Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus, capable of being used in the technical field of communications. In the technical solution provided by the present application, an OOK signal sent by a network device to a terminal device satisfies a first indicator, and the first indicator may be the requirement for the OOK signal that can be demodulated by the terminal device. According to the method of the present application, the OOK signal sent by the network device satisfies the first indicator, so that the OOK signal received by the terminal device is an OOK signal satisfying the demodulation requirement, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

Description

Communication method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on March 22, 2024, with application number 202410345998.2 and application name “Communication Methods and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] In the fifth generation (5G) communication system, there is a demand to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices. For example, the power consumption of terminal devices needs to reach the microwatt level.

[0004] Currently, network devices can send a modulated waveform that can perform envelope detection to a terminal device to reduce the terminal device's power consumption. An example of a modulated waveform that can perform envelope detection is an on-off keying (OOK) modulation waveform. After generating an OOK modulation waveform, the network device can send the OOK modulation waveform to the terminal device. After receiving the OOK modulation waveform, the terminal device can demodulate the OOK modulation waveform based on envelope detection to obtain demodulated bit information.

[0005] However, it was found during use that when the terminal device demodulates the received OOK modulated waveform, it may not be able to demodulate the bit information. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and related devices for solving the problem in the prior art that a terminal device cannot demodulate bit information after receiving an OOK modulated waveform.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device. The method includes: sending an on-off keying (OOK) signal to a terminal device, wherein the OOK signal satisfies a first indicator, wherein the first indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0008] The resource element RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value;

[0009] The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value;

[0010] A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a first difference;

[0011] The proportion of time during which the first level of the OOK signal rises or falls is less than or equal to a first proportion value;

[0012] The first level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 1 in the OOK signal, and the second level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 0 in the OOK signal.

[0013] In this method, the network device may be the network device shown in FIG. 1 , and the terminal device may be the terminal device shown in FIG. 1 .

[0014] In this method, the first indicator can be the requirement that needs to be met when the terminal device demodulates the OOK signal. The OOK signal sent by the network device to the terminal device meets the first indicator, so that the OOK signal received by the terminal device is an OOK signal that meets the demodulation requirement, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal or a second-type OOK signal, the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the first-type OOK signal is a Zadows-Chow ZC sequence, an m-sequence, a random phase sequence, or an orthogonal amplitude modulation sequence, and the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the second-type OOK signal is an all-1 sequence, a sequence with a phase difference of π between adjacent elements, or a complex sequence with the same phase and amplitude.

[0016] As an example, the OOK signal may be a first-type OOK signal, and the time domain waveform and frequency domain waveform of the first-type OOK signal may be shown as (a) in FIG. 2 and (b) in FIG. 2 , respectively.

[0017] As another example, the OOK signal may be a second-type OOK signal, and the time domain waveform and frequency domain waveform of the second-type OOK signal may be shown as (a) in FIG. 3 and (b) in FIG. 3 , respectively.

[0018] In this method, the values ​​of the first power value, the first fluctuation value, the first difference value and the first proportion value when the OOK signal is a first type of OOK signal may be different from the values ​​of the first power value, the first fluctuation value, the first difference value and the first proportion value when the OOK signal is a second type of OOK signal.

[0019] In some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal, the OOK signal further satisfies a second indicator, where the second indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0020] The RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second power value, the second power value is greater than or equal to the first power value, and a difference between the second power value and the first power value is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0021] The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second fluctuation value, the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value, and the difference between the first fluctuation value and the second fluctuation value is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0022] A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a second difference, the second difference is greater than the first difference, and a difference between the second difference and the first difference is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0023] The time for the first level of the OOK signal to rise or fall is greater than or equal to a second proportion, and the second proportion is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0024] In this implementation method, the first indicator can be an indicator satisfied by the first type of OOK signal, that is, the first indicator can be the requirement that needs to be met when the terminal device demodulates the first type of OOK signal. The first type of OOK signal sent by the network device to the terminal device satisfies the first indicator, so that the first type of OOK signal received by the terminal device can meet the demodulation requirement, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0025] In this method, the second indicator can be an indicator satisfied by the second type of OOK signal, that is, the second indicator can be a requirement that needs to be met when the terminal device demodulates the second type of OOK signal. The second type of OOK signal sent by the network device to the terminal device meets the second indicator, so that the second type of OOK signal received by the terminal device can meet the demodulation requirement, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the second power value is 0 dB, or 3 dB, or 6 dB, or 9 dB.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the terminal device is a terminal device that does not have the capability of generating a carrier signal or a terminal device that has the capability of backscattering, determining that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

[0028] In this method, the network device can obtain first information and / or second information from the terminal device, where the first information can indicate whether the terminal device has the capability to generate a carrier signal, and the second information can indicate whether the terminal device has the capability to backscatter.

[0029] After obtaining the first information and / or the second information, the network device can determine the type of OOK signal to be sent to the terminal device based on the first information and / or the second information, and then determine whether the generated OOK signal meets the corresponding indicators of the OOK signal type. Only when the generated OOK signal meets the corresponding indicators of the OOK signal type is the OOK signal sent. In this way, the OOK signal sent by the network device to the terminal device can meet the demodulation requirements of the terminal device, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0030] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, determining that the OOK signal is the first type of OOK signal; when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, determining that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

[0031] In this method, the network device can determine the indicators that the OOK signal needs to meet based on the bandwidth ratio occupied by the OOK signal, and then determine whether the generated OOK signal meets the indicator. If it is determined that the generated OOK signal meets the indicator, the generated OOK signal is sent to the terminal device.

[0032] In this method, when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, the frequency domain flatness of the OOK signal has no impact on performance. The network device can send a second-type OOK signal with a less flat frequency domain waveform to the terminal device without affecting signal transmission performance. When the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, the frequency domain flatness of the OOK signal has a significant impact on performance. The network device can send a first-type OOK signal with a relatively flat frequency domain waveform to the terminal device, which is beneficial for improving signal transmission performance.

[0033] In some possible implementations, the first bandwidth is 1 RB, or 2 RB, or 4 RB.

[0034] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising modules or units for implementing the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. It should be understood that each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0035] As an example, the communication device may include a sending module.

[0036] The sending module may be configured to send an on-off keying (OOK) signal to a terminal device, where the OOK signal satisfies a first indicator, wherein the first indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0037] The resource element RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value;

[0038] The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value;

[0039] A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a first difference;

[0040] The proportion of time during which the first level of the OOK signal rises or falls is less than or equal to a first proportion value;

[0041] The first level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 1 in the OOK signal, and the second level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 0 in the OOK signal.

