Beam information indication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

A beam information indication method, an apparatus and a system, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The present application can be applied to IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11bf protocol, or 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, or IEEE 802.11be next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, or Wi-Fi AI, or millimeter wave (mmWave), or ultra-wideband (UWB), etc. An SBP initiator sends an SBP request frame comprising beam indication information to an SBP responder, wherein the beam indication information may be used for the SBP initiator to indicate to the SBP responder a transmitting beam list or receiving beam list that the SBP responder, when serving as a sensing initiator, may separately indicate for each sensing responder among N sensing responders. Therefore, the SBP responder can allocate different transmitting beam lists or receiving beam lists to different sensing responders, thereby improving the flexibility of beam allocation and improving the sensing performance.

Description

Beam information indication method, device and system

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410458849.7, filed on April 15, 2024, entitled "Beam Information Indication Method, Apparatus and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a beam information indication method, apparatus and system. Background Technology

[0003] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11bf is a next-generation wireless standard focused on sensing passive objects (such as targets carrying no devices). The 802.11bf standard includes two main categories of standards: low-frequency (e.g., below 7 GHz, primarily implemented using 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and next-generation standards) and high-frequency (e.g., above or equal to 60 GHz, primarily implemented using 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and next-generation standards).

[0004] In the 802.11bf standard, sensing devices can estimate parameters (such as speed, distance, angle, etc.) of the sensed target based on the signals they receive. The estimation results can be used for subsequent action / behavior recognition, etc.

[0005] The existing Proxy-Aware (SBP) process suffers from low sensing performance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a beam information indication method, apparatus, and system that can improve the flexibility of beam allocation and enhance sensing performance.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a beam information indication method. This method can be applied to a proxy-aware SBP initiator (or a sensing proxy initiator). The SBP initiator may include a Station (STA), or a functional module within the STA, or a circuit or chip within the STA responsible for communication, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core. The method includes:

[0008] The SBP initiator sends an SBP request frame, which includes beam indication information. This beam indication information is used when the SBP initiator suggests (or recommends or indicates) that the SBP response end act as a sensing initiator. For each of the N sensing response ends, the SBP response end indicates (or configures, suggests, or recommends) at least one item from a transmit beam list or a receive beam list. The transmit beam list indicates the index of the transmit beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session, and the receive beam list indicates the index of the receive beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session. N is a positive integer. The SBP initiator receives an SBP response frame in response to the SBP request frame.

[0009] The transmit beam list or receive beam list shown in this application can include three cases: including a transmit beam list, including a receive beam list, or including both a transmit beam list and a receive beam list. The transmit beam in this application can be a beam used to transmit sensing PPDUs, and the receive beam can be a beam used to receive sensing PPDUs. For example, N can be equal to 1, or N can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0010] The SBP request frame is used to instruct the SBP responder to initiate a sensing measurement session. That is, the aforementioned sensing measurement session is initiated by the SBP responder at the request of the SBP initiator. Alternatively, the sensing measurement session is a session established by the SBP responder at the request of the SBP initiator. Or, the sensing measurement session is a session initiated by the SBP responder based on the SBP request frame.

[0011] In this embodiment, the SBP initiator can suggest to the SBP responder a transmit beam list or receive beam list for different sensing responders when the SBP responder is acting as a sensing initiator. This allows different sensing responders to use different transmit beam lists to transmit signals, or different sensing responders to use different receive beam lists to receive signals. Therefore, by allocating transmit or receive beam lists based on the direction of the sensing responder, the SBP initiator can improve the flexibility of beam allocation and enhance sensing performance.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the SBP initiator generating an SBP request frame.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: the SBP initiator receiving a sensing measurement request frame, the sensing measurement request frame being used to initiate the sensing measurement session, the sensing measurement request frame including the beam indication information.

[0014] In this embodiment, the SBP initiator can participate in the current sensing measurement session as a sensing response end. The current sensing measurement session shown here is a sensing measurement session established by the SBP response end (i.e., the sensing initiator) at the request of the SBP initiator.

[0015] In this embodiment, the sensing measurement request frame can be determined based on the SBP request frame (or SBP response frame), or in other words, the parameters allocated by the sensing initiator to the sensing response end in the sensing measurement request frame can come from the SBP request frame (or SBP response frame). For example, the beam indication information in the sensing measurement request frame can be a transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the sensing initiator to each of the N3 sensing response ends. N3 is a positive integer less than or equal to N, such as N3 equal to 1. If N3 = 1, the sensing initiator can send a sensing measurement request frame to one sensing response end, and this sensing measurement request frame can include the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated to the aforementioned sensing response end. The beam indication information in the SBP request frame can be a transmit beam list or receive beam list suggested by the SBP initiator to the SBP response end, which, when acting as the sensing initiator, can indicate to each of the N sensing response ends. Whether the specific form of the beam indication information in the sensing measurement request frame is the same as its specific form in the SBP request frame is not limited in this embodiment.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a beam information indication method, which can be applied to an SBP response end. The SBP response end may include an AP, or a functional module in the AP, or a circuit or chip in the AP responsible for communication, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core. The method includes:

[0017] The agent sensing SBP response end receives an SBP request frame, which includes beam indication information. This beam indication information is used when the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP response end act as a sensing initiator. The SBP response end is at least one item from a transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends. The transmit beam list indicates the index of the transmit beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session, and the receive beam list indicates the index of the receive beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session. N is a positive integer. The SBP response end sends an SBP response frame in response to the SBP request frame.

[0018] For an explanation of the second aspect, please refer to the first aspect; it will not be repeated here.

[0019] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0020] The SBP response terminal parses the SBP request frame and determines the transmit beam list or receive beam list corresponding to each of the N sensing response terminals based on the beam indication information.

[0021] The sensing response terminal in the sensing measurement session includes at least one of the N sensing response terminals.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0023] The SBP response terminal sends a sensing measurement request frame, which is used to initiate the sensing measurement session. The sensing measurement request frame includes the beam indication information.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the SBP responder sends the sensing measurement request frame, the method further includes: the SBP responder generating the sensing measurement request frame.

[0025] In this embodiment of the application, the sensing measurement request frame can be generated by the SBP response end (i.e., the sensing initiator) based on the parameters suggested by the SBP initiator in the SBP request frame. For a description of the beam indication information in the sensing measurement request frame and the beam indication information in the SBP request frame, please refer to the first aspect; it will not be detailed here.

[0026] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the beam indication information includes a transmit beam list and N receive beam lists indicating the N sensing response terminals, each receive beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal; or, the beam indication information includes a receive beam list and N transmit beam lists indicating the N sensing response terminals, each transmit beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal; or, the beam indication information includes N transmit beam lists and N receive beam lists indicating the N sensing response terminals, each transmit beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal, and each receive beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal.

[0027] In this embodiment of the application, as an example, the content of the beam indication information can be defined by the protocol. For example, the content of the beam indication information can be set by default to a list of N transmitting beams and a list of N receiving beams indicated by N sensing response terminals. As another example, the content of the beam indication information can correspond to the sensing type. By setting the content of the beam indication information in conjunction with the sensing type or the role of each sensing response terminal, the SBP initiator can make the content of the beam indication information more closely match the sensing type.

[0028] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the SBP request frame includes information about recommended sensing response terminals, and the information about the N sensing response terminals is included in the information about the recommended sensing response terminals.

[0029] In this embodiment, the order of the N sensing response terminals in the recommended sensing response terminal information can correspond to the order of the N sensing response terminals corresponding to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the beam indication information. Alternatively, the order of each sensing response terminal in the recommended sensing response terminal information can correspond one-to-one with the sensing response terminals sequentially corresponding to the transmit beam list (or receive beam list) in the beam indication information. For example, the recommended sensing response terminal information may include information on M sensing response terminals, where M is greater than or equal to N. For instance, the nth transmit beam list (or nth receive beam list) in the beam indication information can correspond to the nth sensing response terminal in the recommended sensing response terminal information. Furthermore, the N sensing response terminals corresponding to the beam indication information can be located at fixed positions in the recommended sensing response terminal information.

[0030] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame, by including information on recommended sensing response terminals, enables the SBP response terminals to explicitly know which sensing response terminals correspond to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the beam indication information.

[0031] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the SBP request frame further includes a role bitmap, which indicates the role of each of the N sensing response ends, wherein the role of the sensing response end is at least one of a sensing sender or a sensing receiver.

[0032] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame includes a role bitmap, which enables the SBP response end to know the content indicated by the beam indication information based on the role bitmap, or to know the perception type, thereby making it easier to parse the beam indication information.

[0033] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the SBP request frame further includes a beam list number, which indicates the number of beam list pairs of the transmit beam list and the receive beam list; or, the SBP request frame further includes a beam list presence, which indicates whether the beam indication information exists in the SBP request frame.

[0034] In this embodiment, the SBP request frame includes the number of beam lists, allowing the SBP responder to effectively determine how many sensing beams were recommended for the sensing responders in the SBP request frame. The inclusion of a beam list in the SBP request frame also enables the SBP responder to effectively determine whether the SBP request frame includes beam indication information. Of course, the SBP request frame can also include both the number of beam lists and the presence of a beam list.

[0035] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the SBP request frame further includes at least one of the following: a number of sensing response endpoints, a mandatory number of sensing response endpoints, a recommended number of sensing response endpoints, the existence of a list of recommended sensing response endpoints, and mandatory selection of recommended sensing response endpoints.

[0036] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the SBP request frame further includes at least one of the following: an SBP program expiration index, and a sensing responder to sensing responder (SR2SR) probe request.

[0037] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the beam indication information is carried in the integrated millimeter-wave (IMMW) SBP parameter element or the IMMW sensing measurement parameter element in the SBP request frame.

[0038] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the beam indication information is carried in the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) SBP parameter element in the SBP request frame.

[0039] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the beam indication information is carried in the SBP parameter element of the SBP request frame.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an SBP initiator for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation. The SBP initiator includes a module capable of executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation.

[0041] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an SBP response terminal for executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation. The SBP response terminal includes a module capable of executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation.

[0042] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide an SBP initiator, which includes a processor for executing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The processor executes a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned SBP initiator.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned SBP initiator.

[0045] In this embodiment of the application, the processor and memory can also be integrated into a single device, that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the SBP initiator also includes a transceiver for sending SBP request frames or receiving SBP response frames, etc.

[0047] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide an SBP response terminal, which includes a processor for executing the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The processor is used to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof is executed.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned SBP response terminal.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned SBP response terminal.

[0050] In the embodiments of this application, the processor and memory can also be integrated into a single device, that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the SBP response end also includes a transceiver for receiving SBP request frames or sending SBP response frames, etc.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide an SBP initiator, which includes logic circuitry and an interface, wherein the logic circuitry and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuitry is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0053] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide an SBP response terminal, which includes logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuitry is used for performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0054] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0055] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations described above to be executed.

