Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. A first apparatus sends first information, wherein the first information indicates the transmission power of a signal carried by a first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupies M time units, the first PDSCH carries a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupy different time units among the M time units, and the transmission powers of the first signal and the second signal are different. A first apparatus can indicate, by means of first information, the transmission power of a first PDSCH over M time units occupied thereby, and a second apparatus can thus obtain the transmission powers of a first signal and a second signal, such that the second apparatus can demodulate the first signal and the second signal regardless of whether the transmission powers of the first signal and the second signal are the same.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410680007.6, filed on May 28, 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] Communication and sensing integration is a key technology in future wireless communication networks, aiming to integrate wireless communication and sensing functions in the same system, and to realize positioning, detection, imaging or identification of targets and other sensing functions by using the propagation characteristics of wireless signals to obtain information about the surrounding environment.

[0005] In a communication and sensing integrated system, there can be three types of signals: signals for communication, signals for communication and sensing, and signals for sensing. In the system, a base station can transmit the three types of signals. Among them, if the base station transmits both the signals for communication and the signals for communication and sensing, the transmission powers of the two types of signals can be different. However, the terminal device does not know about the power difference, and thus can fail to demodulate. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the demodulation success rate of a terminal device.

[0007] In a first aspect, a first communication method is provided, which can be applied to a first apparatus. Optionally, the first apparatus is a network side apparatus, which is also referred to as a network apparatus. The network apparatus is, for example, a network device, or another device including the function of a network device, or a circuit, or a chip system (or chip) or other functional module capable of implementing the function of a network device, which is arranged in the network device, for example. The network device includes, for example, a core network device and / or an access network device. The network device is, for example, a network device providing services for a terminal device. The method includes: transmitting first information, the first information being used to indicate the transmission power of a signal carried by a first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupying M time units, the first PDSCH carrying a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupying different time units in the M time units, and the transmission powers of the first signal and the second signal being different, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, the first PDSCH can carry the first signal and the second signal, the first device can indicate the transmission power of the first PDSCH on the M time units occupied by the first information, and the second device can obtain the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal, so that the second device can demodulate the first signal and the second signal even if the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal is not the same, and the demodulation success rate of the second device is improved. For example, the first signal is used for communication, and the second signal is used for communication and sensing. Through the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the second device can correctly demodulate the signal used for communication and the signal used for communication and sensing.

[0009] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: transmitting the first PDSCH.

[0010] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal on each time unit of the M time units. As a way of indicating the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH by the first information, the first information can indicate the transmission power corresponding to each time unit of the M time units, so that the receiving end of the first PDSCH can determine the transmission power on each time unit according to the first information, and the indication granularity is fine.

[0011] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal on each time unit of the M time units, including: the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal on each time unit and the reference power. The first information indicating the transmission power corresponding to a time unit can be indicating the power difference value corresponding to the time unit. The power difference value is generally less than the actual transmission power, and the number of bits required for indicating the power difference value can be less than the number of bits required for indicating the actual transmission power, thereby reducing the overhead of the first information.

[0012] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and a reference power in each time unit, and the first information comprises a character string, the character string comprises M characters, and each of the M characters in the character string corresponds to one of the M time units, and each of the M characters is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and a reference power in the time unit corresponding to the character. For example, the first information comprises a character string, and one of the characters in the character string can be used to indicate the power difference value corresponding to one time unit, and thus M time units can be indicated by M characters, without using too many characters, thereby saving the overhead of the first information.

[0013] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, and the first information is used to indicate the time domain position of the second signal in the M time units and the transmission power of the second signal. As another way of indicating the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH by the first information, the first information can be used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal. For example, the transmission power of the first signal can be determined according to the reference signal associated with the first PDSCH, and the transmission power of the second signal indicated by the first information, so that the receiving end of the first PDSCH can determine the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal respectively.

[0014] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the time domain position of the second signal in the M time units, and the first information is used to indicate the starting time unit of the second signal in the M time units and the number of time units occupied by the second signal. Alternatively, the first information can be used to indicate the ending time unit of the second signal in the M time units and the number of time units occupied by the second signal, or the first information can be used to indicate the starting time unit and the ending time unit of the second signal in the M time units, and the like, without limitation on the indication manner.