[0042] In some possible implementations, the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal or a second-type OOK signal, the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the first-type OOK signal is a Zadows-Chow ZC sequence, an m-sequence, a random phase sequence, or an orthogonal amplitude modulation sequence, and the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the second-type OOK signal is an all-1 sequence, a sequence with a phase difference of π between adjacent elements, or a complex sequence with the same phase and amplitude.

[0043] In some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal, the OOK signal further satisfies a second indicator, where the second indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions:

[0044] The RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second power value, the second power value is greater than or equal to the first power value, and a difference between the second power value and the first power value is greater than or equal to a first threshold;

[0045] The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second fluctuation value, the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value, and the difference between the first fluctuation value and the second fluctuation value is greater than or equal to a second threshold;

[0046] A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a second difference, the second difference is greater than the first difference, and a difference between the second difference and the first difference is greater than or equal to a third threshold;

[0047] The time for the first level of the OOK signal to rise or fall is greater than or equal to a second proportion, and the second proportion is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0048] In some possible implementations, the second power value is 0 dB or 3 dB or 6 dB or 9 dB.

[0049] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the terminal device is a terminal device that does not have the capability of generating a carrier signal or a terminal device that has the capability of backscattering, determining that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

[0050] In some possible implementations, the method further includes: when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, determining that the OOK signal is the first type of OOK signal; when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, determining that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

[0051] In some possible implementations, the first bandwidth is 1 RB, 2 RB, or 4 RB.

[0052] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to execute the communication method described in any possible implementation manner in the first aspect.

[0053] The apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the methods described in the above aspects may be implemented. The apparatus may further include a communication interface for communicating between the apparatus and other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program code for execution by a communication device, wherein the program code includes instructions for implementing the method in the first aspect.

[0055] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to implement the method in the first aspect.

[0056] In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device is used to implement the method described in the first aspect and any one of the implementation methods in the first aspect, and the terminal device is used to receive the on-off keying OOK signal sent by the network device.

[0057] It can be understood that the effects that can be obtained from the second to sixth aspects can be referred to the description in the first aspect and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a time domain signal waveform and a frequency domain signal waveform of an OOK signal provided by the present application;

[0060] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a time domain signal waveform and a frequency domain signal waveform of another OOK signal provided by the present application;

[0061] FIG4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG5 shows a power dynamic range value of a frequency domain signal of a first type of OOK signal provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG6 shows a power dynamic range value of a frequency domain signal of a second type of OOK signal provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG7 shows a power dynamic range value of a time domain signal of a first type of OOK signal provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG8 shows a power dynamic range value of a time domain signal of a second type of OOK signal provided by one embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0069] To facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. For example, the first information and the second information are merely used to distinguish different information and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit differences.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a, b, and c. Among them, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0071] The communication method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a communication system, which may include a 5G system. Optionally, the communication system may also include some future communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6G) system. The following description of the present application will take the 5G system as an example.

[0072] Below, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0073] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application is first described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a network device 101 and a terminal device 102.

[0074] The network device 101 may be any device with wireless transceiver functions. The device includes but is not limited to: an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP) or a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. It can also be a gNB in ​​a 5G, such as NR, system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or it can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU), etc. Optionally, the network device 101 may also be a terminal device having all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0075] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may also include a radio unit (RU). The CU implements some gNB functions, while the DU implements some gNB functions. For example, the CU implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers, while the DU implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers. Because RRC layer information ultimately becomes physical layer information, or is converted from physical layer information, in this architecture, higher-layer signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU, or by both the DU and the CU. It is understood that a network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a device that includes both a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in the access network (radio access network, RAN), and the CU can also be divided into a network device in the core network (core network, CN), which is not limited in this application.

[0076] The terminal device 102 may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, for example, a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile, remote station, remote terminal, mobile equipment, user terminal, wireless telecom equipment, user agent, user equipment, or user device. The terminal device can be a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a terminal in a next-generation communication system (for example, a fifth-generation (5G) communication network) or a terminal device in a future-evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network. Among them, 5G can also be referred to as a new radio (NR). In one possible application scenario of the present application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device that often works on the ground, such as a vehicle-mounted device. In this application, for the sake of convenience, the chip deployed in the above-mentioned device, or the chip can also be referred to as a terminal device.

[0077] Optionally, the terminal device 102 may also include a passive terminal device, an ambient internet of things (A-IoT) terminal device, a semi-passive terminal device, a semi-passive A-IoT terminal device, a terminal device with backscatter (carrier) capability, a terminal device with active (carrier) transmission capability, an active terminal device, an active A-IoT terminal device, a device with a peak power consumption less than or equal to 1 μW, and a device with a peak power consumption less than or equal to several hundred μW.

[0078] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device 102 may include a bandpass filter, a rectifier (or a rectifier diode), a baseband low-pass filter, and a sampling decision device. The terminal device 102 may receive a modulated signal from a network device. After receiving the modulated signal, the terminal device 102 may convert the modulated information signal through the bandpass filter to obtain an intermediate frequency signal, and transmit the intermediate frequency signal to the rectifier. The rectifier may rectify the intermediate frequency signal to obtain a rectified signal, and transmit the rectified signal to the baseband low-pass filter. The baseband low-pass filter may obtain a baseband signal envelope of the modulated signal based on the rectified signal, and transmit the baseband signal to the sampling decision device. The sampling decision device may digitally sample and make decisions on the baseband envelope signal, and then demodulate the transmitted information bits.

[0079] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms terminal device and UE can be interchanged, and the terms base station and network device can also be interchanged.

[0080] In this application, the network device and the terminal device can communicate through the authorized spectrum, the unlicensed spectrum, or both the authorized spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The network device and the terminal device can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHZ), the spectrum above 6 GHZ, or the spectrum below 6 GHZ and the spectrum above 6 GHZ at the same time. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used between the network device and the terminal device.

[0081] It should be understood that the number of terminal devices shown in FIG1 is merely an example. In practice, the number of terminal devices may be other. Of course, the communication system may also include other network elements, for example, core network equipment, and network devices may be connected to core network equipment. It should be noted that the specific forms of network devices and terminal devices are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0082] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of the present application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be a terminal device or a network device, or it can be a functional module in a terminal device or a network device that can call a program and execute the program.

[0083] In addition, the methods of various aspects of the present application can be implemented using programming and form a computer program accessed by a computer-readable device, carrier or medium. For example, computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to: magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes, etc.), optical disks (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), etc.), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), cards, sticks, or key drives, etc.). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media for storing information. The term "machine-readable medium" may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels and various other media capable of storing, containing, and / or carrying instructions and / or data.

[0084] Currently, for the communication system shown in FIG1 , in some communication scenarios, a network device needs to send a modulated signal to a terminal device so that the terminal device can demodulate the transmitted information bits according to the modulated signal.