[0056] In one aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, executes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations described above.

[0057] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising an SBP initiator and an SBP responder, wherein the SBP initiator is configured to execute the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the SBP responder is configured to execute the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the stages of the perception process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the SBP process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a beam information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of a format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 5b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of a format of the IMW SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of another format of the IMW SBP parameter elements provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0070] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of a format of SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of another format of SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 10a is a schematic diagram of a format of DMG SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 10b is a schematic diagram of another format of DMG SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the device provided in the embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0078] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0079] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0080] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists or only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, or both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0081] In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0082] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0083] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0084] The following describes the communication system involved in this application.

[0085] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Wi-Fi or ambient power (AMP). For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11bf, 802.11az, 802.11bk, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation protocols, and even more specifically, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or next-generation protocols, which will not be listed here. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to millimeter wave (MMW) technology, including integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) (IMMW is used as an example below). The methods provided in this application can be applied to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab, or a future generation of UWB WPAN protocols, etc., and will not be listed exhaustively. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication development.

[0086] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0087] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN as an example, especially networks applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), and wide area networks (WANs) or other networks now known or to be developed in the future.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0089] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using WLAN protocols. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating or sensing with other devices. Alternatively, an access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. The device with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; an AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, an AP can also be a chip, processing system, or module within the aforementioned devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. Naturally, an AP can also include APs belonging to a multi-link device (MLD).

[0090] A Station-Style (STA) is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol. It has the ability to communicate or sense other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. For example, an STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Furthermore, an STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Of course, the STA can also be a chip, processing system, or module in the various types of devices described above, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. Naturally, the STA can also include non-AP STAs belonging to a multi-link device (MLD).

[0091] For example, the communication systems to which the methods provided in this application can be applied may include access points and stations. For instance, this application can be applied to scenarios of communication or sensing between APs and STAs, between APs, or between STAs in a WLAN, and this application does not limit this. Optionally, an AP can communicate or sense with a single STA, or an AP can communicate or sense with multiple STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple STAs can be further divided into downlink transmission where the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple STAs, and uplink transmission where multiple STAs send signals to the AP. The communication protocols between APs and STAs, between APs, and between STAs can support WLAN communication protocols, which may include IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11n / 802.11ac / 802.11ax / 802.11be / 802.11bn protocols, and of course, protocols after 802.11bn are also applicable.

[0092] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include one or more APs and one or more STAs. Figure 1 shows an access point such as AP1 and three stations such as STA1, STA2, and STA3. Exemplarily, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to data communication between an AP and one or more STAs (as shown in Figure 1, communication between AP1 and STA1, or communication between AP1 and STA1 / STA2), or communication between APs, or communication between STAs (as shown in Figure 1, communication between STA2 and STA3). The method provided in this embodiment can be applied to, but is not limited to: single-user uplink / downlink transmission, multi-user uplink / downlink transmission, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), and device-to-device (D2D). For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0093] It is understood that Figure 1 uses STA as a mobile phone and AP as a router as an example, and does not imply a limitation on the types of AP and STA in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, Figure 1 only shows one AP and three STAs as an example, but the number of APs or STAs can be more or less, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0094] The following describes some devices involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] Sensing initiator: A device that initiates a sensing action; or, a device that initiates a sensing measurement session; or, a device that sends a sensing measurement request frame. The sensing initiator may send the sensing measurement request frame at a low frequency or at a high frequency. The sensing initiator can be a sensing transmitter or a sensing receiver.

[0096] Sensing responder: A device that participates in sensing by responding to sensing actions initiated by the sensing initiator. For example, the sensing responder can receive sensing measurement request frames and reply with sensing measurement response frames. The sensing responder can reply with sensing measurement response frames at low or high frequencies. As an example, for trigger-based (TB) sensing measurement interactions, the sensing initiator can be the AP (Action Point) and the sensing responder can be the STA (Sensing Target). As another example, for non-trigger-based (non-TB) sensing measurement interactions, the sensing initiator can be the STA and the sensing responder can be the AP. The sensing responder can be a sensing transmitter or a sensing receiver.

[0097] Sensing transmitter: A device that transmits sensing PPDUs. For example, a sensing transmitter can transmit sensing PPDUs at low frequencies or high frequencies.

[0098] Sensing receiver: A device that receives sensing PPDUs. For example, a sensing receiver can receive sensing PPDUs at low frequencies or high frequencies.

[0099] In this application, high frequency and low frequency are relative terms. For example, a low frequency may be below a first threshold, such as below 7 GHz (sub-7 GHz), or the low frequency may include 2.4 GHz to 7.25 GHz (also referred to as sub-7 GHz). A high frequency may be above a second threshold, such as above 42 GHz, or the high frequency may include 42 GHz to 71 GHz. The aforementioned second threshold may be greater than the first threshold. This application does not limit the specific values ​​of the first and second thresholds. Of course, as standards evolve, other high and low frequencies may emerge subsequently, and this application does not limit these.

[0100] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the stages of the sensing process provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the stages of the sensing process may include: a sensing capabilities exchange stage, a sensing measurement session establishment stage, a sensing measurement exchange stage, and a sensing measurement session termination stage.

[0101] During the sensing capability interaction phase, different devices can exchange their capabilities. Through this basic capability exchange, devices can learn about each other's sensing capabilities. For example, a sensing initiator can send a sensing capability element to a sensing response device, which can carry the initiator's sensing capabilities. Similarly, a sensing response device can send a sensing capability element to the initiator, which can also carry its own sensing capabilities. Typically, during the sensing capability interaction phase, the devices exchanging capabilities do not yet distinguish between the sensing initiator and the sensing response device. However, after the capability interaction is completed, the initiator and response device can be distinguished; that is, the device sending the sensing measurement request frame can be the sensing initiator.

[0102] After the sensing devices complete their capability interaction, when a sensing measurement session needs to be initiated, the sensing initiator can send a sensing measurement request frame (or simply sensing measurement request) to establish the sensing measurement session. The sensing response end receives the sensing measurement request and replies with a sensing measurement response frame (or simply sensing measurement response). During this sensing measurement session establishment phase, the sensing initiator can assign different roles (such as sensing transmitter, sensing receiver, sensing initiator, and sensing response end) and parameters to different sensing response ends for different sensing tasks, thereby completing the establishment of the sensing measurement session. This sensing measurement session establishment phase mainly negotiates relevant sensing parameters, such as the device's receive / transmit role, sensing bandwidth, whether channel state information (CSI) matrix needs to be fed back, and whether sensing measurement report frames need to be fed back.

[0103] After establishing a sensing measurement session, the sensing initiator can initiate one or more sensing measurement interactions. That is, a sensing measurement session can include one or more sensing measurement interactions. For example, sensing measurement interactions can be divided into trigger-based (TB) sensing measurement interactions (TB sensing measurement instance) and non-trigger-based (Non-TB) sensing measurement interactions (Non-TB sensing measurement instance). TB sensing measurement interactions are generally initiated by the AP (e.g., the AP acts as the sensing initiator), while Non-TB sensing measurement interactions are generally initiated by the STA (e.g., the STA acts as the sensing initiator). This classification of sensing measurement interactions is merely an example; for the IMW sensing process, sensing measurement interactions may distinguish between TB sensing measurement interactions and non-TB sensing measurement interactions, or they may not distinguish between them. This application does not limit the specific distinction of sensing measurement interactions.

[0104] After a period of time, if the sensing initiator or sensing responder no longer needs the sensing measurement session, the sensing initiator or sensing responder can close (or terminate) the sensing measurement session by sending a sensing measurement session termination frame, as shown in the sensing measurement session termination phase in Figure 2.

[0105] The sensing flow shown in Figure 2 can correspond to different sensing tasks. For example, the sensing initiator can initiate a sensing flow for a fall detection task. During the sensing measurement interaction phase, the sensing initiator (or sensing response end) can detect target information by sending several sensing PPDUs. Similarly, the sensing initiator can initiate a sensing flow for a breathing detection task. During the sensing measurement interaction phase, the sensing initiator (or sensing response end) can also detect target information by sending several sensing PPDUs. The target information listed here may include the target's motion information, etc. The target detected through the sensing flow can be in a moving state or a stationary state; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0106] As an example, the four stages mentioned above can be applied to sensing below 7 GHz.

[0107] As another example, the four stages described above can be applied to DMG perception. When applied to DMG perception, these four stages can be named DMG perception capability interaction stage, DMG perception measurement session establishment stage, DMG perception measurement interaction stage, and DMG perception measurement session termination stage, respectively. Similarly, a perception measurement request can also be called a DMG perception measurement request, and a perception measurement response can also be called a DMG perception measurement response.

[0108] As another example, the above four stages can be applied to the IMW sensing process. When applied to IMW sensing, the names of the four stages can be IMW sensing capability interaction stage, IMW sensing measurement session establishment stage, IMW sensing measurement interaction stage, and IMW sensing measurement session termination stage, respectively. Similarly, a sensing measurement request can also be called an IMW sensing measurement request, and a sensing measurement response can also be called an IMW sensing measurement response. When the sensing process is applied to different frequency bands, the names of each stage, frame, or device are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0109] For DMG sensing or IMW sensing, since the signal is transmitted directionally, sensing beam allocation can be performed during the establishment phase of the sensing measurement session, regardless of the sensing type used. Sensing types can include, but are not limited to, monostatic (or single-base) sensing (or coordinated monostatic (or cooperative monostatic) sensing), bistatic (or bistatic) sensing (or joint coordinated bistatic sensing), and multistatic sensing. For example, monostatic sensing can be called self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing, and coordinated monostatic sensing can be called coordinated self-transmitting and self-receiving. Multistatic sensing can include one-transmitter-multiple-receiver sensing or one-receiver-multiple-transmitter sensing.

[0110] The process shown in Figure 2 is only an example. As the standard progresses, other perception processes may emerge in the future, and this application does not limit them.

[0111] The following describes some other devices involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0112] Sensing by proxy (SBP) initiator: The device that initiates the SBP process, or the device that initiates an SBP request frame. Typically, the SBP initiator can be a ST (Stationary Targeting Unit). For example, the SBP initiator can send SBP request frames at low or high frequencies.

[0113] SBP Response Terminal: A device that responds to the SBP procedure or receives an SBP request frame and replies with an SBP response frame. Typically, the SBP response terminal can be an access point (AP). The SBP response terminal can send SBP response frames at low or high frequencies.

