Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a method used for paging and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a sensing function network element sending first information to a network device, wherein the first information comprises information of a first position and / or information of a first cell, the first position being a location or a potential location of the terminal device, and the first cell being a camping cell or a potential camping cell of the terminal device. Since the first information is determined according to a sensing result, the network device can still acquire the information even if the terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state, such that the network device can conveniently execute a communication decision for the terminal device, e.g. determining an access network device for paging the terminal device, thereby improving the communication efficiency.

Description

A communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202410202644.2 and an invention title of "A communication method and communication device" filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on February 23, 2024, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a method and communication device for paging. Background Art

[0003] In current communication technologies, the states of a terminal device can include three types: connected state, idle state, and inactive state. A terminal device in the inactive state usually has no connection with the access network, but still has a connection with the core network. A terminal device in the idle state usually has no connection with either the access network or the core network.

[0004] Since the terminal device still has mobility in the idle state or inactive state, when the access network or the core network needs to communicate with the terminal device, how to determine relevant information such as the location of the terminal device is crucial for communication efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method that can obtain the location information of a terminal device and improve communication efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a sensing function network element or by a component (such as a chip, circuit, or chip system) of the sensing function network element. For ease of understanding, the following description takes the execution by the sensing function network element as an example.

[0007] The method includes: receiving a first message from a network device, the first message being used to obtain the location information of a terminal device; and sending first information to the network device, the first information being determined according to a sensing result, and the first information including at least one of the following: information on a first location, the first location being the location where the terminal device is located or a potential location where the terminal device is located; information on a first cell, the first cell being the cell where the terminal device camps or a potential cell where the terminal device camps.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the network device can obtain information such as the location where the terminal device is located, the potential location where the terminal device is located, the cell where the terminal device camps, and the potential cell where the terminal device camps from the sensing function network element. Since this information is determined according to the sensing result, even if the terminal device is in the idle state or inactive state, the network device can obtain this information. Therefore, it can facilitate the network device to make communication decisions for the terminal device and improve communication efficiency.

[0009] Optionally, the terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is determined according to the sensing result, including: the first information is determined according to the position of the first target, the position of the first target is determined according to the sensing result, and the first target is associated with the terminal device.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving first association information from a first access network device, where the first association information is used to indicate the association between the first target and the terminal device. The first access network device is used to sense the first target.

[0012] Optionally, the first access network device is further used to provide access services for the terminal device before the terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state.

[0013] Based on the above solution, the sensing function network element receives the association relationship between the first terminal device and the target, providing a basis for the communication decision of the subsequent sensing function network element.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first association information includes at least one of the following: the probability of the association between the first target and the terminal device, the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the position of the first target and the position of the terminal device; and / or, determining the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the speed of the first target and the speed of the terminal device; and / or, determining the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

[0016] Based on the above solution, the sensing function network element can obtain the position, speed, CSI, etc. of the terminal device, as well as the position, speed, reflection path coefficient, etc. of the target, so as to determine the association between the terminal device and the target, providing a basis for the communication decision of the subsequent sensing function network element.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving the channel state information from the terminal device or the first access network device.

[0018] The first access network device is used to provide access services for the terminal device before the terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a second message to a network device, the second message being used to page a terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, the reference signal being used to determine the association between a first target and the terminal device.

[0020] Based on the above solution, the sensing function network element can also determine the association between the terminal device and the first target by instructing the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, providing a basis for the subsequent communication decision of the sensing function network element.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, sending the second message to the network device includes: sending the second message to the network device when the probability of the association between the target associated with the terminal device and the terminal device is less than a first threshold.

[0022] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, the first probability information being used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located at a first position, and the second probability information being used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in a first cell.

[0023] Based on the above solution, the first information may include first probability information and / or second probability information, enabling the network device to obtain the probability of the terminal device at the first position and / or the first cell, facilitating the communication decision of the network device.

[0024] Optionally, the first information is sent to the network device in any of the following cases: the change in the position of the terminal device is greater than a second threshold; or, the serving cell of the terminal device has changed.

[0025] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a network device or by a component (such as a chip or a circuit or a chip system) of the network device. For ease of understanding, the following description is given by taking the network device as an example.

[0026] The method includes: sending a first message to a sensing function network element, the first message being used to obtain the location information of a terminal device; receiving first information from the sensing function network element, the first information including at least one of the following: information of a first position, the first position being the location or potential location of the terminal device; information of a first cell, the first cell being the serving cell or potential serving cell of the terminal device.

[0027] Based on the above technical solution, the network device can obtain information such as the location of the terminal device, potential locations, serving cell, potential serving cells, etc. from the sensing function network element. Since this information is determined based on the sensing result, even when the terminal device is in the idle state or inactive state, the network device can obtain this information. Therefore, it can facilitate the network device to make communication decisions for the terminal device and improve communication efficiency.

[0028] Combined with the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining to initiate paging for the terminal device; determining a second access network device according to the first information, where the second access network device is used to page the terminal device.

[0029] Based on the above solution, the network device can determine the access network device for paging the terminal device according to the first information. Compared with the solution of paging in a small range first and then in a large range, the paging efficiency can be improved.

[0030] Combined with the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending direction information to the second access network device, where the direction information is used to indicate the direction of the beam used by the second access network device when paging the terminal device.

[0031] In this way, the paging delay can be reduced and the paging efficiency can be improved.

[0032] Combined with the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a second message from the sensing function network element, where the second message is used to page the terminal device and instructs the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, and the reference signal is used to determine the association between the first target and the terminal device; sending a paging message to a third access network device, where the paging message is used to page the terminal device and instructs the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal.

[0033] Combined with the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, where the first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located at the first position, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in the first cell.

[0034] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, and the method includes: the network device sends a first message to the sensing function network element, where the first message is used to obtain the location information of the terminal device; the network device receives first information from the sensing function network element, and the first information includes at least one of the following: information of a first position, where the first position is the location or potential location of the terminal device; information of a first cell, where the first cell is the serving cell or potential serving cell of the terminal device.

[0035] Fourthly, the present application provides a communication device, which has the functions of the first aspect described above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect. The module, unit or means can be specifically implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0036] The device can be a sensing function network element or a component of a sensing function network element (such as a chip, a circuit or a chip system). Specifically, the device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive a first message from a network device, where the first message is used to obtain the location information of a terminal device; the transceiver unit is further configured to: send first information to the network device, where the first information is determined according to a sensing result, and the first information includes at least one of the following: information of a first location, where the first location is the location where the terminal device is located or a potential location; information of a first cell, where the first cell is the cell where the terminal device camps or a potential cell where the terminal device camps.

[0037] Optionally, the terminal device is in an idle state or a non-active state.

[0038] Optionally, the first information is determined according to a sensing result, including: the first information is determined according to the location of a first target, where the location of the first target is determined according to the sensing result, and the first target is associated with the terminal device.

[0039] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive first association information from a first access network device, where the first association information is used to indicate the association between the first target and the terminal device. The first access network device is configured to sense the first target.

[0040] Optionally, the first access network device is further configured to provide access services for the terminal device before the terminal device enters an idle state or a non-active state.

[0041] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the first association information includes at least one of the following: the probability of association between the first target and the terminal device, the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

[0042] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the device further includes: a processing unit, configured to determine the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the location of the first target and the location of the terminal device; and / or, determine the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the speed of the first target and the speed of the terminal device; and / or, determine the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

[0043] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive channel state information from a terminal device or a first access network device.

[0044] The first access network device is configured to provide access services for the terminal device before the terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state.

[0045] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send a second message to a network device, where the second message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, and the reference signal is used to determine the association between a first target and the terminal device.

[0046] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to: send a second message to the network device when the probability of the association between the target associated with the terminal device and the terminal device is less than a first threshold.

[0047] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information. The first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located at a first location, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in a first cell.