[0085] Optionally, an example of a modulated signal is an OOK signal. An OOK signal may be composed of multiple OOK symbols, or the OOK signal may be obtained based on OOK modulation, which is the simplest form of amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulation. In OOK modulation, bit 0 is modulated into symbol 0, and bit 1 is modulated into symbol 1. In the present invention, a symbol may also be referred to as a chip, segment, or pulse.

[0086] In one example, the network device may use two different symbols to obtain a modulated signal, wherein one of the two different symbols is used to represent information bit 0, and the other symbol is used to represent information bit 1. For example, the network device may use symbol 1 and symbol 0 to obtain modulation information, wherein symbol 0 may represent information bit 0, and symbol 1 may represent information bit 1.

[0087] Accordingly, for the terminal device, in order to reduce receiving power consumption, an envelope detection method is adopted to obtain an envelope signal, and then the envelope signal is sampled and judged or compared with a comparator to obtain information bits.

[0088] Specifically, when a modulated signal is obtained based on OOK, the transmission bit information can be represented by the signal envelope. For example, information bit 1 is represented by a non-zero value or a larger signal envelope, and information bit 0 is represented by a zero value or a smaller signal envelope.

[0089] In some implementations, the OOK signal can also be represented by voltage or level. For example, a non-zero value envelope or a signal envelope with a relatively large amplitude can be referred to as a high voltage, a high level, or the symbol "ON," and a zero value or a signal envelope with a relatively small amplitude can be referred to as a low voltage, a low level, or the symbol "OFF." It is understood that in this solution, a high level can be considered as the symbol "1," and a low level can be considered as the symbol "0."

[0090] In other words, OOK can represent information through the presence or absence of a signal. For example, the presence of a signal at multiple sampling points within the signal sampling time (non-zero envelope) represents the symbol 1, while the absence of a signal at multiple sampling points within the signal sampling time (zero envelope) represents the symbol 0. In actual communication systems, due to the common presence of noise and interference, the absence of a signal at multiple sampling points within the signal sampling time does not necessarily mean that there is no signal at all. Instead, it can be considered that the envelope of the multiple signal sampling points does not exceed the minimum detection threshold.

[0091] In this embodiment, the signal obtained based on OOK modulation can be called an OOK signal.

[0092] Accordingly, after receiving the modulated signal, the terminal device can perform demodulation and decoding by detecting the energy of the modulated signal. For example, assuming that the terminal device receives 24 samples, including 2 OOK symbols, the terminal device can compare the first 12 samples and the last 12 samples of the 24 samples with the preset thresholds respectively. If the terminal device detects that the energy of the first 12 samples exceeds the preset threshold, it means that the symbol corresponding to the first 12 samples is 1. If the terminal device detects that the energy of the last 12 samples does not exceed the preset threshold, it means that the symbol corresponding to the last 12 samples is 0.

[0093] In another example, the network device may use a plurality of consecutive different OOK symbols to represent one bit.

[0094] For example, when a network device receives a modulated signal, one bit can be represented by two OOK symbols. For a bit, if the previous OOK symbol is symbol 1 and the next OOK symbol is symbol 0, it represents bit 1. If the previous OOK symbol is symbol 0 and the next OOK symbol is symbol 1, it represents bit 0. In this example, this mapping between bits and symbols is also called Manchester encoding.

[0095] Accordingly, after receiving the modulated signal, the terminal device can decode it by comparing the two symbols. For example, if the level of the first symbol is greater than the level of the second symbol, the bit can be determined to be 1, otherwise the bit is determined to be 0.

[0096] In 5G systems, network devices use orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to generate modulated signals and transmit them to terminal devices. In this embodiment, the modulated signals obtained using OFDM technology can be referred to as OFDM signals. In an OFDM signal, the smallest unit is an OFDM symbol.

[0097] In some embodiments, an OFDM symbol can carry M OOK bits, or M OOK symbols or M OOK chips can be transmitted in one OFDM symbol, where M is a positive integer. Optionally, the value of M is a power of 2, such as 1, 2, 4, or 8.

[0098] In some embodiments, the network device may generate an M-bit OOK signal based on discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0099] Optionally, the method may include:

[0100] S1, Obtain the bit i to be transmitted in one OFDM symbol m , the bit i m takes values of 1 or 0, 0 ≤ m < M.

[0101] S2, Based on the bit i m determine the time-domain sequence j k , for each bit i m the corresponding time-domain sequence has a length of L. The total length of this time-domain sequence j k is L * M, 0 ≤ k < ML, where j mL …j (m+1)L-1 .

[0102] corresponding to i m , that is, when the value of i m is 1, the time-domain sequence corresponding to the bit is j mL …j (m+1)L-1 . In one possible implementation, L time-domain sequence values in the time-domain sequence are non-zero values. For example, the time-domain sequence values are all 1, or the amplitudes are all 1 and the phase elements have a phase difference of π, such as alternating between 1 and -1, or the time-domain sequence values are phase shift keying (PSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation symbols with random phases, or the time-domain sequence values are elements of a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence or elements of an m-sequence. In another possible implementation, the first X of the L time-domain sequence values and / or the last X of the L time-domain sequence values are 0, and the remaining L - 2X time-domain sequence values are non-zero values, and the values of these L - 2X time-domain sequences are the same as the values of the L time-domain sequences in the前述 possible implementation.

[0103] When the value of i m is 0, in one possible implementation, j mL …jI (m+1)L-1 the L time-domain sequence values in are all 0.

[0104] S3, Perform an N'-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) on the time-domain sequence j k , or perform an N'-point discrete Fourier transform (DFT) on the time-domain sequence j k , where N' = L * M, to obtain the frequency-domain sequence l k , this frequency-domain sequence l kThe length can be N′, 0 ≤ k < ML, where each l k value will occupy one frequency-domain subcarrier.

[0105] S4. Based on the frequency-domain sequence l k obtain a frequency-domain signal.

[0106] In a possible implementation, for the frequency-domain sequence l k add N - N′ / 2 zeros on each side to obtain a frequency-domain signal. At this time, the frequency-domain resources occupied by the signal are N′ subcarriers.

[0107] In another possible implementation, replace the first to the N′ / 2 elements of the frequency-domain sequence l k with the N′ + 1 / 2 to the N′ elements, and replace the N′ + 1 / 2 to the N′ elements of the frequency-domain sequence l k with the first to the N′ / 2 elements. After transformation, obtain the frequency-domain sequence l′ k . Next, intercept the Y central elements of the frequency-domain sequence l′ k and add N - Y / 2 zeros on each side to obtain a frequency-domain signal. At this time, the frequency-domain resources occupied by the signal are Y subcarriers. Optionally, N is equal to N′.

