Communication method and communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method and a communication system. The method comprises: receiving first configuration information sent by a second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used for determining the location of a passive Internet of Things device. The present disclosure can realize the positioning of a passive Internet of Things device, thereby determining the location of the passive Internet of Things device.

Description

Communication method and communication system Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and a communication system. Background Art

[0002] Passive IoT refers to a special IoT system in which the terminal node devices, namely passive IoT devices, do not rely on traditional power lines or built-in batteries, but instead capture and collect energy from the surrounding environment to maintain their own operation.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a communication method and a communication system, which can locate passive IoT devices and determine their location information.

[0005] A first aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is performed by a first network element. The method includes receiving first configuration information sent by a second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0006] A second aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a second network element. The method includes: sending first configuration information to a first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0007] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is executed by a third network element. The method includes: receiving a second request sent by a first network element; and performing positioning measurements on a passive Internet of Things device according to the second request.

[0008] An embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication method, including: a first network element sends a first request to a second network element; the second network element performs positioning on a passive Internet of Things device according to the first request, and sends first configuration information to the first network element; the first network element sends a second request to a third network element, and the second request includes the first configuration information; the third network element performs positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first configuration information, and sends second configuration information to the first network element; the first network element determines the position of the passive Internet of Things device based on the second configuration information.

[0009] The fifth aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, including: a network device sends a continuous wave (CW) signal to a passive Internet of Things device; the network device receives the signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device, performs signal measurement and determines the location information of the passive Internet of Things device based on positioning measurement information.

[0010] An embodiment of the sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a first network element, which includes: a first transceiver module, configured to receive first configuration information sent by a second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0011] An embodiment of the seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a second network element, which includes: a second transceiver module, configured to send first configuration information to the first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0012] An eighth aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network element, comprising: a third transceiver module, configured to receive a second request sent by the first network element; and perform positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device according to the second request.

[0013] An embodiment of the ninth aspect of the present disclosure provides a communication system, including: a first network element, a second network element and a third network element, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method as described in the embodiment of the first aspect, the second network element is configured to implement the method as described in any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, and the third network element is configured to implement the method as described in the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0014] The tenth aspect embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to execute the method as described in the first aspect embodiment, or the second aspect embodiment, or the third aspect embodiment.

[0015] The eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; after the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the method described in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, or the third embodiment can be implemented.

[0016] The disclosed embodiments provide a communication method and system in which a first network element receives first configuration information of a passive IoT device from a second network element, thereby determining the location of the passive IoT device. The disclosed embodiments can locate and determine the location of the passive IoT device.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent and readily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG2 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG3 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG6 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG7 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG9 is a device block diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG10 is a device block diagram of a second network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG11 is a device block diagram of a third network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG12 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present disclosure and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other unless there is a conflict.

[0033] To facilitate understanding, the terms involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure are first introduced.

[0034] 1. Ambient Internet of Things (AIoT) technology

[0035] AIoT is a promising technology that can address the above unmet needs. An AIoT device is an IoT device powered by energy harvesting, without a battery or with limited energy storage capabilities (e.g., using capacitors), by harvesting radio waves, light, motion, heat, or any other suitable power source.

[0036] Compared to previously defined 3GPP IoT devices, AIoT features lower complexity, smaller size, weaker functionality, and lower power consumption, with a focus on improving network efficiency. AIoT devices can be maintenance-free and have a long lifespan.

[0037] AIoT devices communicate directly with base stations in two directions. The communication between the base station and the AIoT device includes environmental IoT data and / or signals. Alternatively, the AIoT device communicates bidirectionally with the base station through an intermediate node. In this topology, the intermediate node can be a relay node, an integrated access and backhaul node (IAB) node, a user equipment (UE) node, a repeater, etc., which has the capabilities of environmental IoT. Therefore, by combining environmental IoT with cellular networks, a new type of IoT service will be provided for vertical industries, greatly benefiting the 3GPP ecosystem.

[0038] 2. Location Management Function (LMF) network element

[0039] In the network architecture, LMF, as a network functional entity, is responsible for processing and managing the UE's location information, including location update, paging area list management, and interaction with other network functional entities to ensure that the network can find the UE in a timely and accurate manner and provide services for it.

[0040] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method and a communication system.

[0041] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which is executed by a first network element. The method includes: receiving first configuration information sent by a second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a first request to a second network element, where the first request is used to request the second network element to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first request is used to configure parameters involved in the positioning process; or, the first request is used to configure the positioning signal.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0045] A device identifier, which is used to identify the passive IoT device; time information of a reflected signal, which is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information for requesting configuration; and frequency information of a reflected signal, which is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information for requesting configuration.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the first request is used to determine whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; and / or, the first request is used to configure the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal; and / or, the first request is used to request first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used to determine the configuration result of the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal, and / or to determine the location of the second network element; and / or, the first request is used to instruct the sending of a continuous wave CW signal to the passive Internet of Things device.

[0047] With reference to some embodiments of the first aspect, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0048] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a second request to a third network element, where the second request is used to trigger (request) the third network element to (start) perform positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0051] The task identifier of the positioning measurement; the device identifier of the passive Internet of Things device; the first configuration information; the positioning measurement method; and the method for sending the positioning measurement result.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information sent by the third network element; and determining the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the second configuration information.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0054] A task identifier, the task identifier is used to identify the positioning measurement; a device identifier, the device identifier is used to identify the passive Internet of Things device; first configuration information; a positioning measurement method; and a method for sending positioning measurement results.

[0055] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method also includes: receiving first information sent by the third network element, the first information being used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; and selecting the third network element to participate in the positioning measurement of the passive Internet of Things device based on the first information.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method also includes: receiving second information sent by the second network element, the second information being used to determine the ability of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; and selecting the second network element to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device based on the second information.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0058] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving a third request sent by a fourth network element, where the third request is used to request the first network element to perform positioning of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the third request includes at least one of the following:

[0061] A device identifier, the device identifier is used to identify the passive Internet of Things device; regional information, the regional information is used to indicate the area where the passive Internet of Things device is located; and quality of service (QoS) requirements, the QoS requirements are used to determine the positioning standard of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, the fourth network element includes at least one of the following:

[0063] Core network elements; passive IoT servers; base stations; terminals; passive IoT devices.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, the passive Internet of Things device includes: an AIoT device.

[0065] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which is executed by a second network element. The method includes: sending first configuration information to a first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving a first request sent by a first network element; and performing positioning on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first request.

[0067] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, performing positioning on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first request includes: configuring parameters involved in the positioning process; or configuring a positioning signal.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0069] The device identifier of the passive IoT device; time information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information for requesting configuration; and frequency information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information for requesting configuration.

[0070] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, performing positioning on the passive IoT device according to the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0071] Determine whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; configure the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal; send first configuration information to the first network element, where the first configuration information is used to determine the configuration result of the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal, and / or to determine the position of the second network element; send a CW signal to the passive Internet of Things device.