[0048] Optionally, the first information is sent to the network device in any of the following cases: the change in the location of the terminal device is greater than a second threshold; or, the serving cell of the terminal device has changed.

[0049] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which has the functions of implementing the above second aspect. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the above second aspect. The modules, units, or means can be specifically implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0050] The device can be a network device or a component of a network device (such as a chip, a circuit, or a chip system). Specifically, the device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to send a first message to a sensing functional network element, where the first message is used to obtain the location information of the terminal device; the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive first information from the sensing functional network element, and the first information includes at least one of the following: information about a first location, where the first location is the location where the terminal device is located or a potential location; information about a first cell, where the first cell is the serving cell of the terminal device or a potential serving cell.

[0051] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the apparatus further includes a processing unit, configured to: determine to initiate paging for a terminal device; determine a second access network device according to first information, where the second access network device is used to page the terminal device.

[0052] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send direction information to the second access network device, where the direction information is used to indicate the direction of the beam used by the second access network device when paging the terminal device.

[0053] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to: receive a second message from a sensing functional network element, where the second message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, and the reference signal is used to determine the association between a first target and the terminal device; send a paging message to a third access network device, where the paging message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal.

[0054] In combination with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, where the first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located at a first position, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in a first cell.

[0055] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes an interface circuit and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory is used to store part or all of the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the above first aspect or second aspect. The one or more processors can execute the computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication apparatus implements the methods in any possible design or implementation manner in the above first aspect or second aspect. The interface circuit is used to implement the communication function within the communication apparatus and / or the communication function between the communication apparatus and other devices or components.

[0056] In a possible design, the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0057] In a possible design, the communication apparatus may further include the memory.

[0058] The above communication apparatus may be a sensing functional network element, or a module (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in a sensing functional network element, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of an access network device. The above communication apparatus may also be a network device, or a module (such as a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in a network device, or a logical node, a logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0059] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the communication devices of the fourth aspect and the fifth aspect.

[0060] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer is caused to execute the method in any one of the possible designs of the above first aspect to the second aspect.

[0061] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is caused to execute the method in any one of the possible designs of the above first aspect to the second aspect.

[0062] It should be understood that the beneficial effects of the above third aspect to the ninth aspect can be referred to the first aspect to the second aspect and any one of their possible implementation manners, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

[0064] FIGS. 2 to 3 are schematic flowcharts of a paging process.

[0065] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided by the present application.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided by the present application.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided by the present application.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by the present application.

[0070] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0071] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0072] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0073] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th generation (5G), New Radio (NR), Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), wireless communication related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or other future possible wireless communications, such as 6th generation (6G) communication systems, etc. The present application does not limit this.

[0074] The technical solution provided by the present application can also be applied to Machine Type Communication (MTC), Device-to-Device (D2D) network, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) network, Internet of Things (IoT) network or other networks. Among them, the IoT network can include, for example, the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) network. Among them, the communication methods in the V2X system are collectively referred to as vehicle-to-X (V2X, where X can represent anything). For example, the V2X can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0075] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, this network architecture takes the 5th generation system (5GS) as an example.

[0076] The network architecture may include but is not limited to: sensing function (SF), location management function (LMF), policy control function (PCF), application function (AF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user equipment (UE), (radio) access network ((R)AN), user plane function (UPF), and data network (DN). Among them, DN may be the Internet. SF, LMF, PCF, AF, AMF, SMF, and UPF belong to the network elements in the core network. Since Figure 1 takes the 5G system as an example, then this core network can be called the 5G core network (5GCN).

[0077] The following is a brief introduction to each network element shown in Figure 1.

[0078] 1. User equipment (UE): It can be called a terminal device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile platform, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device.

[0079] The terminal device can be a device that provides voice / data to users. For example, it can be a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. with wireless connection capabilities. Currently, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, 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, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, terminal devices in 5G networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0080] By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be referred to as wearable intelligent devices, which are the general name for devices developed by applying wearable technologies to intelligentize daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes, etc. Wearable devices are portable devices that are either directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not just hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable intelligent devices include those with complete functions and large sizes that can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to cooperate with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for physical sign monitoring.

[0081] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, so as to achieve an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection.

[0082] It should be noted that the terminal device and the access network device may communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as new radio (NR) or LTE technology, etc.). The terminal devices may also communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.).

[0083] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device may be the terminal device or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement such functions, such as a chip system or a chip, and this device may be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0084] 2. (Radio) Access Network ((R)AN): It can provide the function of accessing a communication network for authorized users in a specific area. Specifically, it may include wireless network devices in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network and may also include access points in the non-3GPP (non-3GPP) network.

[0085] RAN can manage radio resources, provide access services for user equipment, and then complete the forwarding of control signals and user equipment data between the user equipment and the core network. RAN can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network.

[0086] Exemplarily, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be any communication device with wireless transceiver function for communicating with user equipment. The access network device includes but is not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It may also be a gNB in a 5G system, such as an NR system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or it may also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0087] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. A gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the functions of the gNB, and the DU implements part of the functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) 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. The AAU implements part of the physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Since the information in the RRC layer will ultimately become the information in the PHY layer, or is transformed from the information in the PHY layer, thus, in this architecture, high-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or sent by the DU + AAU. It can be understood that the access network device may be a device including one or more of the CU node, DU node, and AAU node. In addition, the CU may be classified as an access network device in the radio access network (RAN), or may be classified as an access network device in the core network (CN). The present application does not make any limitation on this.

[0088] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open-radio access network (O-RAN) system, the CU may also be referred to as an open-central unit (O-CU) (open CU); the DU may also be referred to as an open-distributed unit (O-DU) (open DU); the CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as O-RU. For the convenience of description, in this application, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as examples for description. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0089] 3. User plane function (UPF) network element: It is used for packet routing and forwarding, as well as quality of service (QoS) processing of user plane data, etc. User data can access the data network (DN) through this network element. In the embodiments of this application, it can be used to implement the functions of the user plane network element.

[0090] 4. Data network (DN): It is used to provide a network for transmitting data. For example, a network for operator services, the Internet, a third-party service network, etc.

[0091] 5. Access and mobility management function (AMF) network element: It is mainly used for mobility management and access management, etc., and can be used to implement other functions of the mobility management entity (MME) function except session management, such as access authorization / authentication and other functions.

[0092] 6. Session management function (SMF) network element: It is mainly used for session management, allocation and management of the Internet protocol (IP) address of the terminal device, selection and management of the user plane function, termination point of the policy control and charging function interface, and downlink data notification, etc.

[0093] 7. Application Function (AF) network element: It is used to perform data routing for application impact, access the Network Exposure Function network element, and interact with the policy framework for policy control, etc.

[0094] 8. Policy Control Function (PCF) network element: It is a unified policy framework for guiding network behavior, and provides policy rule information for network network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.) or terminal devices.

[0095] 9. Sensing Function (SF) network element refers to the unit responsible for sensing in the network, which is used to support the sensing service function. For example, it can configure access network devices, terminal devices, etc. to perform the sensing process and report the sensing information. At the same time, it can also provide the sensing information to other nodes.

[0096] 10. Location Management Function (LMF): It is used to support the location service function. In the 5GC, the LMF can be used to provide the location information of the UEs managed by the AMF to the AMF. s

[0097] It should be understood that the network architecture shown in FIG. 1 above is only an example. The network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can implement the functions of the above-mentioned network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0098] In the above network architecture, the N1 interface is the interface between the UE and the AMF; the N2 interface is the interface between the RAN and the AMF network element, which is used for sending wireless parameters, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, etc.; the N3 interface is the interface between the RAN and the UPF network element, which is used for transmitting user plane data, etc.; the N4 interface is the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, which is used for transmitting information such as service policies, tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data caching indication information, and downlink data notification messages. The N6 interface is the interface between the DN network element and the UPF network element, which is used for transmitting user plane data, etc. s

[0099] It should be understood that the names of the various network elements and the communication interfaces between the network elements involved in FIG. 1 are simply described by taking the names specified in the current protocol or the expected names as examples, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited to being applicable only to the currently known communication systems. Therefore, the standard names that appear when describing with the current protocol as an example are all functional descriptions. The present application does not limit the specific names of network elements, interfaces, or signaling, etc., but only represents the functions of network elements, interfaces, or signaling, and can be correspondingly extended to other systems, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or future communication systems.