[0108] S5. Perform an N-point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) on the frequency-domain signal to obtain 1 OFDM symbol in the time domain.

[0109] S6. Add a CP to the obtained OFDM symbol.

[0110] In step S2, in a possible implementation, which is defined here as generation method 1, if the time-domain sequence values are PSK or QAM modulation symbols with random phases, or the time-domain sequence values are elements of a ZC sequence or elements of an m sequence, then the waveform of the generated time-domain signal has a large difference from the ideal square-wave waveform, but the energy of the generated frequency-domain signal is evenly distributed on the subcarriers occupied by the signal.

[0111] Taking the case where the bandwidth occupied by the transmitted OOK signal is 4 RBs and the subcarriers occupied are 4 eighty times eighty, when generating a signal in the above DFT-S-OFDM process manner, the time-domain signal waveform and frequency-domain signal waveform of the OOK signal can be as shown in Figure 2. Among them, (a) in Figure 2 represents the time-domain waveform of the OOK signal, and (b) in Figure 2 represents the frequency-domain waveform of the OOK signal.

[0112] In step S2, in another possible implementation method, which is defined as generation method 2, if the time domain sequence takes values ​​of all 1, or the amplitude values ​​are all 1, and the phase elements have a phase difference of π, such as values ​​of 1 and -1 appearing alternately, then the waveform of the generated time domain signal is slightly different from the ideal square wave waveform, but the energy of the generated frequency domain signal is concentrated on several subcarriers in the center of the subcarriers occupied by the signal, and the energy of the remaining subcarriers is greatly attenuated.

[0113] Taking a transmitted OOK signal with a bandwidth of 4 RB as an example, when the signal is generated using the aforementioned DFT-S-OFDM process, the time domain signal waveform and frequency domain signal waveform of the OOK signal can be shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 (a) shows the time domain waveform of the OOK signal, and Figure 3 (b) shows the frequency domain waveform of the OOK signal.

[0114] After a network device generates a time-domain signal, it can send it to a terminal device. Upon receiving the time-domain signal, the terminal device can demodulate the signal based on envelope detection to obtain demodulated bit information. However, when the terminal device demodulates the received time-domain signal, it may fail to demodulate the bit information.

[0115] Research has found that different terminal devices have different requirements for the fluctuation value of the time domain signal. When the time domain signal received by the terminal device does not meet the requirements, it may not be possible to demodulate the bit information.

[0116] For example, passive end devices, which can be considered devices with a peak power consumption of ~1μW, are used in indoor scenarios with short coverage distances and have strict requirements for the received time domain signal, such as requiring the waveform of the time domain signal to be close to an ideal square wave. If the waveform of the time domain signal sent by the network equipment to the passive end device differs significantly from the ideal square wave waveform, the passive end device may be unable to demodulate the signal.

[0117] For example, active terminal devices, which can be considered devices with peak power consumption of several hundred μW or several mW, are used in outdoor scenarios with wide coverage. The time-domain signals received by active terminal devices must be robust against outdoor multipath fading to ensure frequency selectivity and meet the requirements for wide-coverage signal transmission. If the frequency-selective fading performance of the time-domain signals sent by network equipment to active terminal devices is poor, the active terminal devices may be unable to demodulate the bit information.

[0118] To this end, the present application provides a communication method and related devices for defining the sending mode and indicators of sending signals to meet the demodulation requirements of various terminal devices.

[0119] Next, the present application will provide a detailed introduction to the solution of the present application in conjunction with Figures 4 to 10.

[0120] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method may include S401.

[0121] S401: A network device sends an OOK signal to a terminal device, where the OOK signal meets a first indicator.

[0122] In this embodiment, the network device may be the network device 101 in the communication system architecture shown in the figure, and the terminal device may be the terminal device 102 in the communication system architecture shown in FIG. 1 .

[0123] In the present application, the OOK signal may be a first type OOK signal or a second type OOK signal. The OOK signal includes a first level and a second level, the first level being a high level and the second level being a low level.

[0124] The time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the first-type OOK signal is a ZC sequence, an m-sequence, a PSK sequence, or a QAM sequence. The first level of the first-type OOK signal can be OOK symbol 1 in the first-type OOK signal. As an example, the first-type OOK signal can be generated based on the aforementioned generation method 1. The time domain waveform and frequency domain waveform of the first-type OOK signal can be shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 2, respectively.

[0125] The time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the second-type OOK signal is an all-ones sequence, a sequence in which adjacent elements have a phase difference of π, or a complex sequence with the same phase and amplitude. The first level of the second-type OOK signal can be the OOK symbol 0 in the second-type OOK signal. As an example, the second-type OOK signal can be generated based on the second generation method described above. The time domain waveform and frequency domain waveform of the second-type OOK signal can be shown in (a) and (b) of Figure 3, respectively.

[0126] In this application, the first type of OOK signal corresponds to the OOK signal generation method 1 in step S2, and the second type of OOK signal corresponds to the OOK signal generation method 2 in step S2. In other words, the first type of OOK signal is generated based on the OOK signal generation method in step S2, and the second type of OOK signal is generated based on the OOK signal generation method in step S2.

[0127] In this embodiment, the first indicator may involve at least one of the following types: frequency domain signal characteristics, time domain signal characteristics, and bandwidth characteristics. The signal indicator may be defined in advance.

[0128] Optionally, the first indicator may include any one or more of the following conditions: the resource element (RE) power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value; the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value; the power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to the first difference; the proportion of the time when the first level of the OOK signal rises or falls is less than or equal to the first proportion value.

[0129] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the OOK signal also satisfies a second indicator, and the second indicator may include any one or more of the following conditions: the RE power control dynamic range of the second-type OOK signal is less than or equal to the second power value, the second power value is greater than or equal to the first power value, and the difference between the second power value and the first power value is greater than or equal to the first threshold; the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second-type OOK signal is less than or equal to the second fluctuation value, the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value, and the difference between the first fluctuation value and the second fluctuation value is greater than or equal to the second threshold; the power or amplitude difference between the first level of the second-type OOK signal and the second level of the second-type OOK signal is greater than or equal to the second difference, the second difference is greater than the first difference, and the difference between the second difference and the first difference is greater than or equal to the third threshold; the time for the first level of the second-type OOK signal to rise or fall is greater than or equal to the second proportion value, and the second proportion value is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold.

[0130] In this implementation, the first power value may be the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal, the first fluctuation value may be the first fluctuation value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal, and the first difference may be the first difference corresponding to the first type of OOK signal.

[0131] The RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal may represent the range of the frequency domain power of the OOK signal, or may be represented as the range of the RE power of the frequency domain signal of the OOK signal or the dynamic range of the RE power of the frequency domain signal of the OOK signal.