[0072] With reference to some embodiments of the second aspect, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0073] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0074] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second information to the first network element, where the second information is used to determine the ability of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0076] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0077] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, the passive Internet of Things device includes: an AIoT device.

[0078] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, which is executed by a third network element. The method also includes: receiving a second request sent by the first network element; and performing positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device according to the second request.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0080] A task identifier, the task identifier is used to identify the positioning measurement; a device identifier, the device identifier is used to identify the passive Internet of Things device; first configuration information; a positioning measurement method; and a method for sending positioning measurement results.

[0081] With reference to some embodiments of the third aspect, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0082] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0083] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, performing positioning measurement on the passive IoT device according to the second request includes:

[0084] According to the configuration information of the time-frequency domain resources, a signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device is received; and according to the received signal and the positioning measurement method, signal measurement is performed and a positioning measurement result is generated.

[0085] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes: determining whether the received signal comes from the passive Internet of Things device based on the information carried in the signal and the device identification of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending second configuration information to the first network element according to the sending method of the positioning measurement result.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0088] Task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; positioning measurement result.

[0089] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending first information to the first network element, where the first information is used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

[0090] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0091] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, the passive Internet of Things device includes: an AIoT device.

[0093] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: a first network element sends a first request to a second network element; the second network element performs positioning on a passive Internet of Things device according to the first request, and sends first configuration information to the first network element; the first network element sends a second request to a third network element, and the second request includes the first configuration information; the third network element performs positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first configuration information, and sends second configuration information to the first network element; the first network element determines the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the second configuration information.

[0094] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication method, including: a network device sends a CW signal to a passive Internet of Things device; the network device receives the signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device, performs signal measurement and determines the location information of the passive Internet of Things device based on the positioning measurement information.

[0095] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, which includes: a first transceiver module, configured to receive first configuration information sent by a second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of a passive Internet of Things device.

[0096] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, which includes: a second transceiver module, configured to send first configuration information to the first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0097] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a third network element, comprising: a third transceiver module, configured to receive a second request sent by the first network element; and perform positioning measurements on a passive Internet of Things device according to the second request.

[0098] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, including: a first network element, a second network element and a third network element; the first network element executes the method as described in the embodiment of the first aspect, the second network element executes the method as described in the embodiment of the second aspect, and the third network element executes the method as described in the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0099] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, which may be a first network element, a second network element, or a third network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to execute the method described in the embodiment of the first aspect, or the embodiment of the second aspect, or the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0100] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; after the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the method described in the embodiment of the first aspect, or the embodiment of the second aspect, or the method described in the third aspect can be implemented.

[0101] In the twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure propose a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the embodiment of the first aspect, the embodiment of the second aspect, or the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0102] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the embodiment of the first aspect, or the embodiment of the second aspect, or the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0103] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, wherein the chip or chip system includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method according to the embodiment of the first aspect, the embodiment of the second aspect, or the embodiment of the third aspect.

[0104] It is understandable that the aforementioned passive IoT device, first network element, second network element, third network element, network device, communication system, and storage medium are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0105] The present disclosure provides a communication method and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information processing method," "information sending method," and "information receiving method" are interchangeable; the terms "communication device" and "information processing device," "information sending device," and "information receiving device" are interchangeable; and the terms "information processing system," "communication system," "information sending system," and "information receiving system" are interchangeable.

[0106] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0107] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0108] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0110] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0111] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "at least one of", "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0112] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions such as “at least one of A, B, C…”, “A and / or B and / or C…”, etc. include the situation where any one of A, B, C… exists alone, and also include any combination of any multiple of A, B, C…, and each situation can exist alone; for example, “at least one of A, B, C” includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, the combination of A and B, the combination of A and C, the combination of B and C, and the combination of A, B, and C; for example, A and / or B includes the situation where A exists alone, B exists alone, and the combination of A and B.

[0113] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "in one case A, in another case B," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B," may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: executing A independently of B (in some embodiments, A); executing B independently of A (in some embodiments, B); selectively executing A and B (in some embodiments, selecting between A and B); and executing both A and B (in some embodiments, A and B). The same applies when there are more branches, such as A, B, and C.

[0114] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0115] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0116] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0117] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0118] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0119] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0120] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0122] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, it can also be called device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it can also be set as a structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, language such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by language corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0123] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0124] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0125] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0126] In some embodiments, the threshold mentioned in this embodiment may be a numerical value, a constant, or some fixed value.

[0127] In some embodiments, the positioning and position mentioned in this embodiment may have the same meaning.

[0128] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0129] The correspondences shown in the tables of the present disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values ​​of the information in each table are merely examples and can be configured to other values, which are not limited by the present disclosure. When configuring the correspondences between information and parameters, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences illustrated in each table. For example, in the tables of the present disclosure, the correspondences shown in certain rows may not be configured. For another example, appropriate deformation adjustments may be made based on the above tables, such as splitting, merging, etc. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables may also adopt other names that can be understood by the communication device, and the values ​​or representations of the parameters may also adopt other values ​​or representations that can be understood by the communication device. When implementing the above tables, other data structures may also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables or hash tables, etc.

[0130] The predefined in the present disclosure may be understood as defined, predefined, stored, pre-stored, pre-negotiated, pre-configured, solidified, or pre-burned.

[0131] The communication method and communication system provided by the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0132] FIG1 shows a structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the system architecture may include a first network element 11 , a second network element 12 , and a third network element 13 .

[0133] In some embodiments, the first network element 11, the second network element 12, and the third network element 13 may be an entity for transmitting or receiving signals. For example, they may include core network elements, passive IoT servers, communication satellites, evolved NodeBs (eNBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next generation NodeBs (gNBs) in NR systems, base stations in other future mobile communication systems, or access nodes, terminals, and passive IoT devices in wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms used by the first network element 11, the second network element 12, and the third network element 13. The first network element 11, the second network element 12 and the third network element 13 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of a network device, such as a base station, and the functions of some protocol layers are centrally controlled by the CU, while the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU, and the DU is centrally controlled by the CU.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first network element 11, the second network element 12, and the third network element 13 can be used to locate passive IoT devices. In some examples, the passive IoT devices may include AIoT devices, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag devices, environmental monitoring sensors, wireless sensor nodes, energy harvesting sensors, passive wireless sensors, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technologies and device forms used by the passive IoT devices.

[0135] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0136] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1, or a portion of the entities, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1. The number and form of the entities may be arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and may be wired or wireless.

[0137] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to satellite communications, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G NR, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.18 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark) 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0138] In this embodiment, the passive Internet of Things device can be positioned by the first network element 11, the second network element 12 and the third network element 13 to determine the position of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0139] Furthermore, to illustrate the specific execution process of the above communication system, FIG2 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method is applied to the above communication system, as shown in FIG2, and may include the following steps:

[0140] Step S201: The first network element determines capability information.