[0100] For example, in the current standardization process, the sensing function network element has not been officially named, and in future networks, the sensing function network element may also have other names.

[0101] It should also be understood that the AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, AF, SF, LMF, etc. shown in FIG. 1 can be understood as network elements for implementing different functions in the core network. For example, they can be combined into network slices as needed. These core network elements can be individual devices or integrated into the same device to implement different functions. The present application does not limit the specific form of the above network elements. It should be understood that the network architecture applied to the embodiments of the present application is only an example described from the perspectives of the traditional point-to-point architecture and the service-based architecture, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can implement the functions of the above various network elements is applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0102] It should be noted that the above network elements can also be referred to as entities, devices, apparatuses, or modules, etc., and the present application does not specifically limit them. Moreover, in the present application, for the convenience of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, the LMF network element is abbreviated as LMF. In this case, the "LMF" should be understood as the LMF network element. Hereinafter, the description of the same or similar situations will be omitted.

[0103] For the convenience of understanding the embodiments of the present application, some basic concepts related to the present application are briefly described.

[0104] 1. Status of the terminal device

[0105] The status of the terminal device includes connection management connected state (CM-connected) and connection management idle state (CM-idle). Among them, according to whether the radio resource control (RRC) is in the active state or the inactive state, the CM-connected state can be further divided into two cases:

[0106] One is that both connection management and RRC are in the connected state, that is, CM-connected with RRC_connected. In this case, the N2 connection related to the UE between the AMF and the RAN and the RRC connection between the RAN and the UE are both in the connected state. In the present application, this state of the UE is simply referred to as the connected state.

[0107] Another case is that the connection management is in the connected state, but the RRC is in the inactive state, that is, CM-CONNECTED with RRC-inactive. In this case, the N2 connection between the AMF and the RAN for the UE is in the connected state. However, the RRC connection between the RAN and the UE can be understood as being in the inactive state or the disconnected state. In this application, this state of the UE is simply referred to as the radio resource control inactive (RRC-inactive) state or the inactive state.

[0108] Among them, the CM-idle state means that the N2 connection between the AMF and the RAN for the UE is in the disconnected state, and the RRC connection between the RAN and the UE is also in the disconnected state. In this application, this state of the UE is simply referred to as the idle state.

[0109] 2. Sensing

[0110] Sensing can also be called detection, that is, detecting the parameters of the target in the physical environment, such as the position of the target, the speed of the target, etc. Specifically, the detection system can send sensing information and analyze the echo signal reflected from the object to detect the target.

[0111] 3. Sensing signal

[0112] The sensing signal is used to sense (or detect) the signal of the sensed target (or called the target object, such as a scatterer). The sensing signal can be a detection signal, a chirp signal, a radar signal, a radar sensing signal, a radar detection signal, an environmental sensing signal, a pulse signal, a signal in a wireless communication system, etc.

[0113] 3. Echo signal [[ID=二十]]

[0114] The echo signal refers to the signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by the target object. Exemplarily, the time delay of the echo signal relative to the sensing signal can reflect the distance of the target object relative to the transmitter. Or, the Doppler shift of the echo signal relative to the sensing signal can reflect the speed of the target object.

[0115] 4. Communication signal

[0116] The communication signal refers to the signal used for communication transmitted between communication devices. For example, it includes the signal transmitted between a network device and a terminal device. Such as, the signal carried on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and also, for example, the reference signal between a network device and a terminal device, or the reference signal between terminal devices.

[0117] 5. Sensing Modes

[0118] Exemplarily, according to the differences between the sensing signal sender and receiver, the sensing modes can be classified into two categories: single - station sensing (also known as mono - static sensing) and dual - station sensing (also known as bi - static sensing). Among them, single - station sensing means that the device sending the sensing signal (i.e., the sensing transmitter) and the device receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal reflected by the target (i.e., the sensing receiver) are the same device; dual - station sensing means that the device sending the sensing signal and the device receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal reflected by the target are different devices. The nodes participating in sensing can include the sensing transmitter and the sensing receiver.

[0119] As an example, the sensing modes can be base station self - transmitting and self - receiving, base station transmitting and UE receiving, UE transmitting and base station receiving, base station transmitting and another base station receiving, UE self - transmitting and self - receiving, UE transmitting and another UE receiving, etc.

[0120] Optionally, the nodes participating in sensing can also include the sensing initiating end. The sensing initiating end can also be called the control node, which can send the basic parameters of sensing to the sensing transmitter and can also send a trigger signal to the sensing receiver. This trigger signal can be used to enable the sensing function of the sensing receiver.

[0121] 6. Paging

[0122] In a cellular network, paging can enable the network to search for a user equipment (UE) and send data or control signaling to the UE. Specifically, paging can include paging initiated by the core network (CN) and paging initiated by the radio access network (RAN). RAN can be understood as the base station in a cellular network.

[0123] Among them, paging initiated by the CN can be used for the core network to search for a UE in the idle state. A UE in the idle state is usually not connected to the RAN and the core network. Then, when the core network receives data for this UE, it needs to find this UE in the network and send the data to this UE. Paging initiated by the RAN can be used for the RAN to search for a UE in the inactive state. A UE in the inactive state usually still has a connection with the core network but has no connection with the RAN. When the RAN receives data for this UE, the RAN needs to find this UE and send the data to this UE.

[0124] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of paging initiated by the CN. As shown in Figure 2, this process 200 includes the following steps.

[0125] S201, the UE releases the RRC connection.

[0126] That is, the UE enters the idle state.

[0127] S202, RAN 1 sends list information to the AMF.

[0128] When the UE releases the RRC connection and enters the idle state, the RAN can provide the list information associated with the UE to the AMF. The list information includes a recommended cell list and a recommended RAN node list.

[0129] S203, the AMF sends a paging message to RAN 1 and RAN 2.

[0130] When the CN needs to initiate paging, the AMF can preferentially send the paging message of the UE in the recommended cells and RAN nodes. For example, in Figure 2, the RAN nodes include RAN 1 and RAN 2.

[0131] Specifically, when the AMF pages the UE, it can be configured with certain policies. For example, first page the UE within a small range, and if the paging fails, then page the UE within a large range, so as to reduce the overhead caused by sending paging messages.

[0132] S204, RAN 1 and RAN 2 page the UE.

[0133] Specifically, RAN 1 and RAN 2 page the UE according to the paging message from the AMF.

[0134] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the paging process initiated by the RAN. As shown in Figure 3, this process 300 includes the following steps.

[0135] S301, the UE suspends the RRC connection.

[0136] That is, the UE enters the inactive state.

[0137] S302, RAN 1 sends a paging message to RAN2.

[0138] For a UE in the inactive state, the last serving base station (last serving gNB) of the UE will configure a RAN-based notification area (RNA) for the UE. The RNA contains several cells or RAN nodes. When the UE leaves this RNA, the UE will actively enter the connected state, obtain an updated RNA, and then re-enter the inactive state.

[0139] In Figure 3, the last serving base station of the UE is RAN 1, and the RANs within the RNA include RAN 1 and RAN 2. When RAN 1 pages the UE in the inactive state, it can send a paging message to RAN 2 within the RNA through the Xn interface to find the UE through this paging message.

[0140] At S303, RAN 1 and RAN 2 page the UE.

[0141] Specifically, RAN 1 and RAN 2 page the UE according to the paging message from RAN1.