[0114] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the SBP process provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, STA 1, as the SBP initiator, sends an SBP request frame to the AP. The AP, as the SBP responder, upon receiving the SBP request frame (referred to as the SBP request in Figure 3), establishes a sensing connection with the corresponding sensing responder based on the parameters carried in the SBP request frame, completes the measurement, and provides feedback. If the AP replies with an SBP response frame (referred to as the SBP response in Figure 3) after receiving the SBP request frame, the AP can initiate a sensing measurement session as the sensing initiator. For example, the AP can send sensing measurement request frames to STA1 and STA2 respectively. The sensing measurement interaction initiated by the AP as the sensing initiator is generally a TB sensing measurement interaction. For an explanation of the TB sensing measurement interaction, please refer to Figure 2 above; it will not be detailed here.

[0115] Figure 3 illustrates an example where STA1 acts as both the SBP initiator and the sensing response endpoint. In practical implementations, STA1 may not participate in the sensing measurement session initiated by the SBP response endpoint (i.e., STA1 may not be the sensing response endpoint). The sensing measurement requests sent by the AP to STA1 or STA2 shown in Figure 3 are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. The order of the SBP response and sensing measurement request in Figure 3 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For a description of the sensing measurement request and sensing measurement response in Figure 3, please refer to the above text; further details will not be provided here.

[0116] For example, the SBP process may also include a feedback phase (not shown in Figure 3) and a closing phase (not shown in Figure 3). For instance, in the SBP feedback phase (not shown in Figure 3), the AP, as the SBP response end, can collect the sensing measurement results and then feed them back to the SBP initiator (such as STA1). In the SBP closing phase (not shown in Figure 3), the SBP initiator can close the established SBP process. The closing phase shown in this application embodiment may also be called a termination phase, etc. This application does not limit the specific names of each phase.

[0117] As an example, the above SBP procedure can be applied to sub-7GHz sensing. An SBP request (or sub-7GHz SBP request) can carry SBP parameter elements and sensing measurement parameter elements. Of course, the SBP parameter element and sensing measurement parameter element can also be set as a single element; this embodiment does not limit this. The SBP parameter element can carry parameters (such as the number of responders) related to the sensing measurement session initiated by the SBP responder (i.e., the sensing initiator), suggested (or indicated, allocated, or specified) by the SBP initiator. The sensing measurement parameter element can carry sensing parameters (such as bandwidth) suggested by the SBP initiator to the SBP responder, which the SBP responder allocates / specifies to the sensing responder for the sensing measurement session. The sub-7GHz SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request can correspond to one or more sensing measurement sessions, which are sessions initiated by the SBP responder as the sensing initiator based on the SBP request (or SBP response).

[0118] As another example, the above SBP procedure can be applied to DMG sensing (i.e., the DMG SBP procedure). When applied to DMG sensing, the SBP initiator can also be called the DMG SBP initiator, and the SBP responder can also be called the DMG SBP responder. Similarly, the SBP request can also be called the DMG SBP request, and the SBP response can also be called the DMG SBP response. The SBP request can carry DMG SBP parameter elements and DMG sensing measurement parameter elements. Of course, the DMG SBP parameter element and the DMG sensing measurement session element can also be set as a single element; this application embodiment does not limit this. For a description of the DMG SBP parameter element and the DMG sensing measurement session element, please refer to the description of the SBP parameter element and sensing measurement parameter element above; it will not be detailed here. The DMG SBP procedure initiated by the DMG SBP request can correspond to one or more sensing measurement sessions, which are sessions initiated by the SBP responder as the sensing initiator based on the SBP request (or SBP response).

[0119] As another example, the above SBP procedure can be applied to IMW sensing (i.e., the IMW SBP procedure). When applied to IMW sensing, the SBP initiator can also be called the IMW SBP initiator, and the SBP responder can also be called the IMW SBP responder. Similarly, the SBP request can also be called the IMW SBP request, and the SBP response can also be called the IMW SBP response. The SBP request can carry IMWSBP parameter elements and IMW sensing measurement parameter elements. Of course, the IMWSBP parameter elements and the IMW sensing measurement parameter elements can also be set as a single element; this embodiment does not limit this. For a description of the IMWSBP parameter elements and the IMW sensing measurement parameter elements, please refer to the description of the SBP parameter elements and sensing measurement parameter elements above; they will not be detailed here. The IMW SBP procedure initiated by the IMW SBP request can correspond to one or more sensing measurement sessions, which are sessions initiated by the SBP responder as the sensing initiator based on the SBP request (or SBP response).

[0120] The above-described SBP procedure for sub-7GHz sensing (or sub-7GHz SBP procedure) can be understood as follows: the sensing PPDUs involved in the sensing measurement session corresponding to the sub-7GHz SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request can be transmitted in the frequency band involved in the sub-7GHz. Whether other frames in this sensing measurement session besides the sensing PPDUs are transmitted in the frequency band involved in the sub-7GHz is not limited in this embodiment. The above-described SBP procedure for DMG sensing (or DMG SBP procedure) can be understood as follows: the sensing PPDUs involved in the sensing measurement session corresponding to the DMG SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request can be transmitted in the frequency band involved in the DMG. Whether other frames in this sensing measurement session besides the sensing PPDUs are transmitted in the frequency band involved in the DMG is not limited in this embodiment. The above-described SBP procedure for IMMW sensing (or IMMW SBP procedure) can be understood as follows: the sensing PPDUs involved in the sensing measurement session corresponding to the IMMW SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request can be transmitted in the frequency band involved in the IMMW. Whether frames other than the sensing PPDU in the sensing measurement session are transmitted on the frequency band involved in the IMW is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The transmission shown in this application may include sending or receiving.

[0121] When the SBP procedure is applied to different frequency bands, the formats of the aforementioned SBP parameter elements, DMG SBP parameter elements, or IMW SBP parameter elements (or MMW SBP parameter elements) may have one or at least two different fields; or the formats of these three elements may be the same; or the aforementioned three elements may have one or at least two identical fields, but different field values, etc., which will not be listed here. Similarly, the formats of the aforementioned sensing measurement parameter elements, DMG sensing measurement parameter elements, and IMW sensing measurement parameter elements (or MMW sensing measurement parameter elements) may have one or at least two different fields; or the formats of these three elements may be the same; or the aforementioned three elements may have one or at least two identical fields, but different field values, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0122] When the SBP procedure is applied to different frequency bands, the names of each frame or device are not limited in this application embodiment. Nor are the names of elements within each frame limited in this application embodiment. The names of DMG SBP parameter elements, IMMW SBP parameter elements, DMG sensing measurement parameter elements, or IMMW sensing measurement parameter elements shown above are merely examples and should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0123] This application uses the SBP initiator as STA and the SBP response end (i.e., the sensing initiator) as AP as an example. As the standard progresses, other devices may emerge to implement the sensing process or SBP process. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific product form of the SBP initiator or SBP response end.

[0124] The above description of Figure 2 or Figure 3 also applies to the method shown in Figure 4 below, and will not be repeated hereafter.

[0125] The methods involved in this application are described below.

[0126] For the current DMG SBP perception, the action field of the DMG SBP request frame is as follows:

[0127] Table 1

[0128] The order in Table 1 can be the field order of the functional fields in the DMG SBP request frame. The embodiments of this application do not limit the order shown in Table 1. For ease of description, the embodiments shown in this application use "field" or "element" as examples, without specifically distinguishing between "field" or "subfield," "element" or "subelement," etc. Although the embodiments shown in this application do not specifically distinguish between "field," "subfield," "element," and "subelement," those skilled in the art can adaptably distinguish the relationships between the various fields shown in the embodiments of this application.

[0129] In Table 1, the DMG SBP parameter elements can carry information about the sensing measurement session that the DMG SBP initiator wants the AP (i.e., the DMG SBP responder or sensing initiator) agent to establish. This information may include, but is not limited to, the number of sensing responders participating in the sensing measurement session, and whether there is a preferred sensing responder, etc.

[0130] In Table 1, the DMG sensing measurement session element can carry parameters such as the type of sensing measurement session that the DMG SBP initiator wants the AP (i.e., the DMG SBP responder or sensing initiator) to establish, and whether polarization measurement is used. After obtaining the DMG sensing measurement session element, the AP can assign the parameters in this element to all sensing responders. In other words, the AP can assign the same parameters to all sensing responders based on the DMG sensing measurement session element in the DMG SBP request frame.

[0131] For example, the AP can allocate sensing beams using the following information in the DMG sensing measurement request frame: the transmit beamlist (TX beamlist) and receive beamlist (RX beamlist) in the optional sub-element (or sensing sub-element, etc.) field of the DMG sensing measurement session element. That is, the same parameters mentioned above can include both the transmit beamlist and the receive beamlist. The sensing initiator will assign the same transmit beamlist and the same receive beamlist to different sensing response endpoints.

[0132] Generally speaking, the same sensing target may be located in different directions of multiple sensing response terminals. If the sensing initiator assigns the same transmit beam list and the same receive beam list to different sensing response terminals, it will not only prevent different sensing response terminals from effectively sensing different directions, but also make it difficult for these sensing response terminals to achieve joint sensing of the same sensing target or the same area, affecting the flexibility of sensing and reducing sensing performance.

[0133] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a beam information indication method, apparatus, and system, which can effectively improve the flexibility and performance of sensing.

[0134] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a beam information indication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The descriptions of the SBP initiator and SBP responder in this method can be found in Figures 1, 2, or 3 above, and will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes:

[0135] 401. The SBP initiator sends an SBP request frame, which includes beam indication information. This beam indication information is used when the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP response end act as a sensing initiator. The SBP response end is a transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends.

[0136] Correspondingly, the SBP response end receives the SBP request frame.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the SBP initiator can generate the SBP request frame before sending it. A description of the SBP request frame can be found below, and will not be detailed here.

[0138] 402. The SBP responder sends an SBP response frame, and the corresponding SBP initiator receives the SBP response frame.

[0139] After receiving an SBP request frame, the SBP responder can parse the frame to determine the parameters indicated by the SBP initiator. When the SBP responder initiates a sensing measurement session as a sensing initiator, it can assign (or suggest or recommend) parameters to N sensing responders based on the parameters indicated by the SBP initiator. The parameters shown here may include the transmit beam list or receive beam list, as described below.

[0140] In one possible implementation, after receiving an SBP request frame, the SBP responder can also generate an SBP response frame. This SBP response frame can include feedback on the parameters carried in the SBP request frame. For example, the SBP response frame can include a status code field, which can carry at least one of the following fields: success, rejected with suggested changes, or request declined. "Success" indicates that the SBP responder agrees to the request from the SBP initiator. Both "rejected with suggested changes" and "rejected with suggested changes" indicate that the SBP responder rejects the request from the SBP initiator. Optionally, when the status code field carries "rejected with suggested changes," the SBP responder can carry its suggested parameters, which may include, but are not limited to, a transmit beam list or receive beam list assigned by the SBP responder to at least one of the N sensing responders.

