to the TRP; area information corresponding to the PRU; area information corresponding to the head end; area information corresponding to the antenna; area information corresponding to the relay device; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message; and the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, the area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

[0037] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, wherein the method is performed by a core network device or a module or chip in the core network device. The method is described herein using the core network device as an example. The method includes: receiving a second message from an access network device, the second message including first location information and a first uplink message of a first terminal device, the first location information indicating the location of the first terminal device.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the micro radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; NR cell global identification; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first location information includes at least one of the following: area information corresponding to the TRP; area information corresponding to the PRU; area information corresponding to the head end; area information corresponding to the antenna; area information corresponding to the relay device; wherein the TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message; and the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message.

[0040] In a possible implementation manner, the area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device capable of implementing any of the methods provided in any of the first to fifth aspects. The communication device can be implemented via hardware or by executing corresponding software via hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions of the access network device, terminal device, or core network device in the above-described method. The communication device may also include a memory, which may be coupled to the processor and stores program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface circuit for supporting communication between the communication device and a device such as a terminal device.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules for implementing the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in any one of the first to fifth aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0045] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method in any possible implementation of any aspect of the first to fifth aspects is implemented.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when read and executed by a computer, implements the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fifth aspects.

[0047] In a ninth aspect, a circuit is provided for executing the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the circuit may include a chip circuit. Optionally, the circuit may also be coupled to a memory.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor. When the processor executes a computer program or instruction, the processor is configured to implement the method of any possible implementation of any of the first to fifth aspects. Optionally, the chip may further include a memory. The chip may be composed of a single chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0049] In the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, which implements the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fifth aspects through a logic circuit or executing a computer program or instruction.

[0050] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for executing the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fifth aspects above.

[0051] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to the communication device other than the communication device, wherein the processor implements the functional modules of the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fifth aspects by means of logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the communication device further comprises a memory configured to store the computer program or instructions.

[0052] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system. The communication system includes: an access network device for implementing the method in the aforementioned first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect; and a core network device for implementing the method in the aforementioned second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a network device architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a label provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a region provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a region provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG13 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG14 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG15 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. The terms "first", "second" and corresponding terminology labels in the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way can be interchangeable under appropriate circumstances. This is merely a way of distinguishing objects with the same properties when describing the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of units is not necessarily limited to those units, but may include other units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices. The methods and devices provided in the embodiments of the present application are based on the same or similar technical concepts. Since the principles of solving problems by the methods and devices are similar, the implementation of the devices and methods can refer to each other, and the repetitions will not be repeated.

[0072] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various types of mobile communication systems, for example, the Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), the fourth generation (4G) communication system (such as long term evolution (LTE)), the fifth generation (5G) communication system (such as 5G new radio (NR)), the hybrid architecture of LTE and NR, 6G or new communication systems emerging in future communication development, etc. The communication system may also include a machine to machine (M2M) network, a machine type communication (MTC) or other networks. Exemplarily, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a communication system that supports ambient IoT (AIoT) or IoT (IoT) technology.

[0073] Below, some terms used in the embodiments of the present application are first explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0074] In the embodiments of the present application, an access network device may be a device in a wireless network, and may also be referred to as a network device or a wireless access network device. For example, an access network device may be a radio access network (RAN) node that connects a terminal device to a wireless network, and may also be referred to as an access network device. Access network equipment includes but is not limited to: base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next generation NodeBs (gNBs) in fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems, access network equipment in open radio access networks (O-RANs), next generation base stations in sixth generation (6G) mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, etc.; or it may be a module or unit that completes part of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) module. The access network equipment may be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, etc. The specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network equipment are not limited in this application.

[0075] As shown in Figure 1, in some implementations, access network equipment may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The RAN equipment, including the CU and DU nodes, splits the protocol layers of the gNB in ​​the NR system. Some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while some or all of the remaining protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is then centrally controlled by the CU. Furthermore, the CU can be divided into a control plane (CU-CP) and a user plane (CU-UP). The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, primarily including radio resource control (RRC) and the control plane's corresponding packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) (i.e., PDCP-C). PDCP-C is primarily responsible for encryption, decryption, integrity protection, and data transmission of control plane data. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, primarily including the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) and the user plane's corresponding PDCP (i.e., PDCP-U). SDAP is primarily responsible for processing core network data and mapping flows to bearers. The PDCP-U is primarily responsible for data plane encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, and data transmission. The CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via the E1 interface. The CU-CP represents the gNB's connection to the core network via the NG interface and to the DU via the F1 interface control plane (i.e., F1-C). The CU-UP connects to the DU via the F1 interface user plane (i.e., F1-U). Alternatively, the PDCP-C may also reside in the CU-UP.

[0076] It is understood that in different systems, CU (including CU-CP or CU-UP) or DU may have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU may also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU may also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, and CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP. For convenience of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP and DU as examples. The access network equipment may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services and implementing the functions of the RRC layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services and implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. In some deployments, the CU can be further divided into a Centralized Unit Control Plane (CU-CP) node and a Centralized Unit User Plane (CU-UP) node, where the CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions and the CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions.

[0077] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving scheduling and instruction information from a network device. The terminal device may be referred to as a terminal device, and may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal device may be a device that includes wireless communication capabilities (providing voice / data connectivity to the user). For example, a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or an in-vehicle device, in-vehicle module, etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in the Internet of Vehicles, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, device-to-device (D2D) communication terminal devices, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication terminal devices, smart vehicles, telematics boxes (T-boxes), machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal devices, Internet of Things (IoT) The IoT (Internet of Things) terminal devices, etc. For example, the terminal device can be an onboard device, complete vehicle equipment, an onboard module, a vehicle, an onboard unit (OBU), a roadside unit (RSU), a T-box, a chip, or a system on chip (SOC), etc. The above chip or SOC can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU, or T-box. Wireless terminals in industrial control can be cameras, robots, etc. Wireless terminals in smart homes can be TVs, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, speakers, set-top boxes, etc.Terminal devices can also be V2X devices, such as smart cars (or intelligent cars), digital cars, unmanned cars (or driverless cars, or pilotless cars, or automobiles), self-driving cars (or autonomous cars), pure electric vehicles (or battery EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), new energy vehicles (new energy vehicles), and roadside units (RSUs). Terminal devices can also be devices used in device-to-device (D2D) communications, such as electricity meters and water meters.

[0078] When the present application is applied to an AIoT or IoT system, both the reader and the tag device can be implemented based on the infrastructure in the cellular network. In other words, both the reader and the tag can be devices in the cellular network. For example, the function of the reader can be implemented by an access network device, such as a base station. The tag can be implemented by a terminal device in the cellular network, such as an extremely low-power, extremely low-complexity IoT terminal. Contactless data communication can be performed between the access network device and the terminal device, thereby reading information from the terminal device and / or writing information to be stored into the terminal device. It can be understood that in the present application, the access network device can have the function of a reader; the terminal device has the function of a tag, or the terminal device can be a terminal device in an AIoT or IoT system.

[0079] Tags can also be called electronic tags, RFID tags, or tag devices. Alternatively, tags can also be called AIoT terminal devices or AIoT devices. In this application, tags can also be regarded as a terminal device.

[0080] In one classification method, tags can be divided into passive tags, semi-passive tags, and active tags. Passive tags and semi-passive tags can use a backscatter-based communication method, while active tags use an actively generated carrier communication method.

[0081] Another classification method is to divide tags into the following three types of devices:

[0082] Device A: has no energy storage, cannot generate signals independently, and uses backscattering to transmit signals;

[0083] Device B: It has energy storage but cannot generate signals independently. It uses backscattering to transmit signals, and its stored energy can amplify the reflected signal.

[0084] Device C: has energy storage, can independently generate signals, and has active RF components for transmission.

[0085] The tag uses a low-precision, low-power medium-to-low-frequency ring oscillator or no local oscillator at all to receive downlink signals. When the tag is operating, the communication energy and carrier are provided by the reader, and communication is based on the reflected carrier.

[0086] The reader / writer involved in this embodiment can be a handheld or fixed device that reads or writes tag information, or can be understood as a device that communicates with tags. The reader / writer can be a terminal device, an access network device, or a device with reading and writing functions. The reader / writer can also be an IAB node or a relay node.