[0132] Optionally, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal may be a range interval of the frequency domain power of the OOK signal.

[0133] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the frequency domain signal of the first-class OOK signal can be as shown in Figure 5. In this example, P1 can represent the maximum power of the frequency domain signal RE of the first-class OOK signal, and P2 can represent the minimum power of the frequency domain signal RE of the first-class OOK signal. In this example, assuming that P1 is equal to 4dBm and P2 is equal to -2dBm, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal can be [P2, P1], that is, [-2dBm, 4dBm].

[0134] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the frequency domain signal of the second-type OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 6. In this example, P3 may represent the maximum power of the frequency domain signal RE of the second-type OOK signal, and P4 may represent the minimum power of the frequency domain signal RE of the second-type OOK signal. In this example, assuming that P3 is 13dBm and P4 is -15dBm, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal may be [P4, P3], i.e., [-15dBm, 13dBm].

[0135] In this method, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is an interval value, and the first power value may also be an interval value. In this case, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value, which can be understood as the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is within the interval of the first power value, or in other words, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is included in the interval of the first power value.

[0136] In the present application, the value of the first power value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal or the category of the OOK signal. For example, the interval value of the first power value when the OOK signal is a first type of OOK signal (or the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal) may be different from the interval value of the first power value when the OOK signal is a second type of OOK signal (or the first power value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal).

[0137] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first type OOK signal, the first power value may be [-6dBm, 4dBm].

[0138] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the first power value may be [-15dBm, 15dBm].

[0139] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the RE power control dynamic range of the second-type OOK signal can be less than or equal to the second power value, and the second power value is greater than or equal to the first power value corresponding to the first-type OOK signal.

[0140] In this implementation, the second power value may also be an interval value. In this case, the RE power control dynamic range of the second type OOK signal being less than or equal to the second power value can be understood as the RE power control dynamic range of the second type OOK signal being within the interval of the second power value, or in other words, the RE power control dynamic range of the second type OOK signal being included in the interval of the second power value.

[0141] In this implementation, the second power value being greater than or equal to the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal can be understood as: the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal is within the second power value, or in other words, the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal is included in the second power value.

[0142] As an example, it is assumed that the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal may be [-6dBm, 4dBm], and the second power value may be [-15dBm, 15dBm].

[0143] Optionally, the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal may be the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the RE power of the frequency domain signal of the OOK signal. Optionally, the RE power control dynamic range of the first type of OOK signal is smaller than the RE power control dynamic range of the second type of OOK signal, and the difference between the RE power control dynamic range of the first type of OOK signal and the RE power control dynamic range of the second type of OOK signal exceeds 10 dB or 15 dB.

[0144] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the frequency domain signal of the first-class OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 5. In this example, P1 may represent the maximum power of the frequency domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and P2 may represent the minimum power of the frequency domain signal of the first-class OOK signal. In this example, assuming that P1 is equal to 4dBm and P2 is equal to -2dBm, the RE power control dynamic range of the first OOK signal may be equal to P1-P2, that is, 6dBm.

[0145] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the frequency domain signal of the second-type OOK signal can be shown in Figure 6. In this example, P3 can represent the maximum power of the frequency domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and P4 can represent the minimum power of the frequency domain signal of the second-type OOK signal. In this example, assuming that P3 is equal to 13dBm and P4 is equal to -15dBm, the RE power control dynamic range of the second-type OOK signal can be equal to P1-P2, that is, 28dBm.

[0146] In this method, the first power value may be a specific value.

[0147] In the present application, the value of the first power value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal or the category of the OOK signal. For example, the value of the first power value when the OOK signal is a first-category OOK signal may be different from the value of the first power value when the OOK signal is a first-category OOK signal.

[0148] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first type OOK signal, the first power value may be 10 dBm.

[0149] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the first power value may be 30 dBm.

[0150] It can be understood that the first power value in the present application may be predefined, and the above embodiments only provide examples of the first power value and do not limit the range of the first power value.

[0151] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the RE power control dynamic range of the second-type OOK signal is less than or equal to a second power value, the second power value is greater than or equal to a first power value corresponding to the first-type OOK signal, and the difference between the second power value and the first power value is greater than or equal to a first threshold. As an example, the first threshold may be 10 dB or 15 dB.

[0152] In this implementation, the second power value may be a specific value.

[0153] As an example, assuming that the first power value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal is 10 dBm, the second power value may be 30 dBm.

[0154] It can be understood that the second power value in the present application can be predefined. The previous embodiments only provide examples of the second power value and do not limit the range of the second power value.

[0155] Optionally, the RE power control dynamic range can be referred to as the power control dynamic range of the RE within the signal bandwidth, or the RE power variation range within the signal bandwidth, or the RE power fluctuation range within the signal bandwidth, or the peak to average power ratio (PAPR) within the signal bandwidth. The test or measurement bandwidth granularity of the power control dynamic range of the RE within the signal bandwidth can be defined as x REs.

[0156] For example, when the signal bandwidth is greater than 1 resource block (RB), the test bandwidth of the power dynamic range value within the signal bandwidth may be defined as 1 RB or x REs, where x may be 1, 2, 4, and so on.

[0157] For another example, when the signal bandwidth is equal to 1 RB, the test bandwidth of the power dynamic range value within the signal bandwidth can be defined as x REs, where x can be 1, 2, 4, etc.

[0158] The power control dynamic range of REs within different signal bandwidths can also vary. The larger the signal bandwidth, the smaller the power control dynamic range of REs within the signal bandwidth. For example, the power control dynamic range of REs within a signal bandwidth of 4 RBs is larger than the power control dynamic range of REs within a signal bandwidth of 12 RBs.

[0159] Therefore, the larger the signal bandwidth, the smaller the first power value or the RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal. For example, taking the OOK signal as a first-class OOK signal, when the signal bandwidth is 1 RB, the first power value can be defined as [-6dBm, 4dBm]; when the signal bandwidth is 4 RB, the first power value can be defined as [-3dBm, 3dBm].

[0160] In this application, a network device may send a second-category OOK signal to a first-category device, and / or send a first-category OOK signal to a second-category device. The first-category device is a backscatter-based device or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to 1 μW; the second-category device is an active transmitter or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW or less than or equal to a few mW.

[0161] Among them, the RE power control dynamic range of the first type OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value corresponding to the first type OOK signal, and the RE power control dynamic range of the second type OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value or the second power value corresponding to the second type OOK signal.

[0162] In this method, when the RE power control dynamic ranges of two types of OOK signals are less than or equal to the corresponding power values, the OOK signals can meet the demodulation requirements of the two types of terminal devices, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal devices.

[0163] Optionally, the RE power control dynamic range change value of the OOK signal may also be smaller than the first change value.