[0141] In one possible implementation, after receiving an SBP response frame, the SBP initiator can parse the SBP response frame. By parsing the SBP response frame, the SBP initiator can determine whether the SBP responder agrees to the SBP initiator's request.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the SBP responder can also send a sensing measurement request frame to one or more sensing responders, which can be used to initiate a sensing measurement session. When the SBP initiator participates in this sensing measurement session as a sensing responder, the SBP initiator can also receive the sensing measurement request frame.

[0143] The sensing measurement request frame can be determined based on the SBP request frame (or SBP response frame). In other words, the parameters allocated by the SBP response end (as the sensing initiator) to the sensing response end in the sensing measurement request frame can originate from the SBP request frame (or SBP response frame). For example, the beam indication information in the sensing measurement request frame can be a transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the sensing initiator to each of the N3 sensing response ends. N3 is a positive integer less than or equal to N, such as N3 equal to 1. The beam indication information in the SBP request frame can be a transmit beam list or receive beam list suggested by the SBP initiator to the SBP response end, which, when acting as the sensing initiator, can indicate to each of the N sensing response ends. Whether the specific form of the beam indication information in the sensing measurement request frame is the same as its specific form in the SBP request frame is not limited in this embodiment.

[0144] The relationship between the sensing measurement request frame and the SBP request frame (or SBP response frame) can be found in the descriptions in Figure 2 or Figure 3 above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0145] In this embodiment, the SBP initiator can indicate to the SBP responder the transmit beam list or receive beam list that the SBP responder indicates for different sensing responders when acting as a sensing initiator. This allows different sensing responders to use different transmit beam lists to transmit signals, or different sensing responders to use different receive beam lists to receive signals. Therefore, by allocating transmit or receive beam lists based on the direction of the sensing responder, the SBP initiator can improve the flexibility of beam allocation and enhance sensing performance.

[0146] The following describes the information of the SBP request frame involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0147] The SBP request frame may include at least one of the following: beam indication information, information about the recommended sensing response end, a role bitmap, the number of beams in the list, or the existence of a beam list. These are explained below:

[0148] (I) Beam Indication Information

[0149] The aforementioned beam indication information is used by the SBP initiator to suggest (or recommend or indicate) a transmit beam list or receive beam list to each of the N sensing response ends when the SBP response end acts as a sensing initiator. That is, the SBP initiator can use this beam indication information to suggest (or recommend or configure) at least one of the transmit beam list or receive beam list allocated by the sensing initiator to each of the N sensing response ends when the SBP response end initiates a sensing measurement session as a sensing initiator. The aforementioned "transmit beam list or receive beam list" can include both a transmit beam list and a receive beam list.

[0150] In this embodiment, the transmit beam list or receive beam list corresponds to a sensing response terminal. That is, the beam indication information can indicate the transmit beam list or receive beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal. Different sensing response terminals may have the same or different transmit beam lists. Similarly, different sensing response terminals may have the same or different receive beam lists. For example, if at least two of the N sensing response terminals are located in different directions, then the sensing response terminals with different directions can correspond to different transmit beam lists or different receive beam lists.

[0151] The aforementioned transmit beam list can be used to indicate the index of the transmit beam used by the corresponding sensing response terminal in the sensing measurement session. The transmit beam list can indicate the index explicitly, such as including one or more transmit beam indices. Alternatively, it can indicate the index implicitly, such as using a bitmap to indicate the transmit beams. Bits with a value of 1 in the bitmap correspond to transmit beams used by the corresponding sensing response terminal, while bits with a value of 0 correspond to transmit beams that cannot be used by the corresponding sensing response terminal. Each sensing response terminal can correspond to a bitmap. The receive beam list can be used to indicate the index of the receive beam used by the corresponding sensing response terminal in the sensing measurement session. Similarly, the receive beam list can indicate the index explicitly, such as including one or more receive beam indices. Alternatively, it can indicate the index implicitly. The specific method by which the transmit or receive beam list indicates the index is not limited in this embodiment.

[0152] The index shown in this application embodiment can also be replaced with information such as identifiers or numbers used to identify beams, and this application embodiment does not limit this. This application embodiment illustrates a transmit beam list or a receive beam list as an example. In specific implementations, it can also be replaced with a transmit beam set or a receive beam set, or one or more transmit beams, one or more receive beams, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0153] The aforementioned sensing and measurement session can be a session established by the SBP responder at the request of the SBP initiator. Alternatively, the sensing and measurement session is initiated by the SBP responder in conjunction with an SBP request frame or an SBP response frame. Or, the SBP responder, as the sensing initiator, can establish a sensing and measurement session based on an SBP request frame or an SBP response frame. For explanations of the establishment phase and interaction phase of the sensing and measurement session, as well as the SBP process, please refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3 above; they will not be detailed here.

[0154] The N mentioned above can be a positive integer. For example, N = 1, or N = 2, or N is greater than 2, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0155] The following explains the content of the beam indication information.

[0156] The beam indication information may include a list of N1 transmit beams and a list of N2 receive beams suggested by the SBP initiator to the SBP responder, where the SBP responder is the sensing initiator indicating to each of the N sensing responders. N1 is a positive integer less than or equal to N, and N2 is a positive integer less than or equal to N. That is, the SBP initiator indicates to the SBP responder through the N1 transmit beams in the beam indication information that the SBP responder, as the sensing initiator, indicates to each of the N sensing responders a separate transmit beam list, and indicates to the SBP responder through the N2 receive beams in the beam indication information that the SBP responder, as the sensing initiator, indicates to each of the N sensing responders a separate receive beam list. In the following examples, Method 1 uses N2 = N, Method 2 uses N1 = N, and Method 3 uses both N1 = N and N2 = N.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the beam indication information can be presented in the following manner:

[0158] Method 1: The beam indication information includes a transmit beam list and N receive beam lists indicating N sensing response terminals, with each receive beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal. These N sensing response terminals can correspond to the same transmit beam list.

[0159] For method 1, the SBP initiator can not only suggest to the SBP responder through beam indication information, but also, when the SBP responder is a sensing initiator, the SBP responder can indicate the transmit beam list and receive beam list to N sensing responders respectively. Moreover, by including a transmit beam list, the beam indication information can save signaling overhead.

[0160] Method 2: The beam indication information includes a list of receiving beams and a list of transmitting beams for N sensing response terminals, with each transmitting beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal. These N sensing response terminals can correspond to the same list of receiving beams.

[0161] Regarding method 2, the SBP initiator can not only suggest to the SBP responder through beam indication information, but also, when the SBP responder is a sensing initiator, the SBP responder can indicate the transmit beam list and receive beam list to N sensing responders respectively. Moreover, by including a receive beam list, the beam indication information can save signaling overhead.

[0162] Method 3: The beam indication information includes N transmit beam lists and N receive beam lists indicating N sensing response terminals. Each transmit beam list corresponds to one sensing response terminal, and each receive beam list corresponds to one sensing response terminal.

[0163] For method 3, the beam indication information includes N transmit beam lists and N receive beam lists, which enables each sensing response end to clearly know its own transmit beam list and receive beam list.

[0164] Method 4: The beam indication information includes a list of N transmit beams indicating N sensing response terminals, with each transmit beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal. These N transmit beam lists can also implicitly indicate N receive beam lists. For example, when a sensing response terminal performs self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing, it can transmit signals through the transmit beams and also receive signals through the same beams.

[0165] Alternatively, the beam indication information includes N receive beam lists indicating N sensing response terminals, with each receive beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal. These N receive beam lists can implicitly indicate N transmit beam lists.

[0166] As an example, the content of beam indication information can be defined by the protocol. For instance, the content of beam indication information can be set to the default method described in option 3 above.

[0167] As another example, the content of the beam indication information can correspond to the sensing type. In other words, the content of the beam indication information is associated with the sensing type. Alternatively, the content of the beam indication information can be determined based on the sensing type that the SBP initiator wants the sensing agent to initiate. Or, the content of the beam indication information can be determined based on the role of each of the N sensing response ends, whose role can include at least one of sensing transmitter or sensing receiver. The aforementioned sensing type or sensing response end role is relative to the sensing measurement session; that is, the role of the sensing response end is the role it plays throughout the entire sensing measurement session. For details on the roles of the sensing response ends, please refer to the sensing types shown below or the role bitmap shown below; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0168] For example, the sensing type may include spontaneous sensing, separate sending and receiving sensing, one-to-many sensing, or one-to-many sensing.

[0169] (1) Regarding the separate sensing of transmitting and receiving:

[0170] Transceiver split sensing can be understood as the device that transmits sensing PPDUs and the device that receives sensing PPDUs being different devices. In transmit-receive split sensing, the sensing response end can be either a sensing transmitter or a sensing receiver. Therefore, one sensing response end can correspond to one transmit beam list and one receive beam list. Alternatively, each sensing response end has its own transmit beam list and receive beam list. Or, the transmit beam list and receive beam list can appear in pairs in the beam indication information. When each of the N sensing response ends performs transmit-receive split sensing, the beam indication information can include the transmit beam list and receive beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends when the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP response end act as the sensing initiator.

[0171] Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of a beam indication information format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5a, the beam indication information may sequentially include a transmit beam list 1, a receive beam list 1, a transmit beam list 2, and a receive beam list 2, etc. Transmit beam list 1 and receive beam list 1 may correspond to sensing response terminal #1 among N sensing response terminals, and transmit beam list 2 and receive beam list 2 may correspond to sensing response terminal #2 among N sensing response terminals. Figure 5a illustrates an example where the transmit beam list precedes the receive beam list; in a specific implementation, the receive beam list may also precede the transmit beam list.

[0172] Figure 5b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5b, the beam indication information may sequentially include transmit beam list 1, transmit beam list 2, ..., receive beam list 1, receive beam list 2, ... Wherein, transmit beam list 1 may correspond to sensing response terminal #1 among N sensing response terminals, transmit beam list 2 may correspond to sensing response terminal #2 among N sensing response terminals, receive beam list 1 may correspond to sensing response terminal #1 among N sensing response terminals, and receive beam list 2 may correspond to sensing response terminal #2 among N sensing response terminals.

[0173] Figures 5a and 5b exemplarily illustrate the transmit beam list and receive beam list corresponding to two sensing response terminals, but should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. The correspondence between the transmit beam list and receive beam list and the sensing response terminal can be found in the description of the recommended sensing response terminal information below, which will not be detailed here.

