Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus determining a first resource, wherein in a frequency domain, subcarriers comprised in the first resource are part or all of subcarriers occupied by a DMRS, and in a time domain, a time unit comprised in the first resource is different from a time unit occupied by the DMRS; and transmitting and / or receiving a first signal, wherein the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing. In the present application, transmission of a sensing reference signal can be achieved, and the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, so that channel estimation for a same frequency point can be performed on the basis of the DMRS and the first signal, improving the accuracy of a channel estimation result and facilitating improvement of the sensing performance.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410651377.7, filed on May 23, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety; and this application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410728075.5, filed on June 05, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is widely considered as a key application scenario of the next generation of wireless communication (e.g., the 6th generation (6G) mobile communication). Specifically, a wireless signal transmitted by a sending end to a receiving end needs to meet not only a communication requirement but also a new requirement, e.g., a sensing requirement. The sensing requirement refers to the relative position between an obstacle in the environment around the sending end and the sending end, the moving speed of the sending end, the moving speed of the obstacle, or the distance, etc., which is sensed by the receiving end. The communication requirement refers to the communication data transmitted by the sending end to the receiving end.

[0005] Considering the emerging sensing requirement, one possible implementation is to introduce a sensing reference signal (SeRS). Then, how to implement the transmission of the SeRS is a problem to be considered. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for implementing the transmission of a sensing reference signal, which is beneficial to improve the sensing performance.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first communication apparatus. In the absence of special description, the "first communication apparatus" in the present application can refer to the first communication apparatus itself (e.g., a network device or a terminal device, etc.), or can refer to a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first communication apparatus, or can refer to a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication apparatus.

[0008] The method comprises: determining, by the first communication device, a first resource, wherein the first resource comprises, in the frequency domain, part or all of subcarriers occupied by a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and the first resource comprises, in the time domain, time units different from time units occupied by the DMRS; and transmitting a first signal, which is carried by the first resource, the first signal being used for sensing.

[0009] Alternatively, the first communication device transmits a first signal, which is carried by a first resource, the first signal being used for sensing, wherein the first resource comprises, in the frequency domain, part or all of subcarriers occupied by a DMRS, and the first resource comprises, in the time domain, time units different from time units occupied by the DMRS.

[0010] Optionally, the first communication device can further receive the first signal (or a back echo signal of the first signal).

[0011] In the embodiments of the present application, the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing, thereby realizing transmission of a sensing reference signal (or a sensing signal). In the frequency domain, the first resource comprises part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, that is, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, so that the same frequency point can be estimated based on the DMRS and the first signal, and the accuracy of the channel estimation result can be improved, which is beneficial to improving the sensing performance.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a first time unit are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in a second time unit, and the first time unit and the second time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0013] Through the above implementation, the DMRS and the first signal can be continuously transmitted on the same subcarrier, high-precision channel information can be obtained, and the sensing performance can be improved.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a third time unit are different from the second subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a fourth time unit, the first subcarriers and the second subcarriers are two adjacent subcarriers of the multiple subcarriers occupied by the first signal, and the third time unit is different from the fourth time unit.

[0015] Through the above implementation, the first signal occupies different subcarriers in different time units, and frequency domain diversity gain can be obtained.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the fifth time unit are the same as the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the sixth time unit, and the fifth time unit and the sixth time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0017] Through the implementation, the first signal can occupy a plurality of continuous time units on one subcarrier, more information can be carried, and a high-precision sensing measurement result (for example, speed) can be obtained, thereby improving the sensing performance.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the plurality of time units occupied by the first signal include a seventh time unit and an eighth time unit, and the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are two adjacent time units in the plurality of time units, where the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are adjacent to each other, or the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are separated by at least one time unit.

[0019] Through the implementation, the first signal can occupy a plurality of continuous time units or a plurality of discontinuous time units, and the implementation is flexible.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can further send or receive first information, where the first information can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Optionally, the first information can be included in the downlink control information, or can be carried by high-layer signaling, which is not limited.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first information can further indicate that the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first resource includes a plurality of subcarriers in the frequency domain; and a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 2n of a subcarrier interval, or a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 4n of a subcarrier interval, where n is a positive integer.

[0023] Through the implementation, the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal can be an integer multiple of 2n or 4n of a subcarrier interval, and the implementation is flexible.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can further send or receive second information, where the second information can indicate the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal. Optionally, the second information can be included in the downlink control information, or can be carried by high-layer signaling, which is not limited.

[0025] Through the above implementation manner, the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers occupied by the first signal can be flexibly adjusted.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the first communication apparatus can also amplify the transmission power of the first signal, and the amplified value of the transmission power of the first signal is less than or equal to the maximum amplified value of the transmission power of the DMRS.

[0027] Through the above implementation manner, the transmission power of the first signal is improved to a certain extent, and the accuracy of channel estimation can be improved, which is beneficial to improving the sensing performance.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, the first resource overlaps with the second resource, and the second resource is used to carry a second signal. The first communication apparatus can also determine not to transmit the second signal. The second signal can include one or more of the following: a phase tracking reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, or a positioning reference signal.

[0029] Through the above implementation manner, the resource occupied by the first signal conflicts with the resource occupied by the second signal, and the second signal can be determined not to be transmitted, so that the transmission of the first signal is preferentially ensured.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the modulation order corresponding to the data carried by the first signal can be less than or equal to the modulation order corresponding to the data carried by a third signal, and the third signal occupies subcarriers different from the DMRS. Optionally, the data carried by the first signal can be sensing data, communication data, or sensing data and communication data, which is not limited. Exemplarily, the modulation mode corresponding to the data carried by the first signal can be any one of the following: binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), or phase shift keying (PSK).

[0031] Through the above implementation manner, the modulation of the data carried by the first signal can be ensured, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the sensing measurement result (for example, distance, etc.).

[0032] In another possible implementation, the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. For example, the first signal is a reference signal dedicated for sensing, and the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. In one example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a binary sequence modulation, and the binary sequence can include one or more of the following: a Golden sequence, an m-sequence, or a Golay sequence. In another example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a ZC sequence. Optionally, the phase modulation symbol generated based on the ZC sequence can be: the sequence of the first signal is a ZC sequence; or, the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by truncating the ZC sequence; or, the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by cyclically extending the ZC sequence.

[0033] By the above implementation, the data carried by the first signal can be guaranteed to be orthogonal, which is beneficial to improving the accuracy of the sensing measurement result (e.g., distance, etc.).

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first signal can also be used for communication, so that both the sensing requirement and the communication requirement can be met.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first communication apparatus can further send a fourth signal. For example, the first communication apparatus can send the fourth signal to the second communication apparatus. Alternatively, the first communication apparatus can further receive the fourth signal. For example, the first communication apparatus can further receive the fourth signal from the second communication apparatus. The fourth signal is used for communication. The fourth signal is carried by a third resource, and the third resource is different from the first resource. For example, the third resource and the first resource occupy different time units in the time domain, and / or the third resource and the first resource occupy different subcarriers in the frequency domain.

[0036] By the above implementation, in addition to the transmission of the first signal used for sensing between the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus, the transmission of the fourth signal used for communication can also be performed, so that both the sensing requirement and the communication requirement can be met.

[0037] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be performed by a second communication apparatus. In the present application, the "second communication apparatus" can refer to the second communication apparatus itself (e.g., a network device or a terminal device, etc.), or can refer to a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the second communication apparatus, or can refer to a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the second communication apparatus.

[0038] The method comprises: determining, by the second communication device, a first resource, wherein the first resource comprises part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the first resource comprises time units different from time units occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and receiving a first signal, the first signal being carried by the first resource and used for sensing.