[0087] For example, as shown in Figure 2, a reader can transmit a carrier signal to a tag, which receives the carrier signal via its antenna. The solid line in the figure represents the carrier signal transmitted by the reader, while the dashed line represents the reflected signal transmitted by the tag based on the carrier signal. The tag can then adjust the information it wants to transmit based on the reflected signal. By using this approach, the tag can receive downlink signals using a low-precision, low-power medium- and low-frequency ring oscillator, or by eliminating the local oscillator altogether, further reducing the power consumption of the tag's downlink reception.

[0088] A tag is a miniature wireless transceiver, which mainly includes a built-in tag device antenna, a coupling element and a chip. The tag chip has a storage space that can support the reader to read or write tag data. After the tag receives the radio frequency signal sent by the reader through the antenna, it can couple the radio frequency signal through the coupling element, and then provide energy to the tag chip within the coupling channel, and feed back the data stored in the chip to the reader through the antenna. A communication network based on cellular network infrastructure, consisting of readers and tags, can be called a passive Internet of Things (IoT) network, or an ambient Internet of Things (AIoT or A-IoT), in which the tag device can also be regarded as a terminal device, which can be an active tag device, a passive tag device or a semi-active tag device.

[0089] Environmental IoT systems can be applied to passive or semi-passive IoT scenarios. For example, in logistics and warehousing scenarios, tags can be used to inventory and track goods, and to monitor the status of goods during transportation. In industrial manufacturing scenarios, tags can be used to monitor the environment and equipment status.

[0090] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system includes an access network device and a tag. The tag can be an independent device, or it can be integrated with the terminal device, that is, the tag is part of the terminal device. In this communication system, the access network device can have the function of a reader in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, and the access network device can communicate with the tag as a reader, and the communication interface between the access network device and the tag is a uu interface, that is, air interface communication.

[0091] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , the communication system includes a terminal device and a tag. The tag can be a standalone device or integrated with the terminal device. In this communication system, the terminal device can function as a reader / writer in an RFID system, i.e., the terminal device can communicate with the tag as a reader / writer, and the terminal device and the tag can communicate via a sidelink.

[0092] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of another communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the communication system includes an access network device, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node and a tag. The communication system may also include other devices, such as terminal devices and other devices. In this communication system, the access network device may have the function of a reader / writer in an RFID system, and the IAB node may serve as a relay node between the access network device and the tag. The tag transmits information to the IAB node, and the IAB node forwards the information to the access network device through the uu interface. Among them, the tag can be connected to the IAB node through the uu interface, and the IAB node is then connected to the base station through the uu interface.

[0093] In the present application, the communication system including the access network device, the terminal device and the tag can also be a system with a separated architecture. In this communication system, as shown in Figure 6, the access network device and the terminal device can communicate directly. The access network device can also have the function of a reader / writer in an RFID system. There is an uplink connection between the tag and the access network device, and a downlink connection between the tag and the terminal device. The terminal device can transmit information to the tag, and the tag then forwards the information to the access network device. Alternatively, there is a downlink connection between the tag and the access network device, and an uplink connection between the tag and the terminal device. The access network device can transmit information to the tag, and the tag then forwards the information to the terminal network device. The energy required for the tag to send information can be provided by an energy signal, and the energy signal can come from the access network device, or from the terminal device or other devices. The energy signal can also be called an excitation signal.

[0094] In a system with a separated architecture, in one implementation, a terminal device can send data to a tag. The terminal device or access network device provides a carrier signal, and the tag generates or sends an uplink signal based on the carrier signal, and sends the uplink signal to the access network device. The uplink signal may include data sent by the tag to the access network device. The data may be the tag's own data or data received from the terminal device. In another implementation, the access network device can send data to the tag. The terminal device or access network device provides a carrier signal, and the tag generates a downlink signal based on the carrier signal, and sends the downlink signal to the terminal device. The downlink signal may include data sent by the tag to the terminal device. The data may be the tag's own data or data received from the access network device.

[0095] There is also a direct connection architecture, in which the tag and the access network device can directly transmit data. When the tag sends an uplink signal to the access network device, the carrier signal used to generate the uplink signal is provided by the terminal device.

[0096] The present application is also applicable to the ORAN architecture. As shown in Figure 7, the ORAN system may include access network equipment, terminal equipment, and core network equipment. The ORAN system may include other components in addition to the components shown in the figure.

[0097] As shown in the figure, the access network device (for example, it can be an eNB or gNB or next-generation access network device) communicates with the core network (CN) device through the backhaul link (Backhaul) and communicates with the user equipment (UE) through the air interface.

[0098] For example, a baseband unit (BBU) in an access network device can communicate with the core network via a backhaul link, and a radio unit (RU) in the access network device can communicate with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link, and the BBU and RU can be co-located or not.

[0099] The BBU consists of at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate over at least one midhaul link. In an ORAN system, the CU is also called an open CU (O-CU), and the DU is also called an open DU (O-DU).

[0100] Figure 8 shows a diagram of the network element functional division and protocol layer structure of an ORAN device. In some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, such as the E2 interface. Optionally, the CU may have some of the core network's functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., the RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, such as the F1 interface. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) may provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface and, in some examples, defines the F1 signaling process. The F1 interface supports the control plane F1-C and the user plane F1-U.

[0101] In some examples, the CU can be split into the CU-CP (Control Unit-Control Plane) and the CU-UP (Control Unit-User Plane). The CU-CP is a logical node that carries the RRC layer and the PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer and is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network that implement control plane functions. The network elements in the core network that implement control plane functions can be access and mobility function network elements, such as the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) in the 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as location update of terminal devices, registration of terminal devices with the network, and handover of terminal devices. The CU-UP is a logical node that carries the SDAP layer and the PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer and is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network that implement user plane functions. The network elements in the core network that implement user plane functions, such as the UPF (User Plane Function) in the 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices. The above configuration of CU and DU is only an example, and the functions of CU and DU can also be configured as needed. For example, the CU or DU can be configured to have the functions of more protocol layers, or the CU or DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, such as by delay, and the functions whose processing time needs to meet the smaller delay requirement are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are set in the CU.

[0102] In some examples, the DU is a logical node that carries the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, the Higher Physical (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces.

[0103] In some examples, a CU may not have a PDCP layer, i.e., include only an RRC layer. A CU-CP may not have a PDCP-C. A CU-UP may not have a PDCP-U, or may not have a CU-UP at all. In some examples, a DU may not have an RLC layer, but only a MAC and higher PHY layers. Furthermore, in some examples, there may be no CU and only a DU.

[0104] In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes portions of the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and other processing functions. In some examples, the RU is a logical node that carries the Lower Physical Layer (Lower PHY) and Radio Frequency (RF) chain processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) transmission reception point (TRP) or a remote radio head (RRH) or other entity with similar functions. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes portions of the PHY processing, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a wireless link.

[0105] The DU and RU may or may not be co-located. The DU and RU exchange control plane information and user plane information via the Lower-Layer Split Control User Synchronous-Plane (LLS-CUS) plane interface over the fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS may include an LLS-C interface and an LLS-U interface, which provide the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via the LLS-M interface over the fronthaul link, and the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU. The DU and RU can collaborate to jointly implement PHY layer functions. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement mid-radio functions. For another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functions in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functions and radio frequency functions. The high-layer functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functions in the physical layer may include another portion of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the mid-radio side.

[0106] In an environmental IoT system, tags and readers can perform one or more of the following services: inventory, positioning, sensing, and command. It is understood that command services can include at least one of read, write, or lock services.

[0107] Inventory service: Inventory service, also known as an inventory operation, obtains tag identification information. For example, a reader can use commands such as query and acknowledgement (ACK) to obtain tag identification information. To facilitate tag inventory, tags include four session identifiers, S0-S3. Each session identifier corresponds to two inventory states: A and B. The inventory state is indicated by the sessInventoried flag. When a reader selects a tag, it sends a select command containing the session identifier, which the tag stores. When the reader performs an inventory on the tag, it sends a query command containing the session identifier. The tag can then flip the inventory state corresponding to the session identifier from A to B. If the reader sends a query command to perform the inventory again, the tag will not respond because its inventory state is B, thus preventing the same tag from being inventoried multiple times during a single inventory cycle.