[0142] In summary, due to the mobility of the UE in the idle state or the inactive state, when the UE needs to be paged, the core network or the RAN cannot determine the location and other related information of the UE. It is necessary to instruct multiple RAN nodes within a certain area range to send paging messages, or the core network or the RAN first sends paging messages in a small range and then in a large range, which results in low communication efficiency.

[0143] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can obtain the location and other related information of the terminal device through the sensing result, thereby improving the communication efficiency.

[0144] It should be understood that in the present application, "for indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it may include that the indication information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and it does not necessarily mean that A is included in the indication information. The information indicated by the indication information is called the to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending periods and / or sending times of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the present application. Among them, the sending periods and / or sending times of these sub-information can be predefined, such as predefined according to the protocol, or can be configured by the transmitting end device by sending configuration information to the receiving end device. Among them, the configuration information can be, but is not limited to, a combination of one or at least two of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control (MAC) layer signaling, and physical layer signaling. Among them, MAC layer signaling such as MAC control element (CE), and physical layer signaling such as downlink control information (DCI), etc.

[0145] It should also be understood that the specific structure of the execution entity of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is not particularly limited by the embodiments shown below. As long as it can run a program that records the code of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application to communicate according to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. For example, the execution entity of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be a sensing functional network element and a network device, or a functional module in the sensing functional network element and the network device that can call and execute the program.

[0146] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the method 400 includes the following steps.

[0147] S410, the network device sends a first message to the sensing functional network element. Correspondingly, the sensing functional network element receives the first message.

[0148] Among them, the first message is used to obtain the location information of the first terminal device.

[0149] Specifically, the first message can be a request message, which can be used to request the location information of the first terminal device. For example, when the network device needs to know the location information of the first terminal device, it sends the request message to the sensing functional network element. The request message can include the identifier of the first terminal.

[0150] For example, when data or configuration information needs to be sent to the first terminal device, etc., the network device has a need to page the first terminal device and needs to know the location information of the first terminal device, so S410 can be executed.

[0151] Among them, the first terminal device can be located in the first list. When the network device needs to page the terminal devices belonging to the first list, S410 can be executed. The first list can be sent by the sensing functional network element to the network device before S410. The terminal devices in the first list are terminal devices that the sensing functional network element can continuously track the location through sensing.

[0152] Specifically, the first message can also be a subscription message, which can be used to subscribe to the location information of the first terminal device. For example, the network device subscribes to the location information of the first terminal device from the sensing functional network element in advance for direct use when needed.

[0153] Optionally, if the first message is a subscription message, the sensing functional network element can also periodically send the location information of the first terminal device to the network device.

[0154] Optionally, if the first message is a subscription message, the subscription message can also instruct the sensing functional network element to report the location information of the first terminal device to the network device when certain situations occur. The specific situations can include:

[0155] Case 1: The change in the position of the first terminal device is greater than the second threshold.

[0156] Optionally, the subscription message may indicate the above-mentioned second threshold;

[0157] Case 2: The serving cell or base station of the first terminal device has changed.

[0158] Case 3: The cell or base station where the first terminal device resides does not belong to the cells or base stations in a certain list. At this time, the subscription message may indicate the above-mentioned list.

[0159] Case 4: The cell or base station where the first terminal device resides belongs to the cells or base stations in a certain list. At this time, the subscription message may indicate the above-mentioned list.

[0160] For example, the subscription message may indicate that the sensing function network element periodically reports the location information of the first terminal device to the network device. Optionally, the subscription message may also indicate the period for the sensing function network element to report the location information of the first terminal device.

[0161] Exemplarily, the subscription message may include the identifier of the first terminal device (it may also include the identifiers of other terminal devices), that is, subscribe to the location information of a specific one or more terminal devices. Or, the subscription message may not include the identifier of the first terminal device. For example, the network device subscribes to the location information of all terminal devices within a certain range from the sensing function network element. The subscription message may include the information of this area, and this range may be the range within which the sensing function network element can continuously track the location of the terminal device.

[0162] It should be understood that the above-mentioned location information of the first terminal device may be understood as the specific coordinate value in a certain coordinate system, or may be understood as the cell or base station (which may also be understood as RAN) where the first terminal device may reside, that is, the base station or cell that may provide coverage and communication services for the first terminal device.

[0163] Exemplarily, the identifier of the first terminal device may be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), a permanent equipment identifier (PEI), etc. The identifier of the first terminal device may also be determined by the network device or the first terminal device itself.

[0164] Among them, the network device may be a core network element. For example, it is an AMF. The network device may also be an access network device. For example, it is a base station or a RAN. When the network device is an access network device, it may refer to the last serving gNB of the first terminal device.

[0165] Optionally, in this application, the first terminal device may be a terminal device in an idle state or an inactive state. The first terminal device may refer to one terminal device or multiple terminal devices.

[0166] Optionally, in this application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it may be that A directly sends to B, or A indirectly sends to B through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it may be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Here, entity A and B may be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules inside RAN nodes or terminals. The sending and receiving of information may be information interaction between a RAN node and a terminal. For example, information interaction between a base station and a terminal; the sending and receiving of information may also be information interaction between two RAN nodes. For example, information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information may also be information interaction between different modules inside a device. For example, information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information interaction between a base station chip and other modules in the base station. "Sending" can also be understood as "output" of a chip interface. For example, a baseband chip outputs to a radio frequency chip, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of a chip interface.

[0167] S420, the sensing function network element sends the first information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information.

[0168] Among them, the first information includes information on the first location and / or information on the first cell. The first location is the location where the first terminal device is located or a potential location, and the first cell is the cell where the first terminal device camps or a potential cell.

[0169] In this application, "potential" can be understood as "possible" or "approximate".

[0170] It should be understood that the first information may include multiple first locations or multiple first cells, that is, the sensing function network element may send the information on multiple locations where the first terminal device may be located and multiple cells where it may camp to the network device.

[0171] It should be understood that the first information may also include the location information of other terminal devices in addition to the first terminal device and / or the information of the cell, that is, the first information may simultaneously indicate the location information of multiple terminal devices and / or the information of the cell.

[0172] It should be understood that the first location may be a location relative to a reference point or a location in a certain global coordinate system, which can be represented by coordinates in a Cartesian coordinate system or by an angle and a distance in a polar coordinate system. The first cell can be represented by a cell global identifier (NR cell global identifier, NCGI), a cell identification (CI), etc.

[0173] Optionally, the first cell can also be replaced by the first base station, the first RAN node, etc. The first base station or the first RAN node refers to the base station or the RAN node corresponding to the serving cell or the potential serving cell of the first terminal device.

[0174] Among them, the first information is determined according to the first sensing result.

[0175] Specifically, the first sensing result may be one or more pieces of information such as the location, speed, direction, distance from the reference point, etc. of the first target, where the first target is a target associated with the first terminal device; or, the first target and the first terminal device are the same, and the first sensing result may also be one or more pieces of information such as the location, speed, direction, distance from the reference point, etc. of the first terminal device.

[0176] As an example, the first information being determined according to the first sensing result may mean that the first information is determined according to the location of the first target, and the location of the first target is determined according to the first sensing result.

[0177] The following explains the first sensing result and the location of the first target.

[0178] Specifically, the first target can also be referred to as the first sensing target, the first scatterer, the first point (in sensing, the sensed information can usually be represented by the position, coefficient, velocity, Doppler frequency, etc. of the point in the point cloud), the first point set, etc., which refers to the sensing target associated with the first terminal device. In sensing, the sensing transmitter can send a sensing signal to the sensing target. The sensing signal can directly reach the sensing target, or can reach the sensing target after one or more spatial effects. The spatial effect can be one or more of refraction, scattering, reflection, or diffraction, etc. Further, after the sensing signal is reflected by the sensing target, the sensing receiver can receive the echo signal. The sensing receiver performs sensing processing on the received echo signal to obtain a sensing result. The sensing receiver can process the sensing result by itself, or can report the sensing result to the sensing functional network element for processing by the sensing functional network element.