[0039] Alternatively, the second communication device receives a first signal, the first signal being carried by a first resource and used for sensing, wherein the first resource comprises part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the first resource comprises time units different from time units occupied by the DMRS in the time domain.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a first time unit are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in a second time unit, and the first time unit and the second time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0041] In a possible implementation, a first subcarrier occupied by the first signal in a third time unit is different from a second subcarrier occupied by the first signal in a fourth time unit, the first subcarrier and the second subcarrier are two adjacent subcarriers of the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal, and the third time unit is different from the fourth time unit.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a fifth time unit are the same as the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a sixth time unit, and the fifth time unit and the sixth time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the plurality of time units occupied by the first signal comprises a seventh time unit and an eighth time unit, and the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are two adjacent time units in the plurality of time units, wherein the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are two adjacent time units, or the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are separated by at least one time unit.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the second communication device can further send or receive first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the second information can further indicate that the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the first resource includes a plurality of subcarriers in the frequency domain; a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 2n of a subcarrier interval, or a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 4n of a subcarrier interval, where n is a positive integer.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the second communication apparatus can further send or receive second information, which can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

[0048] In a possible implementation, a modulation order corresponding to data carried by the first signal can be less than or equal to a modulation order corresponding to data carried by a third signal, where the third signal occupies different subcarriers from the DMRS in the frequency domain. Optionally, the data carried by the first signal can be sensing data, or communication data, or both sensing data and communication data, without limitation. For example, the modulation mode corresponding to the data carried by the first signal can be any one of BPSK, QPSK, or PSK.

[0049] In another possible implementation, the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. For example, the first signal can be a reference signal dedicated for sensing, and the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. In one example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a binary sequence modulation, and the binary sequence can include one or more of a Golden sequence, an m-sequence, or a Golay sequence. In another example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a ZC sequence. Optionally, the phase modulation symbol generated based on the ZC sequence can be that: the sequence of the first signal is the ZC sequence; or the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by truncating the ZC sequence; or the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by cyclically extending the ZC sequence.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the first signal can also be used for communication.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the second communication apparatus can further send a fourth signal. For example, the second communication apparatus can send the fourth signal to the first communication apparatus. Alternatively, the second communication apparatus can further receive the fourth signal. For example, the second communication apparatus can further receive the fourth signal from the first communication apparatus. The fourth signal can be used for communication. The fourth signal is carried by a third resource, which is different from the first resource. For example, the third resource occupies different time units from the first resource in the time domain, and / or the third resource occupies different subcarriers from the first resource in the frequency domain.

[0052] The technical effects achieved by the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof can be referred to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here.

[0053] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication system, which can include a first communication device and / or a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to transmit a first signal; and the second communication device is configured to receive the first signal. The first signal is used for sensing, and is carried by a first resource. In the frequency domain, the first resource includes part or all of the subcarriers occupied by a DMRS. In the time domain, the time units included in the first resource are different from the time units occupied by the DMRS.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a first time unit are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in a second time unit. The first time unit and the second time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the first subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a third time unit are different from the second subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a fourth time unit. The first subcarriers and the second subcarriers are two adjacent subcarriers of the subcarriers occupied by the first signal. The third time unit is different from the fourth time unit.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a fifth time unit are the same as the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a sixth time unit. The fifth time unit and the sixth time unit are two adjacent time units.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first signal occupies a seventh time unit and an eighth time unit in the plurality of time units. The seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are two adjacent time units in the plurality of time units. The seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are adjacent to each other, or the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are separated by at least one time unit.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is further configured to transmit first information, and the second communication device is further configured to receive the first information; or the second communication device is further configured to transmit the first information, and the first communication device is further configured to receive the first information. The first information can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the first information can further indicate that the starting subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the starting subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0060] In a possible implementation, the first resource includes a plurality of subcarriers in the frequency domain; a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 2n of a subcarrier interval, or a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers is an integer multiple of 4n of a subcarrier interval, where n is a positive integer.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is further configured to send second information, and the second communication device is further configured to receive the second information; or the second communication device is further configured to send the second information, and the first communication device is further configured to receive the second information. The second information can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first communication device is further configured to amplify a transmission power of the first signal, and an amplified value of the transmission power of the first signal is less than or equal to a maximum amplified value of a transmission power of the DMRS.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the first resource overlaps with a second resource, and the second resource is used to carry a second signal. The first communication device is further configured to determine not to send the second signal. The second signal can include one or more of the following: a phase tracking reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, or a positioning reference signal.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first signal can be further used for communication.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can further send a fourth signal to the second communication device, and the second communication device receives the fourth signal from the first communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device can further send the fourth signal to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the fourth signal from the second communication device. The fourth signal is used for communication. The fourth signal is carried by a third resource, and the third resource is different from the first resource. For example, the third resource and the first resource occupy different time units in the time domain, and / or the third resource and the first resource occupy different subcarriers in the frequency domain.

[0066] The technical effects achieved by the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect can be referred to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to execute the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The communication device can be, for example, the first communication device.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the communication device can include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0069] In an alternative possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module (also sometimes referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiving module (also sometimes referred to as a transceiving unit). The transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiving module implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting module (also sometimes referred to as a transmitting unit). When the transceiving module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (also sometimes referred to as a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiving module, and the transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiving module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0070] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The communication apparatus can be, for example, the second communication apparatus.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a baseband apparatus and a radio frequency apparatus.

[0072] In an alternative possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a processing module (also sometimes referred to as a processing unit) and a transceiving module (also sometimes referred to as a transceiving unit). The transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. When the transceiving module implements the transmitting function, it can be referred to as a transmitting module (also sometimes referred to as a transmitting unit). When the transceiving module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving module (also sometimes referred to as a receiving unit). The transmitting module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the transceiving module, and the transceiving module can implement the transmitting function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the transmitting module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiving module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0073] In a sixth aspect, the present application also provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication apparatus can also include a memory. The memory can be used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors can be used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus executes the method described in the first aspect or any of the possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect or any of the possible implementations of the second aspect is implemented.

[0075] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program for realizing the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof when the computer program is run on a computer.

[0076] The technical effects achieved by the fourth aspect to the eighth aspect and any possible implementation thereof can be referred to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0077] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system;

[0078] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system;

[0079] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication system;

[0080] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of multiple sensing scenarios;

[0081] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of multiple DMRS patterns;

[0082] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of multiple front-loaded DMRS and additional DMRS;

[0083] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 are schematic diagrams of multiple first signal patterns provided by embodiments of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of sensing performance provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0089] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a front-loaded DMRS and additional DMRS;

[0090] FIG. 19 to FIG. 23 are schematic diagrams of multiple first signal patterns provided by embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will further describe the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings.

[0092] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0093] In the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" can mean two or more. In view of this, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two" in the embodiments of the present application. "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two or more, for example, including at least one of A, B and C, and the included can be A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, and there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", if not specially stated, generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after it.

[0094] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably, and "according to" and "based on" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] The ordinal numbers "first", "second" and the like mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are generally used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish two communication devices, and do not limit the priority or importance of the two communication devices.

[0096] The embodiments of the present application will be presented around a system including multiple devices, components, modules and the like. It should be understood that the system can include other devices, components, modules and the like not mentioned, or can only include part of the devices, components or modules mentioned in the embodiments.

[0097] The following first introduces a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable.

[0098] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, an ISAC communication system, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a short-range wireless communication system (such as a sidelink, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and the like), a wired network, a vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, a device-to-device (D2D) communication system, a vehicle networking communication system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as a long term evolution (LTE) system), an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) system), a future communication system (such as a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system), or other similar communication systems, and the like, without limitation. The embodiments of the present application are described by taking a communication system shown in FIG. 1 as an example, and when the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are applied to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, and the like in the embodiments can be replaced by corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems, without limitation.

[0099] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication system used in the embodiments of the present application. The communication system can include a first communication device and a second communication device.

[0100] The communication system can complete certain functions, such as synchronization, channel estimation, or sensing, and the like, without limitation.

[0101] The first communication device in FIG. 1 can refer to the first communication device itself, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, and the like) in the first communication device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first communication device, without special indication. The first communication device can be a network device, or can also be a terminal device, without limitation.