[0015] In an optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal, and the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and a reference power. The first information can be used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal by indicating the power difference value, and the power difference value is generally less than the actual transmission power, and the number of bits required for indicating the power difference value can be less than the number of bits required for indicating the actual transmission power, thereby reducing the overhead of the first information.

[0016] In one alternative implementation, the reference power is the transmission power of the first signal; or, the reference power is a power determined based on a demodulation reference signal, wherein the demodulation reference signal is associated with the first PDSCH.

[0017] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one power level. In the foregoing implementations, the first information can indicate a power difference; for example, the first information can indicate a power difference by indicating a power level, such as one power level corresponding to one or more power differences. The network device can configure at least one power level using the first configuration information, thereby enabling the network device and the receiver of the first PDSCH (e.g., a terminal device) to determine the at least one power level and thus obtain the power difference corresponding to the power level indicated by the first information.

[0018] In one alternative implementation, the first signal is used for communication, and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the method further includes receiving a third signal, the third signal being an echo signal of the second signal. Since the second signal is used for communication and sensing, the network device can also receive the echo signal of the second signal, thereby performing sensing based on the echo signal.

[0020] In one alternative implementation, the time unit is a time-domain symbol.

[0021] Secondly, a second communication method is provided, which can be applied to a second device. Optionally, the second device is a terminal-side device, also referred to as a terminal device. This terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or other equipment including terminal equipment functions, or a circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (or, a chip, such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) or other functional module, which can implement the functions of the terminal equipment, and is, for example, disposed in the terminal equipment. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating the transmission power of a signal carried by a first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupying M time units, the first PDSCH carrying a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupying different time units in the M time units, and the transmission powers of the first signal and the second signal being different, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0022] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving the first PDSCH based on the first information.

[0023] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units.

[0024] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units, including: the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each time unit and a reference power.

[0025] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in each time unit, including: the first information includes a string, the string includes M characters, the M characters in the string correspond one-to-one with the M time units, and any one of the M characters is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in the time unit corresponding to the any one character.

[0026] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: the first information is used to indicate the time domain position of the second signal in the M time units, and to indicate the transmission power of the second signal.

[0027] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the time domain position of the second signal in the M time units, including: the first information is used to indicate the starting time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal in the M time units.

[0028] In one optional implementation, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal, including: the first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and a reference power.

[0029] In one alternative implementation, the reference power is the transmission power of the first signal; or, the reference power is a power determined based on a demodulation reference signal, wherein the demodulation reference signal is associated with the first PDSCH.

[0030] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one power level.

[0031] In one alternative implementation, the first signal is used for communication, and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing.

[0032] In one alternative implementation, the time unit is a time-domain symbol.

[0033] For the technical effects of the second aspect or various alternative implementation methods, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or corresponding implementation methods.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. The communication device can be any of the first or second aspects described above. The communication device possesses the functions of the first device. For example, the communication device can implement the functions described in any of the first or second aspects. For instance, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any of the first or second aspects. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device is, for example, a network device, or other device including network device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the functions of a network device. This chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed within a network device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). A transceiver unit can perform both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver unit and can perform both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0035] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the transmitting unit) is used to transmit first information, the first information being used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupying M time units, the first PDSCH carrying a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupying different time units in the M time units, and the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal being different, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the first device described in any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0037] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be the second device described in any one of the first to second aspects above. The communication device possesses the functions of the second device. For example, the communication device has the functions described in any one of the first to second aspects above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations described in any one of the first to second aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The communication device may be, for example, a terminal device, or other device including terminal device functions, or a chip system (or chip or circuit) or other functional module capable of implementing the terminal device functions. This chip system or functional module may be, for example, disposed in a terminal device. In one optional implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module). For details on the implementation of the transceiver unit, please refer to the relevant description in the third aspect.