[0164] The RE power control dynamic range change value of the OOK signal can represent the allowable change value of the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal. For ease of description, the allowable change value of the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal in this application can also be described as the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the OOK signal.

[0165] The frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the OOK signal can be used to indicate the change in the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal. The larger the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal, the less flat the frequency domain signal of the OOK signal is, and the smaller the frequency domain power dynamic range change of the OOK signal should be.

[0166] In this embodiment, the frequency domain power dynamic range change of the OOK signal may also be predefined. As an example, the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the OOK signal may be defined based on the RE power control dynamic range shown in Table 1.

[0167] Table 1: RE power control dynamic range

[0168] In Table 1, the reduction value and the increase value can represent the allowable change in the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal. For example, a reduction value of -6 can indicate that the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal can be reduced by 6dB, and an increase value of +4 can indicate that the frequency domain power dynamic range of the OOK signal can be increased by 4dB.

[0169] In the present application, the value of the first change value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal or the type of the OOK signal. For example, the interval value of the first change value when the OOK signal is a first type of OOK signal (or the first change value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal) may be different from the interval value of the first change value when the OOK signal is a second type of OOK signal (or the first change value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal).

[0170] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the frequency domain power dynamic range of the first-class OOK signal is small. Therefore, the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the first-class OOK signal can be associated with the RE power control dynamic range of the physical downlink control channel (physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) using quadrature phase shift keying (quadrature phase shift keying, QPSK) or the physical downlink shared channel (physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH) using QPSK. At this time, the first change value corresponding to the first-class OOK signal can be the interval [-6dB, 4dB] or the interval [-6dB, 3dB], that is, the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the first-class OOK signal can be in the interval [-6dB, 4dB] or the interval [-6dB, 3dB].

[0171] In this example, the network device may send a first type of OOK signal to a second type of device, where the second type of device is an active transmitting device or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW or less than or equal to several mW.

[0172] In this example, the frequency domain power of the first category OOK signal is relatively flat, and when the frequency power dynamic range change value of the first category OOK signal is less than or equal to the first change value corresponding to the first category OOK signal, the first OOK signal can meet the demodulation requirements of the second category device, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the second category device.

[0173] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the frequency domain power dynamic range of the second-type OOK signal is larger. Therefore, the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the second-type OOK signal can be associated with the RE power control dynamic range of PDSCH using 64QAM or PDSCH using 256QAM. At this time, the first change value corresponding to the second-type OOK signal can be zero, that is, the frequency domain power dynamic range change value of the second-type OOK signal can be zero.

[0174] In this example, the network device may send a second type of OOK signal to a first type of device, which may be a backscatter-based device or a device with a peak power consumption of ˜1 μW.

[0175] In this example, since the frequency domain power dynamic range of the second type of OOK signal is large, the power dynamic range change value of the frequency domain signal of the second type of OOK signal is zero, which can prevent the second type of OOK signal from being subjected to nonlinear distortion when the peak-to-average ratio of the second type of OOK signal increases, and is beneficial to ensuring the demodulation performance of the first type of equipment.

[0176] In the present application, the first level of the OOK signal may correspond to OOK symbol 1 in the OOK signal, and the first level of the OOK signal may be a high level of the OOK signal. The power fluctuation value of the first level of the OOK signal may represent the power fluctuation or variation range of the first level in the time domain signal of the OOK signal, or the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level.

[0177] The second level of the OOK signal may correspond to OOK symbol 0 in the OOK signal, and the second level of the OOK signal may be a low level of the OOK signal. The power fluctuation value of the second level of the OOK signal may represent a power fluctuation or variation range of the second level in the time domain signal of the OOK signal, or an amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the second level.

[0178] Optionally, in some embodiments, the power fluctuation value can also be called the time domain signal amplitude, or the amplitude of the time domain sampling point, or the time domain envelope dynamic range value, or the envelope jitter value, or the ripple fluctuation value, or the ripple fluctuation ratio, or the power jitter value.

[0179] Optionally, the power or amplitude fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal may be a power or amplitude range interval of the first level or the second level in the time domain signal of the OOK signal.

[0180] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 7. In this example, A1 may represent the maximum amplitude of a first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and B1 may represent the minimum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal. A2 may represent the maximum amplitude of a second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and B2 may represent the minimum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal.

[0181] In this example, the amplitude variation range of the first level of the first type OOK signal may be [B1, A1], and the amplitude variation range of the second level of the first type OOK signal may be [B2, A2].

[0182] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 8. In this example, A3 may represent the maximum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and B3 may represent the minimum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal. A4 may represent the maximum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and B4 may represent the minimum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal.

[0183] In this example, the amplitude variation range of the first level of the second-type OOK signal may be [B3, A3], and the amplitude variation range of the second level of the second-type OOK signal may be [B4, A4].

[0184] In this method, the fluctuation or variation range of the level amplitude of the OOK signal can be an interval value, and the first fluctuation value can also be an interval value. In this case, the power fluctuation range of the first level or second level of the OOK signal is defined as less than or equal to the first fluctuation value. In this case, it can be understood that the power fluctuation range of the first level or second level of the OOK signal is within the interval of the first fluctuation value, or in other words, the power fluctuation range of the first level or second level of the OOK signal is included in the interval of the first fluctuation value.

[0185] In the present application, the value of the first fluctuation value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal. For example, the interval value of the first fluctuation value when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal may be different from the interval value of the first fluctuation value when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal.

[0186] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second-type OOK signal is less than or equal to a second fluctuation value, and the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value corresponding to the first-type OOK signal.

[0187] In this implementation, the second fluctuation value may also be an interval value.

[0188] In this implementation, the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second type of OOK signal is less than or equal to the second fluctuation value, which can be understood as: the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second type of OOK signal is within the interval of the second fluctuation value, or in other words, the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second type of OOK signal is included in the interval of the second fluctuation value.

[0189] Optionally, the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal may be the difference between the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the first level / second level in the time domain signal of the OOK signal, or may be the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the first level / second level in the time domain signal of the OOK signal to the average amplitude of the first level / second level. Optionally, the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level of the first type OOK signal is greater than the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level of the second type OOK signal, and the difference between the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level of the first type OOK signal and the amplitude fluctuation or variation range of the first level of the second type OOK signal exceeds 10 dB or 15 dB.

[0190] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 7. In this example, A1 may represent the maximum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, B1 may represent the minimum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and C1 represents the average amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal. A2 may represent the maximum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, B2 may represent the minimum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and C2 represents the average amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal.

[0191] In this example, the amplitude fluctuation range of the first level of the first type OOK signal can be A1-B1, the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the amplitude of the first level of the first type OOK signal to the average amplitude of the first level is (A1-B1) / C1, and the amplitude fluctuation range of the second level of the first type OOK signal can be A2-B2, and the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the amplitude of the second level of the first type OOK signal to the average amplitude of the second level is (A2-B2) / C2.