[0102] In FIG. 1, the second communication device can refer to the second communication device itself, a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the second communication device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the second communication device, without special description. The second communication device can be a network device or a terminal device, without limitation.

[0103] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can be located in the beam / cell coverage range of the network device. The network device can provide communication services for the terminal device.

[0104] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiving function or a chip or chip system that can be arranged in the device, can allow a user to access a network, and is a device for providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user. The terminal device can also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), a subscriber unit, a terminal, or a mobile station (MS) or a mobile terminal (MT), etc.

[0105] Exemplarily, the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a user-side device for implementing a wireless communication function, for example, a terminal or a chip used in a terminal, etc. The terminal can be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent or a terminal device, etc. in a 5G network or a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a drone, a robot, a point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. Alternatively, the terminal can be a terminal with a communication function in IoT, for example, a terminal in V2X (for example, a vehicle-mounted device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication, etc. The terminal can be mobile or fixed.

[0106] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can be any device deployed in an access network and capable of wireless communication with the terminal device. It can also be a chip or chip system that can be provided in the above-mentioned device, and can also be a logical node or a logical module or a function implemented in software, which can be used to implement wireless physical control functions, resource scheduling and wireless resource management, wireless access control and mobility management, etc. Specifically, the network device can be a device supporting wired access or a device supporting wireless access.

[0107] Exemplarily, the network device in the embodiments of the present application is a device for accessing a terminal device to a wireless network, which can be a node in a radio access network (RAN), or can be a base station, which can be referred to as a radio access network node (or device).

[0108] For example, the network device can include an evolved Node B (Node B or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in an LTE system or an LTE-advanced (LTE-A) system, such as a conventional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, it can include a next generation Node B (gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, it can include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (for example, a home evolved Node B, or a home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a BBU pool, or a Wi-Fi access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, it can include a base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), that is, it can be deployed on a flying platform or a satellite, in the NTN, the network device can act as a layer 1 (L1) relay, or can act as a base station, or can act as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the network device can be a device that implements a base station function in the internet of things (IoT), such as a drone communication, V2X, D2D, or machine to machine (M2M) device that implements a base station function.

[0109] The network device can also be a module or unit capable of implementing part of the functions of a base station, for example, the network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0110] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the network device can be a network device or a module of a network device in an open radio access network (ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0111] Optionally, the base station in the embodiments of the present application can include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TPs), mobile switching centers, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0112] Based on the above description of the network device and the terminal device, the present application proposes several possible application scenarios:

[0113] One possible application scenario can be a wireless communication system such as cellular communication, as shown in FIG. 2. The network device can be a base station, and one base station can serve multiple terminal devices, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2; one terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2.

[0114] A possible application scenario can be a wireless communication system such as a wireless local area network, as shown in FIG. 3. The network device can be an AP, and one AP can serve multiple terminal devices, as shown in (a) of FIG. 3; one terminal device can communicate with multiple APs, as shown in (b) of FIG. 3.

[0115] It should be noted that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0116] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It can be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the first communication device or the second communication device can perform part or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application. These steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, each step can be performed in a different order presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application are performed.

[0117] ISAC is widely considered as a key application scenario for the next generation of wireless communication (e.g., 6G mobile communication). The core idea of this ISAC technology is to add sensing capability to the mobile communication network, and build the ability to detect, track and image targets, so as to make the communication and sensing capabilities coexist in one network, and achieve mutual benefit. Specifically, the wireless signal sent by the sending end to the receiving end needs to meet new requirements in addition to the sensing requirements, such as sensing requirements. The sensing requirements refer to the relative position between the sending end and the obstacles in the environment around the sending end, the moving speed of the sending end, the moving speed of the obstacles, or the distance, etc. The communication requirement refers to the sending of communication data by the sending end to the receiving end. Considering the new sensing requirements, a possible implementation way is to introduce a sensing reference signal (SeRS), or to introduce a sensing signal.

[0118] Exemplarily, from the mode, the perception scene can be generally divided into two kinds: single station perception and double station perception. Taking a perception signal as an example, the single station perception mode refers to that a sending end device of the perception signal and a receiving end device of a backwave signal of the perception signal are the same device. In other words, in the single station perception mode, the sending end device not only sends the perception signal, but also receives the backwave signal of the perception signal reflected (or scattered, or diffracted, etc.) on a perception target surface. Therefore, the single station perception mode can also be called a self-sending and self-receiving mode, without limitation. The double station perception mode refers to that the sending end device of the perception signal and the receiving end device of the backwave signal of the perception signal are two different devices. In other words, a perception station A sends a perception signal, and a backwave signal of the perception signal reflected (or scattered, or diffracted, etc.) on a perception target surface is received by a perception station B. Therefore, the double station perception mode can also be called an A-sending and B-receiving mode. It should be noted that the backwave signal of the perception signal is obtained by the perception signal reflected (or scattered, or diffracted, etc.) on the perception target surface, and therefore, the backwave signal can still be called a perception signal.

[0119] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of various perception scenes applicable to the embodiments of the present application. Six perception scenes applicable to the embodiments of the present application are provided in FIG. 4, which are: a network device A self-sending and self-receiving scene, i.e., a scene in which the network device A sends a perception signal and receives a backwave signal, as shown in (1) of FIG. 4; a terminal device A self-sending and self-receiving scene, i.e., a scene in which the terminal device A sends a perception signal and receives a backwave signal, as shown in (2) of FIG. 4; a network device A sending a perception signal and a network device B receiving a backwave signal scene, as shown in (3) of FIG. 4; a terminal device A sending a perception signal and a terminal device B receiving a backwave signal scene, as shown in (4) of FIG. 4; a network device A sending a perception signal and a terminal device A receiving a backwave signal scene, as shown in (5) of FIG. 4; and a terminal device A sending a perception signal and a network device A receiving a backwave signal scene, as shown in (6) of FIG. 4.

[0120] The perception target can also be called a target, a detected target, a perceived object, a detected object, or a perceived device, without limitation. The perception target can be various tangible objects in the environment that can reflect (or scatter, or diffract, etc.) electromagnetic waves. For example, the perception target can be a static object such as a mountain, a forest, or a building. For another example, the perception target can also be a movable object such as a vehicle, a drone, a pedestrian, or a terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation form of the perception target.

[0121] The foregoing mentioned considering the emerging sensing requirement, one possible implementation is to introduce SeRS (or sensing signal), then, how to implement the transmission of the SeRS (or sensing signal) is a problem to be considered. In view of this, the embodiment of the application provides a communication method and device, which can realize the transmission of the sensing reference signal (or sensing signal), and is beneficial to improve the sensing performance. The method and device described in the application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles of the method and device for solving problems are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be mutually referred to, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0122] The technical terms related to the embodiments of the application will be introduced first.

[0123] The first signal can be used for sensing. For example, the first signal can be used for enhanced sensing. In one example, the first signal can be understood as a signal dedicated to sensing, for example, the first signal is a sensing signal (sensing signal); or it can also be understood as a reference signal dedicated to sensing, for example, the first signal is a sensing reference signal (sensing reference signal, SeRS); or it can also be understood as a signal carrying sensing data, for example, the first signal is sensing data, etc.

[0124] In another example, the first signal can also be used for communication. That is, the first signal can be used for sensing and communication, so as to meet the sensing requirement and the communication requirement. For example, the first signal can be used for enhanced sensing and communication. Exemplarily, the first signal can be understood as a signal used to carry sensing data and communication data, or it can also be understood as a signal used to carry communication data and used for sensing (e.g., sensing measurement, etc.). Alternatively, in the case where the first signal is used for communication and sensing, the first signal can still be called a sensing signal or a sensing reference signal, which is not limited.

[0125] It can be understood that in different communication systems (e.g., 6G communication system, etc.), the name of the first signal can vary, and the naming of the first signal in the embodiments of the application is not limited.