[0174] (2) Regarding spontaneous and self-collected perception:

[0175] Self-initiated sensing can be understood as the same device transmitting and receiving sensing PPDUs. In self-initiated sensing, the sensing response end can act as both a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver. That is, the transmitting and receiving beams used by the sensing response end can be the same. Therefore, one sensing response end can correspond to one transmitting beam list, or one sensing response end can correspond to one receiving beam list. When each of the N sensing response ends performs self-initiated sensing, the beam indication information can include the SBP response end's suggestion to act as the sensing transmitter, where the SBP response end can be the transmitting beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends; or, the beam indication information can include the SBP response end's suggestion to act as the sensing transmitter, where the SBP response end can be the receiving beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends.

[0176] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6a, the beam indication information may include transmit beam list 1, transmit beam list 2, etc. The transmit beam list 1 may correspond to sensing response terminal #1 among N sensing response terminals, and the transmit beam list 2 may correspond to sensing response terminal #2 among N sensing response terminals.

[0177] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6b, the beam indication information may include a receive beam list 1, a receive beam list 2, etc. The receive beam list 1 may correspond to sensing response terminal #1 among N sensing response terminals, and the receive beam list 2 may correspond to sensing response terminal #2 among N sensing response terminals.

[0178] In this embodiment, although the beam indication information includes N transmit beam lists, these N transmit beam lists not only indicate the transmit beam list corresponding to each of the N sensing response terminals, but also implicitly indicate the receive beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal. Similarly, although the beam indication information includes N receive beam lists, these N receive beam lists not only indicate the receive beam list corresponding to each of the N sensing response terminals, but also implicitly indicate the transmit beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal.

[0179] (3) Regarding the one-to-many sensing:

[0180] One-to-many sensing can be understood as one sensing transmitter sending a sensing PPDU (Proof-of-Service Data Unit), which is then received by multiple sensing receivers. As an example, regarding the sensing response end, it can be a sensing transmitter that can send sensing PPDUs to multiple sensing receivers. For instance, the sensing response end can send sensing PPDUs using a single transmit beam list, and the multiple sensing receivers can each use their own receive beam list to receive the sensing PPDUs. As another example, the sensing response end can be one of multiple sensing receivers that can receive sensing PPDUs. For instance, the sensing response end can use its own receive beam to receive sensing PPDUs.

[0181] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7a, the beam indication information may include a transmit beam list, a receive beam list 1, a receive beam list 2, etc. That is, each of the N sensing response terminals can use the same transmit beam list to transmit the sensing PPDU, or the sensing response terminals can use their respective receive beam lists to receive the sensing PPDU. The transmit beam list shown in Figure 7a can also be called a common transmit beam list or a shared (or common) transmit beam list, etc.

[0182] In this embodiment of the application, although the beam indication information includes a list of transmit beams, it implicitly indicates the list of transmit beams corresponding to each of the N sensing response terminals.

[0183] (4) Regarding the one-receive-multiple-transmit sensing:

[0184] One-to-many sensing can be understood as multiple sensing transmitters sending sensing PPDUs, and one sensing receiver receiving those PPDUs. As an example, for a sensing response end, it can be a sensing receiver, such as using the same receive beam list to receive sensing PPDUs. As another example, for a sensing response end, it can be one of multiple sensing transmitters, and that sensing response end can use its own transmit beam list to send sensing PPDUs.

[0185] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of another format of beam indication information provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7b, the beam indication information may include a receive beam list, a transmit beam list 1, a transmit beam list 2, etc. That is, each of the N sensing response terminals can use its own transmit beam list to transmit the sensing PPDU, or the sensing response terminals can use the same receive beam list to receive the sensing PPDU. The receive beam list shown in Figure 7b can also be called a common receive beam list or a shared (or common) receive beam list, etc.

[0186] In this embodiment of the application, although the beam indication information includes a list of receiving beams, it implicitly indicates the list of receiving beams corresponding to each of the N sensing response terminals.

[0187] The positions of the transmit beam list shown in Figure 7a and the receive beam list shown in Figure 7b are illustrated using the first word element in the beam indication information as an example. In specific implementations, the transmit beam list shown in Figure 7a and the receive beam list shown in Figure 7b may also be located in the last sub-element in the beam indication information, or in other special positions, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0188] In this embodiment, the SBP initiator sets the content of the beam indication information in conjunction with the sensing type, which can make the content of the beam indication information more compatible with the sensing type.

[0189] As one possible implementation, the N sensing response terminals correspond to the same sensing type. In this case, the content of the beam indication information can be referenced from Figures 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, or 7b, etc.

[0190] As another possible implementation, at least two of the N sensing response terminals have different sensing types. In this case, the beam indication information can indicate a transmit beam list or a receive beam list for each of the N sensing response terminals. The content of the beam indication information can be set according to the sensing type corresponding to Figures 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, or 7b. For example, N1 can be less than N, or N2 can be less than N. When N1 is less than N, at least two of the N sensing response terminals have the same transmit beam list. When N2 is less than N, at least two of the N sensing response terminals have the same receive beam list. Alternatively, when N1 is less than N or N2 is less than N, at least two of the N sensing response terminals may have different sensing types. For example, in this sensing measurement session, N sensing response terminals may exhibit at least two of the following characteristics: some sensing response terminals use a transmit-receive split sensing type, others use a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing type, still others use a one-transmit-many-receive sensing type, and yet others use a one-receive-many-transmit sensing type. This sensing measurement session can be a sensing measurement session established by the SBP response terminal at the request of the SBP initiator. The specific content of the beam indication information will not be detailed here.

[0191] For example, the beam indication information described above can be carried in the optional subelements field of the SBP request frame. The number of bits occupied by this optional subelements field is not limited in this embodiment. Similarly, the fields carried by the beam indication information are not limited in this embodiment.

[0192] In this embodiment, the SBP initiator instructs different sensing response terminals to use either a transmit beam list or a receive beam list. This allows different sensing response terminals to transmit signals using different transmit beam lists or to receive signals using different receive beam lists. Therefore, by allocating transmit or receive beam lists based on the direction of the sensing response terminal, the SBP initiator can improve beam allocation flexibility and enhance sensing performance.

[0193] (II) Information from the recommended sensing and response terminals

[0194] In one possible implementation, the SBP request frame includes information about recommended sensing responses, with the information for the aforementioned N sensing responses contained within the information about recommended sensing responses. This information can be used to instruct the SBP initiator to recommend (or suggest) sensing responses for the SBP responders. For ease of description, the M sensing responses referred to in the information about recommended sensing responses will be used below. M is a positive integer. M can be a positive integer greater than or equal to N.

[0195] As an example, M = N, where M sensing response terminals are the same as N sensing response terminals. For instance, the order of the N sensing response terminals in the recommended sensing response terminal information can correspond sequentially to the sensing response terminals corresponding to the transmit beam list indicated by the beam indication information, or sequentially to the sensing response terminals corresponding to the receive beam list indicated by the beam indication information.

[0196] For example, transmit beam list 1 and receive beam list 1 in Figure 5a may correspond to the first sensing response terminal indicated in the recommended sensing response terminal information. Transmit beam list 2 and receive beam list 2 in Figure 5a may correspond to the second sensing response terminal indicated in the recommended sensing response terminal information. And so on, without further listing here.

[0197] The beam indication information in the SBP request frame can be located after the information of the recommended sensing response end. Therefore, by parsing the information of the recommended sensing response end, the SBP response end can determine the sensing response end corresponding to the subsequent transmit or receive beam list in the SBP request frame, improving parsing efficiency.

[0198] As another example, M > N, meaning the N sensing responses are contained within the M sensing responses. For instance, the N sensing responses could be the first N in the recommended sensing response information. In other words, the N sensing responses are by default the first N of the M sensing responses.

[0199] For example, M=5, meaning the recommended sensing response information indicates five sensing response terminals, sequentially numbered from the first to the fifth. N=3. Taking Figure 5a as an example, the sensing response terminals corresponding to transmit beam list 1 and receive beam list 1 in Figure 5a can be the first sensing response terminal indicated in the recommended sensing response terminal information. The sensing response terminals corresponding to transmit beam list 2 and receive beam list 2 in Figure 5a can be the second sensing response terminal indicated in the recommended sensing response terminal information. The sensing response terminals corresponding to transmit beam list 3 (not shown in Figure 5a) and receive beam list 3 (not shown in Figure 5a) can be the third sensing response terminal indicated in the recommended sensing response terminal information. The beam indication information does not indicate the transmit beam list or receive beam list corresponding to the fourth and fifth sensing response terminals.

[0200] The correspondence (or order) between the N sensing response terminals and the M sensing response terminals shown above is merely an example and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application. For example, the sensing response terminal corresponding to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the beam indication information can also be located at a fixed position in the recommended sensing response terminal information. The value of N can correspond to the aforementioned fixed position. For example, when N=2, these two sensing response terminals can be the first and second sensing response terminals in the recommended sensing response terminal information (or the M sensing response terminals), etc.

[0201] For example, the information of the recommended sensing response terminal may include at least one of the following: the identifier (ID) of the recommended sensing response terminal, the medium access control (MAC) address of the recommended sensing response terminal, or the IP address of the recommended sensing response terminal. The information listed herein for identifying different sensing response terminals is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application.

[0202] For example, the information of the recommended sensing responder can be carried in the sensing responder address field or the sensing responder IDs field in the SBP request frame. When the SBP request frame includes both the sensing responder address field and the sensing responder IDs field, the sensing responders carried in these two fields are the same. The order of the sensing responders carried in these two fields can also be the same. This application embodiment does not limit the fields carried by the recommended sensing responder information. This application embodiment does not limit the number of bits occupied by each field. Of course, the recommended sensing responder information may not include the sensing responder IDs field, such as if the sensing responder IDs field were carried in the SBP response frame.

[0203] For example, if the recommended sensing response terminal information is carried in the sensing response terminal address field, then this sensing response terminal address field can carry the MAC addresses of M sensing response terminals. Alternatively, this sensing response terminal address field can sequentially carry the MAC address of each of the M sensing response terminals. The explanation regarding the sensing response terminal address field also applies to the sensing response terminal ID field, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0204] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame, by including information on recommended sensing response terminals, enables the SBP response terminals to explicitly know which sensing response terminals correspond to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the beam indication information.

[0205] (III) Character Bitmap

[0206] In one possible implementation, the SBP request frame includes a role bitmap indicating the role of each of N sensing response endpoints, where the role of a sensing response endpoint is at least one of sensing sender or sensing receiver. Alternatively, the role bitmap indicates the role of each of M sensing response endpoints, where the M sensing response endpoints include N sensing response endpoints.