[0141] Capability information indicates the capabilities of a network element, base station, or terminal. A network element, base station, or terminal may or may not be the network element that sends the capability information. To distinguish it from general terminals, base stations, or network elements, the following text refers to the terminal, base station, or network element indicated by the capability information as "first terminal," "first base station," or "fifth network element."

[0142] In some embodiments, the first network element receives capability information sent by the fifth network element. The capability information indicates the fifth network element's capability to locate a passive IoT device, such as capabilities related to passive IoT device positioning. In some embodiments, the fifth network element may be the second network element or the third network element.

[0143] In some embodiments, the capability may be used to indicate at least one of A1 to F1:

[0144] A1. Capability of sending a continuous wave (CW) signal to the passive physical network device. For example, the capability information may indicate whether the first base station can send a CW signal to the passive physical network device.

[0145] B1. Frequency information of the CW signal, such as the frequency and bandwidth of the CW signal, if the first base station can send the CW signal to the passive physical network device.

[0146] C1. Time information of the CW signal, such as the time information of the CW signal if the first base station can send the CW signal to the passive IoT device.

[0147] D1. The ability to configure passive IoT devices, such as determining whether the first base station can configure passive IoT devices. The configuration of passive IoT devices is used to instruct the passive IoT devices to reflect signals according to specific time information and / or frequency information. The reflected signal is the reflection signal of the passive IoT device for the CW signal, that is, the backscattered signal. The backscattered signal will be used for positioning the passive IoT device.

[0148] E1. The ability to measure the reflected signal of the passive IoT device, such as determining whether the first base station and / or the first terminal can measure the reflected signal of the passive IoT device.

[0149] F1. Self-positioning capability, such as whether the first terminal itself has positioning capability, such as GPS positioning capability.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a network element for implementing a device positioning function, such as a location management function (LMF). The first network element may collect capability information sent by one or more network elements, base stations, and / or terminals, and the capability information may be used to determine its capability for positioning a passive IoT device.

[0151] In some embodiments, a first network element receives first information sent by a third network element, where the first information is used to determine the third network element's ability to locate a passive IoT device. In some embodiments, the first network element receives second information sent by a second network element, where the second information is used to determine the second network element's ability to locate a passive IoT device. In some embodiments, the first network element receives third information sent by the second network element, where the third information is used to determine the third network element's ability to locate a passive IoT device. In some embodiments, the first network element receives fourth information sent by the third network element, where the fourth information is used to determine the second network element's ability to locate a passive IoT device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a network element that manages the location of the device, for example, the first network element is an access control function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF).

[0153] In some embodiments, the first network element may be a network element that manages passive IoT devices.

[0154] In some embodiments, passive IoT devices may include: AIoT devices, etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a third request sent by the fourth network element. The third request may be used to request the first network element to perform positioning of the passive IoT device. The first network element confirms the need to perform positioning of the target passive IoT device based on the third request.

[0156] In some embodiments, the third request may include at least one of A2 to C2:

[0157] A2. Device identification of the passive IoT device to be located; for example, the device name or ID of the target passive IoT device to be located.

[0158] B2. Information about the area where the passive IoT device to be located is located; for example, at least one of the geographical location, geographical area, cell information, and tracking area (TA) information where the target passive IoT device to be located is located.

[0159] C2. Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, which may be used to determine positioning standards for passive IoT devices, for example, at least one of positioning accuracy and feedback time for positioning a target passive IoT device.

[0160] In some embodiments, the fourth network element may include a core network element (e.g., AMF), etc.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the passive Internet of Things server, such as when the passive Internet of Things server needs to determine the location of the target passive Internet of Things device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the base station. For example, a base station needs to determine the location of the target passive IoT device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the terminal. For example, a terminal needs to determine the location of a target passive IoT device.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the passive IoT device. For example, the passive IoT device needs to obtain its own location, or other passive IoT devices need to obtain the location of a target passive IoT device.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first network element confirms the need to perform positioning of the target passive IoT device based on the third request.

[0166] Step S202: The first network element sends a first request to the second network element.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first network element may not send the first request to the second network element, but may send the first request to the first base station or the first terminal.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first request is used to configure parameters involved in a positioning process; or, the first request is used to configure a positioning signal.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first request is used to request the second network element to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of A3 to C3:

[0171] A3. The device identifier of the passive IoT device to be located. This device identifier may be the same as the device identifier in A2 above, or may be determined based on the device identifier in A2.

[0172] B3. Time information of the reflected signal. The reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is the time information requested for configuration; for example, the time information requested by the first network element to the first base station to request the first base station to configure the target passive Internet of Things device according to the time information, so that the target passive Internet of Things device can reflect the signal at the time information.

[0173] C3. Frequency information of the reflected signal. The reflected signal is a signal used for positioning. This frequency information is the frequency information requested for configuration. For example, this frequency information may include information such as the frequency point, bandwidth, and frequency offset of the reflected signal. The first network element requests the first base station to configure the target passive IoT device according to this frequency information, so that the target passive IoT device can reflect the signal at this frequency information.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first network element selects the second network element to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device based on capability information of the second network element.

[0175] In some embodiments, the capability information of the second network element may be obtained from step S201 or obtained according to OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance).

[0176] In some embodiments, the second network element may be the same as or different from the fourth network element.

[0177] In some embodiments, the second network element may be an intermediate UE.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first network element receives capability information related to passive IoT device positioning sent by the second network element in step S201; when executing step S203, the first network element may select the second network element to perform operations related to passive IoT device positioning based on the capability information of the second network element.

[0179] For example, the first network element selects a second network element from these network elements to perform operations related to the positioning of the target passive Internet of Things device based on the area information of the passive Internet of Things device to be located in the third request and in combination with the capability information of these network elements corresponding to the area information, and sends a first request to the second network element to request the second network element to perform operations related to the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second network element receives the first request sent by the first network element.

[0181] Step S203: The second network element sends first configuration information to the first network element.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to determine a location of a passive IoT device.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first base station sends the first configuration information to the first network element. The first base station may be the target base station to which the first network element sends the first request, or the first base station is different from the target base station.

[0184] In some embodiments, when the second network element sends the first configuration information to the first network element, the first configuration information may include at least one of A4 to C4:

[0185] A4. Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources. Time-frequency domain resources are used to receive reflected signals from passive IoT devices, for example, time-frequency domain resource configuration information for locating passive IoT devices; that is, time information and / or frequency information of reflected signals from passive IoT devices. Based on this time information and / or frequency information, the reflected signals from passive IoT devices can be received, signal measurements can be performed, and positioning measurement results can be generated.

[0186] B4. Identification information of the second network element.