[0192] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 8. In this example, A3 may represent the maximum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, B3 may represent the minimum amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and C3 represents the average amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal. A4 may represent the maximum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, B4 may represent the minimum amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and C4 represents the average amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal.

[0193] In this example, the amplitude fluctuation range of the first level of the second type OOK signal can be A3-B3, the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the amplitude of the first level of the second type OOK signal to the average amplitude of the first level is (A3-B3) / C3, and the amplitude fluctuation range of the second level of the second type OOK signal can be A4-B4, and the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​of the amplitude of the second level of the second type OOK signal to the average amplitude of the second level is (A4-B4) / C4.

[0194] In this implementation, the fluctuation or variation range of the level amplitude of the OOK signal may be a specific value, and the first fluctuation value may be a specific value.

[0195] In the present application, the value of the first fluctuation value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal. For example, the value of the first fluctuation value when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal may be different from the value of the first fluctuation value when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal.

[0196] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the second-type OOK signal is less than or equal to a second fluctuation value, the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value corresponding to the first-type OOK signal, and the difference between the first fluctuation value and the second fluctuation value corresponding to the first-type OOK signal is greater than or equal to a second threshold. As an example, the second threshold can be 10 dB or 15 dB.

[0197] In this implementation, the second fluctuation value may also be a specific value.

[0198] In this application, a network device sends a second-category OOK signal to a first-category device and a first-category OOK signal to a second-category device. The first-category device is a backscatter-based device or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to 1 μW; the second-category device is an active transmitter or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW or less than or equal to a few mW.

[0199] Among them, the power or amplitude variation range of the first level or the second level of the first type OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value corresponding to the first type OOK signal, and the power or amplitude variation range of the first level or the second level of the second type OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value or the second fluctuation value corresponding to the second type OOK signal.

[0200] It can be understood that the first fluctuation value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal and the first fluctuation value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal in this application can be predefined. The previous embodiment only gives an example of the first fluctuation value and does not limit the range of the first fluctuation value.

[0201] It can be understood that the second fluctuation value in this application can also be predefined.

[0202] In this method, when the power or amplitude variation range of the first level or second level of two categories of OOK signals is less than or equal to the corresponding fluctuation value, the OOK signal can meet the demodulation requirements of the two categories of terminal devices, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal devices.

[0203] In the present application, the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the OOK signal can be characterized by the difference between the average power or average amplitude of the first level and the average power or average amplitude of the second level of the OOK signal. Optionally, the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the first-type OOK signal is smaller than the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the second-type OOK signal, and the difference between the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the first-type OOK signal and the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the second-type OOK signal exceeds 10 dB or 15 dB.

[0204] As an example, when the OOK signal is a first-class OOK signal, the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 7. In this example, C1 may represent the average amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal, and C2 may represent the average amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the first-class OOK signal. In this example, the amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the OOK signal may be C1-C2.

[0205] As another example, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal may be as shown in Figure 8. In this example, C3 may represent the average amplitude of the first level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal, and C4 may represent the average amplitude of the second level in the time domain signal of the second-type OOK signal. In this example, the amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the OOK signal may be C3-C4.

[0206] In the present application, the value of the first difference may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal. For example, the value of the first difference when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal may be different from the value of the first difference when the OOK signal is a first-type OOK signal.

[0207] Optionally, in some possible implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the power or amplitude difference between the first level of the second-type OOK signal and the second level of the second-type OOK signal is greater than or equal to a second difference, the second difference is greater than the first difference corresponding to the first-type OOK signal, and the difference between the second difference and the first difference corresponding to the first-type OOK signal is greater than or equal to a third threshold. As an example, the third threshold may be 5 dB, 10 dB, or 15 dB.

[0208] In the present application, the third threshold may be predefined.

[0209] It can be understood that the third threshold in this application is only a simple example and does not affect the range of the third threshold, and this application does not limit it.

[0210] In this application, a network device sends a second-class OOK signal to a first-class device and a first-class OOK signal to a second-class device. The first-class device is a backscatter-based device or a device with a peak power consumption of ~1 μW; the second-class device is an active transmitter or a device with a peak power consumption of less than or equal to several hundred μW or less than or equal to a few mW.

[0211] In this implementation, the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of the first type OOK signal is greater than or equal to the first difference corresponding to the first type OOK signal, and the power or amplitude difference between the first level or the second level of the second type OOK signal is greater than or equal to the first difference or the second difference corresponding to the second type OOK signal.

[0212] It can be understood that in the present application, the first difference value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal and the first difference value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal can be predefined.

[0213] It can be understood that the second difference in this application can also be predefined.

[0214] In this method, when the power or amplitude difference between the first level and the second level of two categories of OOK signals is greater than or equal to the corresponding difference, the OOK signal can meet the demodulation requirements of the two categories of terminal devices, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal devices.

[0215] In the present application, the rising time of the first level is the time difference between the start time of the first level and the time when the first level reaches a preset threshold value of the first level, or a preset amplitude threshold value, or the time when the first level is lower than the maximum amplitude of the first level and the difference is the first preset difference threshold value. Thus, the rising time ratio of the first level is the ratio of the rising time of the first level to the duration of the first level. The falling time of the first level is the time difference between the end time of the first level and the time when the first level reaches a preset threshold value of the first level, or a preset amplitude threshold value, or the time when the first level is lower than the maximum amplitude of the first level and the difference is the first preset difference threshold value. Thus, the falling time ratio of the first level is the ratio of the falling time of the first level to the duration of the first level.

[0216] In the present application, the first preset difference threshold may be predefined.

[0217] In the present application, the proportion of time that the first level of the OOK signal rises or falls is less than or equal to a first proportion value, and the value of the first proportion value may be associated with the generation method of the OOK signal. For example, the value of the first proportion value when the OOK signal is a first type of OOK signal (or the first proportion value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal) may be different from the value of the first proportion value when the OOK signal is a second type of OOK signal (or the first proportion value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal).

[0218] The proportions of the rise time and fall time of the first type OOK signal may be within a first range of values, which may be less than or equal to the first proportion of the first type OOK signal. The proportions of the rise time and fall time of the second type OOK signal may be within a second range of values, which may be less than or equal to the first proportion of the second type OOK signal.

[0219] In the present application, the minimum value of the first range of values ​​is greater than the minimum value of the second range of values, and the difference between the minimum value of the first range of values ​​and the minimum value of the second range of values ​​is a predefined second preset difference threshold. The maximum value of the first range of values ​​and the maximum value of the second range of values ​​may be the same. Alternatively, it can be said that the first range of values ​​is a subset of the second range of values.