[0126] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to the communication system shown in any of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The first communication device can be configured to transmit a first signal. Optionally, the first communication device can also be configured to receive the first signal (or a back echo of the first signal). For example, the first communication device transmits the first signal and receives the first signal (or a back echo of the first signal). For example, the first communication device transmits the first signal, and the first signal is transmitted to a sensing target and reflected (or scattered, diffracted, etc.) by the sensing target and reaches the first communication device. For example, the first communication device can be the network device A shown in (1) of FIG. 4, or the terminal device A shown in (2) of FIG. 4. In the absence of special description, the "first communication device" in the present application can be the first communication device itself (for example, a network device, a terminal device), or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first communication device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first communication device.

[0127] In the absence of special description, the "first signal" in the present application can refer to the first signal itself, or a back echo of the first signal. Optionally, "receiving the first signal" in the present application can be replaced by "receiving the second signal, the second signal being a back echo of the first signal, or the second signal being the first signal".

[0128] The second communication device can be configured to receive the first signal. For example, the first communication device transmits the first signal, and the second communication device receives the first signal. For example, the first communication device transmits the first signal, and the first signal is transmitted to a sensing target and reflected by the sensing target and reaches the second communication device. In the absence of special description, the "second communication device" in the present application can be the second communication device itself (for example, a network device, a terminal device), or a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the second communication device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the second communication device.

[0129] For the convenience of understanding the present application, hereinafter, the first communication device sends the first signal, and the second communication device receives the first signal are taken as examples for description. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device can both be network devices, the first communication device can be the network device A shown in (3) of FIG. 4, and the second communication device can be the network device B shown in (3) of FIG. 4. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device can both be terminal devices, the first communication device can be the terminal device A shown in (4) of FIG. 4, and the second communication device can be the terminal device B shown in (4) of FIG. 4. For example, the first communication device can be a network device, and the second communication device can be a terminal device, the first communication device can be the network device A shown in (5) of FIG. 4, and the second communication device can be the terminal device A shown in (5) of FIG. 4. For example, the first communication device can be a terminal device, and the second communication device can be a network device, the first communication device can be the terminal device A shown in (6) of FIG. 4, and the second communication device can be the network device A shown in (6) of FIG. 4.

[0130] A time unit can be one or several symbols, or can also be one or several slots, or can also be one or several mini-slots, or can also be one or several sub-frames, or can also be one or several frames, etc. The present embodiments do not limit the implementation form of the time unit. The plurality of time units can be continuous in time, or can be discrete, which is not limited. For example, one time unit can be one symbol.

[0131] A symbol can also be referred to as a modulation symbol, a symbol group, a modulation symbol sequence, a modulation symbol stream, a modulation symbol string, or a modulation symbol set, etc. The present embodiments do not limit the modulation mode of the symbol. For example, one symbol can be one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. For the convenience of understanding, hereinafter, one time unit is taken as one OFDM symbol for illustration.

[0132] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) can be used for channel estimation and the estimated channel information is used for data demodulation. It can be understood that the name of the DMRS can vary in different communication systems (for example, a 6G communication system, etc.). In the time domain, the DMRS occupies at least one OFDM symbol, and in the frequency domain, it occupies at least one subcarrier. The NR communication system supports two DMRS configuration types: configuration type 1 and configuration type 2. DMRS also has single front-loaded symbols and double front-loaded symbols. Among them, the configuration type can also be called a pattern type, or a type, etc., without limitation.

[0133] Exemplarily, for the DMRS of configuration type 1 and single front-loaded symbol, the DMRS occupies one OFDM symbol, and at most 4 DMRS ports are supported. The time-frequency resource mapping manner of the DMRS (that is, the DMRS pattern) is as shown in (1) of FIG. 5. For the DMRS of configuration type 1 and double front-loaded symbol, the DMRS occupies two OFDM symbols, and at most 8 DMRS ports are supported. The DMRS pattern is as shown in (2) of FIG. 5. For the DMRS of configuration type 2 and single front-loaded symbol, the DMRS occupies one OFDM symbol, and at most 6 DMRS ports are supported. The DMRS pattern is as shown in (3) of FIG. 5. For the DMRS of configuration type 2 and double front-loaded symbol, the DMRS occupies two OFDM symbols, and at most 12 DMRS ports are supported. The DMRS pattern is as shown in (4) of FIG. 5.

[0134] The NR communication system also supports the combination of front-loaded DMRS and additional DMRS to adapt to higher mobile speed. Each set of additional DMRS patterns is a repetition of the front-loaded DMRS pattern. That is, each set of additional DMRS occupies the same subcarriers as the front-loaded DMRS and occupies the same number of OFDM symbols. Optionally, for the DMRS of single front-loaded symbol, at most three sets of additional DMRS can be added, as shown in (1) of FIG. 6; for the DMRS of double front-loaded symbol, at most two sets of additional DMRS can be added, as shown in (2) of FIG. 6. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of configuration type 1 and DMRS port 1. Optionally, for the DMRS of double front-loaded symbol, at most one set of additional DMRS can be added, as shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of configuration type 1 and DMRS port 1.

[0135] It should be noted that the DMRS patterns shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 18 are examples and do not limit the DMRS patterns. For example, the DMRS patterns can vary in different communication systems. For ease of understanding, the following description is based on the DMRS pattern of configuration type 1 under DMRS port 1 and single prepended symbol, unless otherwise specified. It should be understood that the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is still applicable when the DMRS pattern is other pattern (for example, the DMRS pattern of configuration type 2 under DMRS port 1 and double prepended symbol, etc.) or the DMRS pattern varies.

[0136] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication method is described by taking the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device as an example. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication method can include the following contents.

[0137] S701: The first communication device determines a first resource.

[0138] S701 is an optional step, which is represented by a dashed line in FIG. 7.

[0139] The first resource can be used to carry a first signal. The description of the first signal is referred to the aforementioned description of the terms, which will not be repeated here. For example, the first communication device can determine the first resource used to carry the first signal. The first resource can include time domain resource and frequency domain resource. For example, the first resource can include at least one subcarrier in the frequency domain. For example, the first resource can include at least one time unit in the time domain. The description of the time unit is referred to the aforementioned description of the terms, which will not be repeated here. It can be understood that the number of subcarriers included in the first resource in the frequency domain and the number of time units included in the first resource in the time domain are not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0140] For example, the subcarriers included in the first resource in the frequency domain can be the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, and the time units included in the first resource in the time domain can be different from the time units occupied by the DMRS, as shown in (1) of FIG. 8; or the subcarriers included in the first resource in the frequency domain can be part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, and the time units included in the first resource in the time domain can be different from the time units occupied by the DMRS, as shown in (2) of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the first resource includes three time units in the time domain (i.e., the first signal occupies three time units). The subcarriers included in the first resource in the frequency domain are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, that is, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, which means that the same frequency point can be estimated based on the DMRS and the first signal, which can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result and improve the sensing performance.

[0141] The first resource includes subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. It can be understood that the subcarriers included in the first resource completely overlap with the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, it can be understood that the first signal occupies the same subcarriers as the DMRS. The time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS. It can be understood that the time unit occupied by the first signal is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS. The subcarriers included in the first resource are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. It can be understood that the subcarriers included in the first resource belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, it can be understood that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, it can be understood that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, it can be understood that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are included in the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0142] Alternatively, the number of subcarriers included in the first resource can be less than or equal to the number of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, the number of subcarriers occupied by the first signal can be less than or equal to the number of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0143] For example, for configuration type 1 and DMRS port 1 (see (1) or (2) in FIG. 5), the DMRS occupies six subcarriers, i.e., subcarrier 0, subcarrier 2, subcarrier 4, subcarrier 6, subcarrier 8, and subcarrier 10. The first signal can occupy part or all of the six subcarriers.

[0144] For another example, for configuration type 2 and DMRS port 1 (see (3) or (4) in FIG. 5), the DMRS occupies four subcarriers, i.e., subcarrier 0, subcarrier 1, subcarrier 6, and subcarrier 7. The first signal can occupy part or all of the four subcarriers.