[0038] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit (or the receiving unit) is configured to receive first information, the first information being used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupying M time units, the first PDSCH carrying a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupying different time units in the M time units, and the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal being different, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module), and the processing unit is configured to couple with the storage unit and execute programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform the functions of the second device described in any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0040] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in the first or second aspect described above. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, such that when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or second aspect described above.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0043] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device, a communication module in a network device, or a chip in a network device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip that contains a modem module.

[0044] A sixth aspect provides a communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first or second aspect. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0045] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0046] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0047] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal, a communication module in a terminal, or a chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0048] A seventh aspect provides a communication system including a network-side device, wherein the network-side device is configured to perform the method executed by the first device as described in any one of the first to second aspects. For example, the network-side device may be implemented using the communication device described in the third or fifth aspect.

[0049] Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal-side device, wherein the terminal-side device is used to perform the method executed by the second device as described in any one of the first to second aspects. For example, the terminal-side device can be implemented using the communication device described in the fourth or sixth aspect.

[0050] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method performed by the first or second means in the preceding aspects to be implemented.

[0051] Ninthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causes the methods described in the above aspects to be implemented.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, a chip system is provided, including a processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface to enable the chip system to implement the methods described above. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the time-domain symbols occupied by PDSCH;

[0054] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of a single-station sensing mode;

[0055] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the dual-station sensing mode;

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the PDSCH including signals for communication and signals for communication and sensing;

[0057] Figures 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of two application scenarios of the embodiments of this application;

[0058] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first signal and a second signal in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0064] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. Furthermore, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order in which the steps are performed.

[0065] The following explanations of some terms or concepts used in the embodiments of this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0066] In this embodiment, the terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device (e.g., a mobile phone), a wearable device, an in-vehicle device, or a wireless device (e.g., a communication module, a modem, or a chip system, etc.) built into the aforementioned devices. The terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, and indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission). When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0068] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0069] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.

[0070] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the terminal device function can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment. Furthermore, for ease of description, the terminal device in this application embodiment is described using a UE as an example.

[0071] The network devices in this application embodiment include, for example, access network devices and / or core network devices. The access network devices are devices with wireless transceiver capabilities, used to communicate with the terminal devices. The access network devices include, but are not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations (BTS), Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or the next generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations evolved from the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), access nodes in wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base stations can be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. The access network equipment can also be a radio controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network equipment can also be a server, etc. For example, the network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network equipment. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The core network equipment is used to implement functions such as mobility management, data processing, session management, policy and billing. The names of the equipment implementing core network functions may differ in systems using different access technologies; this application does not limit this. Taking the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication technology system as an example, the core network equipment includes: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF) or user plane function (UPF), etc.

[0072] In the CU-DU architecture, access network equipment can include one or more logical network elements such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0073] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open RAN (ORAN) system, CU can also be called open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (open CU-CP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called open RU (open RU, O-RU). For ease of description, the embodiments of this application use CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0074] Optionally, in various embodiments of this application, if the network device is a distributed architecture, such as the network device including CU and DU, or including CU-CP, CU-UP and DU, then the network device sends information to the UE, specifically the DU included in the network device sends information to the UE; the network device receives information from the UE, specifically the DU included in the network device receives information from the UE.

[0075] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the network device function can be a network device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed within the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the network device function is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment.

[0076] Sensing, in this context, refers to the ability to detect parameters of targets in the physical environment, such as their position and velocity. It can be understood that sensing devices detect targets by emitting electromagnetic waves and analyzing the echo signals reflected from objects. In this sense, sensing can also be called detection.

[0077] A sensing signal is a signal used to sense (or detect) a target (or object). Sensing signals are also called detection signals, linear frequency modulated signals, radar signals, radar sensing signals, radar detection signals, or environmental sensing signals, etc. Sensing signals can be pulse signals or signals from wireless communication systems. For example, a sensing signal can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal obtained by modulating a specific sequence on a subcarrier. This specific sequence can be any of the following sequences: Zadoff-Chu sequence (ZC sequence), pseudo-random sequence, or predefined sequence. Pseudo-random sequences include any of the following sequences: longest linear feedback shift register sequence (m-sequence) or Gold sequence. Predefined sequences can be, for example, random data symbols, such as random data symbols modulated by quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM).