[0207] As an example, the role bitmap can occupy 2N bits. That is, each sensing response end can correspond to 2 bits. The first bit of these 2 bits can be used to indicate whether the sensing response end is a sensing transmitter, and the second bit of these 2 bits can be used to indicate whether the sensing response end is a sensing receiver. If the value of both bits is 2, it means that the sensing response end can be both a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver in the sensing measurement session, that is, the sensing response end can perform separate transmitting and receiving sensing. If the value of both bits is 0, it means that the sensing response end can be both a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver in the same sensing measurement interaction, that is, the sensing response end can perform self-sending and self-receiving sensing. The order of the sensing response ends corresponding to each pair of bits in the role bitmap can be the same as the order of the N sensing response ends shown above.

[0208] As another example, the role bitmap can occupy 3N bits. That is, each sensing response end can correspond to 3 bits. The first bit of these three bits can be used to indicate whether the sensing response end is a sensing transmitter, the second bit can be used to indicate whether the sensing response end is a sensing receiver, and the third bit can be used to indicate that the sensing response end can perform self-sensing and self-receiving sensing. The order of the sensing response ends corresponding to each 3 bits in the role bitmap can be the same as the order of the N sensing response ends shown above.

[0209] Optionally, to explicitly indicate the perception type, the SBP request frame may include perception type indication information, which can be used to indicate the perception type. The SBP request frame may include at least one of a role bitmap or perception type indication information. The specific form of the perception type indication information will not be detailed in the embodiments of this application.

[0210] It is understood that the above explanation uses N as an example. N can also be replaced with M, which will not be elaborated here.

[0211] The role bitmap can also be called the sensing responder role bitmap, etc. The name of this role bitmap is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0212] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame includes a role bit map, which enables the SBP response end to know, based on the role bit map, whether the content indicated by the beam indication information is the above-mentioned method 1, method 2, or method 3, etc.

[0213] (iv) Number of beam lists

[0214] As one possible implementation, the SBP request frame may not include the number of beam list pairs. The number M of sensing receivers indicated in the recommended receiver information in the SBP request frame can correspond to the number of beam list pairs. For example, the number of beam list pairs = M. That is, N = M.

[0215] As another possible implementation, the SBP request frame includes a beam list number, which indicates the number of beam list pairs for transmitting and receiving beam lists. This beam list number can indicate the number of beam list pairs or implicitly indicate the value of N. The beam list number can also implicitly indicate whether beam indication information is included in the SBP request frame. A beam list number of 0 indicates that the SBP request frame does not include (or does not exist or does not appear) beam indication information. A beam list number greater than 0 indicates that the SBP request frame includes (or exists or appears) beam indication information.

[0216] As an example, in the case of transmit-receive split sensing, transmit beam lists and receive beam lists appear in pairs. The transmit beam list and receive beam list corresponding to a sensing response terminal can be called a beam list pair (or beam list group, etc.). The number of beam lists indicates the number of beam list pairs.

[0217] As another example, for self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing, one sensing response terminal can correspond to one transmit beam list, and the number of beam lists can indicate the number of transmit beam lists. Since this transmit beam list can also be used to receive signals, the number of transmit beam lists can also be called the number of beam list pairs. Similarly, one sensing response terminal can also correspond to one receive beam list, and the number of beam lists can indicate the number of receive beam lists.

[0218] As another example, for one-to-many sensing or one-to-many-transmit sensing, N sensing response terminals can correspond to one transmit beam list and N receive beam lists, with the number of beam lists indicating the number of receive beam lists. Alternatively, N sensing response terminals can correspond to one receive beam list and N transmit beam lists, with the number of beam lists indicating the number of transmit beam lists.

[0219] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame includes the number of beam lists, and the SBP response end can effectively know how many sensing response ends have recommended sensing beams in the SBP request frame based on the number of beam lists.

[0220] (v) Beam list exists

[0221] The SBP request frame includes a beam list presence indicator, which indicates whether beam indication information exists in the SBP request frame. Setting the beam list presence indicator to 1 indicates that beam indication information exists in the SBP request frame, or that the SBP request frame contains beam indication information, or that the SBP request frame carries beam indication information. Setting the beam list presence indicator to 0 indicates that beam indication information does not exist in the SBP request frame, or that the SBP request frame does not contain beam indication information, or that the SBP request frame does not contain beam indication information, or that the SBP request frame does not carry beam indication information.

[0222] When the SBP request frame includes a beam list, one possible implementation is that the SBP request frame can be set by default to N sensing response terminals indicating either the transmitting beam list or the receiving beam list. For example, N = M, or N = M-1, or N = M-2, etc. Alternatively, the protocol can predefine the value of N or the position of the N sensing response terminals among the M sensing response terminals. The specific value of N is not limited in this embodiment. Another possible implementation is that the SBP request frame may include a beam list quantity field.

[0223] The existence of this beam list can also be referred to as the appearance of the beam list or the carrying of the beam list, etc. This application does not limit the name of the existence of the beam list.

[0224] In this embodiment of the application, the SBP request frame includes a beam list, which enables the SBP response end to effectively know whether the SBP request frame includes beam indication information.

[0225] Furthermore, the SBP request frame may also include at least one of the following: number of sensing responders (see (c) below), number of sensing responders required (see (d) below), recommended number of sensing responders (see (e) below), existence of a recommended list of sensing responders (see (f) below), recommended responders required (see (g) below), SBP program expiration index (i), and sensing responder-to-sensing responder SR2SR probe request. Explanations of each field can be found below and will not be detailed here.

[0226] The names or number of bits occupied by the various fields shown in this application, or the relationship between bits and their meanings, are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application.

[0227] As an example, when an SBP request frame is transmitted in different frequency bands, the SBP request frame can have different names. For instance, if the sensing PPDU in the sensing measurement session corresponding to the SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request frame is transmitted in the frequency band involved in the DMG, the SBP request frame can be called a DMG SBP request frame. As another example, if the sensing PPDU in the sensing measurement session corresponding to the SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request frame is transmitted in the frequency band involved in the MMW or IMWM, the SBP request frame can be called an MMW or IMWM SBP request frame.

[0228] As another example, when transmitting sensing PPDUs in different frequency bands, the SBP request frame can have the same name. This sensing PPDU is the sensing PPDU within the sensing measurement session corresponding to the SBP procedure initiated by the SBP request frame.

[0229] This application does not limit the specific format or applicable scenario of the SBP request frame. The various pieces of information shown above can be carried in the first element of the SBP request frame. Alternatively, some of the above-mentioned information can be carried in the first element, and another part can be carried in the second element of the SBP request frame. This application does not limit whether the various pieces of information shown above are carried in the same element of the SBP request frame. This application also does not limit the element names carried by the above-mentioned information. The description of the SBP request frame also applies to Examples 1 to 3 below, and will not be repeated hereafter.

[0230] The following section explains the specific format of the SBP request frame based on the information provided above.

[0231] Example 1

[0232] The information shown above can be contained in a first element, such as the SBP parameter element. Alternatively, this first element can be called the IMMW SBP parameters element. Or, it can be called the IMMW sensing measurement parameters element. That is, the information shown below can be included in the relevant parameters of the sensing measurement session initiated by the SBP responder, recommended by the SBP initiator to the SBP responder. Alternatively, the information shown below can also be included in the sensing parameters assigned by the SBP responder to the sensing responder for the sensing measurement session. For ease of description, the IMMW SBP parameter element will be used as an example below. An SBP request frame can be called an IMMW SBP request frame.

[0233] As an example, the IMW SBP parameter element can be used to initiate an IMW SBP procedure. For instance, this IMW SBP parameter element can be carried in an IMW SBP request frame. Or, for example, this IMW SBP parameter element can be carried in a sub-7GHz SBP request frame.

[0234] As another example, the IMW SBP parameter element can be used to initiate a sub-7GHz SBP procedure. This IMW SBP parameter element can be carried within a sub-7GHz SBP request frame.

[0235] In other words, the IMW SBP parameter element shown in this application embodiment can be used to initiate an IMW SBP procedure or a sub-7GHz SBP procedure. For a description of the IMW SBP procedure or the sub-7GHz SBP procedure, please refer to the above text, as shown in Figure 3, etc., and will not be elaborated here. As for other elements or fields included in the SBP request frame carried by the IMW SBP parameter element, this application embodiment does not limit them.

[0236] Figure 8a is a schematic diagram of a format of an IMW SBP parameter element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8a, the IMW SBP parameter element may include at least one of the following: element ID, length, element ID extension, IMW SBP parameters control, sensing responder addresses, sensing responder IDs, or optional subelements (or sensing subelements). The number of bytes occupied by each field is as shown in Figure 8a, and will not be detailed here. The number of bytes shown in Figure 8a is only an example and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application. It is understood that the names or the number of bytes or bits occupied by each field or element shown in this application are all examples and are not intended to limit this application. The order of the fields shown in this application is only an example and is not intended to limit this application.

[0237] The element ID field and the element ID extended field can be used to identify the IMMW SBP parameter element. The length field can be used to indicate the length of the IMMW SBP parameter element.

[0238] The IMMW SBP parameter control fields may include parameters suggested by the SBP initiator to the SBP responder, which initiates the sensing measurement session. The IMMW SBP parameter control fields may include at least one of the following: IMMW SBP request, sensing responder, IMMW number of sensing responders, IMMW mandatory number of responders, IMMW number of preferred responders, IMMW preferred responder list, IMMW mandatory preferred responder, and number of beamlists. The order, names, or number of bits occupied by the various fields shown in Figure 8a are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application.

[0239] (a) IMW SBP Request Field: This field distinguishes whether an IMW SBP parameter element appears in an IMW SBP request frame or an IMW SBP response frame. If the IMW SBP parameter element appears in an IMW SBP request frame, this field is 1. If the IMW SBP parameter element appears in an IMW SBP response frame, this field is 0.

[0240] (b) Perception Response End Field: This field is 1 when the SBP initiator participates in a perception measurement session initiated by the SBP response end proxy (also known as the current perception measurement session), that is, when the SBP initiator participates as a perception response end in a perception measurement session initiated by the SBP response end proxy. When the SBP initiator does not participate in the current perception measurement session, this field is 0. In other words, the Perception Response End Field can be used to indicate whether the SBP initiator wants to participate as a perception response end in a subsequent perception measurement session, which is a session initiated by the SBP response end in response to the request frame (or response frame) sent by the SBP initiator.

[0241] (c) Number of IMW Sensing Response Terminals: This field indicates the number (or count, etc.) of sensing response terminals (or IMW sensing response terminals) participating in the sensing measurement session. Alternatively, this field indicates the number (or suggested, or recommended) of sensing response terminals requested (or recommended) by the SBP initiator when requesting an SBP response terminal to act as a proxy for initiating the sensing measurement session. When the Sensing Response Terminal field indicates that the SBP initiator participates in the subsequent sensing measurement session as a sensing response terminal, or when the Sensing Response Terminal value field is 1, the number indicated by the IMW Sensing Response Terminal Quantity field includes the SBP initiator.