[0145] In an embodiment, the first resource can include a plurality of subcarriers in the frequency domain. In other words, the first signal can occupy a plurality of subcarriers. The frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers can be an integer multiple of 2n of the subcarrier interval, where n is a positive integer. For example, for configuration type 1, the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal can be an integer multiple of 2n of the subcarrier interval. Alternatively, the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers can be an integer multiple of 4n of the subcarrier interval, where n is a positive integer. For example, for configuration type 2, the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal can be an integer multiple of 4n of the subcarrier interval.

[0146] For example, assuming that the starting index of the subcarriers is 0, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are subcarrier 0, subcarrier 2, subcarrier 4, subcarrier 6, subcarrier 8, and subcarrier 10, wherein subcarrier 0 and subcarrier 2, subcarrier 2 and subcarrier 4, subcarrier 4 and subcarrier 6, subcarrier 6 and subcarrier 8, or subcarrier 8 and subcarrier 10 are two adjacent subcarriers in the subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

[0147] Optionally, the DMRS can be a front-loaded DMRS, as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the DMRS can also include a front-loaded DMRS and an additional DMRS, as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 19. In FIG. 9, a single front-loaded symbol DMRS, three groups of additional DMRSs, and the first signal occupying one time unit are taken as examples. In (1) of FIG. 9, the first signal occupies the same subcarriers as the DMRS; in (2) of FIG. 9, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. In FIG. 19, a double front-loaded symbol DMRS, one group of additional DMRSs, and the first signal occupying one time unit are taken as examples. In (1) of FIG. 19, the first signal occupies the same subcarriers as the DMRS; in (2) of FIG. 19, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0148] Optionally, the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal can be the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS, as shown in (1) of FIG. 8; or the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal can be different from the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS, as shown in (2) of FIG. 8.

[0149] In the embodiments of the present application, the time-frequency resource mapping manner (i.e., the first signal pattern) of the first signal is designed in dependence on the DMRS pattern, and there can be multiple first signal patterns. Exemplarily, the first signal pattern can satisfy one or more of the following.

[0150] (1) The subcarriers occupied by the first signal on a first time unit are part of or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS on a second time unit, and the first time unit and the second time unit can be two adjacent time units, as shown in FIG. 10. In other words, the DMRS and the first signal can be continuously transmitted on the same subcarrier, which can obtain high-precision channel information and is beneficial to improving the sensing performance. In FIG. 10, the first signal occupies one time unit, and the first signal and the DMRS occupy the same subcarriers are taken as examples.

[0151] (2) the first sub-carrier occupied by the first signal in the third time unit and the second sub-carrier occupied by the first signal in the fourth time unit are different, and the first sub-carrier and the second sub-carrier can be two adjacent sub-carriers in the plurality of sub-carriers occupied by the first signal, and the third time unit is different from the fourth time unit, as shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 20. In other words, the first signal occupies different sub-carriers in different time units, and the first signal pattern is frequency hopping distribution, so that the diversity gain in the frequency domain can be obtained. FIG. 11 takes the example that the first signal occupies the same sub-carrier as the DMRS. In (1) of FIG. 11, the DMRS is a front-loaded DMRS, the first signal occupies six time units, and the sub-carrier occupied in each time unit is different. In (2) of FIG. 11, the DMRS includes a front-loaded DMRS and three groups of additional DMRSs, the first signal occupies six time units, the sub-carrier occupied in each time unit is different, and the sub-carrier occupied in each time unit is the same as the sub-carrier occupied by the DMRS in the adjacent time unit (i.e., the DMRS and the first signal are continuously transmitted on the same sub-carrier). FIG. 20 takes the example of double front-loaded symbol DMRS and one group of additional DMRS. In (1) of FIG. 20, the first signal occupies six time units, and the sub-carrier occupied in each time unit is different, and the first signal occupies the same sub-carrier as the DMRS. In (2) of FIG. 20, the first signal occupies three time units, and the sub-carrier occupied in each time unit is different, and the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal is part of the sub-carrier occupied by the DMRS.

[0152] It can be understood that the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal in (1) of FIG. 11 increases with time, or the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal can also decrease with time, which is not limited. In (2) of FIG. 11, the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal decreases with time, or the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal can also increase with time, which is not limited. In FIG. 12, the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal decreases with time, or the index of the sub-carrier occupied by the first signal can also increase with time, which is not limited.

[0153] (3) The subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the fifth time unit and the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the sixth time unit are the same, and the fifth time unit and the sixth time unit are two adjacent time units, as shown in FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 21, FIG. 22 or FIG. 23. In other words, the first signal can occupy a plurality of continuous time units on the same subcarrier, which can carry more information, and is conducive to improving the accuracy of speed and other perception measurement results, thereby improving the perception performance. FIG. 12 takes the example of the first signal occupying the same subcarrier as the DMRS. In (1) of FIG. 12, the first signal occupies nine continuous time units on the same subcarrier, and the nine time units include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS. In (2) of FIG. 12, the first signal occupies four continuous time units on a subcarrier, and the four time units do not include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS. FIG. 13 takes the example of the subcarriers occupied by the first signal being part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. In (1) of FIG. 13, the DMRS is a front DMRS, and the first signal pattern hops and is distributed on subcarrier 10, subcarrier 6 and subcarrier 2, respectively, to occupy three continuous time units. In (2) of FIG. 13, the DMRS includes a front DMRS and three groups of additional DMRSs, and the first signal occupies two continuous time units on subcarrier 0, subcarrier 4 and subcarrier 8, respectively.

[0154] FIGS. 21, 22 and 23 take the example of double front symbol DMRS and one group of additional DMRS. In FIG. 21, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, the first signal pattern hops and is distributed on subcarrier 10, subcarrier 6 and subcarrier 2, respectively, to occupy two continuous time units. In (1) of FIG. 22, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, and the first signal occupies six continuous time units on subcarrier 10, subcarrier 6 and subcarrier 2, respectively, and the six time units include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS. In (2) of FIG. 22, the first signal occupies the same subcarrier as the DMRS, and the first signal occupies six continuous time units on the same subcarrier, and the six time units include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS. In (1) of FIG. 23, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, and the first signal occupies four continuous time units on subcarrier 0, subcarrier 4 and subcarrier 8, respectively, and the four time units do not include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS. In (2) of FIG. 23, the first signal occupies the same subcarrier as the DMRS, and the first signal occupies three continuous time units on the same subcarrier, and the three time units do not include time units adjacent to the time units occupied by the DMRS.

[0155] It can be understood that the index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal in (1) of FIG. 13 decreases as time increases, or the index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal can also increase as time increases, without limitation. The index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal in (2) of FIG. 13 increases as time increases, or the index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal can also decrease as time increases, without limitation. The index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal in FIG. 21 decreases as time increases, or the index of the subcarrier occupied by the first signal can also increase as time increases, without limitation.

[0156] (4) The plurality of time units occupied by the first signal include a seventh time unit and an eighth time unit, which can be two adjacent time units in the plurality of time units. The seventh time unit and the eighth time unit can be two adjacent time units, which can be referred to (1) of FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, or FIG. 23. Alternatively, the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are separated by at least one time unit, which can be referred to (2) of FIG. 8 or FIG. 20. In other words, the first signal can occupy continuous time units, or can occupy discontinuous time units, and the implementation is flexible. The first signal occupies discontinuous time units, which can obtain diversity gain in the time domain.

[0157] For example, assuming that the starting index of the time unit is 0, the plurality of time units occupied by the first signal are time unit 3, time unit 5, and time unit 7, wherein time unit 3 and time unit 5, or time unit 5 and time unit 7 are two adjacent time units in the plurality of time units occupied by the first signal.