[0108] Read service: The read service can read the electronic product code (EPC) in the tag's storage area, the tag identifier (TID), the content stored in the tag's reserved area, or the content stored in the user storage area.

[0109] Write service: The write service can perform write operations on the storage area of ​​the tag.

[0110] Kill service: The kill service can make the tag unable to work permanently.

[0111] Lock service: The lock service can lock the tag information, preventing the tag from being read or written. Alternatively, the lock service can lock the storage area, preventing or allowing the storage area to be read or written.

[0112] The above are just examples. Other services or operations can be performed between the tag and the reader, which will not be explained one by one here.

[0113] The present application also involves positioning. First, let's understand 5G positioning technology:

[0114] 5G positioning technology measures some parameters of wireless signals and determines the location of the terminal based on specific positioning technology. The measurement parameters generally include the transmission time of radio waves, signal strength, arrival angle, departure angle, etc.

[0115] As shown in Figure 9, a structural diagram of a positioning system provided in an embodiment of the present application includes a terminal device, an access network device, an AMF, a LMF, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), and a location service client (LCS Client) network element.

[0116] In 5G positioning technology, the functions of each network element are as follows:

[0117] Access network equipment: At the request of the LMF, it receives or sends positioning messages related to the new radio positioning protocol A (NR positioning protocol A, NRPPa); completes positioning-related measurements and reports the measurement quantities to the LMF, such as the synchronization signal reference signal received power (SS-RSRP) and synchronization signal reference signal received quality (SS-RSRQ) of the serving cell and the neighboring cell.

[0118] AMF: supports receiving positioning requests (initiated by UE / GMLC / AMF) and managing positioning requests; supports LMF selection; supports NRPPa to implement positioning-related interactions with base stations; and transparently transmits relevant positioning messages between LMF, access network equipment, terminal equipment, and other entities.

[0119] The LMF receives and processes positioning requests or positioning-related data requests from the AMF; sends positioning results and related positioning data to the AMF. It selects a positioning method, either a single method or a hybrid method. It controls positioning measurements based on different positioning methods. It calculates positioning assistance data and sends it to the terminal device.

[0120] UDM: stores user's location subscription information and routing information.

[0121] GMLC: Completes the processing of LCS client requests for terminal device location, obtaining the user's latitude and longitude information and returning it to the LCS client. As the operating platform for the positioning service system, GMLC manages user data, service data, service contract information, service provider (SP) data management and billing, and authentication for value-added service applications.

[0122] LCS Client: A logical functional entity that can be an entity within the public land mobile network (PLMN), such as an O&M tool, or an entity outside the PLMN, such as a third-party positioning server deployed by a non-carrier. The LCS Client initiates a positioning request with parameters such as Quality of Service (QoS) to obtain the location information of one or more terminal devices.

[0123] The positioning protocols involved in the 5G positioning system are as follows:

[0124] NRPPa is a positioning protocol used between base stations and LMFs. Base stations and LMFs exchange positioning information based on the NRPPa positioning protocol.

[0125] LPP directly uses the LTE positioning protocol and terminates between the terminal device and the LMF. The LMF and the terminal exchange positioning information based on the LPP positioning protocol. The LMF and the terminal interact using non-access stratum (NAS) messages, which are transparent to the base station.

[0126] The positioning service request can be initiated through different network element modules, such as through the terminal device or AMF itself, or indirectly through the GMLC (such as processing the location service request initiated by the LCS Client). The specific positioning process will not be repeated in this application.

[0127] The positioning technology involved can be based on uplink angle of arrival (UL-AoA) positioning, or other positioning technologies, which are not limited in this application. UL-AoA is an angle-based positioning method. Angle-based positioning also does not need to consider clock synchronization issues between base stations and between base stations and terminal devices. Specifically, the base station measures the angle of arrival of the uplink signal of the terminal device to calculate the location information of the terminal device. UL-AoA positioning does not rely on the synchronization accuracy between base stations. The more antenna arrays there are, the more accurate the angle measurement is, and the higher the positioning accuracy is.

[0128] The above introduces RFID technology and 5G positioning technology. However, low-capability terminals do not support complex designs, and signaling interactions cannot be designed to be too complex. For example, tags can only perform inventory services through inventory processes and cannot support complex positioning processes. If the access network device reports the location information of the tag, since one access network device can perform services with multiple tags, the number of tags is large, and the overhead of the access network device reporting the location information of each tag is large. To this end, this application provides a method that can reduce the overhead of reporting the location information of the tag, which will be described in detail below.

[0129] When the method provided in the present application is applied to the network architecture in Figures 2 to 9, the method executed on the access network device side may also be executed by a module (such as a chip) in the access network device in Figures 2 to 9, or by a control subsystem that includes the access network device function. The control subsystem that includes the access network device function here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart city. The method executed on the terminal device side may also be executed by a tag or terminal device in Figures 2 to 9 or a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the terminal device function.

[0130] It can be understood that the present application does not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. It can be applied to modules in terminal devices or access network devices. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used. The interaction between the terminal device and the access network device is used as an example for explanation below.

[0131] FIG10 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0132] Optionally, step 1001: the core network device sends a first service request to the access network device.

[0133] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first service request.

[0134] For example, the first service request is used to request a first service; wherein the first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, read service, write service, and deactivate service.

[0135] In one implementation, the core network device may also send a first message, and the first message is used to indicate the location information of the reported terminal device. It can be understood that the first information indicates the location information of the reported terminal device, and the area range of the location information of the terminal device indicated by the first information is smaller than the area range of the cell level, for example, indicating which area or position the terminal device is in the cell. The "cell" here refers to the cell where the terminal device is located, and the cell belongs to the access network device. Optionally, the first information can be used to indicate the TRP corresponding to the location of the reported terminal device in the cell or the area information of the TRP. Among them, the TRP can also be replaced by a Pico Radio Unit (PRU) or a Pico Remote Radio Unit (pRRU) or an RRU or a BBU or an RRU hub or a head end or an antenna or a relay device.

[0136] In one implementation, the core network device may further send second information, the second information being used to instruct measurement of a message or signal of the terminal device. Optionally, the second information further indicates a measurement quantity, for example, the measurement quantity may include at least one of angle, signal strength, and arrival time.

[0137] In this application, the first service request, the first information, and the second information may be sent separately; alternatively, the core network device may carry at least one of the first information and the second information in the first service request, i.e., the first service request includes at least one of the first information and the second information; alternatively, the core network device may carry the first service request in the first information or the second information, i.e., the first information or the second information includes the first service request. This application does not limit how the core network device sends the first service request, the first information, and the second information.

[0138] Optionally, before the core network device sends the first service request, it may receive a second service request and at least one of the first information from the server. The server may be an external server, such as an Internet of Things server, a user or factory server, etc. The second service request may be at least one of inventory, sensing, downlink commands (such as read / write / lock / deactivate commands, etc.) and positioning service requests, and the second service request may be used to trigger the business process of A-IoT. Among them, the core network device may directly forward the second service request to the access network device. At this time, the first service request and the second service request are the same service request. For example, the first service request generated by the core network device is an N2 message, and the N2 message includes the second service request. Alternatively, the core network device may send the first service request based on the second service request.

[0139] In this application, the core network device can be a tag management function (TMF) network element or an AMF network element or an ambient IoT management function (AIoTMF), or other network elements, and this application does not limit this. If the core network device is a TMF network element, it can be understood that the TMF network element assumes (part of) the function of the AMF network element. After the TMF network element receives the second service request, it can send the second service request to the AMF network element. If the core network device is an AMF network element, the AMF network element can receive the second service request directly from the server.

[0140] Step 1002: The access network device sends a first message, where the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device.

[0141] The terminal device is a passive device, a semi-passive device, or an active device; or, the terminal device is an environmental Internet of Things terminal device, for example, the terminal device is a tag.