[0078] Communication signals are signals transmitted between communication devices for the purpose of communication. For example, communication signals may include signals transmitted between network devices and terminal devices. Communication signals are, for example, carried on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0079] An echo signal is a signal generated when a sensed signal is reflected by a target. Both the echo signal and the sensed signal can reflect the parameters of the target. For example, the time delay of the echo signal relative to the sensed signal can reflect the distance of the target relative to the transmitter, and the Doppler shift of the echo signal relative to the sensed signal can reflect the velocity of the target.

[0080] Coherent processing time refers to a time period longer than the transmission period of the sensing signal. Within this time, the transmitting end of the sensing signal can transmit the signal multiple times along the same beam direction, and the receiving end can receive the echo signals. All echo signals received within this time period are then coherently accumulated to achieve sensing ranging or speed measurement. Coherent accumulation is typically achieved by performing matched filtering and Fourier transform on all echo signals within this time period.

[0081] Communication-sensing fusion signals, also known as synthetic-sensing fusion signals, synthetic signals, or integrated synthetic-sensing signals, are signals used for both communication and sensing. When used for communication, the fusion signal carries the communication data or reference signal sequence that needs to be transmitted between communication devices. When used for sensing, the fusion signal can be understood as being used to sense (or detect) targets.

[0082] The target can be any tangible object in the environment that can reflect electromagnetic waves, such as mountains, forests, or buildings, and can also include mobile objects such as vehicles, drones, pedestrians, and terminal devices. The target can also be referred to as a sensed target, a detected target, a sensed object, a sensed object, or a sensed device, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it.

[0083] The technical features involved in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0084] For communication, the base station sends a PDSCH to the UE, which carries the signals used for communication. This PDSCH can occupy several consecutive time-domain symbols, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. Referring to Figure 1, the PDSCH occupies time-domain symbols 2 to 13 within one time slot. The UE receives and demodulates the PDSCH to obtain the communication data carried by it.

[0085] For sensing, depending on the sender and receiver of the sensing signal, sensing modes can be divided into two types: single-site sensing and dual-site sensing. Single-site sensing, also known as self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, refers to the same device transmitting the sensing signal and receiving the echo signal reflected from the target, as shown in Figure 2A, where both the transmitting and receiving devices are device 1. Dual-site sensing, also known as A-transmitting and B-receiving mode or self-transmitting and other-receiving mode, refers to different devices transmitting the sensing signal and receiving the echo signal reflected from the target, as shown in Figure 2B, where the transmitting device is device 2 and the receiving device is device 3. Figures 2A and 2B both use a vehicle as an example of a target (or scattering object). For example, in Figure 2A, device 1 is a base station. In single-site sensing mode, the base station transmits the sensing signal, and the base station receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of this sensing signal from a scattering object in the environment (such as the vehicle in Figure 2A) for environmental sensing. For example, in Figure 2B, device 2 is a base station and device 3 is a UE. In dual-site sensing mode, the base station transmits a sensing signal, and the UE receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of this sensing signal by a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 2B) to perform environmental sensing. The time delay of the echo signal relative to the transmitted sensing signal reflects the distance between the base station and the scattering object; the Doppler shift of the echo signal relative to the transmitted sensing signal reflects the velocity of the scattering object.

[0086] Furthermore, base stations can also transmit signals used for both communication and sensing. For example, a base station transmits a PDSCH, where some resources carry signals used for communication, while other resources carry signals used for both communication and sensing. Taking single-site sensing mode as an example, on the one hand, the base station can receive echo signals generated by the reflection of signals used for communication and sensing from scatterers in the environment for environmental sensing; on the other hand, the UE can receive both signals used for communication and signals used for communication and sensing. Both types of signals can carry communication information (e.g., data), enabling data communication between the base station and the UE. As shown in Figure 3, the PDSCH occupies time domain symbols 2 to 13 within the time slot, with the first 8 time domain symbols carrying signals used for communication and the last 4 carrying signals used for both communication and sensing.