[0187] C4. Location information of the second network element. For example, the second network element has known location information or obtains location information by performing a positioning process, such as GPS positioning and / or a network-assisted positioning process.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second network element performs positioning on the passive IoT device that needs to be positioned according to the first request, that is, performs operations related to the positioning of the passive IoT device. In some embodiments, the second network element performs operations related to the positioning of the passive IoT device according to the protocol agreement. For example, taking the intermediate UE as an example, the intermediate UE can be connected to the passive IoT device. According to the location information of the intermediate UE, the second network element includes the location information of the intermediate UE in the message related to the passive IoT device and sends it to the first network element (such as AMF), so that the first network element determines the location of the passive IoT device according to the location information of the intermediate UE.

[0189] In some embodiments, operations related to positioning of a passive IoT device include at least one of A5 to D5:

[0190] A5. Determine whether the passive IoT device is within the coverage of the second network element. For example, the second network element may be a base station. Determine whether the target passive IoT device to be located is within the coverage of the base station.

[0191] B5. Send first configuration information to the first network element. In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes frequency information and / or time information for determining the reflected signal of the passive IoT device. The frequency information may be the same as or different from the frequency information requested in C3, and may be adjusted according to actual conditions to configure the corresponding frequency information; the time information may be the same as or different from the time information requested in B3, and may be adjusted according to actual conditions to configure the corresponding time information; in other embodiments, the first configuration information includes identification information of the second network element (e.g., UE identification), and the first network element may determine the location of the second network element based on the identification of the second network element (e.g., initiate a positioning process for the UE based on the identification of the UE to obtain the location of the UE). The first network element can determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the location information of the second network element (that is, the first network element can consider that the location of the passive Internet of Things device is the same as or close to the location of the second network element to which it is connected); in another embodiment, the location information includes the location information of the second network element (for example, the second network element has known location information or the second network element obtains location information by performing a positioning process, for example, through GPS positioning and / or a network-assisted positioning process), and the first network element can determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the location information of the second network element (that is, the first network element can consider that the location of the passive Internet of Things device is the same as or close to the location of the second network element to which it is connected).

[0192] C5. Configuring the time-frequency domain resources for the passive IoT device to transmit reflected signals. This is used to instruct the passive IoT device to reflect signals based on first time information and / or first frequency information. The first time information can be specific time information, and the first frequency information can be specific frequency information. By configuring the target passive IoT device to be located, the target passive IoT device can be caused to reflect signals using the specific time information and / or frequency information. It should be noted that the second network element can be the executor for configuring the passive IoT device, or the second network element can be implemented using other network elements, and this is not limited in this embodiment.

[0193] D5. Send a CW signal to the passive IoT device so that the target passive IoT device reflects the signal at a specific time and / or frequency according to the configured information. It should be noted that the execution entity for sending the CW signal to the passive IoT device may be the second network element, or the second network element may be implemented with the help of other network elements. The execution entity for sending the CW signal to the passive IoT device may be the same as or different from the execution entity for configuring the passive IoT device. The execution entity for sending the CW signal to the passive IoT device may be the same as or different from the execution entity for configuring the passive IoT device, such as a base station or an intermediate node.

[0194] In some embodiments, the identifier of the second network element is used to identify the second network element, and the first network element can determine the location information of the second network element according to the identifier of the second network element.

[0195] In some embodiments, when the first base station sends first configuration information to the first network element, the first configuration information includes at least one of A6 to D6:

[0196] A6, base station identification, used to indicate a specific base station device;

[0197] B6, cell identifier, used to indicate a specific cell;

[0198] C6, beam information, used to indicate specific beam speed information in the cell;

[0199] D6. Transmission and receiving point (TRP) ID, used to indicate a specific TRP in the base station.

[0200] In some embodiments, if the second network element is a terminal device (eg, an intermediate UE), the identifier of the second network element is a UE identifier.

[0201] In some embodiments, the location information of the second network element includes at least one of A7 to C7:

[0202] A7. Geographic coordinate information, used to indicate the location of the second network element;

[0203] B7, speed information, used to indicate the speed of the second network element;

[0204] C7. Time information, used to indicate the time when the second network element location information is generated, for example, it can be a timestamp.

[0205] Step S204: The first network element sends a second request to the third network element.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first network element may send the second request to the second base station and / or the second terminal instead of to the third network element, for example, requesting the second base station and / or the second terminal to perform positioning measurements on the target passive IoT device.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second request includes at least one of A8 to E8:

[0208] A8. Positioning measurement task identifier, such as the name or ID of the positioning measurement task, can be used to indicate a specific positioning measurement task.

[0209] B8. The device identifier of the passive IoT device to be located may be the same as the device identifier in A2 and / or A3, or may be determined based on the device identifier in A2 and / or A3. This identifier may be used to indicate the location measurement for a specific passive IoT device.

[0210] C8. The first configuration information may be the first configuration information received by the first network element in step S203.

[0211] D8. Positioning measurement method; for example, measuring signal strength, time, phase, and / or frequency offset.

[0212] E8. Method for sending positioning measurement results; for example, periodic reporting or aperiodic reporting.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first network element selects a qualified third network element to participate in the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device based on capability information of multiple third network elements.

[0214] In some embodiments, the third network element may be the same as or different from the second network element, and the third network element may be the same as or different from the fourth network element.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first network element receives capability information related to the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device sent by the third network element in step S201; when executing step S204, the first network element may select the third network element to participate in the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device based on the capability information of the third network element.

[0216] For example, the first network element selects a third network element that is near the target passive IoT device and has the ability to measure the reflected signal of the passive IoT device based on the capability information of different network elements, participates in the positioning of the target passive IoT device, and sends a second request to the third network element to request the third network element to perform positioning measurement on the target passive IoT device.

[0217] In some embodiments, the second request may be sent by the second network element to the third network element. The second network element sends the second request to the third network element based on the first request sent by the first network element, requesting the third network element to perform positioning measurements on the target passive IoT device. The first request may include information about the third network element, so that the second network element sends the second request to the third network element based on the information about the third network element. The third network element is the network element selected by the first network element to participate in the positioning measurement based on the capabilities of the third network element. The positioning measurement results obtained by the third network element may be sent to the second network element, which then forwards them to the first network element; or the third network element may directly send the obtained positioning measurement results to the first network element, etc.

[0218] In some embodiments, when the second network element sends a second request to the third network element, the content included in the second request may include at least one item from A8 to E8.

[0219] Step S205: The third network element sends second configuration information to the first network element.

[0220] In some embodiments, the third network element performs positioning measurements on the passive IoT device according to the second request.

[0221] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes at least one of A9 to C9:

[0222] A9, task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; used to indicate the specific positioning measurement task for which the positioning measurement result is targeted, which may be the same as the task identifier in A5.

[0223] B9. Device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; used to indicate that the positioning measurement result is for a specific device.