[0142] In the present application, the first message can be used to page or select at least one terminal device, or trigger at least one terminal device to send an uplink message or initiate access to the network. For example, the first message can be a paging message, a selection message, a downlink trigger message, or other types of messages. The first message may include mask information or identification information. For example, the identification information may include one or more of terminal identification information, service identification information, group identification information, public land mobile network (PLMN), operator identification, production identification information, manufacturer identification information, application (such as commodity, item category, etc.) identification information, and user-defined identification information. For a terminal device, if the mask information in the terminal device matches the mask information in the first message, the terminal device is the terminal device selected or paged by the first message; or, if the identification information in the terminal device matches the identification information in the first message, the terminal device is the terminal device selected or paged by the first message.

[0143] The first message may also include at least one of session information and action information. Session information is used to indicate a session, and action information is used to indicate that the session flag of the session is set to a specified value, such as A or B. For example, assuming that the session information indicates session S0 and the action information is 0, for a terminal device, if the mask information in the terminal device matches the mask information in the first message, the terminal device sets the flag of session S0 to A.

[0144] In this application, the access network device may send the first message via a relay device, which may be a terminal device or another device such as an IAB node. For example, in FIG. 5 , the terminal device is a tag and the relay device is an IAB node. After the access network device sends the first message, the IAB node receives the first message and forwards it to the tag.

[0145] In this application, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are selected or paged by the first message as an example for explanation. The number of terminal devices actually selected or paged may be greater than 2, and other situations will not be repeated.

[0146] Step 1003: The first terminal device sends a first uplink message.

[0147] Step 1004: The second terminal device sends a second uplink message.

[0148] Correspondingly, the access network device receives a first uplink message from the first terminal device and receives a second uplink message from the second terminal device.

[0149] Before the first terminal device sends the first uplink message and before the second terminal device sends the second uplink message, it can first establish a connection with the access network device through a random access process, and the specific process will not be repeated here.

[0150] In this application, a terminal device can send an uplink message to an access network device via a relay device. For example, in Figure 5 above, the first terminal device is a tag and the relay device is an IAB node. After the first terminal device sends a first uplink message, the IAB node receives the first uplink message and forwards it to the access network device.

[0151] The first uplink message may include first data of the first terminal device, and the first data may include at least one of an electronic product code (EPC) of the first terminal device, a tag identifier (TID), sensor data collected by the first terminal device, and storage area data of the first terminal device, which is not limited in this application. Similarly, the second uplink message may include second data of the second terminal device.

[0152] Each terminal device can send multiple uplink messages. This description uses a terminal device sending one uplink message as an example. This application does not limit the number of uplink messages sent by each terminal device. After receiving an uplink message from a terminal device, the access network device can also send a downlink message to the terminal device. The specific process is not limited in this application.

[0153] The first uplink message and the second uplink message may be NAS messages. For example, the first uplink message is a NAS message in an uplink NAS transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) format. The uplink message structure is not limited and will not be described in detail here.

[0154] The first uplink message and the second uplink message may be messages related to the service requested by the first service request. For example, the first uplink message and the second uplink message respectively include the service data requested by the first service request.

[0155] Step 1005: The access network device sends a second message to the core network device, where the second message includes a first uplink message, a second uplink message, and first location information, where the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0156] Correspondingly, the core network device receives the second message from the access network device.

[0157] In this application, the core network equipment can be AMF network element, TMF network element, LMF network element, environmental Internet of Things management function network element, Internet of Things server, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0158] In one implementation, the access network device may use the identification information of the TRP that receives the first uplink message and the second uplink message as the first location information. The cell of the access network device may include multiple TRPs, each TRP corresponds to an area, and the area corresponding to each TRP is smaller than the range of the cell. When the access network device receives the first uplink message and the second uplink message through a TRP, it means that the first terminal device and the second terminal device are located in the area corresponding to the TRP, so the identification information of the TRP can be used as the location information of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0159] In this implementation, TRP can also be replaced by a Pico Radio Unit (PRU) or a Pico Remote Radio Unit (pRRU) or an RRU or a BBU or an RRU hub or a head end or an antenna or a relay device. The Pico Radio Unit can also be called a micro radio unit or the like, which is not limited in this application. Among them, the relay device can be used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message, that is, forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message to the access network device. The relay device can be a terminal device or other type of device with wireless transceiver function, which is not limited in this application.

[0160] In combination with the above description, the first location information may include at least one of the following:

[0161] Identification information of TRP; identification information of PRU; identification information of RRU; identification information of BBU; identification information of RRU hub; identification information of head end; identification information of antenna; identification information of relay device; identification information of cell; identification information of reader / writer; identification information of A-IoT reader / writer; NR CGI; active antenna unit (AAU) sector information; tracking area information; identification information of AIoTMF; identification information of TMF; beam angle; distance information; coverage level.

[0162] Among them, NR CGI is the identifier of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0163] In another implementation, the first location information may be information about the area where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are located. For example, the first location information is an area identifier, and one area identifier corresponds to one area within a cell.

[0164] For example, the first location information may include at least one of the following:

[0165] TRP area information; PRU area information; RRU area information; BBU area information; RRU hub area information; headend area information; antenna area information; relay device area information; cell area information; reader area information; A-IoT reader area information. The area corresponding to the TRP, PRU, RRU, BBU, RRU hub, headend, antenna, relay device, cell, reader, or A-IoT reader area information is part of the cell.

[0166] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the cell of the access network device includes four RRUs, namely RRU1 to RRU4, and the area corresponding to each RRU is part of the cell. RRU1's area includes UE1 and UE2. If the access network device receives uplink messages from UE1 and UE2 through RRU1, the location information of UE1 and UE2 reported by the access network device to the core network device may include the NR CGI and RRU1's identification information or RRU1's area information. Alternatively, the location information reported by the access network device to the core network device may only include RRU1's identification information or RRU1's area information.

[0167] For another example, the cell of the access network device can be divided into multiple areas, each area corresponds to an identification information, and the first location information can be the identification information of the area where the terminal device is located. This application does not limit how to divide a cell and the number of areas in which each cell is divided. For example, as shown in Figure 12, the cell of the access network device is divided into 6 areas, namely area 1 to area 6. Area 3 includes UE1 and UE2. If the access network device receives uplink messages from UE1 and UE2, the location information of UE1 and UE2 reported by the access network device to the core network device includes NR CGI, and identification information of area 3 or area information of area 3; or the location information reported by the access network device to the core network device may only include identification information of area 3 or area information of area 3.

[0168] In another implementation, the first uplink message may also carry the location information of the first terminal device. In this case, the first terminal device may obtain the location information in advance. The first terminal device may obtain the location information through the first message, or obtain the location information through a query (Query) message, a query repetition (QueryRep) message, a scheduling message, a MAC control element (CE), a contention resolution identifier, or other downlink data downlink message. The specific process is no longer limited. The location information obtained by the first terminal device may be a cell identifier, or identification information of a TRP or PRU or RRU or BBU or RRU hub or head end or antenna or relay device, or area information corresponding to the TRP or PRU or RRU or BBU or RRU hub or head end or antenna or relay device.

[0169] Similarly, the second uplink message may also carry the location information of the second terminal device, and the specific content is not repeated here. Among them, since the first terminal device and the second terminal device are in the same area, the location information in the first uplink message and the location information in the second uplink message can be the same.

[0170] In the present application, after receiving multiple uplink messages, the access network device may encapsulate the multiple uplink messages and the same location information associated with the multiple uplink messages into a single message, such as a second message, and send the message to the core network device. The above is merely an example. The number of uplink messages that the access network device may carry in the second message is not limited, and other uplink messages may also be carried. Examples are not provided one by one here.

[0171] Optionally, the second message may further include information such as reception time information of each uplink message. Alternatively, the second message may further include reception time information of at least one uplink message.

[0172] Since these messages are all received through a TRP or head end, they can be associated with the same location information, which can reduce the overhead of reporting location information and improve resource utilization.

[0173] In another implementation, each time the access network device receives an uplink message, it may send a message including the uplink message and location information to the core network device. For example, the access network device generates a second message based on the first uplink message and the first location information. In this case, the second message includes only one uplink message, namely, the first uplink message. The access network device generates a third message based on the second uplink message and the first location information. In this case, the third message includes only one uplink message, namely, the second uplink message.