[0087] In single-site sensing mode, if the PDSCH transmitted by the base station includes signals for communication and signals for both communication and sensing, the base station can use only a portion of its antennas to transmit the signals for communication and sensing, while using the remaining antennas to receive the echo signals, since it also needs to receive the echo signals after transmitting the signals for communication and sensing. However, when transmitting the signals for communication, the base station can use all its antennas. This may result in different transmission powers for the signals for communication and those for communication and sensing. The UE is unaware of the power variation of the signals carried in the PDSCH and will demodulate them as if the channel experienced by the entire PDSCH is the same as that experienced by the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH. In other words, the UE assumes that the transmission power of the signals carried in the entire PDSCH is the same, which may lead to demodulation failure for the UE.

[0088] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first PDSCH can carry a first signal and a second signal. The first device can indicate the transmission power of the first PDSCH over the M time units it occupies through the first information. The second device can then determine the transmission power of the first and second signals. Thus, even if the transmission powers of the first and second signals are not the same, the second device can still demodulate the first and second signals, improving the demodulation success rate of the second device. For example, if the first signal is used for communication and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing, the technical solution of this embodiment enables the second device to correctly demodulate the signal used for communication and the signal used for both communication and sensing.

[0089] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and also to fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, such as 5G New Radio (NR) systems, or to future communication systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, Long Range Radio (LoRa) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to satellite communication systems, wherein the satellite communication system can be integrated with the aforementioned communication systems.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 4A, which is a schematic diagram of a scenario of integrated communication and sensing. Figure 4A includes a network device and multiple UEs. For example, UE1 and the network device adopt a dual-site sensing mode, where UE1 is the transmitter of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal), and the network device is the receiver of the echo signal of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal). UE3 and the network device also adopt a dual-site sensing mode, where the network device is the transmitter of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal), and UE3 is the receiver of the echo signal of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal). The network device and UE2 are communicating and can transmit communication signals. Figure 4A also includes a single-site sensing mode, where the network device's sensing of scatterer 3 and scatterer 5 is performed in a single-site sensing mode. In addition, in Figure 4A, the network device can send communication signals to UE4. The network device can also send sensing signals or fusion signals. UE4 can receive the communication signals. If the network device sends a fusion signal, then UE4 can also receive the fusion signal. The network device adopts a single-site sensing mode. The network device can also receive the echo signal reflected by the scatterer 4 from the sensing signal or fusion signal.

[0091] Figure 4A uses UE3 as a vehicle and scatterer 3 as a human body as an example. There are no restrictions on the types of other UEs and scatterers. Figure 4A uses one network device as an example; in reality, there may be many more network devices.

[0092] Please refer to Figure 4B, which is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 4B includes a first device and a second device. The first device can send signals for communication and signals for sensing and communication to the second device, and the second device can receive both types of signals. In addition, this scenario takes a single-station sensing mode as an example. The signals for communication and sensing may be reflected by scatterers in the environment to generate echo signals. These echo signals can be received by the first device, which then uses them to sense the environment.

[0093] In this context, the first device can be a network device, and the second device can be a network device; or, the first device can be a UE, and the second device can be a UE; or, the first device can be a network device, and the second device can be a UE; or, the first device can be a UE, and the second device can be a network device. The network device may include, for example, access network equipment and / or core network equipment, with the access network equipment being, for example, a base station. For example, the network device may be the network device in Figure 4A; the UE may be UE4 in Figure 4A. For details on the implementation of the network device and the UE, please refer to the preceding text.

[0094] The method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In various embodiments of this application, the signal used for communication is referred to as a communication signal, the signal used for both communication and sensing is referred to as a fusion signal, and the signal used for sensing is referred to as a sensing signal. Both the communication signal and the fusion signal can carry information for communication, such as data and / or control information originating from higher layers. In various embodiments of this application, a "time unit" can be included in a "time domain unit," for example, a "time unit" can also be understood as a "sub-time domain unit." For example, a time domain unit is a wireless frame, and a time unit can be a subframe, a time slot, a mini-time slot, a time domain symbol group, or a time domain symbol; or, a time domain unit is a subframe, and a time unit can be a time slot, and a time unit can be a mini-time slot, a time domain symbol group, or a time domain symbol; or, a time domain unit is a mini-time slot, and a time unit can be a time domain symbol group or a time domain symbol; or, a time domain unit is a time domain symbol group, and a time unit can be a time domain symbol. In various embodiments of this application, a "time domain symbol" can also be simply referred to as a "symbol." In the accompanying drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, all steps indicated by dashed lines are optional steps.