[0158] It should be pointed out that the plurality of first signal patterns shown in FIGS. 8-13, 19-23 are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0159] In an implementation, the first communication device can receive first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Accordingly, the first communication device can determine the first resource according to the first information. For example, the third communication device can send the first information to the first communication device; accordingly, the first communication device receives the first information from the third communication device. Alternatively, the third communication device can be the second communication device, or can be another communication device other than the first communication device and the second communication device. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device are both terminal devices, and the third communication device can be a network device, or a master terminal device, without limitation.

[0160] In another implementation, the first communication device can also send the first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. For example, the first communication device can send the first information to the second communication device; accordingly, the second communication device can receive the first information from the first communication device, and determine the first resource according to the first information.

[0161] In an example, the first information can indicate whether the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, or the first information can indicate whether the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. For example, the first information occupies 1 bit, the state value of the first information is 0, and the first information indicates that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS; the state value of the first information is 1, and the first information indicates that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal do not belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. For another example, the first information occupies 1 bit, the state value of the first information is 1, and the first information indicates that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS; the state value of the first information is 0, and the first information indicates that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal do not belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the implementation form of the first information.

[0162] In an example, the first information can be included in downlink control information (DCI); or the first information can also be carried by high-layer signaling. The high-layer signaling can be, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, without limitation. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the transmission mode of the first information.

[0163] In an example, the first information can further indicate whether the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS. For example, the first information can indicate that the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS. Alternatively, the first information can include a first field and a second field, the first field can be used to indicate whether the subcarrier occupied by the first signal belongs to the subcarrier occupied by the DMRS, and the second field can be used to indicate whether the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS. For example, the second field occupies 1 bit, the state value of the second field is 0, the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS, the state value of the second field is 1, the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is different from the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS; or the state value of the second field is 1, the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS, the state value of the second field is 0, the starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is different from the starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS. The implementation of the first field can refer to the implementation of the second field, and will not be described herein. The implementation form of the first field and the second field is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0164] In an implementation, the first communication device can receive second information, which can indicate the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal. Accordingly, the first communication device can determine the first resource according to the second information. For example, the third communication device can send the second information to the first communication device; accordingly, the first communication device receives the second information from the third communication device. Alternatively, the third communication device can be the second communication device, or can be another communication device other than the first communication device and the second communication device. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device are both terminal devices, and the third communication device can be a network device, or a master terminal device, without limitation.

[0165] In another implementation, the first communication device can also send second information, which can indicate the frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal. For example, the first communication device can send the second information to the second communication device; accordingly, the second communication device can receive the second information from the first communication device, and determine the first resource according to the second information.

[0166] In an example, the second information can be included in the DCI; or the second information can also be carried by high layer signaling. The high layer signaling can be, for example, RRC signaling, without limitation. The transmission manner of the second information is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0167] In an implementation, the first communication device can amplify (or increase) the transmission power of the first signal, and the amplified value of the transmission power of the first signal is less than or equal to the maximum amplified value of the transmission power of the DMRS. Further, the first communication device can transmit the first signal according to the amplified transmission power. Optionally, the amplified value of the transmission power of the first signal can be less than or equal to 3 decibels (dB). In this way, the transmission power of the first signal is improved to a certain extent, which can improve the accuracy of channel estimation and facilitate the improvement of sensing performance.

[0168] In an implementation, the first resource can overlap with the second resource, or the first resource can include the second resource, or the first resource can completely overlap with the second resource. The second resource can be used to carry a second signal. The second signal can be one or more of a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), etc. The first communication device can determine not to transmit the second signal. Or the first communication device can discard the second signal. In this way, when the resources occupied by the first signal conflict with the resources occupied by the second signal, the first communication device can discard the second signal to give priority to the transmission of the first signal. In other words, in the ISAC scenario, unlike the coexistence of sensing signals and communication signals, there can be a situation where the sensing priority is higher than the communication priority, so when the transmission resources of the sensing signals and the communication signals conflict, the sensing signal with high priority is transmitted, and the communication signal with low priority is discarded to ensure the transmission of the sensing signal with high priority.

[0169] S702: The second communication device determines the first resource.

[0170] S702 is an optional step, which is represented by a dashed line in FIG. 7. The related description of the first resource is referred to the content of S701, which is not repeated here. In addition, the execution order of S701 and S702 is taken as an example and is not limited thereto. For example, the second communication device can determine the first resource; then, the first communication device determines the first resource.

[0171] In an embodiment, the second communication device can receive the first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Accordingly, the second communication device can determine the first resource according to the first information. For example, the fourth communication device can send the first information to the second communication device; accordingly, the second communication device receives the first information from the fourth communication device. Optionally, the fourth communication device can be the first communication device, or can be another communication device other than the second communication device and the first communication device. For example, the second communication device and the first communication device are both terminal devices, and the fourth communication device can be a network device, or a master terminal device, without limitation.

[0172] In another embodiment, the second communication device can also send the first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part of or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. For example, the second communication device can send the first information to the first communication device; accordingly, the first communication device can receive the first information from the second communication device, and determine the first resource according to the first information.

[0173] In an example, the first information can indicate whether the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, or the first information can indicate whether the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, the implementation process is described with reference to S701, and will not be repeated.

[0174] In an example, the first information can be included in the DCI; or the first information can also be carried by high-layer signaling. The high-layer signaling can be, for example, RRC signaling, without limitation. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the transmission mode of the first information.

[0175] In an example, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the starting subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the starting subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. For example, the first information can indicate that the starting subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the starting subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. Optionally, the first information can include a first field and a second field, the first field can be used to indicate whether the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, and the second field can be used to indicate whether the starting subcarriers occupied by the first signal are the same as the starting subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, the implementation process is described with reference to S701, and will not be repeated.

[0176] In an implementation, the second communication device can receive second information, which can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal. Accordingly, the second communication device can determine the first resource according to the second information. For example, the fourth communication device can send the second information to the second communication device; accordingly, the second communication device receives the second information from the fourth communication device. Optionally, the fourth communication device can be the first communication device, or can be another communication device other than the second communication device and the first communication device. For example, the second communication device and the first communication device are both terminal devices, and the fourth communication device can be a network device, or a master terminal device, without limitation.

[0177] In another implementation, the second communication device can also send second information, which can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal. For example, the second communication device can send the second information to the first communication device; accordingly, the first communication device can receive the second information from the second communication device, and determine the first resource according to the second information.

[0178] Optionally, the second information can be included in DCI, or the second information can also be carried by high-layer signaling. The high-layer signaling can be RRC signaling, without limitation. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the transmission mode of the second information.

[0179] S703: The first communication device sends the first signal. For example, the first communication device sends the first signal to the second communication device.

[0180] The second communication device receives the first signal. For example, the second communication device receives the first signal from the first communication device.

[0181] The first signal is carried by the first resource. The first resource is described above, and will not be described here. For example, the first communication device sends the first signal on the first resource; accordingly, the second communication device receives the first signal on the first resource. Optionally, after receiving the first signal, the second communication device can obtain sensing measurement data according to the first signal. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the behavior of the second communication device after receiving the first signal.

[0182] In one embodiment, the modulation order corresponding to the data carried by the first signal is less than or equal to the modulation order corresponding to the data carried by the third signal, and the third signal occupies different subcarriers from the DMRS in the frequency domain, as shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, or FIG. 23. In the case where the third signal occupies different subcarriers from the DMRS in the frequency domain, the third signal also occupies different subcarriers from the first signal in the frequency domain. Optionally, the data carried by the first signal can be sensing data, or communication data, or both sensing data and communication data, without limitation. By way of example, the modulation mode corresponding to the data carried by the first signal can be any one of BPSK, QPSK, or PSK. Through the above embodiment, the modulation of the data carried by the first signal is guaranteed, which is conducive to improving the accuracy of the sensing measurement result (e.g., distance, etc.).