[0174] In another implementation, the access network device may also report the uplink message and location information of the terminal device separately. For example, the access network device sends a second message and the first location information to the core network device respectively, the second message includes the first uplink message and / or the second uplink message, and the second message and the first location information are sent independently. If the access network device receives uplink messages from multiple terminal devices, the access network device may send a location information, and the location information is associated with the uplink messages of multiple terminal devices, or the location information is the common location information of multiple terminal devices. For example, the location information may be a UE temporary identifier (such as a 5G-serving temporary mobile subscriber identity (s-TMSI), or a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI)) or an AMF UE NGAP identifier, where NGAP refers to the next generation application protocol, and the AMF / TMF or other core network devices may associate or match the received location information with the corresponding uplink message. The location information may also be the first location information described above. Alternatively, if the access network device receives uplink messages from multiple terminal devices, the access network device reports the uplink messages from multiple terminal devices to the core network device (before, after, or at the same time), and the access network device can send the location information of multiple terminal devices to the core network device, that is, the first location information described above.

[0175] In this application, if the uplink message sent by the terminal device is not a NAS message, the access network device can also parse the uplink message to obtain the message content, thereby re-encapsulating the message content and location information into a new message and sending the new message to the core network device.

[0176] Optionally, the core network device may send the first location information to the server. For example, after receiving the second message, the core network device obtains the first uplink message, the second uplink message, and the first location information therein, and may send the first uplink data in the first uplink message, the second uplink data in the second uplink message, and the first location information to the server.

[0177] In this application, the access network device can also measure the uplink message or signal of each terminal device, obtain the measurement results, and send the measurement results to the access network device. The core network device can then determine the location information of the terminal device based on the measurement results. Several possible implementation methods are given below.

[0178] In implementation method 1, the access network device measures the uplink message of each terminal device and obtains a measurement result. The access network device can send the measurement result of each terminal device to the core network device. The measurement result can be used to determine the location information of the terminal device. The accuracy of the location information determined based on the measurement result is higher than the accuracy of the first location information. For example, the location information determined based on the measurement result can be latitude and longitude coordinates or meter-level location information.

[0179] For example, using a first terminal device as an example, the access network device may measure the first uplink message to obtain a first measurement result. The first measurement result is used to determine second location information of the first terminal device, where the second location information is more accurate than the first location information. The first measurement result may include at least one of the uplink angle of arrival (AoA), signal strength, arrival time, and distance information of the first uplink message. The first measurement result may also include other information, which is not limited in this application.

[0180] The access network device sends the first measurement result to the core network device, for example, by sending the first measurement result via a second message. The core network device determines second location information of the first terminal device based on the first measurement result. The core network device may also send the second location information to the server.

[0181] This application does not limit how the core network device determines the second location information based on the first measurement result. For example, the core network device can use a positioning algorithm to calculate the first measurement result to obtain the second location information of the first terminal device. For another example, the access network device sends the first measurement result to the location management function (LMF) network element, and the LMF network element uses a positioning algorithm to calculate the first measurement result to obtain the second location information and send the second location information to the core network device. The positioning algorithm can be a UL-AoA positioning algorithm or other positioning algorithm, which is not limited by this application.

[0182] The access network device can also measure uplink messages of other terminal devices to obtain measurement results. The specific process can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0183] In a second implementation, the access network device sends positioning configuration information, which is used to transmit positioning signals. For example, the positioning configuration information includes at least one of the following information:

[0184] The transmission period of the positioning signal, the number of times the positioning signal is sent, the type of positioning signal, the transmission time period of the positioning signal, the transmission time offset value of the positioning signal, the frequency of the positioning signal, and the absolute time of sending the positioning signal.

[0185] The positioning configuration information can also be sent from the core network device to the access network device, which then forwards it. The positioning signal is not limited to the positioning sequence, EPC, uplink data, random access request, or user identity; it can be any control signal or data sent uplink by the terminal device.

[0186] Terminal devices selected or paged by the access network device may send positioning signals based on the positioning configuration information. The access network device may measure the positioning signals of each terminal device and obtain measurement results. The access network device may send the measurement results of each terminal device to the core network device. The measurement results may be used to determine the location information of the terminal device. The accuracy of the location information determined based on the measurement results is higher than that of the first location information. For example, the location information determined based on the measurement results may be latitude and longitude coordinates or meter-level location information.

[0187] For example, using a first terminal device as an example, the first terminal device sends at least one positioning signal based on positioning configuration information. The access network device measures the at least one positioning signal and obtains a second measurement result. The access network device sends the second measurement result to the core network device, for example, via a second message. The core network device may determine third location information of the first terminal device based on the second measurement result. The core network device may also send the third location information to a server.

[0188] As mentioned above, the first service requested by the first service request in this application can be at least one of paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, reading service, writing service, and deactivation service. The following describes the previous process in combination with the inventory service process.

[0189] As shown in FIG13 , a schematic diagram of an inventory process is shown. The names of the messages in the following process are only examples. There may be other message names, which will not be described here.

[0190] Optionally, step 1301: the server sends a service inventory request message and first information to the core network device.

[0191] The inventory service request message is used to instruct to perform an inventory service on the terminal device.

[0192] The inventory service request message and the first information may be sent separately, or the inventory service request message may also include the first information, which is not limited in this application.

[0193] Step 1302: The core network device sends a service request message to the access network device. The service request message includes a service inventory request message and first information.

[0194] The type of service request message is not limited. For example, taking the NR system as an example, the service request message can be an N2 message.

[0195] Step 1303: The access network device sends a paging or selection message to select or page at least one terminal device.

[0196] The paging or selection message includes mask information. If the mask information included in a terminal device matches the mask information included in the paging or selection message, it indicates that the terminal device is selected or paged.

[0197] The paging or selection message may further include session information and / or action information. For details, please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0198] Step 1304: The access network device sends a query message, which is used to initiate an inventory cycle.

[0199] In one implementation, the query message includes the value of parameter Q, which is used to determine the total number of time slots included in the inventory cycle indicated by the reader. Q For example, if Q=4, the total number of time slots included in the inventory cycle is 2 4 =16.

[0200] For each terminal device that is selected or paged, the index range of the time slot allocated by the access network device can be calculated based on the Q value, which is [0,2 Q -1]. The terminal device generates a [0,2 Q -1], the terminal device uses this random number as the initial value of the counter. For example, if Q = 4, the random number generated by the terminal device is one of [0, 15]. For example, if the random number generated by the terminal device is 10, the initial value of the counter is 10.

[0201] Each time a terminal device receives a QueryRep message, it decrements the counter by one. When the counter reaches 0, the terminal device can send a 16-bit random number (RN16), which can be used to trigger the random access procedure and serve as a random access request message. The first time slot after the Query message is time slot 0. If the random number generated by the terminal device is 0, it can send RN16 immediately after receiving the Query message.

[0202] Assuming that the first terminal device is selected or paged, and the counter of the first terminal device after receiving the query message is 0, the first terminal device can execute step 1305.

[0203] Step 1305: The first terminal device sends a first random access request message.

[0204] For example, the first random access request message may be RN16 generated by the first terminal device. Taking RN16 as an example, the terminal device may also send random numbers of other lengths, such as an 8-bit random number.

[0205] Step 1306: If the access network device successfully receives RN16, it will feedback an acknowledgement (ACK) message, and the ACK message includes RN16 from the first terminal device.

[0206] The ACK message may also be called a random access response message or a contention resolution message.

[0207] When the first terminal device receives an ACK message including its own RN16, step 1307 is executed.

[0208] Step 1307: The first terminal device sends a first uplink message.

[0209] The first uplink message includes business data related to the inventory business. For example, the first uplink message may include at least one of the EPC and TID of the first terminal device, sensor data collected by the first terminal device, and storage area data of the first terminal device. This application is not limited to this.

[0210] The first terminal device can send multiple uplink messages. This application takes one uplink message as an example for explanation and does not limit the number of uplink messages sent by the first terminal device.

[0211] Optionally, if the paging or selection message also includes session information, the first terminal device may also flip a flag bit corresponding to the session indicated by the session information, such as flipping from state A to state B.