[0224] C9. Positioning measurement results; for example, signal strength, signal phase, measurement timestamp, etc., but not limited thereto.

[0225] In some embodiments, step S205 may specifically include: the third network element receives the signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device based on the frequency information and / or time information of the signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device; and then performs signal measurement and generates a positioning measurement result based on the received signal and the positioning measurement method in D8.

[0226] In some embodiments, the third network element determines whether the received signal comes from the passive Internet of Things device that needs to be located based on the information carried in the received signal and the device identification of the passive Internet of Things device that needs to be located in B8.

[0227] In some embodiments, the third network element sends second configuration information according to the sending method of the positioning measurement result in E8, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the positioning measurement result of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first network element may receive second configuration information sent by at least one third network element.

[0229] Step S206: The first network element determines the location of the passive Internet of Things device according to the second configuration information.

[0230] The first network element determines and obtains the location information of the passive Internet of Things device based on the positioning measurement information sent by these third network elements.

[0231] The communication method involved in this embodiment may include at least one of steps S201 to S206. For example, step S201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S204 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S205 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S206 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. In addition, some or all of steps S201 to S206 can be combined and implemented as independent embodiments, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0232] The communication method of this embodiment can locate the passive Internet of Things device and determine the location information of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0233] To illustrate the specific execution process of the first network element, Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Execution on the first network element side may include the following steps.

[0234] Step S301: The first network element determines capability information.

[0235] In some embodiments, the capability information is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0236] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first network element receives capability information related to passive IoT device positioning sent from a certain network element, base station, or terminal. The capability information indicates its capability to position the passive IoT device, such as capability related to passive IoT device positioning.

[0238] In some embodiments, the first network element may receive first information sent from the second network element, where the first information is used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

[0239] In some embodiments, the first network element may receive second information sent from the second network element, where the second information is used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

[0240] In some embodiments, passive IoT devices may include: AIoT devices, etc.

[0241] Step S302: The first network element receives a third request sent by the fourth network element.

[0242] In some embodiments, the third request may be used to request the first network element to perform positioning of the passive IoT device.

[0243] In some embodiments, the third request includes at least one of the following:

[0244] The device identifier of the passive IoT device to be located; information about the area where the passive IoT device to be located is located; and QoS requirements, which can be used to determine the positioning standard of the passive IoT device.

[0245] In some embodiments, the fourth network element includes at least one of the following:

[0246] In some embodiments, the fourth network element may include a core network element (e.g., AMF), etc.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the passive Internet of Things server, such as when the passive Internet of Things server needs to determine the location of the target passive Internet of Things device.

[0248] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the base station. For example, a base station needs to determine the location of the target passive IoT device.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the terminal. For example, a terminal needs to determine the location of a target passive IoT device.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the third request sent by the passive IoT device. For example, the passive IoT device needs to obtain its own location, or other passive IoT devices need to obtain the location of a target passive IoT device.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first network element confirms the need to perform positioning of the target passive IoT device based on the third request.

[0252] Step S303: The first network element sends a first request to the second network element.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first request is used to configure parameters involved in a positioning process; or, the first request is used to configure a positioning signal.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0255] The device identifier of the passive IoT device; time information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information for requesting configuration; and frequency information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information for requesting configuration.

[0256] In some embodiments, the first request is used to determine whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; and / or, the first request is used to configure the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal; and / or, the first request is used to request first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used to determine the configuration result of the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal, and / or to determine the location of the second network element; and / or, the first request is used to instruct the sending of a CW signal to the passive Internet of Things device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first network element receives second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to determine the capability information of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; based on the second information, the second network element is selected to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0258] Step S304: The first network element receives first configuration information sent by the second network element.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used to determine a location of a passive IoT device.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0261] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0262] Step S305: The first network element sends a second request to the third network element.

[0263] In some embodiments, the second request is used to trigger the third network element to start performing positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0264] In some embodiments, the second request is used to request the third network element to perform positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device.

[0265] In some embodiments, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0266] The task identifier of the positioning measurement; the device identifier of the passive IoT device to be positioned; the first configuration information; the positioning measurement method; and the method for sending the positioning measurement results.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first network element receives first information sent by the third network element, where the first information is used to determine the capability information of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; based on the first information, the third network element is selected to participate in the positioning measurement of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0268] Step S306: The first network element receives the second configuration information sent by the third network element, and determines the location of the passive Internet of Things device according to the second configuration information.

[0269] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0270] Task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; positioning measurement result.

[0271] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 and 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0272] In the communication method provided in this embodiment, a first network element requests a second network element to perform operations related to positioning a passive IoT device. The first network element also requests a third network element to perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device. Ultimately, the first network element determines the location information of the passive IoT device based on the positioning measurement results. This embodiment enables positioning and determining the location information of a passive IoT device.

[0273] Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the method is applied to the second network element side and may include the following steps.

[0274] Step S401: The second network element receives a first request sent by the first network element.

[0275] In some embodiments, the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0276] The device identifier of the passive IoT device; time information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information for requesting configuration; and frequency information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information for requesting configuration.

[0277] Step S402: The second network element performs positioning on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first request.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second network element performs positioning on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first request, including: configuring parameters involved in the positioning process; or configuring a positioning signal.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second network element performing positioning on the passive IoT device according to the first request includes at least one of the following:

[0280] Determine whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; configure the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal; send first configuration information to the first network element, where the first configuration information is used to determine the configuration result of the time-frequency domain resources for the passive Internet of Things device to send the reflected signal, and / or to determine the position of the second network element; send a CW signal to the passive Internet of Things device.

[0281] In some embodiments, the second network element sends first configuration information of the passive Internet of Things device to the first network element.

[0282] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0283] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0284] In some embodiments, second information is sent to the first network element, and the second information is used to determine the ability of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device, such as the second network element sends capabilities related to passive Internet of Things device positioning to the first network element, so that the first network element selects the second network element to perform related operations related to passive Internet of Things device positioning based on the capabilities of the second network element.

[0285] In some embodiments, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0286] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0287] In some embodiments, the passive Internet of Things device includes: an AIoT device.

[0288] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0289] The communication method provided in this embodiment can locate passive IoT devices and determine the location information of passive IoT devices.

[0290] Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5 , the method is applied to be executed on the third network element side and may include the following steps.

[0291] Step S501: The third network element receives a second request.

[0292] In some embodiments, the second request includes at least one of the following:

[0293] The task identifier of the positioning measurement; the device identifier of the passive IoT device to be positioned; the first configuration information of the passive IoT device; the positioning measurement method; and the method for sending the positioning measurement results.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0295] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0296] In some embodiments, the third network element receives the second request sent by the first network element.

[0297] In some embodiments, the third network element receives the second request sent by the second network element.

[0298] Step S502: The third network element performs positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device according to the second request.