[0179] In one implementation, the sensing receiver or the sensing functional network element can obtain the position of the first target by processing the first sensing result.

[0180] For example, the first sensing result is information such as the distance between the first target and the reference point, the direction of the first target, etc. Based on this information, the position of the first target can be determined.

[0181] In another implementation, the first sensing result includes the position of the first target.

[0182] It should be understood that in this application, the first sensing result can include the sensing result of the first target obtained after the first terminal device enters the idle state or the non-active state.

[0183] Next, the relationship between the position of the first target and the first information will be described.

[0184] Among them, the first target is associated with the first terminal device, and the first information can be determined according to the position of the first target.

[0185] Specifically, the first target is associated with the first terminal device. It can also be said that the first target and the first terminal device have an association relationship, or the first target and the first terminal device have consistency or similarity in terms of position, mobility, movement, or micro-movement characteristics.

[0186] For example, if the first target is a vehicle, the first terminal device can be a handheld terminal device of a driver or a passenger on the vehicle, or can be a communication module bound to the vehicle. The communication module can be a device of the vehicle itself or a device stored on the vehicle.

[0187] Optionally, the first target and the first terminal device are the same device.

[0188] For example, both the first target and the first terminal device are vehicles.

[0189] Based on the above solution, the network device can obtain information such as the location of the terminal device, potential locations, resident cells, potential resident cells, etc. from the sensing function network element. Since this information is determined based on the sensing results, even when the terminal device is in the idle state or inactive state, the network device can obtain this information. Therefore, it can facilitate the network device to make communication decisions for the terminal device and improve communication efficiency.

[0190] Optionally, the method 400 further includes: S430, the sensing function network element determines the first information according to the first sensing result.

[0191] Specifically, the sensing receiving end can report the first sensing result to the sensing function network element. The sensing function network element determines the location of the first target according to the first sensing result. Further, since the first target is associated with the first terminal device, the sensing function network element can determine the first information according to the location of the first target.

[0192] In this application, the sensing function network element can instruct the access network devices and / or terminal devices in the network to sense the environment and report the sensing results, and the sensing results include information about the first target. The access network devices in the network can include a first access network device, that is, an access network device used to provide access services for the terminal device before the terminal device enters the idle state or inactive state, and can also include a second access network device, that is, an access network device used to provide access services for the terminal device after the terminal device enters the idle state or inactive state, and can also include other access network devices. The terminal devices in the network can include a first terminal device and can also include other terminal devices.

[0193] For example, when a device (which can be a terminal device or an access network device) performs self-sensing of the first target, the sensing result reported by the device to the sensing function network element can include information about one or more targets, and the one or more targets include the first target. The information of each target can include at least one of the following: the location of the target (which can include the location in the global coordinate system and / or the relative location with respect to the device), the speed of the target (which can include the magnitude and direction of the target's speed and / or the radial speed magnitude with respect to the device), the distance of the target with respect to the device, the angle of the target with respect to the device (which can include the angle in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction), the reflection coefficient of the target (which can include amplitude and / or phase), etc. The reflection coefficient can be the coefficient of the delay tap related to the target in the time delay domain, the coefficient of the delay tap related to the target in the angle domain, the coefficient of the delay tap related to the target in the time delay-angle domain, etc.

[0194] For example, when two devices perform spontaneous other-receiving sensing on a first target, device A is the device that sends a signal, and device B is the device that receives the echo signal. Device B can report the sensing result to the sensing functional network element by measuring the echo signal. The sensing result can include information about one or more paths, and the one or more paths include the paths after reflection, scattering, or refraction by the first target. The information of each path can include the arrival time information of the path (which can be represented by the duration from a certain time reference point), the arrival angle of the path on the side of device B (which can include the angle in the horizontal direction and / or the angle in the vertical direction), the departure angle of the path on the side of device A (which can include the angle in the horizontal direction and / or the angle in the vertical direction), and the channel coefficient of the path (such as the reflection path coefficient of the target).

[0195] In addition, the devices participating in the sensing process can also report their own location information, attitude information, etc. For example, when the device reports the relative position between the target and itself, the sensing functional network element can determine the location of the target based on the location information of the device itself and the relative position information.

[0196] In this application, the sensing functional network element can instruct the devices in the network to perform continuous sensing, so that the location of the first target can be continuously tracked whether the first terminal device is in the connected state, the idle state, or the inactive state.

[0197] In this application, the sensing functional network element maintains the association relationship between the target and the terminal device, and this association relationship includes the association between the first target and the first terminal. Among them, the terminal device and the target can be in a one-to-one correspondence. As shown in Table 1a, UE1 is associated with target 1, and UE2 is associated with target 2. The terminal device and the target can also be such that one target is associated with multiple terminal devices. As shown in Table 1b, target 1 is associated with UE1a, UE1b, and UE1c, and target 2 is associated with UE2a and UE2b. For example, when the target is a vehicle, the communication module of the vehicle itself can be used as UE1a, and the passengers and drivers in the vehicle both have handheld terminal devices, which can be used as UE1b and UE1c respectively. Then the target can be associated with these three terminal devices UE1a, UE1b, and UE1c at the same time. The terminal device and the target can also be such that one terminal device corresponds to multiple targets. As shown in Table 1c, UE1 is associated with target 1, target 2, and target 3.

[0198] Table 1a

[0199] Table 1b

[0200] Table 1c

[0201] Among them, the target can be identified by information such as the identifier of the target, the identifier of the point in the point cloud, the position, distance, angle, Doppler frequency, etc. corresponding to the target or the point cloud. The identifier of the target or the identifier of the point can be assigned by the device reporting the perception information itself, or determined by the perception functional network element.

[0202] Optionally, the association relationship maintained by the perception functional network element may further include the probability of the association between the target and the terminal device, for example, as shown in Table  2a and Table 2b.

[0203] Table 2a

[0204] Table 2b

[0205] Among them, the probability can be represented by a specific probability value, or by several discrete probability values. For example, the probability is one of {0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0}, or can be represented by high, medium, low, etc. at a higher level.

[0206] Optionally, before S420, the method 400 further includes: S401, the perception functional network element determines the association between the first target and the first terminal device.

[0207] The specific method for the perception functional network element to determine the association between the first target and the first terminal device will be described below.

[0208] Method 1: The perception functional network element determines the association relationship between the first target and the first terminal device by itself.

[0209] Specifically, the perception functional network element can determine the association between the target and the terminal device according to the position of the target and the position of the terminal device. For example, if the position of the target and the position of the terminal device have similarity or consistency, then it can be determined that the target is associated with the terminal device.

[0210] Among them, the position of the first terminal device can be determined by the perception functional network element itself. For example, the perception functional network element itself integrates a positioning function, and it can locate the first terminal device to obtain information such as the position and speed of the first terminal device. The position of the first terminal device can also be obtained by the perception functional network element from a positioning functional network element (for example, location management function (LMF)), and the positioning functional network element can locate the first terminal device to obtain information such as the position and speed of the first terminal device.

[0211] Exemplarily, the position of the target can be the position relative to a reference point, or the position in a certain global coordinate system, which can be represented by coordinates in a Cartesian coordinate system, or by an angle and a distance in a polar coordinate system.

[0212] Specifically, the sensing functional network element can also determine the association between the target and the first terminal device according to the speed of the target and the speed of the first terminal device. For example, if the speed of the target is similar to or consistent with the speed of the first terminal device, then it can be determined that the target is associated with the terminal device.

[0213] Among them, similar to the position of the first terminal device, the speed of the first terminal device can be determined by the sensing functional network element itself or obtained by the sensing functional network element from the positioning functional network element.