[0242] (d) Required IMW Response Count Field: This field indicates whether the IMW Response Count field is required. In other words, it indicates whether the number of sensing responses indicated by the IMW Response Count field is required. For example, a value of 1 indicates that the IMW Response Count is required. When the number of sensing responses in a sensing measurement session initiated by the AP as an SBP response / sensing initiator does not match the number of sensing responses indicated by the IMW Response Count field, the AP cannot successfully establish the sensing measurement session. That is, the sensing measurement session established by the AP cannot meet the requirements of the SBP request frame; the AP can close the SBP process using an IMW SBP close frame. For example, a value of 0 indicates that the number of sensing responses participating in the sensing measurement session can be less than or equal to the number indicated by the IMW Response Count field.

[0243] (e) IMW Recommended Number of Response Terminals field: This field indicates the recommended (or preferred) number of sensing response terminals suggested by the SBP initiator. Similar to the IMW Sensing Response Terminals field, when the Sensing Response Terminals field indicates that the SBP initiator is participating as a sensing response terminal in subsequent sensing measurement sessions, or in other words, when the Sensing Response Terminals value field is 1, the number indicated by the IMW Recommended Number of Response Terminals field includes the SBP initiator.

[0244] (f) IMW Recommended Response Terminal List Field: This field indicates whether the IMW SBP parameter element carries a recommended (or preferred) sensing response terminal list. A value of 1 indicates that the IMW SBP parameter element carries a recommended / preferred sensing response terminal list. A value of 0 indicates that the IMW SBP parameter element does not carry a recommended / preferred sensing response terminal list. When this field is 1, the MAC address of the recommended / preferred sensing response terminal can be carried in the sensing response terminal address field, and the number of recommended sensing response terminals can be indicated by the IMW Recommended Response Terminal Quantity field. Similarly, when the sensing response terminal field indicates that the SBP initiator participates in subsequent sensing measurement sessions as a sensing response terminal, or in other words, when the sensing response terminal value field is 1, the sensing response terminal address field includes the MAC address of the SBP initiator. For example, this field can also be called the Recommended Sensing Response Terminal List Existence field.

[0245] (g) Required Field for IMW Recommended Response Terminals: This field indicates whether the list of recommended / preferred sensing response terminals provided by the SBP initiator is mandatory. If this field is 1, it means the list of recommended / preferred sensing response terminals is mandatory, and the SBP response terminal (e.g., AP) cannot select a sensing response terminal outside the recommended list when establishing a sensing measurement session. If this field is 0, it means the list of recommended / preferred sensing response terminals is optional, and the SBP response terminal (e.g., AP) can select a response terminal outside the recommended list when establishing a sensing measurement session.

[0246] (h) Beam Pair Count field: This field indicates how many transmit beam lists or receive beam lists are included in the IMW SBP parameter element.

[0247] As an example, the beam pair quantity field indicates the same value as the response end quantity field recommended by IMW. That is, M = N.

[0248] As another example, the beam pair quantity field indicates a value less than the value indicated by the IMW-recommended response end quantity field. That is, N <M。

[0249] For an explanation of the beam pair quantity field, please refer to section (IV) above; it will not be elaborated here.

[0250] Optionally, the IMW SBP parameter control fields may also include an IMW SBP procedure expiration index field or an SR2SR probe request indication field.

[0251] (i) IMMW SBP Procedure Expiry Index Field (not shown in Figure 8a or Figure 8b): This field may contain an unsigned integer indicating a period of time. Within the agreed-upon time window, after the AP detects a frame in the channel (such as a frame related to the sensing measurement session), it begins counting down for the duration indicated by this field. When the countdown ends and there is still no frame interaction in the channel, the AP can consider the current sensing measurement session to have ended. For example, the value of this field can be 2procedure expiry exponent + 8 milliseconds, where the value of the parameter procedure expiry exponent is equal to the duration indicated by the IMMW SBP Procedure Expiry Index Field.

[0252] In this embodiment of the application, when the IMW recommended response end list field is 1, the IMW SBP request frame can carry the recommended sensing response end list, and the SBP initiator can allocate sensing beams to these recommended sensing response ends through optional sub-element fields. That is, the optional sub-element fields can carry the beam indication information shown above.

[0253] As shown in Example 1 of Figure 8a, for transmit / receive split sensing, every two beam list sub-elements (i.e., transmit beam list sub-elements and receive beam list sub-elements) can correspond to a recommended sensing response terminal. The sensing response terminals corresponding to every two beam list sub-elements in the optional sub-element field can correspond one-to-one with the sensing response terminals corresponding to each MAC address in the sensing response terminal address field. The order of the transmit and receive beam lists shown in Example 1 is merely an example; for instance, every two beam list sub-elements could also sequentially include the receive beam list and transmit beam list corresponding to the sensing response terminal. As shown in Example 2 of Figure 8a, for transmit / receive split sensing, the optional sub-element field can sequentially include the transmit beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal, and sequentially include the receive beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal. Alternatively, the optional sub-element field can sequentially include the receive beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal, and sequentially include the transmit beam list corresponding to each sensing response terminal.

[0254] As shown in Example 3 of Figure 8a, for self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing, the optional sub-element fields can sequentially include the transmit beam list (or receive beam list) corresponding to each sensing response end.

[0255] As shown in Example 4 of Figure 8a, for one-transmit-multiple-receive sensing or one-receive-multiple-transmit sensing, the optional sub-element field can sequentially include the transmit beam list corresponding to each sensing response end, and a common receive beam list corresponding to the N sensing response ends. Alternatively, the optional sub-element field can sequentially include the receive beam list corresponding to each sensing response end, and a common transmit beam list corresponding to these N sensing response ends.

[0256] For further explanation of Examples 1 to 4 in Figure 8a, please refer to the description above regarding beam indication information or the number of beams in the list, which will not be elaborated here.

[0257] Figure 8a illustrates this with M=N as an example, meaning the SBP initiator can allocate a sensing beam to each recommended sensing response endpoint (i.e., the sensing response endpoint indicated by the sensing response endpoint address field). As shown above, M can also be greater than N, meaning the SBP initiator can allocate sensing beams to some of the M sensing response endpoints indicated by the sensing response endpoint address field. The format of the optional sub-element field or the IMMW SBP parameter element when M>N is not elaborated here.

[0258] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of another format of the IMW SBP parameter element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8b, the IMW SBP parameter control field in this IMW SBP parameter element may include a preferred responder beam list present field. For descriptions of other fields or elements in the IMW SBP parameter element, please refer to Figure 8a, which will not be detailed here. For a description of the preferred responder beam list present field, please refer to the description in section (V) above, which will not be detailed here.

[0259] When the recommended response beam list has a field value of 1, the sensing response ends corresponding to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the optional sub-element field can correspond one-to-one with the sensing response ends indicated by the sensing response end address field; alternatively, the sensing response ends corresponding to the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by the optional sub-element field can be some of the sensing response ends indicated by the sensing response end address field. For an explanation of the sensing response end address field and the optional sub-element field, please refer to the descriptions of M and N above, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0260] For example, the IMW SBP parameter elements can also include both a beam list quantity field and a recommended response beam list presence field. Further details are omitted here.

[0261] Figures 8a and 8b illustrate examples where the SBP request frame is an IMMW SBP request frame, and the above information is contained in the IMMW SBP parameter elements.

[0262] In this embodiment of the application, an independent IMMW SBP parameter element is designed, making the IMMW SBP parameter element more independent and concise.

[0263] In this embodiment, the IMW SBP parameter elements shown in Figures 8a and 8b illustrate an example where the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP responder can indicate a transmit beam list or a receive beam list for each of the N sensing responders. In a specific implementation, for the IMW SBP parameter elements shown in Figures 8a or 8b, the SBP initiator can also recommend a unified transmit beam list or receive beam list for the N sensing responders. That is, the transmit beam list of these N sensing responders can be the same, and the receive beam list of these N sensing responders can be the same.

[0264] Example 2

[0265] The information shown above can be contained in a first element, which can be called the SBP parameter element.

[0266] As an example, SBP parameter elements can be used to initiate a sub-7GHz SBP procedure. This SBP parameter element can be carried in a sub-7GHz SBP request frame (or an IMW SBP request frame, etc.), or it can be carried along with sensing measurement parameter elements in a sub-7GHz SBP request frame. When an SBP initiator initiates a sub-7GHz SBP procedure, it can carry both the sensing measurement parameter elements and the SBP parameter element in the SBP request frame. In sub-7GHz, since the signal is transmitted omnidirectionally, the SBP initiator does not need to allocate a transmit beam list or receive beam list to the recommended sensing response end. In this case, the beam list quantity field can be set to 0, or the recommended response end beam list existence field can be set to 0. Furthermore, the optional sub-element fields in the SBP request frame do not carry transmit and receive beam lists.

[0267] As another example, SBP parameter elements can be used to initiate DMG SBP procedures. This SBP parameter element can be carried in a DMG SBP request frame (or a sub-7GHz SBP request frame, etc.), or it can be carried in conjunction with DMG sensing measurement parameter elements within a DMG SBP request frame.

[0268] As another example, SBP parameter elements can be used to initiate an IMW SBP procedure. This SBP parameter element can be carried in an MMWSBP request frame or an IMW SBP request frame (or a sub-7GHz SBP request frame, etc.). Alternatively, this SBP parameter element can be carried in an MMW (or IMW) SBP request frame along with MMW (or IMW) sensing measurement parameter elements. In the frequency bands involved in the DMG, IMW, or MMW, since the signal is transmitted directionally, the SBP initiator can assign a transmit beam list or receive beam list to the recommended sensing response endpoint. In this case, the SR2SR request field shown below can be a reserved field.

[0269] That is, the SBP parameter element shown in Example 2 can be carried in a frame with the sensing measurement parameter element (for example only) to complete the SBP request in the sub-7GHz band, or it can be carried in a frame with the IMW (or MMW, etc.) sensing measurement parameter element (for example only) to complete the SBP request in the millimeter wave band.

[0270] Figure 9a is a schematic diagram of a format of an SBP parameter element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9a, the SBP parameter element may include at least one of the following: element ID, length, element ID extension, SBP parameters control, sensing responder addresses, sensing responder IDs, sensing responder role bitmap, or optional subelements.

[0271] The SBP parameter control field may include at least one of the following: SBP request, SBP procedure expiry exponent, sensing responder, number of sensing responders, mandatory number of responders, preferred responder list, number of preferred responders, mandatory preferred responder, SR2SR sounding request, preferred responder role bitmap present, or number of beamlists.