[0299] In some embodiments, the third network element performs positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device according to the second request, including: receiving the signal reflected by the passive Internet of Things device according to the time-frequency domain resource configuration used to locate the passive Internet of Things device; performing signal measurement and generating a positioning measurement result based on the received signal and the positioning measurement method.

[0300] In some embodiments, the third network element determines whether the received signal comes from the passive Internet of Things device that needs to be located based on the information carried in the received signal and the device identification of the passive Internet of Things device that needs to be located.

[0301] In some embodiments, the third network element sends second configuration information according to the sending method of the positioning measurement result, and the second configuration information is used to indicate the positioning measurement result of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0302] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0303] Task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; positioning measurement result.

[0304] In some embodiments, the third network element sends first information to the first network element, and the first information is used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device, such as the third network element sends capabilities related to the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device to the first network element, so that the first network element selects the third network element to participate in the positioning of the passive Internet of Things device based on the capabilities of the third network element.

[0305] In some embodiments, the capability is used to indicate at least one of the following:

[0306] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the CW signals; the time information of the CW signals; the ability to configure the passive IoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of the passive IoT devices; and the ability to locate itself.

[0307] In some embodiments, the passive Internet of Things device includes: an AIoT device.

[0308] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0309] In the communication method provided in this embodiment, a first network element requests a second network element to perform operations related to positioning a passive IoT device. The first network element also requests a third network element to perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device. Ultimately, the first network element determines the location information of the passive IoT device based on the positioning measurement results. This embodiment enables positioning and determining the location information of a passive IoT device.

[0310] FIG6 is an interactive diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, including:

[0311] Step S601: A first network element sends a first request to a second network element.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first request is used to request the second network element to perform operations related to positioning of the passive Internet of Things device.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first network element may receive capability information related to the positioning of the passive IoT device sent by different network elements.

[0314] For example, if the first network element is an LMF network element and the passive IoT device is an AIoT device, capability information related to AIoT device positioning sent by network elements such as the gNB and / or UE will be received. The capability information may include at least one of the following:

[0315] The ability to send CW signals; the frequency information of the sent CW signals; the time information of the sent CW signals; the ability to configure AIoT devices; the ability to measure the reflected signals of AIoT devices; and the positioning capability.

[0316] The LMF network element confirms that it needs to perform positioning of the target AIoT device. The LMF network element can confirm the positioning of the AIoT device by at least one of the processes a to d:

[0317] a. The LMF network element receives an AIoT device positioning request from other core network nodes or AIoT servers.

[0318] b. The LMF network element receives the AIoT device positioning request from the base station.

[0319] c. The LMF network element receives the AIoT device positioning request from the terminal.

[0320] d. The LMF network element receives AIoT device positioning requests from other AIoT devices.

[0321] The positioning request for the AIoT device sent in steps a to d, i.e., the third request, may include at least one of the following:

[0322] The device identifier of the AIoT device that needs to be located; the area information where the AIoT device that needs to be located is located; and the QoS requirements of the positioning request.

[0323] In response to the third request, the LMF network element selects a second network element (e.g., a gNB) from among network elements such as the gNB and / or the UE based on capability information of these network elements to perform operations related to positioning of the AIoT device. The LMF network element sends a first request to the second network element. The first request may include at least one of the following:

[0324] The device identifier of the AIoT device to be located; the time information of the requested reflection signal; and the frequency information of the requested reflection signal.

[0325] Step S602: The second network element sends first configuration information of the passive Internet of Things device to the first network element.

[0326] In some embodiments, the second network element performs operations related to positioning of the passive IoT device according to the first request.

[0327] For example, performing operations related to AIoT device positioning includes at least one of the following:

[0328] Determine whether the AIoT device is within the coverage of the second network element; send first configuration information of the AIoT device to the LMF network element; configure the time and / or frequency of the AIoT device to send the reflected signal, such as instructing the AIoT device to reflect the signal according to specific time information and / or frequency information; send a CW signal to the AIoT device.

[0329] The second network element sends first configuration information of the AIoT device to the LMF network element. The first configuration information may include at least one of the following:

[0330] Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive Internet of Things device; identification information of the second network element; and location information of the second network element.

[0331] Step S603: The first network element sends a second request to the third network element.

[0332] In some embodiments, the second request includes the first configuration information.

[0333] For example, the LMF network element selects a third network element (such as a gNB and / or UE participating in positioning) from these network elements based on the capability information of network elements such as the gNB and / or UE to participate in the positioning of the AIoT device. The LMF network element sends a second request to these third network elements participating in positioning, requesting the third network element to perform positioning measurement on the AIoT device. The second request may include at least one of the following:

[0334] The task identifier of the positioning measurement; the device identifier of the AIoT device to be positioned; the first configuration information of the AIoT device, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the frequency information and / or time information of the reflected signal of the AIoT device; the positioning measurement method; and the method for sending the positioning measurement results.

[0335] Step S604: The third network element sends second configuration information to the first network element.

[0336] In some embodiments, the third network element performs positioning measurements on the passive Internet of Things device based on the first configuration information.

[0337] For example, the third network element receives the signal reflected by the AIoT device based on the frequency information and / or time information of the signal reflected by the AIoT device; and then performs signal measurement and generates a positioning measurement result based on the received signal and the positioning measurement method. Among them, the third network element determines whether the received signal comes from the AIoT device that needs to be located based on the information carried in the received signal and the device identifier of the AIoT device that needs to be located. The third network element sends second configuration information to the LMF network element based on the sending method of the positioning measurement result. The second configuration information is used to indicate the positioning measurement result of the AIoT device. The second configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0338] Task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; positioning measurement result.

[0339] Step S605: The first network element determines the location information of the passive Internet of Things device according to the second configuration information.

[0340] For example, the LMF network element calculates the location information of the AIoT device based on all positioning measurement results.

[0341] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0342] In the communication method provided in this embodiment, a first network element requests a second network element to perform operations related to positioning a passive IoT device. The first network element also requests a third network element to perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device. Ultimately, the first network element determines the location information of the passive IoT device based on the positioning measurement information. This embodiment enables positioning and determining the location information of the passive IoT device.

[0343] FIG7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interaction method of a communication method between a network and a passive IoT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, including:

[0344] Step S701: The network device sends a CW signal to the passive IoT device.

[0345] In some embodiments, the network device may include the above-mentioned first network element, second network element and third network element.

[0346] Step S702: The network device receives the signal reflected by the passive IoT device, performs signal measurement, and determines the location information of the passive IoT device based on the positioning measurement information.

[0347] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0348] The communication method provided in this embodiment can locate passive IoT devices and determine the location information of passive IoT devices.