[0212] After the data transmission of the inventory service is completed between the access network device and the first terminal device, the access network device may send a query repetition message to trigger the next time slot.

[0213] Step 1308: The access network device sends a query repetition message.

[0214] Assuming that the second terminal device is selected or paged, and the counter of the second terminal device after receiving the query repetition message is 0, the second terminal device can perform a random access process, and the specific process is not repeated here. After the second terminal device successfully completes the random access, it can also send an uplink message.

[0215] Step 1309: The second terminal device sends a second uplink message.

[0216] The second uplink message includes business data related to the inventory business. For example, the second uplink message may include at least one of the EPC and TID of the second terminal device, sensor data collected by the second terminal device, and storage area data of the second terminal device. This application is not limited to this.

[0217] The above are just examples. There may be other terminal devices that send uplink messages during the inventory process. The specific number of terminal devices that send uplink messages during the inventory process is not limited in this application, and other situations will not be described in detail.

[0218] Step 1310: The access network device sends a second message to the core network device.

[0219] The second message includes a first uplink message, a second uplink message, and first location information. For example, the first location information is identification information of a TRP or PRU or RRU or BBU or RRU hub or head end or antenna or relay device that receives the first uplink message and the second uplink message. Alternatively, the first location information is area information corresponding to the PRU or RRU or BBU or RRU hub or head end or antenna or relay device, such as an area identifier. For another example, the first location information is the cell identification information of the cell where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are located.

[0220] The access network device may send the second message after a round of inventory process is completed, or may send the second message under other circumstances. This application does not limit the number of uplink messages included in the second message.

[0221] Optionally, the second message further includes a first measurement result and a third measurement result. The first measurement result is obtained by measuring the first uplink message; and the third measurement result is obtained by measuring the second uplink message.

[0222] Optionally, step 1311: the core network device sends the first measurement result and the third measurement result to the LMF network element.

[0223] Optionally, the core network device may also determine the second location information according to the first measurement result and determine the fourth location information according to the third measurement result.

[0224] Step 1312: The LMF network element sends the second location information and the fourth location information to the core network device.

[0225] The specific process of the LMF network element determining the second location information and the fourth location information is not limited in this application and will not be described here.

[0226] Step 1313: The core network device sends the first uplink message, the second uplink message and the first location information to the server.

[0227] Optionally, the core network device may also send the second location information and the fourth location information to the server.

[0228] Alternatively, the core network device sends a first uplink message, a second uplink message, second location information, and fourth location information.

[0229] Through the above process, the access network device can report the common first location information of multiple terminal devices to the network side through a message, which can save the reporting overhead of the location information. Furthermore, since the first location information is more accurate than the cell-level location information, the accuracy / granularity of the reported location information can be improved. Furthermore, in business processes such as inventory processes, the uplink messages of the terminal devices are measured, so that the location information of the terminal devices can be determined more accurately based on the measurement results, and the uplink data or control information sent by the existing terminal can be reused for positioning, which can improve the accuracy of the obtained location information while saving signaling overhead.

[0230] In the process of Figure 11, the access network device can also instruct the terminal device to send a positioning signal, thereby measuring the positioning signal and determining the location information of the terminal device based on the measurement results, which will be described in detail below.

[0231] As shown in FIG14 , a schematic diagram of an inventory process is shown. The names of the messages in the following process are only examples. There may be other message names, which will not be described here.

[0232] Optionally, step 1401: the server sends a service inventory request message and first information to the core network device.

[0233] Step 1402: The core network device sends a service request message to the access network device. The service request message includes a service inventory request message and first information.

[0234] The specific contents of step 1401 and step 1402 can be referred to the description in step 1301 and step 1302, which will not be repeated here.

[0235] Step 1403: The access network device sends a paging or selection message to select or page at least one terminal device.

[0236] The paging or selection message includes mask information. If the mask information included in a terminal device matches the mask information included in the paging or selection message, it indicates that the terminal device is selected or paged.

[0237] The paging or selection message may further include session information and / or action information. For details, please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0238] Optionally, the paging or selection message may further include positioning configuration information. For the specific content of the positioning configuration information, reference may be made to the above description.

[0239] Step 1404: The access network device sends a query message, which is used to initialize an inventory cycle.

[0240] The specific content of step 1404 can be referred to the description in step 1304 and will not be repeated here.

[0241] Assuming the first terminal device is selected or paged, the first terminal device may initiate random access after receiving the query message. The specific steps of the random access process are not repeated here, and reference may be made to the previous description for details. If the first terminal device's random access is successful, the first terminal device may execute steps 1405 and 1406.

[0242] Step 1405: The first terminal device sends a first uplink message.

[0243] Step 1406: The first terminal device sends at least one positioning signal.

[0244] The first terminal device sends at least one positioning signal according to the positioning configuration information.

[0245] Optionally, the access network device can instruct the relay device to transmit a carrier signal to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can determine the positioning signal based on the carrier signal. The access network device can instruct the relay device to transmit carrier signals at different frequency locations, so that the positioning signals determined by the first terminal device based on the carrier signal are located at different frequency locations, thereby helping to improve positioning accuracy. The relay device can be a terminal device or other device with wireless transceiver capabilities.

[0246] For example, at least one positioning signal includes a first positioning signal and a second positioning signal; the first positioning signal is determined based on a first carrier signal from a third terminal device, and the second positioning signal is determined based on a second carrier signal from a third terminal device, and the frequency position of the first carrier signal is different from the frequency position of the second carrier signal.

[0247] The access network device measures at least one positioning signal to obtain a second measurement result. The content of the second measurement result can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0248] The first terminal device may repeatedly send multiple positioning signals. Optionally, the access network device may send a stop indication message, where the stop indication message is used to instruct to stop sending the positioning signal. Accordingly, the first terminal device may stop sending the positioning signal according to the stop indication message.

[0249] After the data transmission of the inventory service is completed between the access network device and the first terminal device, the access network device may send a query repetition message to trigger the next time slot.

[0250] Step 1407: The access network device sends a query repetition message.

[0251] Assuming that the second terminal device is selected or paged, and the counter of the second terminal device after receiving the query repetition message is 0, the second terminal device can perform a random access process, and the specific process is not repeated here. After the second terminal device successfully completes the random access, it can also send an uplink message.

[0252] Step 1408: The second terminal device sends a second uplink message.

[0253] Step 1409: The second terminal device sends at least one positioning signal.

[0254] The access network device measures at least one positioning signal to obtain a fourth measurement result.

[0255] The above are just examples. There may be other terminal devices that send uplink messages and positioning signals during the inventory process. The specific number of terminal devices that send uplink messages and positioning signals during the inventory process is not limited in this application, and other situations will not be repeated.

[0256] Step 1410: The access network device sends a second message to the core network device.

[0257] The second message includes the first uplink message, the second uplink message and the first location information.

[0258] The access network device may send the second message after a round of inventory process is completed, or may send the second message under other circumstances. This application does not limit the number of uplink messages included in the second message.

[0259] Optionally, the second message further includes a second measurement result and a fourth measurement result.

[0260] Optionally, step 1411: the core network device sends the second measurement result and the fourth measurement result to the LMF network element.

[0261] Optionally, the core network device may also determine the third location information according to the second measurement result and determine the fifth location information according to the fourth measurement result.

[0262] Step 1412: The LMF network element sends the third location information and the fifth location information to the core network device.

[0263] The specific process of the LMF network element determining the third location information and the fifth location information is not limited in this application and will not be repeated here.

[0264] Step 1413: The core network device sends the first uplink message, the second uplink message and the first location information to the server.

[0265] Optionally, the core network device may also send third location information and fifth location information to the server.

[0266] In this application, each time the access network device receives an uplink message, it sends a message including the uplink message and location information to the core network device. For details, please refer to the following process.

[0267] FIG15 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the method includes:

[0268] Optionally, step 1501: the core network device sends a first service request to the access network device.

[0269] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first service request.

[0270] For example, the first service request is used to request a first service; wherein the first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, read service, write service, and deactivate service.