[0214] Specifically, the sensing functional network element can also determine the association between the target and the first terminal device according to the reflection path coefficient of the target and the channel state information (CSI) of the first terminal device. For example, when there is a high correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the CSI of the first terminal device, the sensing functional network element determines the association between the target and the first terminal device. Among them, the correlation can be the sample correlation coefficient between the reflection path coefficient of the target at different times and the direct path coefficient between the first terminal device and the network device at the corresponding time. The direct path coefficient between the first terminal device and the network device can be determined by the CSI of the first terminal device. The CSI of the first terminal device can be determined by the first terminal device measuring the downlink reference signal, or by the first access network device receiving the uplink reference signal of the first terminal device, or by the first terminal device measuring the reference signal of other terminal devices, or by other terminal devices measuring the reference signal sent by the first terminal device. The first access network device refers to the access network device that provides access services to the first terminal device before the first terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state. That is, in this method, other devices can measure the CSI of the first terminal device and report it to the sensing functional network element, or the first terminal device itself determines its own CSI and reports it to the sensing functional network element. The CSI can include the coefficient of the direct path between other devices (which can be an access network device or other terminal devices) and the first terminal device (which can include amplitude and / or phase).

[0215] Optionally, the sensing functional network element can combine two or three of the above methods to determine the association relationship between the terminal device and the target.

[0216] Optionally, the sensing function network element can also determine a first target associated with the first terminal device. For example, if the similarity or consistency between the location of the target and the location of the first terminal device is greater than a third threshold, or the similarity or consistency between the speed of the target and the speed of the first terminal device is greater than a fourth threshold, or the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the CSI of the first terminal device is greater than a fifth threshold, then the target can be determined as the first target, that is, the target is the first target associated with the first terminal device.

[0217] Based on the above solution, before the terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state, the sensing function network element can obtain the location, speed, CSI, etc. of the terminal device and the location, speed, reflection path coefficient, etc. of the target, so as to determine the association between the terminal device and the target, providing a basis for the subsequent communication decision of the sensing function network element.

[0218] Method 2: The sensing function network element receives the association relationship between the first target and the first terminal device.

[0219] Specifically, when a device can both sense the first target and communicate with the first terminal device, the device can determine the relevant sensing information of the first target and the location, speed, CSI, etc. of the first terminal device by itself, and then determine the association between the first target and the first terminal device. The determination method can refer to the method for the sensing function network element to determine the association relationship. The device reports the first association information to the sensing function network element. The first association information can indicate the association between the target and the first terminal device. The first association information can also be called the second information. The device can be the first access network device, or other access network devices, or also the terminal device.

[0220] For example, the first access network device can sense the location of the first target through the self-sensing and self-receiving sensing method. At the same time, the first access network device and the first terminal device can determine the location of the first terminal device by communicating with each other. Then, the association between the first target and the first terminal device is determined through the consistency between the location of the first target and the location of the first terminal device, and the association relationship is reported to the sensing function network element.

[0221] As an example, the first association information can be the correspondence between the target and the first terminal device. For example, the first association information includes the content shown in Table 1a, Table 1b, or Table 1c. Optionally, the first association information can also include the probability of the association between the target and the first terminal device. For example, the first association information includes the content shown in Table 2a or Table 2b.

[0222] Optionally, the first association information can also include the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the CSI of the first terminal device. Regarding this correlation, reference can be made to the description in Method 1, which will not be elaborated here.

[0223] Further, if the first association information includes the aforementioned probability or correlation, the sensing functional network element may further determine the first target associated with the first terminal device. For example, when the probability that the target is associated with the first terminal device is greater than the sixth threshold, or when the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the SCI of the first terminal device is greater than the seventh threshold, the sensing functional network element determines that the target is the first target, that is, the target is the first target associated with the first terminal device.

[0224] It should be understood that when the first association information does not include the aforementioned probability or correlation, the sensing functional network element may determine all targets having a corresponding relationship with the first terminal device as the first target.

[0225] As an implementation manner, the association relationship between the terminal device and the target may be reported to the sensing functional network element as part of the sensing result, or may be reported to the sensing functional network element separately.

[0226] Based on the above solution, before the first terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state, the sensing functional network element receives the association relationship between the first terminal device and the target, providing a basis for the subsequent communication decision of the sensing functional network element.

[0227] Optionally, the sensing functional network element may also combine Method 1 and Method 2 to determine the association relationship between the target and the terminal device.

[0228] To improve the accuracy of the association relationship determined by the sensing functional network element, before S420, the method 400 further includes the following steps S4401 to S4404.

[0229] S4401, the sensing functional network element sends a second message to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the second message.

[0230] Wherein, the second message is used to page the first terminal device and indicates that: the first terminal device sends a first reference signal, the third access network device receives the first reference signal and reports the measurement result of the first reference signal; and / or indicates that the third access network device sends a second reference signal, the first terminal device receives the second reference signal, and the first terminal device reports the measurement result of the second reference signal. The first reference signal or the second reference signal is used to determine the association between the first target and the first terminal device. The third access network device may include multiple access network devices.

[0231] Optionally, the second message includes the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0232] Optionally, the second message includes the configuration information of the first reference signal (e.g., the resource where the first reference signal is located) and / or the configuration information of the second reference signal (e.g., the resource where the second reference signal is located).

[0233] Optionally, the second message may be directly sent by the sensing function network element to the network device, or may be first sent to other network elements (such as the LMF), and then sent to the network device by other network elements.

[0234] Optionally, in the steps of S4401 to S4404, the first terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state.

[0235] S4402, the network device sends a second paging message to the third access network device, and correspondingly, the third access network device receives the second paging message.

[0236] The second paging message is used to page the first terminal device and instruct the first terminal device to send a first reference signal, or instruct the first terminal device to receive a second reference signal and report the measurement result of the second reference signal.

[0237] Optionally, the second paging message may include the configuration information of the first reference signal or the second reference signal. For example, it may include the time-frequency domain resources, sequences, etc. of the first reference signal or the second reference signal.

[0238] Optionally, the second paging message may include the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0239] The third access network device is determined by the network device. For example, the network device may determine the third access network device according to the location or potential location of the first terminal device obtained from the sensing function network element last time, the cell where the first terminal device resides or the potential cell where it resides, etc.

[0240] S4403, the first terminal device sends a first reference signal, the third access network device receives the first reference signal, and / or the third access network device sends a second reference signal, and the first terminal device receives the second reference signal and reports the measurement result of the second reference signal.

[0241] When the first terminal device reports the measurement result of the second reference signal, it may be reported by means of small packet transmission, that is, the first terminal device may report without entering the RRC connection state.

[0242] The measurement result of the second reference signal may include at least one of the following: one or more arrival times, one or more arrival angles of the second reference signal determined according to the second reference signal, the CSI between the network device and the terminal device, etc.

[0243] S4404, the sensing function network element receives the third information.

[0244] The third information may include at least one of the following: the measurement result of the first reference signal reported by the third access network device, and / or the measurement result of the second reference signal reported by the first terminal device, the location and / or speed information of the first terminal device reported by the LMF. Among them, the measurement result of the first reference signal may include at least one of the following: one or more arrival times of the first reference signal determined according to the first reference signal, one or more arrival angles, the CSI between the network device and the terminal device, etc. When the third information includes the location and / or speed information of the first terminal device reported by the LMF, the LMF may first receive the measurement result of the first reference signal from the third access network device, and / or receive the measurement result of the second reference signal from the first terminal device, determine the location and / or speed of the first terminal device, and then report the location and / or speed information to the sensing function network element.

[0245] Optionally, the third information may further include the association relationship between the first terminal device and the first target determined by the third access network device. The specific method for determination may refer to the method for the sensing function network element to determine the association relationship in the foregoing text.

[0246] S4405, the sensing function network element determines the association between the first target and the first terminal device according to the third information. The method for determination may refer to the foregoing text and will not be elaborated here.

[0247] Optionally, when the probability of the association between the target and the first terminal device is less than the first threshold, the sensing function network element may send a second message to the network device to thereby determine the association between the first target and the first terminal device.