[0349] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method that supports positioning of specific AIoT devices based on the characteristics of AIoT, including: capability interaction, in which the gNB or UE needs to send capabilities related to AIoT positioning to the LMF, including whether CW signal transmission is supported and whether configuration of AIoT devices is supported; positioning request, in which the LMF can receive positioning requirements for specific AIoT devices through an AIoT server, gNB or UE; positioning configuration, in which the LMF performs positioning operations through the gNB to control the target device to reflect signals at a specific frequency and time; positioning measurement and reporting, in which the LMF notifies the base stations or UEs involved in positioning to perform measurements at a specific time and / or frequency, and calculates the position of the target AIoT device based on the reported results.

[0350] As shown in FIG8 , the method includes:

[0351] Step 100: AIoT device positioning-related capability interaction.

[0352] The gNB or UE sends capability information related to AIoT device positioning to the LMF.

[0353] The capability information related to AIoT positioning includes at least one of the following information:

[0354] Ability to send CW signals; time information and / or frequency information of CW signals; ability to configure AIoT devices; ability to measure signals reflected by AIoT devices.

[0355] The gNB or UE can be the fifth network element, and the LMF is the first network element.

[0356] Step 101: LMF confirms the need to locate the target AIoT device.

[0357] LMF can confirm the positioning of the target AIoT device by at least one of the following processes:

[0358] Step 101a: LMF receives an AIoT device positioning request from another core network node or AIoT server;

[0359] Step 101b: LMF receives the AIoT device positioning request from the base station;

[0360] Step 101c: LMF receives the AIoT device positioning request from the UE.

[0361] The AIoT device positioning request includes at least one of the following information:

[0362] The target AIoT device identifier of the request; the area information where the target AIoT device is located, for example, the approximate geographical location, geographical area, cell information or TA information, etc.; the QoS requirements of the positioning request, such as positioning accuracy and feedback time, etc., but not limited to these.

[0363] Step 102: LMF sends positioning operation request information to gNB.

[0364] The positioning operation request information includes at least one of the following information:

[0365] The requested target AIoT device identifier; the time information of the reflected signal; the frequency information of the reflected signal, for example, including frequency point and bandwidth information; the frequency offset of the reflected signal; the first request information is used to request the base station to perform operations related to the positioning of the AIoT device.

[0366] The operations related to AIoT device positioning include at least one of the following:

[0367] According to the positioning operation request information, confirm that the target AIoT device is within the coverage of the gNB;

[0368] Based on the positioning operation request information, a CW signal is sent so that the target AIoT device can backscatter at a specific time and / or frequency.

[0369] According to the positioning operation request information, the target AIoT device is configured so that the target AIoT device performs backscattering with a specific bandwidth.

[0370] The backscattered signal is used to locate the target AIoT device.

[0371] Among them, the base station sending the CW signal and the base station configuring the AIoT device can be the same or different;

[0372] Among them, the one that sends the CW signal and configures the AIoT device can be the base station or the intermediate UE.

[0373] Step 103: The gNB sends positioning configuration information to the LMF.

[0374] The positioning configuration information includes the frequency information and / or time information of the AIoT device reflection signal, so that the LMF notifies other gNBs and / or UEs participating in the positioning to measure the positioning signal.

[0375] Step 104: The LMF sends a positioning measurement request to the UE and / or gNB participating in positioning.

[0376] The positioning measurement request includes at least one of the following information:

[0377] The task identifier for requesting positioning measurement is used to indicate a specific positioning task;

[0378] The identifier of the target AIoT device for which positioning is requested, used to indicate positioning of a specific AIoT device;

[0379] Positioning configuration information requested for measurement, such as the frequency and / or time information of the target AIoT device's reflected signal;

[0380] The method of requesting measurements, for example, measuring signal strength, time, phase, and / or frequency offset;

[0381] Positioning measurement reporting method, such as periodic reporting or aperiodic reporting

[0382] The UE and / or gNB participating in positioning performs positioning measurements based on the positioning measurement request, including at least one of the following:

[0383] Receive and measure the signal reflected by the target AIoT device based on the frequency information and / or time information of the signal reflected by the target AIoT device;

[0384] Determine whether the signal comes from a specific AIoT device based on the information carried in the received signal and the target AIoT device identifier for the requested positioning;

[0385] Perform signal measurement and generate positioning results based on the received signal and the measurement request method;

[0386] Report the measurement results to LMF according to the reporting method of positioning measurement.

[0387] Step 105: The UE and / or gNB participating in the positioning measurement reports the positioning measurement results to the LMF.

[0388] The positioning measurement result includes at least one of the following information:

[0389] The task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result is used to indicate the specific positioning task for which the positioning measurement result is intended;

[0390] The AIoT device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result is used to indicate that the positioning measurement result is for a specific AIoT device;

[0391] Positioning measurement results, such as signal strength, signal phase, measurement timestamp, etc., but not limited thereto.

[0392] LMF calculates the location of the AIoT device based on all positioning measurements.

[0393] For the description of the specific examples in this embodiment, please refer to the corresponding description of the embodiments in Figures 1 to 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0394] The communication method provided in this embodiment can locate the AIoT device and determine the location of the AIoT device.

[0395] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0396] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0397] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0398] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9, the first network element may include: a first transceiver module 81, etc. In some embodiments, the first transceiver module 81 is configured to receive first configuration information sent by the second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device. Optionally, the first transceiver module 81 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, steps S301 to S306, but not limited thereto) performed by the first network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0399] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9, the second network element may include: a second transceiver module 91. In some embodiments, the second transceiver module 91 is configured to send first configuration information to the first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive IoT device. Optionally, the second transceiver module 91 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, steps S401 to S402, but not limited thereto) performed by the second network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0400] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 10, the third network element may include: a third transceiver module 1001. In some embodiments, the third transceiver module 1001 is configured to receive a second request sent by the first network element; and perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device based on the second request. Optionally, the third transceiver module 1001 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving (for example, steps S501 to S502, but not limited thereto) performed by the third network element in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0401] In some embodiments, the transceiver modules may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0402] In some embodiments, the network elements described above may further include a processing module, which may be a single module or include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules each execute all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module and the processor may be interchangeable.

[0403] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 includes a first network element, a second network element, or a third network element, which can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user device, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0404] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 8101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0405] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8102. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8102, the transceiver 8102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, step S201, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S202 and S203, but not limited thereto). In an optional embodiment, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0406] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8103 may be located outside the communication device 8100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuits 8104 are connected to the memory 8102 and may be configured to receive data from the memory 8102 or other devices, or to send data to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 may read data stored in the memory 8102 and send the data to the processor 8101.

[0407] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 12 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0408] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG13, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0409] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201. The chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0410] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 8203 may be located external to chip 8200. Optionally, interface circuit 8202 is connected to memory 8203 and may be used to receive data from memory 8203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 may read data stored in memory 8203 and send the data to processor 8201.