[0271] In one implementation, the core network device may also send a first message, and the first message is used to indicate the location information of the reported terminal device. It can be understood that the first information indicates the location information of the reported terminal device, and the area range of the location information of the terminal device indicated by the first information is smaller than the area range of the cell level, for example, indicating which area or position the terminal device is in the cell. The "cell" here refers to the cell where the terminal device is located, and the cell belongs to the access network device. Optionally, the first information can be used to indicate the TRP corresponding to the location of the reported terminal device in the cell or the area information of the TRP. Among them, the TRP can also be replaced by a Pico Radio Unit (PRU) or a Pico Remote Radio Unit (pRRU) or an RRU or a BBU or an RRU hub or a head end or an antenna or a relay device.

[0272] In one implementation, the core network device may further send second information, the second information being used to instruct measurement of a message or signal of the terminal device. Optionally, the second information further indicates a measurement quantity, for example, the measurement quantity may include at least one of angle, signal strength, and arrival time.

[0273] In this application, the first service request, the first information, and the second information may be sent separately; alternatively, the core network device may carry at least one of the first information and the second information in the first service request; alternatively, the core network device may carry the first service request in the first information or the second information. This application does not limit how the core network device sends the first service request, the first information, and the second information.

[0274] Optionally, before sending the first service request, the core network device may receive at least one of the second service request and the first information from a server. The server may be an external server, such as an IoT server, a user server, or a factory server. For details, please refer to the description in 1001 and will not be repeated here.

[0275] In this application, the core network device can be a tag management function (TMF) network element or an AMF network element or an ambient IoT management function (AIoTMF), or other network elements, which is not limited in this application.

[0276] Step 1502: The access network device sends a first message, where the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device.

[0277] The terminal device is a passive device, a semi-passive device, or an active device; or, the terminal device is an environmental Internet of Things terminal device, for example, the terminal device is a tag.

[0278] In this application, the first message can be used to page or select at least one terminal device, or trigger at least one terminal device to send an uplink message or initiate access to the network. For details, please refer to the description in 1002 and will not be repeated here.

[0279] In this application, the access network device may send the first message via a relay device, which may be a terminal device or another device such as an IAB node. For example, in FIG. 5 , the terminal device is a tag and the relay device is an IAB node. After the access network device sends the first message, the IAB node receives the first message and forwards it to the tag.

[0280] In this application, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are selected or paged by the first message as an example for explanation. The number of terminal devices actually selected or paged may be greater than 2, and other situations will not be repeated.

[0281] Step 1503: The first terminal device sends a first uplink message.

[0282] Step 1504: The second terminal device sends a second uplink message.

[0283] Correspondingly, the access network device receives the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

[0284] Before the first terminal device sends the first uplink message and before the second terminal device sends the second uplink message, it can first establish a connection with the access network device through a random access process, and the specific process will not be repeated here.

[0285] In this application, a terminal device can send an uplink message to an access network device via a relay device. For example, in Figure 5 above, the first terminal device is a tag and the relay device is an IAB node. After the first terminal device sends a first uplink message, the IAB node receives the first uplink message and forwards it to the access network device.

[0286] The first uplink message may include first data of the first terminal device, and the first data may include at least one of an electronic product code (EPC) of the first terminal device, a tag identifier (TID), sensor data collected by the first terminal device, and storage area data of the first terminal device, which is not limited in this application. Similarly, the second uplink message may include second data of the second terminal device.

[0287] Each terminal device can send multiple uplink messages. This description uses a terminal device sending one uplink message as an example. This application does not limit the number of uplink messages sent by each terminal device. After receiving an uplink message from a terminal device, the access network device can also send a downlink message to the terminal device. The specific process is not limited in this application.

[0288] The first uplink message may be a NAS message, for example, the first uplink message is a NAS message in the UL NAS TRANSPORT format. The uplink message structure is not limited and will not be described in detail here.

[0289] The first uplink message and the second uplink message may be messages related to the service requested by the first service request. For example, the first uplink message and the second uplink message respectively include the service data requested by the first service request.

[0290] Step 1505: The access network device sends a second message to the core network device. The second message includes the first uplink message and first location information. The first location information indicates the location of the first terminal device.

[0291] Correspondingly, the core network device receives the second message from the access network device.

[0292] Step 1506: The access network device sends a fourth message to the core network device. The fourth message includes the second uplink message and the first location information. The first location information indicates the location of the second terminal device.

[0293] Correspondingly, the core network device receives the fourth message from the access network device.

[0294] In this application, the core network equipment can be AMF network element, TMF network element, LMF network element, environmental Internet of Things management function network element, Internet of Things server, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0295] In one implementation, the first location information may include at least one of the following:

[0296] Identification information of TRP; identification information of PRU; identification information of RRU; identification information of BBU; identification information of RRU hub; identification information of head end; identification information of antenna; identification information of relay device; identification information of cell; identification information of reader / writer; identification information of A-IoT reader / writer; NR CGI; active antenna unit (AAU) sector information; tracking area information; identification information of AIoTMF; identification information of TMF; beam angle; distance information; coverage level.

[0297] Among them, NR CGI is the identifier of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0298] In another implementation, the first location information may be information about the area where the first terminal device and the second terminal device are located. For example, the first location information is an area identifier, and one area identifier corresponds to one area within a cell.

[0299] For example, the first location information may include at least one of the following:

[0300] TRP area information; PRU area information; RRU area information; BBU area information; RRU hub area information; headend area information; antenna area information; relay device area information; cell area information; reader area information; A-IoT reader area information. The area corresponding to the TRP, PRU, RRU, BBU, RRU hub, headend, antenna, relay device, cell, reader, or A-IoT reader area information is part of the cell.

[0301] The specific content of the first location information can be referred to the description in the process of Figure 10, which will not be repeated here.

[0302] The first location information may also include a UE temporary identifier (such as a 5G-serving temporary mobile subscriber identity (s-TMSI), or a temporary mobile group identity (TMGI)) or an AMF UE NGAP identifier, where NGAP refers to the next generation application protocol. AMF / TMF or other core network devices may associate or match the received location information with the corresponding uplink message.

[0303] In this application, if the uplink message sent by the terminal device is not a NAS message, the access network device can also parse the uplink message to obtain the message content, thereby re-encapsulating the message content and location information into a new message and sending the new message to the core network device.

[0304] Optionally, the core network device may send the first location information to the server. For example, after receiving the second message, the core network device obtains the first uplink message, the second uplink message, and the first location information therein, and may send the first uplink data in the first uplink message, the second uplink data in the second uplink message, and the first location information to the server.

[0305] It is understandable that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the access network device or terminal device or core network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0306] The following is a schematic diagram of the structure of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the access network device, terminal device, or core network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0307] As shown in Figure 16, a communication device 1600 includes a processing unit 1610 and a communication unit 1620. The communication device 1600 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in each of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0308] In one implementation, the communication device 1600 is configured to implement the following functions:

[0309] a processing unit, configured to send a first message through a communication unit, where the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device;

[0310] The processing unit is configured to receive a first uplink message from a first terminal device and a second uplink message from a second terminal device through the communication unit;

[0311] The processing unit is used to send a second message to the core network device through the communication unit, where the second message includes the first uplink message, the second uplink message and first location information, and the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0312] In one implementation, the communication device 1600 is configured to implement the following functions:

[0313] A communication unit is used to receive a second message from an access network device, wherein the second message includes first location information, a first uplink message of a first terminal device, and a second uplink message of a second terminal device, and the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0314] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1610 and the communication unit 1620 can be directly obtained by referring to the relevant descriptions in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0315] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into one physical entity, or physically separated. Moreover, the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called through processing elements; or all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software called through processing elements, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or it can be integrated into a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the form of a program in a memory, called by a certain processing element of the device and execute the function of the unit. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated together, or they can be implemented independently. The processing element here can also be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each operation of the above method or each unit above can be implemented by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or by software called through the processing element.