[0183] In (1) of FIG. 13, (1) of FIG. 21, (1) of FIG. 22, or (2) of FIG. 23, the third signal occupies one subcarrier in the frequency domain and different subcarriers from the DMRS, and occupies four time units in the time domain; in (2) of FIG. 13, (2) of FIG. 21, (2) of FIG. 22, or (2) of FIG. 23, the third signal occupies two subcarriers in the frequency domain and different subcarriers from the DMRS, and occupies two time units on the same subcarrier. It can be understood that the data type of the data carried by the third signal, the number of subcarriers occupied by the third signal, and the number of time units occupied by the third signal are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0184] In another embodiment, the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. For example, the first signal is a reference signal dedicated to sensing, and the sequence of the first signal can be a phase modulation symbol. In one example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a binary sequence modulation, and the binary sequence can include one or more of the following: a Golden sequence, an m-sequence, or a Golay sequence. In another example, the phase modulation symbol can be a symbol generated based on a ZC sequence. Optionally, the phase modulation symbol generated based on the ZC sequence can be: the sequence of the first signal is a ZC sequence; or the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by truncating the ZC sequence; or the sequence of the first signal is a sequence obtained by cyclically extending the ZC sequence. Through the above embodiment, the modulation of the data carried by the first signal is guaranteed, which is conducive to improving the accuracy of the sensing measurement result (e.g., distance, etc.).

[0185] In an implementation, the first communication device can further transmit a fourth signal, and the second communication device receives the fourth signal. For example, the first communication device transmits the fourth signal to the second communication device, and the second communication device receives the fourth signal from the first communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device can further transmit the fourth signal, and the first communication device receives the fourth signal. For example, the second communication device transmits the fourth signal to the first communication device, and the first communication device receives the fourth signal from the second communication device. The fourth signal can be used for communication. This means that, in addition to the transmission of the first signal for sensing, the transmission of the fourth signal for communication can be performed between the first communication device and the second communication device, so that both sensing and communication requirements can be met.

[0186] The fourth signal can be carried by a third resource. For example, the third resource can include time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources. The third resource is different from the first resource. For example, the third resource and the first resource include different time units in the time domain; or the third resource and the first resource include different subcarriers in the frequency domain; or the third resource and the first resource include different time units in the time domain and different subcarriers in the frequency domain. Alternatively, the fourth signal can be a DMRS, the fourth signal and the first signal occupy different time units in the time domain, and the subcarriers occupied by the fourth signal include the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the frequency domain. Alternatively, the fourth signal can be a third signal, the time units occupied by the fourth signal and the time units occupied by the first signal can be different, the same, or partially the same in the time domain, and the subcarriers occupied by the fourth signal are different from the subcarriers occupied by the first signal in the frequency domain. The implementation of the fourth signal is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0187] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of sensing performance provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this diagram, the first signal is SeRS, the horizontal axis is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in decibels (dB), and the vertical axis is the root mean squared error (RMSE) in meters (m). As shown in FIG. 14, the SeRS pattern can improve the sensing performance depending on the DMRS design (i.e., the SeRS and the DMRS occupy the same subcarriers, or the SeRS and the DMRS occupy different subcarriers); and the sensing performance of the SeRS and the DMRS occupying the same subcarriers is better than the sensing performance of the SeRS and the DMRS occupying different subcarriers.

[0188] In the above embodiments of the present application, the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing, thereby realizing transmission of a sensing reference signal (or a sensing signal). In the frequency domain, the first resource includes part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, that is, the subcarriers occupied by the first signal belong to the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS. In this way, the same frequency point can be estimated based on the DMRS and the first signal, which can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result and is beneficial to improving the sensing performance.

[0189] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the method provided in the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of interaction of multiple communication devices (for example, the first communication device and the second communication device). The steps performed by the communication device (for example, the first communication device or the second communication device) can be implemented by different functional entities constituting the communication device. The communication device (for example, the first communication device or the second communication device) can include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and the above functions are implemented in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module. Whether a certain function in the above functions is implemented in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure plus software module depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions.

[0190] The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the content in the foregoing can be used in the subsequent embodiments, and the repeated content will not be described again.

[0191] FIG. 15 exemplarily shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 1500. The communication device 1500 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above various method embodiments.

[0192] Exemplarily, when the communication device 1500 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the first communication device in the above various method embodiments, the communication device 1500 can be a network device or a component (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.) in a network device, or can also be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0193] Exemplarily, when the communication device 1500 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the second communication device in the above various method embodiments, the communication device 1500 can be a network device or a component (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.) in a network device, or can also be a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0194] In an implementation, the communication apparatus 1500 can include a processing module 1501 and a transceiver module 1502. The processing module 1501 can be configured to perform data processing, e.g., performing the above-described various method embodiments. The processing module 1501 can also be referred to as a processing unit, etc. The transceiver module 1502 can be configured to implement corresponding communication functions, e.g., receiving or transmitting relevant data, information or messages. The transceiver module 1502 can also be referred to as a communication interface, or a communication module, or a transceiver unit, etc.

[0195] It is noted that the communication apparatus 1500 can include the processing module 1501 but not the transceiver module 1502. Or, the communication apparatus 1500 can include the transceiver module 1502 but not the processing module 1501. This can depend on whether the above-described schemes include processing actions and transceiving actions.

[0196] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1500 can further include a storage module, not shown in FIG. 15. The storage module can be configured to store instructions and / or data, which can be read by the processing module 1501 to enable the communication apparatus 1500 to implement the above-described method embodiments.

[0197] Optionally, the transceiver module 1502 can include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be configured to perform the transmitting operations in the above-described method embodiments. The receiving module can be configured to perform the receiving operations in the above-described method embodiments.

[0198] It is noted that the communication apparatus 1500 can include the transmitting module but not the receiving module. Or, the communication apparatus 1500 can include the receiving module but not the transmitting module. This can depend on whether the above-described schemes include transmitting actions and receiving actions.

[0199] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1500 is a chip system, and the transceiver module 1502 can be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing unit can be a processor of the chip system.

[0200] In the first implementation, the communication apparatus 1500 can implement the functions of the first communication apparatus, and perform the following: the processing module 1501 is configured to determine a first resource, where the first resource includes part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time units included in the first resource are different from the time units occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and the transceiver module 1502 is configured to transmit a first signal, where the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing.

[0201] Optionally, the transceiver module 1502 is further configured to receive the first signal.

[0202] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit or receive first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0203] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit or receive second information, which can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

[0204] Optionally, the processing module 1501 is further configured to: amplify the transmission power of the first signal, and the amplified value of the transmission power of the first signal is less than or equal to the maximum amplified value of the transmission power of the DMRS.

[0205] Optionally, the first resource overlaps with a second resource, and the second resource is used to carry a second signal, and the processing module 1501 is further configured to: determine not to transmit the second signal, and the second signal can include one or more of: a phase tracking reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, or a positioning reference signal.

[0206] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit a fourth signal, or receive the fourth signal. The fourth signal is used for communication, and the fourth signal is carried by a third resource, which is different from the first resource.

[0207] In the second implementation, the communication device 1500 can implement the functions of the second communication device, and perform the following: the processing module 1501 is configured to determine a first resource, wherein the first resource includes part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and the transceiver 1502 is configured to receive a first signal, which is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing.

[0208] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit or receive first information, which can indicate that the subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

[0209] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit or receive second information, which can indicate a frequency interval between two adjacent subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

[0210] Optionally, the transceiver 1502 is further configured to: transmit a fourth signal, or receive the fourth signal. The fourth signal is used for communication, and the fourth signal is carried by a third resource, which is different from the first resource.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 16, the embodiment of the present application provides another structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 1600. The communication apparatus 1600 can include a processor 1620, which is configured to implement or support the implementation of the function of the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus of any method embodiment of the present application. For details, refer to the foregoing description of the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. For example, the processor 1620 is configured to read and execute program instructions through a communication interface, so that the communication apparatus 1600 implements the corresponding method. The processor 1620 can include one or more processors, which are not limited.

[0212] It should be noted that the above-mentioned function modules can be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software, which are not limited. When the communication apparatus 1600 only includes the processor 1620, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a chip, or can also be a chip system.