[0248] Among them, the probability of the association between the target and the first terminal device may be determined by the sensing function network element itself or received by the sensing function network element.

[0249] For example, in the above-mentioned first method, if the similarity or consistency between the location of the target and the location of the first terminal device is less than the third threshold, or the similarity or consistency between the speed of the target and the speed of the first terminal device is less than the fourth threshold, or the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the CSI of the first terminal device is less than the fifth threshold, then the sensing function network element may determine that the probability of the association between the target and the first terminal device is less than the first threshold. Another example, in the above-mentioned second method, if the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the target and the SCI of the first terminal device is less than the seventh threshold, then the sensing function network element may determine that the probability of the association between the target and the first terminal device is less than the first threshold. It should be understood that in this application, the first threshold and the sixth threshold may be the same or different, which is not limited.

[0250] Based on the above solution, after the terminal device enters the idle state or the inactive state, the sensing functional network element instructs the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, so as to more accurately determine the association between the terminal device and the first target, providing a basis for the subsequent communication decision of the sensing functional network element.

[0251] For example, FIG. 5 shows an example scenario. As shown in FIG. 5, the target associated with the first terminal device is vehicle #1, and the first terminal device is the communication module of vehicle #1. At time #1, the environment is relatively空旷, and there is only vehicle #1 in area #1. When performing sensing, the sensing receiving end can clearly determine vehicle #1 and its position, speed, reflection path coefficient, etc. Then, the sensing functional network element can relatively easily associate this vehicle #1 with the communication module of vehicle #1. At time #2, vehicle #1 moves to area #2, and there are multiple vehicles in area #2. At time #3, one of the vehicles in area #2 (denoted as vehicle x) moves to area #3. When performing sensing, it is impossible to determine whether vehicle x is vehicle #1, so it is impossible to determine which vehicle the communication module of vehicle #1 is associated with. Referring to S4401 to S4405, the sensing functional network element can instruct the communication module of vehicle #1 to send or receive a reference signal, and can also obtain information such as the position, speed, and CSI of vehicle #1 through the measurement result of the reference signal, thereby improving the association accuracy between the target and the terminal.

[0252] It should be understood that in this application, the first access network device, the second access network device, and the third access network device may be the same device or different devices, which is not limited.

[0253] Optionally, in this application, the first information further includes first probability information and / or second probability information. The first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the first terminal device is located at the first position, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the first terminal device is located in the first cell.

[0254] Specifically, the sensing functional network element can determine the probabilities that the first terminal device is located at the first position and the first cell, and indicate these probability information to the network device.

[0255] Exemplarily, the first information may include the content shown in Table 3.

[0256] Table 3

[0257] Exemplarily, the first information may include the content shown in Table 4.

[0258] Table 4

[0259] Based on the above solution, the first information may include first probability information and / or second probability information, enabling the network device to obtain the probability of the terminal device at the first location and / or in the first cell, facilitating the communication decision-making of the network device.

[0260] It should be understood that the information of the first cell may also be determined by the sensing functional network element based on the first location, or obtained by the sensing functional network element from other core network elements. For example, the sensing functional network element may send the information of the first location to the AMF. After the AMF determines the information of the first cell, it then sends the information of the first cell to the sensing functional network element.

[0261] Optionally, the method 400 further includes: S450, the network device determines a second access network device according to the first information, and the second access network device is used to page the first terminal device.

[0262] Specifically, when the network device determines that it needs to page the first terminal device, the network device may determine the second access network device.

[0263] Based on the above solution, the network device can determine the access network device for paging the terminal device according to the first information, which can improve the paging efficiency compared with the solution of paging in a small range first and then in a large range.

[0264] Optionally, if the first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, the network device may determine the second access network device according to the probability of the first terminal device at the first location and / or in the first cell. For example, the access network device corresponding to the location or cell with a larger probability is used as the second access network device.

[0265] Optionally, the method 400 further includes: S460, the network device sends a first paging message to the second access network device, and the first paging message is used to page the first terminal device.

[0266] Specifically, the first paging message may include the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0267] Optionally, the first paging message may include direction information, and the direction information is used to indicate the direction of the beam used by the second access network device when paging the first terminal device.

[0268] In this way, the paging delay can be reduced and the paging efficiency can be improved.

[0269] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 600 provided by the present application. The method 600 can be regarded as an implementation manner of the method 400. As shown in FIG. 6, the method 600 includes the following steps.

[0270] S601, RAN#1 (an example of the first access network device) senses target #1 and obtains association information #1 (an example of the first association information).

[0271] Among them, the association information #1 includes the correspondence between target #1 and UE #1, indicating that target #1 is associated with UE #1.

[0272] S602, RAN#1 reports the association information #1 to the SF.

[0273] S603, the SF determines that target #1 is associated with UE #1 according to the association information #1.

[0274] Specifically, S603 can be regarded as an implementation of Method 400 in Way 2.

[0275] S604, the UE enters the idle state.

[0276] S605, RAN#1 senses target #1 and obtains sensing information #1 (an example of the first sensing result).

[0277] Among them, the sensing information #1 includes the location of target #1. For example, it is location a.

[0278] S606, RAN#1 reports the sensing information #1 to the SF.

[0279] It should be understood that RAN#1 can continuously sense target #1 and periodically report the obtained sensing information to the SF, that is, S605 and S606 can be repeatedly executed multiple times.

[0280] S607, the AMF (an example of a network device) determines to initiate a paging for UE #1.

[0281] S608, the AMF sends message #1 (an example of the first message) to the SF.

[0282] Among them, message #1 is used to request the location of UE #1, and message #1 includes the ID of UE #1.

[0283] S609, the SF sends information #1 (an example of the first information) to the AMF.

[0284] Specifically, the SF determines that the target associated with UE #1 is target #1, and determines that the possible location of UE #1 is location a according to the location of target #1.

[0285] Furthermore, the SF sends information #1 including location a to the AMF according to the request of S608.

[0286] S610, the AMF determines RAN#2 (an example of the second access network device) according to location a.

[0287] For example, the AMF determines that location a belongs to the coverage of RAN#2.

[0288] S611, AMF sends paging message #1 (an example of the first paging message) to RAN#2.

[0289] The paging message #1 includes the ID of UE #1.

[0290] S612, RAN#2 sends a paging message #1 to page UE#1.

[0291] Based on the above solution, when the terminal device is in an idle state, the AMF can obtain information such as the location of the terminal device from the perception function network element, so that the AMF can determine the access network device to page the terminal device, thereby avoiding repeated sending of paging messages and thus improving the efficiency of paging.

[0292] FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 provided by the present application. The method 700 can be regarded as an implementation of the method 400. As shown in FIG7, the method 700 includes the following steps.

[0293] S701, RAN#1 (an example of a first access network device and also an example of a network device) senses target #1 and obtains perception information #2 (an example of perception information).

[0294] Among them, the perception information #2 includes the reflection path coefficient of target #1.

[0295] S702, RAN#1 measures the CSI of UE#1.

[0296] S703 , RAN#1 reports the perception information #2 and the CSI of UE#1 to the SF.

[0297] S704, SF determines the association between target #1 and UE #1.

[0298] Specifically, the SF may determine that target #1 is associated with UE #1 based on the reflection path coefficient of target #1 and the CSI of UE #1.

[0299] Specifically, S704 can be regarded as an implementation of the first method in method 400 .

[0300] S705, the UE enters an inactive state.

[0301] Specifically, RAN#1 can be understood as the last serving base station of the UE.

[0302] S706 , RAN# 1 sends message # 2 (another example of the first message) to SF.

[0303] Message #2 is used to subscribe to the location of UE #1, and message #2 includes the ID of UE #1.

[0304] S707, RAN#1 senses target #1 and obtains sensing information #1 (an example of a first sensing result).

[0305] Among them, perception information #1 includes the position of target #1, for example, position a.