[0316] In one example, the unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital singnal processors (DSPs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For another example, when the unit in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor that can call a program. For another example, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0317] The above-mentioned receiving unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the receiving unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to receive signals from other chips or devices. The above-mentioned sending unit is an interface circuit of the device, which is used to send signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, the sending unit is the interface circuit of the chip used to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0318] As another possible product form, the access network device or terminal device or core network device of the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a general bus architecture. For ease of explanation, refer to Figure 17, which is a structural diagram of a communication device 1700 provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication device 1700 includes a processor 1701 and a transceiver 1702. The communication device 1700 can be a terminal device, or a chip or chip system therein; or, the communication device 1700 can be a network device, or a chip or module therein. Figure 17 only shows the main components of the communication device 1700. In addition to the processor 1701 and the transceiver 1702, the communication device 1700 can further include a memory 1703, and an input and output device (not shown in the figure).

[0319] Optionally, processor 1701 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, as well as control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Memory 1703 is primarily used to store software programs and data. Transceiver 1702 may include a radio frequency circuit and an antenna. The radio frequency circuit is primarily used to convert baseband signals into radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as a touch screen, display, and keyboard, are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user.

[0320] Optionally, the processor 1701 , the transceiver 1702 , and the memory 1703 may be connected via a communication bus.

[0321] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1701 can read the software program in the memory 1703, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1701 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1701. The processor 1701 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0322] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna can be set independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0323] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the above-mentioned communication device 1600 may take the form of the communication device 1700 shown in FIG. 17 .

[0324] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing unit 1610 in FIG16 may be implemented by the processor 1701 in the communication device 1700 shown in FIG17 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1703. The functions / implementation process of the communication unit 1620 in FIG16 may be implemented by the transceiver 1702 in the communication device 1700 shown in FIG17.

[0325] As another possible product form, the terminal device or network device in the present application may adopt the structure shown in Figure 18, or include the components shown in Figure 18. Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1800 provided in the present application.

[0326] As shown in FIG18 , a communication device 1800 includes at least one processor 1801. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface 1802.

[0327] When the program instructions are executed in the at least one processor 1801, the communication device 1800 can implement the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs therein. Alternatively, the processor 1801 implements the method provided in any of the aforementioned embodiments and any possible designs therein through logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0328] The communication interface 1802 can be used to receive program instructions and transmit them to the processor. Alternatively, the communication interface 1802 can be used for communication between the communication device 1800 and other communication devices, such as exchanging control signaling and / or service data. Exemplarily, the communication interface 1802 can be used to receive signals from devices other than the communication device 1800 and transmit them to the processor 1801, or to send signals from the processor 1801 to other communication devices other than the communication device 1800.

[0329] Optionally, the communication interface 1802 may be a code and / or data read and write interface circuit, or the communication interface 1802 may be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver, or a pin of a chip.

[0330] Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include at least one memory 1803, which may be used to store required program instructions and / or data. It should be noted that the memory 1803 may exist independently of the processor 1801 or may be integrated with the processor 1801. The memory 1803 may be located within or outside the communication device 1800, without limitation.

[0331] Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a power supply circuit 1804, which may be used to supply power to the processor 1801. The power supply circuit 1804 may be located in the same chip as the processor 1801, or in another chip other than the chip where the processor 1801 is located.

[0332] Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a bus, and various parts of the communication device 1800 may be interconnected via the bus.

[0333] In some embodiments, in terms of hardware implementation, those skilled in the art may conceive that the communication device 1600 shown in FIG. 16 may take the form of the communication device 1800 shown in FIG. 18 .

[0334] As an example, the functions / implementation process of the processing unit 1610 in FIG16 may be implemented by the processor 1801 in the communication device 1800 shown in FIG18 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 1803. The functions / implementation process of the communication unit 1620 in FIG16 may be implemented by the communication interface 1802 in the communication device 1800 shown in FIG18.

[0335] It should be noted that the structure shown in FIG18 does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal device or network device. For example, in other embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or network device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0336] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The terminal chip receives information from other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the base station to the terminal; or the terminal chip sends information to other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal to the base station.

[0337] When the above-mentioned communication device is a module applied to a base station, the base station module implements the functions of the base station in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The base station module receives information from other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the terminal to the base station; or the base station module sends information to other modules in the base station (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is sent by the base station to the terminal. The base station module here can be the baseband chip of the base station, or it can be a DU or other module. The DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0338] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0339] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0340] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0341] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0342] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0343] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0344] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0345] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message, where the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device; receiving a first uplink message from a first terminal device, and receiving a second uplink message from a second terminal device; A second message is sent to the core network device, where the second message includes the first uplink message, the second uplink message, and first location information, where the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receiving a first service request from a core network device, wherein the first service request is used to request a first service; The first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, reading service, writing service, and deactivation service.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the pico radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Regional information corresponding to TRP; regional information corresponding to PRU; regional information corresponding to headend; regional information corresponding to antenna; regional information corresponding to relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The first service request also includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device to be reported.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: measuring the first uplink message to obtain a first measurement result; The first measurement result is sent to the core network device, where the first measurement result is used to determine the second location information of the first terminal device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending positioning configuration information, where the positioning configuration information is used to transmit a positioning signal; receiving at least one positioning signal from the first terminal device; measuring the at least one positioning signal to obtain a second measurement result; The second measurement result is sent to the core network device, where the second measurement result is used to determine the third location information of the first terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The positioning configuration information includes at least one of the following information: The sending period of the positioning signal, the number of times the positioning signal is sent, the type of positioning signal, the sending time period of the positioning signal, the sending time offset value of the positioning signal, the frequency of the positioning signal, and the absolute sending time of the positioning signal.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that The at least one positioning signal includes a first positioning signal and a second positioning signal; The first positioning signal is determined based on a first carrier signal from a third terminal device, and the second positioning signal is determined based on a second carrier signal from the third terminal device. The frequency position of the first carrier signal is different from the frequency position of the second carrier signal.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: A second message is received from an access network device, wherein the second message includes first location information, a first uplink message of a first terminal device, and a second uplink message of a second terminal device, wherein the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first service request to the access network device, wherein the first service request is used to request a first service; The first service includes one or more of the following: paging service, positioning service, location reporting service, inventory service, sensing service, command service, reading service, writing service, and deactivation service.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the pico radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Regional information corresponding to TRP; regional information corresponding to PRU; regional information corresponding to headend; regional information corresponding to antenna; regional information corresponding to relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The area corresponding to the area information is a part of a cell.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: The first service request also includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device in the cell to be reported.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive a first measurement result from the access network device, where the first measurement result is determined based on the first uplink message; the first measurement result is used to determine second location information of the first terminal device.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processing unit, configured to send a first message through a communication unit, where the first message is used to select or page at least one terminal device; The processing unit is configured to receive a first uplink message from a first terminal device and a second uplink message from a second terminal device through the communication unit; The processing unit is used to send a second message to the core network device through the communication unit, where the second message includes the first uplink message, the second uplink message and first location information, and the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the pico radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

20. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Regional information corresponding to TRP; regional information corresponding to PRU; regional information corresponding to headend; regional information corresponding to antenna; regional information corresponding to relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

21. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to: measuring the first uplink message to obtain a first measurement result; The first measurement result is sent to the core network device, where the first measurement result is used to determine the second location information of the first terminal device.

22. The device according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to: Sending positioning configuration information, where the positioning configuration information is used to transmit a positioning signal; receiving at least one positioning signal from the first terminal device; measuring the at least one positioning signal to obtain a second measurement result; The second measurement result is sent to the core network device, where the second measurement result is used to determine the third location information of the first terminal device.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A communication unit is used to receive a second message from an access network device, wherein the second message includes first location information, a first uplink message of a first terminal device, and a second uplink message of a second terminal device, and the first location information indicates the locations of the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Identification information of the transceiver point TRP; identification information of the pico radio frequency unit PRU; identification information of the head end; identification information of the antenna; identification information of the relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

25. The device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that The first location information includes at least one of the following: Regional information corresponding to TRP; regional information corresponding to PRU; regional information corresponding to headend; regional information corresponding to antenna; regional information corresponding to relay device; The TRP or the PRU or the head end or the antenna is used to receive the first uplink message and the second uplink message; the relay device is used to forward the first uplink message and the second uplink message.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: including processor and memory; The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that A computer program or instruction is stored, and when the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is caused to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

28. A chip, characterized in that: The chip comprises a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is performed.

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