[0095] The various embodiments described herein can be applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 4A or Figure 4B. For example, the first device described in the various embodiments of this document can be the first device in Figure 4B, and the second device described in the various embodiments of this document can be the second device in Figure 4B. The first device can be a network device or a UE, and the second device can be a network device or a UE.

[0096] The first communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be introduced next. Please refer to Figure 5, which is a flowchart of the method.

[0097] S501, the first device sends first information. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first information.

[0098] The first information can also be called power configuration information, or it may have other names. The first information indicates the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, where the first PDSCH may occupy M time units. Therefore, the first information can also be considered as indicating the transmission power of the signal carried in the M time units. The M time units are, for example, all or part of the time units occupied by the first PDSCH, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The M time units can be located in one time domain unit. For example, the M time units are M symbols, and the time domain unit is a time slot. These M symbols can be located in one time slot; or, the M time units can be located in multiple time domain units, without restriction.

[0099] This application embodiment uses a downlink process as an example, where the first information indicates the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH. In this example, the first device is a network device and the second device is a UE. Alternatively, the first device and / or the second device can be other types of devices, such as both being network devices, both being UEs, or both being a UE and a network device. If the first device and / or the second device are other types of devices, the first signal and the second signal can be carried on other corresponding channels. For example, if both the first device and the second device are UEs, the first signal and the second signal can be carried on the physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH) or other sidelink channels; or, for example, if the first device is a UE and the second device is a network device, the first signal and the second signal can be carried on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or other uplink channels. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0100] The signals carried by the first PDSCH may include a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal and the second signal occupy part or all of the M time units in the time domain. The first signal and the second signal may occupy different time units among the M time units. For example, the first signal may occupy M1 time units out of the M time units, and the second signal may occupy M2 time units out of the M time units. The M1 and M2 time units may not overlap. M1 and M2 are both positive integers. Optionally, M1 + M2 < M, or M1 + M2 = M. For example, if the time unit is a symbol, and the first PDSCH occupies symbols 2 to 13 within a time slot, taking M1 + M2 = M as an example, the first signal in the first PDSCH occupies symbols 2 to 9, and the second signal in the first PDSCH occupies symbols 10 to 13. It can be seen that the symbols occupied by the first signal and the second signal do not overlap. Furthermore, the transmission power of the first signal and the transmission power of the second signal may be different.

[0101] The first signal and the second signal can be different signals. Optionally, the first signal can be used for communication, for example, as a communication signal; the second signal can be used for both communication and sensing, for example, as a synesthetic fusion signal. For another example, the first signal can be used for communication, for example, as a communication signal; the second signal can be used for sensing, for example, as a sensing signal. For another example, the first signal can be used for communication, for example, as a communication signal; the second signal can be used for positioning, for example, as a positioning signal. For another example, the first signal can be used for positioning, for example, as a positioning signal; the second signal can be used for sensing, for example, as a sensing signal. For yet another example, the first signal can be used for positioning, for example, as a positioning signal; the second signal can be used for both communication and sensing, for example, as a synesthetic fusion signal. Alternatively, the first signal and the second signal can also be other types of signals, without limitation. Optionally, the positioning signal may include, for example, a positioning reference signal (PRS), or other signals that can be used for positioning.

[0102] The first information indicates the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH over M time units, and there can be multiple indication methods.

[0103] 1. As a first optional indication method for the first information, the first information can indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in each of the M time units. In this method, the granularity of the power indication is time unit. For each of the M time units, the second device can know the transmission power corresponding to that time unit, thereby enabling the second device to accurately demodulate the first PDSCH.