[0220] Optionally, the first range value and the second range value may be an interval value, and the first proportion value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal and the first proportion value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal may also be an interval value.

[0221] The first range value may be less than or equal to the first proportion value of the first type of OOK signal, which can be understood as: the first range value is within the interval of the first proportion value of the first type of OOK signal, or in other words, the first range value is included in the interval of the first proportion value of the first type of OOK signal.

[0222] The second range value can be less than or equal to the first proportion value of the second type of OOK signal, which can be understood as: the second range value is within the interval of the first proportion value of the second type of OOK signal, or in other words, the second range value is included in the interval of the first proportion value of the second type of OOK signal.

[0223] For example, if the first range value is 0.2 to 0.4, the first ratio corresponding to the first type of OOK signal may be [0.2, 0.4]. If the second range value is 0 to 0.4, the first ratio corresponding to the second type of OOK signal may be [0, 0.4].

[0224] Optionally, in some implementations, when the OOK signal is a second-type OOK signal, the time for the first level of the second-type OOK signal to rise or fall is greater than or equal to a second proportion, and the second proportion is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold. As an example, the fourth threshold may be zero.

[0225] In this implementation, the second proportion value may refer to the first proportion value of the first type of OOK signal in the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] Optionally, the first proportion value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal and the first proportion value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal may also be a specific value.

[0227] As an example, the first range value ranges from 0.2 to 0.4, and the first proportion value corresponding to the first type of OOK signal can be 0.4. The second range value ranges from 0 to 0.4, and the first proportion value corresponding to the second type of OOK signal can be 0.4.

[0228] Optionally, before sending the OOK signal, the network device may further determine the type of the OOK signal to be sent.

[0229] In a possible implementation, when the network device determines that the terminal device is a terminal device that does not have the capability of generating a carrier signal or a terminal device that has the capability of backscattering, the OOK signal is determined to be a second-type OOK signal.

[0230] Optionally, when the network device determines that the terminal device is a terminal device with the capability of generating a carrier signal or a terminal device without the capability of backscattering, the OOK signal is determined to be a first type OOK signal.

[0231] In this method, the network device can obtain first information and / or second information from the terminal device, where the first information can indicate whether the terminal device has the capability to generate a carrier signal, and the second information can indicate whether the terminal device has the capability to backscatter.

[0232] After obtaining the first information and / or the second information, the network device can determine the type of OOK signal to be sent to the terminal device based on the first information and / or the second information, and then determine whether the generated OOK signal meets the corresponding indicators of the OOK signal type. Only when the generated OOK signal meets the corresponding indicators of the OOK signal type is the OOK signal sent. In this way, the OOK signal sent by the network device to the terminal device can meet the demodulation requirements of the terminal device, thereby ensuring the demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0233] In another possible implementation, when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, the OOK signal is determined to be a first-type OOK signal; when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, the OOK signal is determined to be a second-type OOK signal.

[0234] As an example, the first bandwidth may be 1 RB, 2 RB, or 4 RB.

[0235] In this method, the network device can determine the indicators that the OOK signal needs to meet based on the bandwidth ratio occupied by the OOK signal, and then determine whether the generated OOK signal meets the indicator. If it is determined that the generated OOK signal meets the indicator, the generated OOK signal is sent to the terminal device.

[0236] In this method, when the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, the frequency domain flatness of the OOK signal has no impact on performance. The network device can send a second-type OOK signal with a less flat frequency domain waveform to the terminal device without affecting signal transmission performance. When the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, the frequency domain flatness of the OOK signal has a significant impact on performance. The network device can send a first-type OOK signal with a relatively flat frequency domain waveform to the terminal device, which is beneficial for improving signal transmission performance.

[0237] It can be understood that this embodiment only provides three examples of the first bandwidth, and does not limit the range of the first bandwidth.

[0238] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG9 , the communication device 900 may include a sending module 901 .

[0239] As an example, the communication device 900 may be used to implement the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 4. The sending module 901 may be used to execute S401.

[0240] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001 and an interface circuit 1002. The processor 1001 and the interface circuit 1002 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1002 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1003 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1001, or storing input data required by the processor 1001 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1001 executes instructions.

[0241] As an example, the interface circuit 1002 may be used to implement the functions of the aforementioned sending module 901 .

[0242] The communication device 1000 may be a network device or a chip used in a network device.

[0243] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a network device or a terminal device as discrete components.

[0244] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive.

[0245] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0246] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: Send an on-off keying (OOK) signal to a terminal device, where the OOK signal satisfies a first indicator, wherein the first indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions: The resource element RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first power value; The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first fluctuation value; A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a first difference; The proportion of time during which the first level of the OOK signal rises or falls is less than or equal to a first proportion value; The first level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 1 in the OOK signal, and the second level of the OOK signal corresponds to a signal with a symbol of 0 in the OOK signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The OOK signal is a first type OOK signal or a second type OOK signal, the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the first type OOK signal is a Zadows-Tsou ZC sequence or an m sequence or a random phase sequence or an orthogonal amplitude modulation sequence, and the time domain sequence corresponding to the first level of the second type OOK signal is an all-1 sequence or a sequence with a phase difference of π between adjacent elements or a complex sequence with the same phase and amplitude.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When the OOK signal is a second-category OOK signal, the OOK signal further satisfies a second indicator, where the second indicator includes any one or more of the following conditions: The RE power control dynamic range of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second power value, the second power value is greater than or equal to the first power value, and a difference between the second power value and the first power value is greater than or equal to a first threshold; The power fluctuation range of the first level or the second level of the OOK signal is less than or equal to a second fluctuation value, the second fluctuation value is less than the first fluctuation value, and the difference between the first fluctuation value and the second fluctuation value is greater than or equal to a second threshold; A power or amplitude difference between the first level of the OOK signal and the second level of the OOK signal is greater than or equal to a second difference, the second difference is greater than the first difference, and a difference between the second difference and the first difference is greater than or equal to a third threshold; The time for the first level of the OOK signal to rise or fall is greater than or equal to a second proportion, and the second proportion is greater than or equal to a fourth threshold.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The second power value is 0dB, 3dB, 6dB or 9dB.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the terminal device is a terminal device that does not have the capability of generating a carrier signal or a terminal device that has the capability of backscattering, it is determined that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is greater than the first bandwidth, determining that the OOK signal is the first type of OOK signal; When the bandwidth occupied by the OOK signal is less than or equal to the first bandwidth, it is determined that the OOK signal is the second type of OOK signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first bandwidth is 1 RB, 2 RB or 4 RB.

8. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises functional modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: include: memory and processor; The memory is used to store program instructions; The processor is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores a program code for computer execution, wherein the program code includes instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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