[0272] For explanations of the SBP Request field, SBP Program Expiration Index field, Sensor Response Terminal field, Sensor Response Terminal Quantity field, Required Response Terminal Quantity field, Recommended Response Terminal List field, Recommended Response Terminal Quantity field, Required Recommended Response Terminal Quantity field, and Beam List Quantity field, please refer to the above text; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0273] Recommended Response Role Bitmap Presence Field: This field indicates whether the SBP parameter element contains a Perception Response Role Bitmap field. A value of 1 indicates that the SBP parameter element contains a Perception Response Role Bitmap field, or the SBP parameter element will contain a Perception Response Role Bitmap field, or the SBP parameter element carries a Perception Response Role Bitmap field. A value of 0 indicates that the SBP parameter element does not contain a Perception Response Role Bitmap field, or the SBP parameter element will not contain a Perception Response Role Bitmap field, or the SBP parameter element does not carry a Perception Response Role Bitmap field.

[0274] SR2SR detection indication field: This field can be used to instruct the SBP responder to initiate an SR2SR sensing measurement.

[0275] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of another format of the SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application. For a description of Figure 9b, please refer to Figure 9a or Figure 8a or the information shown above, etc., which will not be detailed here.

[0276] Comparing Example 1 and Example 2, it can be observed that the IMW SBP parameter elements shown in Example 1 and Example 2 have a high degree of structural similarity. Therefore, the SBP parameter elements shown in Example 2 are applicable not only to sub-7GHz sensing but also to DMG sensing, MMW sensing, and IMW sensing. Thus, a unified design of SBP parameter elements is concise and efficient, enabling the SBP response end to obtain different information based on different content within a single frame format, resulting in high reuse efficiency.

[0277] Example 3

[0278] The information shown above can be contained in a first element, which can be called the DMG SBP parameter element.

[0279] Figure 10a is a schematic diagram of a format of a DMG SBP parameter element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10a, the DMG SBP parameter element may include at least one of the following: element ID, length, element ID extension, DMG SBP parameters control, sensing responder addresses, sensing responder IDs, or optional subelements.

[0280] The DMG SBP parameter control fields may include at least one of the following: DMG SBP request, sensing responder, number of sensing responders, mandatory number of responders, number of preferred responders, list of preferred responders, mandatory preferred responders, and number of beamlists.

[0281] For an explanation of Figure 10a, please refer to Figure 8a or the information shown above; it will not be repeated here.

[0282] Figure 10b is a schematic diagram of another format of the DMG SBP parameter elements provided in an embodiment of this application. For an explanation of Figure 10b, please refer to Figure 8a or the various information shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0283] DMG SBP parameter elements and DMG Sensing Measurement Session elements can be sent via DMG SBP request frames to initiate a DMG SBP procedure. Alternatively, the aforementioned DMG SBP parameter elements can also be carried in the SBP request frame of the sub-7GHz sensing procedure, or in the IMMW SBP request frame of the IMMW sensing procedure. Thus, a DMG SBP procedure is initiated via the aforementioned SBP request frame or IMMW SBP request. For a description of the DMG SBP parameter elements in Example 3, please refer to the description of the SBP parameter elements in Example 1 or Example 2 above; it will not be detailed here.

[0284] In this embodiment, the sensing scenario of DMG SBP is optimized so that the DMG SBP initiator can allocate beam lists to the DMG sensing response end, thereby improving the flexibility of beam allocation and enhancing sensing performance.

[0285] Methods not described in detail in the above examples can be referred to other examples or the descriptions in Figure 4 or the above information. The embodiments of this application will not be described in detail one by one.

[0286] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0287] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

[0288] The device shown in the embodiments of this application may also be called a sensing device or a communication device, etc.

[0289] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the device includes a processing module 1101 and a transceiver module 1102. The transceiver module 1102 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1101 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 1102 can also be called an interface module, a communication interface, a communication module, or an input / output interface, etc.

[0290] In some embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions executed by the SBP initiator in the above method embodiments. In this case, the SBP initiator can be the sensing device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 1102 is used to perform transceiver-related operations or input / output-related operations of the SBP initiator in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1101 is used to perform processing-related operations of the SBP initiator in the above method embodiments.

[0291] The transceiver module 1102 can be used to send or output SBP request frames and receive or input SBP response frames. Similarly, the processing module 1101 can be used to generate SBP request frames and parse SBP response frames.

[0292] As an example, transceiver module 1102 can be used to send SBP request frames, such as sending the SBP request frame to an SBP responder. Transceiver module 1102 may include an RF module, an antenna module, etc.

[0293] As another example, transceiver module 1102 can be used to output SBP request frames. Transceiver module 1102 may include input / output modules, etc.

[0294] Reusing Figure 11, in some other embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the SBP response terminal in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the sensing device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 1102 is used to perform transceiver-related operations or input / output-related operations of the SBP response terminal in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1101 is used to perform processing-related operations of the SBP response terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0295] The transceiver module 1102 can be used to receive or input SBP request frames, and to send or output SBP response frames. Similarly, the processing module 1101 can be used to parse SBP request frames and generate SBP response frames.

[0296] As an example, transceiver module 1102 can be used to receive SBP request frames from the SBP initiator. This transceiver module 1102 may include a radio frequency module, an antenna module, etc.

[0297] As another example, transceiver module 1102 can be used to input SBP request frames. If the SBP request frame has been processed by the antenna and radio frequency module, it can be input through transceiver module 1102 so that processing module 1101 can parse the SBP request frame. Transceiver module 1102 may include input / output modules, etc.

[0298] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1101 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0299] For details regarding the terms or steps in the above embodiments, such as SBP request frame, SBP response frame, sensing measurement request frame, beam indication information, and recommended response end information, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. They will not be detailed here.

[0300] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0301] It is understood that the module division in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional module. In actual implementation, all or some modules can be integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0302] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0303] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG11 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0304] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG11, the processing module 1101 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1102 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1102 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0305] Figure 12 is another schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device 120 includes one or more processors 1220 and transceivers 1210.

[0306] In some embodiments of this application, the apparatus can be used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the SBP initiator described above. For example, the processor 1220 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the transceiver 1210 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1220 and transceiver 1210 can be found in FIG. 11 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0307] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions executed by the SBP response terminal described above. For example, the processor 1220 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the transceiver 1210 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1220 and transceiver 1210 can be found in FIG. 11 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0308] In various implementations of the apparatus shown in Figure 12, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0309] Optionally, device 120 may further include one or more memories 1230 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1230 is coupled to the processor 1220. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1220 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1230. The processor 1220 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1230. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0310] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1210, processor 1220, and memory 1230. In Figure 12, the memory 1230, processor 1220, and transceiver 1210 are connected via a bus 1240, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be categorized as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 12, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0311] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0312] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0313] The processor 1220 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory 1230 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 1210 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0314] When the device is powered on, the processor 1220 can read the software program in the memory 1230, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1220 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1220. The processor 1220 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0315] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the device.

[0316] The apparatus shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 12, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are merely examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above.

[0317] In another possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG11, the processing module 1101 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1102 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1102 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module, where the transmitting module can be an output interface and the receiving module can be an input interface, and the transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0318] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device includes a logic circuit 1301 and an interface 1302. That is, the processing module 1101 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1301, and the transceiver module 1102 can be implemented using the interface 1302. The logic circuit 1301 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1302 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, pins, or interface circuits, etc. For example, Figure 13 illustrates the device using a chip as an example, where the chip includes the logic circuit 1301 and the interface 1302.

[0319] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1301 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the interface 1302 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1301 and the interface 1302, please refer to FIG. 11 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0320] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0321] This application also provides a communication system, which includes an SBP initiator and an SBP responder, which can be used to execute the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0322] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various devices in the method provided in this application.

[0323] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by the various devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0324] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0325] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or modules, or they may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0326] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0327] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0328] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0329] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A beam information indication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The agent sensing SBP initiator sends an SBP request frame, which includes beam indication information. The beam indication information is used when the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP response end act as a sensing initiator. The SBP response end is at least one item in the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends. The transmit beam list is used to indicate the index of the transmit beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session, and the receive beam list is used to indicate the index of the receive beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session. N is a positive integer. The SBP initiator receives an SBP response frame in response to the SBP request frame.

2. A beam information indication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The agent sensing SBP response end receives an SBP request frame, which includes beam indication information. The beam indication information is used when the SBP initiator suggests that the SBP response end act as a sensing initiator. The SBP response end is at least one item in the transmit beam list or receive beam list indicated by each of the N sensing response ends. The transmit beam list is used to indicate the index of the transmit beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session, and the receive beam list is used to indicate the index of the receive beam used by the corresponding sensing response end in the sensing measurement session. N is a positive integer. The SBP response end sends an SBP response frame in response to the SBP request frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The beam indication information includes a transmit beam list and N receive beam lists indicating the N sensing response terminals, with each receive beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal; or... The beam indication information includes a list of receiving beams and N lists of transmitting beams indicating the N sensing response terminals, with each transmitting beam list corresponding to one sensing response terminal; or... The beam indication information includes N transmit beam lists and N receive beam lists indicating the N sensing response terminals. Each transmit beam list corresponds to one sensing response terminal, and each receive beam list corresponds to one sensing response terminal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The SBP request frame includes information about recommended sensing response terminals, and the information about the N sensing response terminals is included in the information about the recommended sensing response terminals.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The SBP request frame also includes a role bitmap, which indicates the role of each of the N sensing response ends, wherein the role of the sensing response end is at least one of sensing sender or sensing receiver.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The SBP request frame further includes a beam list number, which indicates the number of beam list pairs in the transmit beam list and the receive beam list; or... The SBP request frame also includes a beam list presence, which indicates whether the beam indication information exists in the SBP request frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The SBP request frame also includes at least one of the following: Number of sensor response terminals, Number of sensor response terminals is required, Recommended number of sensor response terminals, List of recommended sensor response terminals exists, Recommended sensor response terminals are required.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The SBP request frame also includes at least one of the following: SBP program expiration index, sensing response end to sensing response end SR2SR detection request.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The beam indication information is carried in the integrated millimeter-wave IMW SBP parameter element or IMW sensing measurement parameter element in the SBP request frame.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The beam indication information is carried in the Directional Multi-Gigabit DMG SBP parameter element in the SBP request frame.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 2-10.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes a processor configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or the processor configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2-10.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or the logic circuit is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2-10.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, or the method as described in any one of claims 2-10.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method described in any one of claims 1, 3-10 is executed, or the method described in any one of claims 2-10 is executed.

16. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes an agent-aware SBP initiator and an SBP responder, wherein the SBP initiator is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3-10, and the SBP responder is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 2-10.

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