[0306] S708, RAN#1 reports perception information #1 to SF.

[0307] It should be understood that RAN#1 may continuously sense target#1 and periodically report the obtained sensing information to SF, that is, S605 and S606 may be performed multiple times.

[0308] S709, SF sends information #1 (an example of first information) to RAN #1.

[0309] Specifically, based on the subscription in S706, the SF determines that the location of UE#1 needs to be fed back to RAN#1. When the SF receives the location of target#1, it determines that the target associated with UE#1 is target#1, and therefore determines that the possible location of UE#1 is location a.

[0310] Further, SF sends information #1 including location a to RAN #1.

[0311] S710 , RAN#1 determines to initiate paging for UE#1.

[0312] S711 , RAN# 1 determines RAN# 2 (an example of a second access network device) based on location a.

[0313] S712: RAN#1 sends a paging message #2 (another example of the first paging message) to RAN#2.

[0314] The paging message #2 includes the ID of UE #1.

[0315] S713, RAN#2 sends a paging message #2 to page UE#1.

[0316] Based on the above solution, when the terminal device is in an inactive state, the access network device can obtain information such as the location of the terminal device from the perception function network element, so that the access network device can determine the access network device to page the terminal device, thereby avoiding repeated sending of paging messages and thus improving the efficiency of paging.

[0317] It should be understood that the size of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0318] It should also be understood that 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 to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their internal logical relationships.

[0319] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the devices in the existing network architecture are mainly used as examples for illustrative description (such as network devices, first terminal devices, etc.), and it should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the devices. For example, devices that can achieve the same functions in the future are applicable to the embodiments of the present application.

[0320] It can be understood that in the above-mentioned various method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by a device (such as a network device, a first terminal device) can also be implemented by components of the device (such as a chip or a circuit).

[0321] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

[0322] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 10 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used to process data. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, and the processing module 12 is used to perform operations other than receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0323] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which may be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device implements the actions of the devices in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0324] In one design, the apparatus 10 may correspond to the perception function network element in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the perception function network element.

[0325] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the perception function network element in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the perception function network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform operations related to the processing of the perception function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0326] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG4 , the transceiver module 11 may be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as steps S410 and S420 ; the processing module 12 may be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S430 .

[0327] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0328] In another design, the apparatus 10 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiment, or a component (such as a chip) of the network device.

[0329] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0330] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG. 4 , the transceiver module 11 may be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as steps S410 and S420 ; the processing module 12 may be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S450 .

[0331] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0332] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 10 may be specifically the mobile management network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobile management network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments; or, the device 10 may be specifically the perception function network element in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the perception function network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0333] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-mentioned solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the devices (such as perception function network elements, network devices) in the above-mentioned methods. This function can be implemented by hardware, or it can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing module, can be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0334] In addition, the transceiver module 11 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing module may be a processing circuit.

[0335] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 20 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Device 20 includes a processor 21, which is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or read data / signaling stored in the memory 22, to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21, and further, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0336] Optionally, as shown in FIG9 , the apparatus 20 further includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be separately provided. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22 .

[0337] Optionally, as shown in Figure 9, the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23, which is used to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or send signals.

[0338] As a solution, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the perception function network element in each of the above method embodiments.

[0339] As another solution, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the network device in the above various method embodiments.

[0340] It should be understood that the processor mentioned 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, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0341] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and / or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0342] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0343] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0344] 10 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The chip system 30 (or also referred to as a processing system) includes a logic circuit 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0345] The logic circuit 31 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 may be coupled to a storage unit and call instructions in the storage unit so that the chip system 30 can implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of the present application. The input / output interface 32 may be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting information processed by the chip system 30 or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0346] As a solution, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the perception function network element in the above various method embodiments.

[0347] For example, the logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the perception function network element in the above method embodiment; the input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the perception function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0348] As another solution, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the network device in the above various method embodiments.

[0349] For example, the logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiment; the input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0350] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium on which computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the device in the above-mentioned method embodiments are stored.

[0351] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the perception function network element or network device in each embodiment of the above method.

[0352] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by the perception function network element or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0353] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned perception function network element and network equipment.

[0354] The explanation of the relevant contents and beneficial effects of any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0356] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0357] In this application, various numerical numbers such as first, second, etc. are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application, such as to distinguish different messages, different information, etc.

[0358] In this application, “pre-definition” may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device, and this application does not limit its specific implementation method.

[0359] In this application, the "protocol" involved may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include the long term evolution (LTE) protocol, the new radio (NR) protocol and related protocols used in future communication systems, and this application does not limit this.

[0360] In this application, words such as "exemplary," "for example," "illustratively," and "as another example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be interpreted as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

[0361] In this application, the terms "include", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless specifically emphasized otherwise.

[0362] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Wherein a, b and c can be single or multiple, respectively.

[0363] In this application, "when...", "if...", "in the case of..." and "if" all mean that the network element will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, nor does it require the network element to have a judgment action when it is implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations. In addition, in this application, the description of the above-mentioned "when...", "if...", "in the case of..." and "if" conditions can be understood as necessary conditions, and there is no limitation on whether the condition is a sufficient condition or whether it is a necessary and sufficient condition. For example, "in the case of A, execute B" can be understood as "if at least A is satisfied, execute B."

[0364] In addition, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0365] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0366] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0367] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0368] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0369] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a first message from a network device, where the first message is used to obtain location information of a terminal device; Sending first information to the network device, where the first information is determined based on the sensing result, and the first information includes at least one of the following: Information about a first location, where the first location is the current location or potential location of the terminal device; Information about the first cell, where the first cell is the resident cell or potential resident cell of the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is determined according to the perception result, including: The first information is determined based on the position of a first target, the position of the first target is determined based on the perception result, and the first target is associated with the terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive first association information from a first access network device, where the first association information is used to indicate that a first target is associated with the terminal device, and the first access network device is used to perceive the first target.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first association information includes at least one of the following: The probability of the first target being associated with the terminal device, the correlation between the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining the association between the first target and the terminal device according to the location of the first target and the location of the terminal device; and / or, Determining that the first target is associated with the terminal device according to the speed of the first target and the speed of the terminal device; and / or, The association between the first target and the terminal device is determined based on the reflection path coefficient of the first target and the channel state information of the terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive the channel state information from the terminal device or the first access network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second message is sent to the network device, where the second message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, where the reference signal is used to determine an association between the first target and the terminal device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The sending a second message to the network device includes: In a case where the probability of association between the target associated with the terminal device and the terminal device is less than a first threshold, the second message is sent to the network device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, the first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in the first position, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in the first cell.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that In any of the following cases, the first information is sent to the network device: The change in the location of the terminal device is greater than a second threshold; or, The resident cell of the terminal device has changed.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending a first message to a perception function network element, where the first message is used to obtain location information of a terminal device; Receive first information from the perception function network element, where the first information includes at least one of the following: Information about a first location, where the first location is the current location or potential location of the terminal device; Information about the first cell, where the first cell is the resident cell or potential resident cell of the terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining to initiate paging for the terminal device; A second access network device is determined based on the first information, and the second access network device is used to page the terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send direction information to the second access network device, where the direction information is used to indicate the direction of the beam used by the second access network device when paging the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second message from the perception function network element, where the second message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal, where the reference signal is used to determine an association between a first target and the terminal device; A paging message is sent to a third access network device, where the paging message is used to page the terminal device and instruct the terminal device to send or receive a reference signal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The first information includes first probability information and / or second probability information, the first probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in the first position, and the second probability information is used to indicate the probability that the terminal device is located in the first cell.

16. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .

17. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises means for performing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15 .

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program or instructions, the processor being used to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory, so that the device performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the device performs the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

20. A chip or a chip system, characterized in that: It includes: a processor, used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or so that a communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method described in any one of claims 11 to 15.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that When the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the computer is enabled to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 15.

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