[0411] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 8202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 8202 performs data exchange between the processor 8201, the chip 8200, the memory 8203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0412] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0413] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0414] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0415] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Executed by a first network element, the method includes: Receive first configuration information sent by the second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first request is sent to a second network element, where the first request is used to request the second network element to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first request is used to configure parameters involved in the positioning process; Alternatively, the first request is used to configure a positioning signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that The first request includes at least one of the following: A device identifier, where the device identifier is used to identify the passive IoT device; Time information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information of a configuration request; Frequency information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information requested for configuration.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The first request is used to determine whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; and / or, The first request is used to configure the time-frequency domain resources for the passive IoT device to send the reflected signal; and / or, The first request is used to request first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used to determine a configuration result of time-frequency domain resources for sending a reflected signal by the passive IoT device, and / or to determine a location of the second network element; and / or, The first request is used to instruct sending a continuous wave (CW) signal to the passive Internet of Things device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive IoT device; identification information of the second network element; location information of the second network element.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a second request to a third network element, where the second request is used to trigger the third network element to perform positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The second request includes at least one of the following: A task identifier, where the task identifier is used to identify the positioning measurement; A device identifier, where the device identifier is used to identify the passive IoT device; first configuration information; Positioning measurement method; How the positioning measurement results are sent.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second configuration information sent by the third network element; Determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the second configuration information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: The task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; The device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; Positioning measurement results.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first information sent by the third network element, where the first information is used to determine a capability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; According to the first information, the third network element is selected to participate in the positioning measurement of the passive Internet of Things device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second information sent by the second network element, where the second information is used to determine a capability of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device; According to the second information, the second network element is selected to perform positioning on the passive Internet of Things device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 12, characterized in that The capability is used to indicate at least one of the following: Ability to send CW signals; Frequency information of the CW signal; Time information of the CW signal; the ability to configure said passive IoT device; measuring the ability of the passive IoT device to reflect a signal; Self-positioning ability.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a third request sent by a fourth network element, where the third request is used to request the first network element to perform positioning of the passive Internet of Things device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The third request includes at least one of the following: A device identifier, where the device identifier is used to identify the passive IoT device; Area information, where the area information is used to indicate the area where the passive IoT device is located; Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, where the QoS requirements are used to determine the positioning standard of the passive IoT device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that The fourth network element includes at least one of the following: Core network elements; Passive IoT server; base stations; terminal; Passive IoT devices.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that The passive Internet of Things devices include: Environmental Internet of Things AIoT devices.

18. A communication method, characterized in that: Executed by the second network element, the method includes: First configuration information is sent to a first network element, where the first configuration information is used to determine a location of a passive Internet of Things device.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first request sent by a first network element; Positioning the passive IoT device is performed according to the first request.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein Performing positioning on the passive IoT device according to the first request includes: Configure the parameters involved in the positioning process; Or, configure the positioning signal.

21. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 20, characterized in that The first request includes at least one of the following: The device identifier of the passive IoT device; Time information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the time information is time information of a configuration request; Frequency information of a reflected signal, where the reflected signal is a signal used for positioning, and the frequency information is frequency information requested for configuration.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that Performing positioning on the passive IoT device according to the first request includes at least one of the following: Determining whether the passive Internet of Things device is within the coverage of the second network element; Configuring time-frequency domain resources for the passive IoT device to send reflected signals; Sending first configuration information to the first network element, where the first configuration information is used to determine a configuration result of time-frequency domain resources for sending a reflected signal by the passive Internet of Things device, and / or to determine a position of the second network element; Send a continuous wave (CW) signal to the passive IoT device.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive IoT device; identification information of the second network element; location information of the second network element.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second information to the first network element, where the second information is used to determine the ability of the second network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The capability is used to indicate at least one of the following: Ability to send CW signals; Frequency information of the CW signal; Time information of the CW signal; the ability to configure said passive IoT device; measuring the ability of the passive IoT device to reflect a signal; Self-positioning ability.

26. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that The passive Internet of Things devices include: Environmental Internet of Things AIoT devices.

27. A communication method, characterized in that: Executed by a third network element, the method includes: receiving a second request sent by the first network element; Perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device according to the second request.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The second request includes at least one of the following: A task identifier, where the task identifier is used to identify the positioning measurement; A device identifier, where the device identifier is used to identify the passive IoT device; first configuration information; Positioning measurement method; How the positioning measurement results are sent.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The first configuration information includes at least one of the following: Configuration information of time-frequency domain resources, where the time-frequency domain resources are used to receive the reflected signal of the passive IoT device; identification information of the second network element; location information of the second network element.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The performing positioning measurement on the passive IoT device according to the second request includes: receiving, according to the configuration information of the time-frequency domain resources, a signal reflected by the passive IoT device; According to the received signal and the positioning measurement mode, signal measurement is performed and a positioning measurement result is generated.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein The method further comprises: Determine whether the received signal comes from the passive Internet of Things device based on the information carried in the signal and the device identification of the passive Internet of Things device.

32. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second configuration information to the first network element according to the sending method of the positioning measurement result.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that The second configuration information includes at least one of the following: The task identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; The device identifier corresponding to the positioning measurement result; Positioning measurement results.

34. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send first information to the first network element, where the first information is used to determine the ability of the third network element to locate the passive Internet of Things device.

35. The method according to claim 32, wherein The capability is used to indicate at least one of the following: Ability to send CW signals; Frequency information of the CW signal; Time information of the CW signal; the ability to configure said passive IoT device; measuring the ability of the passive IoT device to reflect a signal; Self-positioning ability.

36. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 35, characterized in that The passive Internet of Things devices include: Environmental Internet of Things AIoT devices.

37. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element sends a first request to the second network element; The second network element performs positioning on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first request, and sends first configuration information to the first network element; The first network element sends a second request to a third network element, where the second request includes the first configuration information; The third network element performs positioning measurement on the passive Internet of Things device according to the first configuration information, and sends second configuration information to the first network element; The first network element determines the location of the passive Internet of Things device based on the second configuration information.

38. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The network device sends a continuous wave (CW) signal to the passive IoT device; The network device receives the signal reflected by the passive IoT device, performs signal measurement, and determines the position of the passive IoT device based on the positioning measurement information.

39. A first network element, characterized in that: include: The first transceiver module is configured to receive first configuration information sent by the second network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device.

40. A second network element, characterized in that: include: The second transceiver module is configured to send first configuration information to the first network element, wherein the first configuration information is used to determine the location of the passive Internet of Things device.

41. A third network element, characterized in that: include: A third transceiver module is configured to receive a second request sent by the first network element; Perform positioning measurements on the passive IoT device according to the second request.

42. A communication system, characterized in that The method comprises a first network element, a second network element and a third network element, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the second network element is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 18 to 26, and the third network element is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 27 to 36.

43. A communication device, characterized in that include: one or more processors; The processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 38.

44. A computer storage medium, wherein: The computer storage medium stores computer-executable instructions; after the computer-executable instructions are executed by the processor, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 38 can be implemented.

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