[0213] For example, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices, which are not limited.

[0214] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1600 can further include a memory 1630 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1630 is coupled with the processor 1620. The coupling can be understood as indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor 1620 can operate in cooperation with the memory 1630. The processor 1620 and the memory 1630 can be integrated together, or can be separately arranged.

[0215] Further, the processor 1620 is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory 1630, so that the communication apparatus 1600 implements the corresponding method.

[0216] One or more of the memories in the memory 1630 can be included in the processor. The memory 1630 can also exist independently, for example, an off-chip memory, which is connected with the processor 1620 through a communication bus (represented by a thick line 1640 in FIG. 16). The memory 1630 and the processor 1620 can also be integrated together.

[0217] Optionally, the communication device 1600 further includes a communication interface 1610 (shown in dashed line in FIG. 16) for communicating with other devices through transmission medium, so that the devices in the communication device 1600 can communicate with other devices. For example, when the communication device is a first communication device, the other device can be a second communication device, etc. The processor 1620 can use the communication interface 1610 to transceive data. For example, the processor 1620 can be configured to control the communication interface 1610 to receive and / or send signals.

[0218] The communication interface 1610 can be a transceiver. In hardware implementation, the transceiver can be configured to implement the functions of the transceiving module 1502, and the transceiver is integrated in the communication device 1600 to form the communication interface 1610.

[0219] It should be noted that the communication interface 1610 can have a sending function and a receiving function, and can realize signal receiving and sending; or the communication interface 1610 can have a sending function and does not have a receiving function, and is configured to realize signal sending; or the communication interface 1610 can have a receiving function and does not have a sending function, and is configured to realize signal receiving.

[0220] It should be noted that the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1610, the processor 1620 and the memory 1630 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 16, the memory 1630, the processor 1620 and the communication interface 1610 are connected through the communication bus 1640, and the connection mode between other components is only illustrative and is not limited. The communication bus 1640 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 16, but it does not mean that there is only one communication bus or one type of communication bus.

[0221] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 1620 can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be executed by hardware in the processor or by a combination of hardware and software in the processor.

[0222] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory 1630 can be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and can also be a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium for carrying or storing program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer; or a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0223] In a first possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a first communication apparatus, configured to implement the methods performed by the first communication apparatus in the above-described embodiments, and the specific functions can be referred to the descriptions in the above-described embodiments.

[0224] For example, the methods performed by the first communication apparatus in the above-described embodiments include: determining a first resource, wherein the first resource includes part or all of subcarriers occupied by DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and transmitting a first signal, which is carried by the first resource, the first signal being used for sensing.

[0225] In a second possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be a second communication apparatus, configured to implement the methods performed by the second communication apparatus in the above-described embodiments, and the specific functions can be referred to the descriptions in the above-described embodiments.

[0226] For example, the methods performed by the second communication apparatus in the above-described embodiments include: determining a first resource, wherein the first resource includes part or all of subcarriers occupied by DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and receiving a first signal, which is carried by the first resource, the first signal being used for sensing.

[0227] For specific implementation processes, please refer to the related content in the above-described embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0228] Based on the same idea, referring to FIG. 17, the embodiments of the present application further provide another communication apparatus 1700, comprising: an input / output interface 1710 and a logic circuit 1720; the input / output interface 1710 is configured to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1720; the logic circuit 1720 is configured to run the code instructions to perform the methods performed by the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus in any of the above-described embodiments.

[0229] In the first implementation, the communication apparatus 1700 can be applied to the first communication device, and perform the method performed by the first communication device as described above, for example, the method performed by the first communication device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 1700 can determine a first resource, where the first resource includes part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and transmit a first signal, where the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing.

[0230] In the second implementation, the communication apparatus 1700 can be applied to the second communication device, and perform the method performed by the second communication device as described above, for example, the method performed by the second communication device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus 1700 can determine a first resource, where the first resource includes part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in the frequency domain, and the time unit included in the first resource is different from the time unit occupied by the DMRS in the time domain; and receive a first signal, where the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing.

[0231] The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system, which can include one or more of the following: the first communication device, or the second communication device. Wherein, the first communication device or the second communication device can refer to the description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described here.

[0232] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which includes program instructions, when the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method or steps of the first communication device or the second communication device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0233] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes program instructions, when the program instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method or steps of the first communication device or the second communication device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0234] The embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for implementing the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in the foregoing method (for example, executing the corresponding method or steps). The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0235] Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions, so that the processor reads and executes the program instructions to implement the corresponding method.

[0236] It should be understood that the size of the sequence number of each process described above does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0237] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. The skilled person can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0238] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0240] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment.

[0241] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0242] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part of the technical solutions of the present application that essentially contributes or the part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0243] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the embodiments of the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: determining a first resource, wherein the first resource comprises part or all of subcarriers occupied by a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in a frequency domain, and the first resource comprises time units different from time units occupied by the DMRS in a time domain; receiving or sending a first signal, wherein the first signal is carried by the first resource, and the first signal is used for sensing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a first time unit are part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS in a second time unit, and the first time unit and the second time unit are adjacent time units.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein: a first subcarrier occupied by the first signal in a third time unit is different from a second subcarrier occupied by the first signal in a fourth time unit, the first subcarrier and the second subcarrier are adjacent two subcarriers of a plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal, and the third time unit is different from the fourth time unit.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a fifth time unit are the same as subcarriers occupied by the first signal in a sixth time unit, and the fifth time unit and the sixth time unit are adjacent time units.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, a seventh time unit and an eighth time unit are included in a plurality of time units occupied by the first signal, the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are adjacent two time units in the plurality of time units, and the seventh time unit and the eighth time unit are adjacent two time units or are separated by at least one time unit.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending or receiving first information, wherein the first information indicates that subcarriers occupied by the first signal are part or all of subcarriers occupied by the DMRS.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first information further indicates that a starting subcarrier occupied by the first signal is the same as a starting subcarrier occupied by the DMRS.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first resource comprises a plurality of subcarriers in a frequency domain. Adjacent two subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers are separated by a frequency interval of 2n integer times of a subcarrier interval, or adjacent two subcarriers in the plurality of subcarriers are separated by a frequency interval of 4n integer times of a subcarrier interval, wherein n is a positive integer.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending or receiving second information, wherein the second information indicates a frequency interval between adjacent two subcarriers in a plurality of subcarriers occupied by the first signal.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: amplifying a sending power of the first signal, and an amplified value of the sending power of the first signal is less than or equal to a maximum amplified value of a sending power of the DMRS.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first resource overlaps with a second resource, and the second resource is used to carry a second signal, and the method further comprises: determining not to transmit the second signal, the second signal comprising one or more of: a phase tracking reference signal, a channel state information reference signal, or a positioning reference signal.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first signal carries data corresponding to a modulation order that is less than or equal to a modulation order corresponding to data carried by a third signal, the third signal occupying different subcarriers in the frequency domain than the DMRS.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The first signal carries data corresponding to a modulation scheme that is any one of: binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), or phase shift keying (PSK).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The method further comprises: transmitting or receiving a fourth signal, the fourth signal being for communication, the fourth signal being carried by third resources, the third resources being different from the first resources.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The first signal is also for communication.

16. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A communication system, characterized by The apparatus comprises a first communication device and / or a second communication device, the first communication device being configured to transmit the first signal, the second communication device being configured to receive the first signal, the first signal being carried by first resources, the first signal being for sensing, the first resources comprising, in the frequency domain, some or all of the subcarriers occupied by the DMRS, the first resources comprising, in the time domain, time units that are different from the time units occupied by the DMRS.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions are stored in a computer program product, and when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 15 to be implemented.

19. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises a computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the method of any one of claims 1 to 15 to be implemented.

20. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to execute one or more computer programs or instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein, The apparatus further comprises a memory configured to store the one or more computer programs or instructions.

22. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.

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