[0104] Optionally, the first information can directly indicate the transmission power. For example, the first information may include M power information items, which can indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in M ​​time units. The M power information items can correspond one-to-one with the M time units, and each power information item can occupy one or more bits, indicating the transmission power in the corresponding time unit. Taking a symbol as an example, and taking symbols 2 to 13 within a single time slot as an example, power information 1 in the M power information items can indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in symbol 2, power information 2 in the M power information items can indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in symbol 3, and so on.

[0105] Alternatively, the first information can indicate the difference between the transmitted power and the reference power to indicate the transmitted power. For example, the first information may include M power information values, which can indicate the difference between the transmitted power and the reference power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in M ​​time units. The M power information values ​​and M time units can correspond one-to-one, and each power information value can occupy one or more bits, indicating the difference between the transmitted power and the reference power in the corresponding time unit. Taking a symbol as an example, and taking symbols 2 to 13 within a time slot as an example, power information 1 in the M power information values ​​can indicate the difference between the transmitted power and the reference power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in symbol 2, power information 2 in the M power information values ​​can indicate the difference between the transmitted power and the reference power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in symbol 3, and so on. Optionally, the transmitted power used by the first device when transmitting the signal can be related to the antenna panel used by the first device for transmitting the signal.

[0106] The difference between the signal's transmitted power and the reference power may include multiple consecutive values. In this embodiment, a subset of these consecutive values ​​can be selected for use. Optionally, each of the selected subset values ​​corresponds to a power level, and the subset values ​​correspond to at least one power level. For example, the selected subset values ​​can be discrete values. The power level can correspond to the difference between the signal's transmitted power and the reference power; for example, the difference between the signal's transmitted power and the reference power is called a power level. For instance, one power level corresponds to one difference between the transmitted power and the reference power, and different power levels can correspond to different differences between the transmitted power and the reference power. When each of the selected subset values ​​corresponds to a power level, the first information can indicate the transmitted power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the M time units by indicating the power level corresponding to the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the M time units. For example, the first information includes M power information, which can indicate the power level corresponding to the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the M time units. For example, the power information 1 included in the first information can indicate that the signal carried by the first PDSCH corresponds to power level 1 in time unit 1 of the M time units, and the power information 2 included in the first information can indicate that the signal carried by the first PDSCH corresponds to power level 2 in time unit 2 of the M time units, and so on. Optionally, the transmission power used by the first device when transmitting the signal can be related to the antenna panel used by the first device for transmitting the signal, and the difference between the transmission power used by the first device when transmitting the signal and the reference power corresponds to the power level. It can be considered that the transmission power used by the first device when transmitting the signal corresponds to the power level. Therefore, the power level corresponding to the first device can be related to the antenna panel used by the first device for transmitting the signal. For example, different power levels correspond to different antenna panels of the first device. For example, when the first device uses antenna panel 1 to transmit the signal, it corresponds to power level 1; when the first device uses antenna panel 2 to transmit the signal, it corresponds to power level 2, and so on.

[0107] At least one power level corresponding to the first device can be predefined by the protocol or configured by the first device, thus allowing the second device to know the at least one power level. Knowing the at least one power level, the second device can determine the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH over M time units based on the first information. For example, if the at least one power level is configured by the first device, the first device can send first configuration information, which indicates the at least one power level. Optionally, the at least one power level can be included in a set, for example, the first configuration information configures the at least one power level in a set, which is called a power level set. For example, if the at least one power level is included in a power level set, the power level set indicated by the first configuration information is {P-P1, P-P2, P-P3}. Or, if P-P1 = 3, P-P2 = 6, and P-P3 = 9, then the power level set indicated by the first configuration information is {3, 6, 9}.

[0108] The first configuration information can be sent via broadcast or unicast. Optionally, the first configuration information may be included in a radio resource control (RRC) message, such as an RRC reconfiguration message; or it may be included in messages from other protocol layers, such as media access control (MAC) control elements (CE) or downlink control information (DCI). The first configuration information and the first information may be included in a single message or in different messages. If included in different messages, the first configuration information may optionally be sent before the first information. Alternatively, if included in different messages, the first information may be included in an RRC message, such as an RRC reconfiguration message; or it may be included in messages from other protocol layers, such as MAC CE or DCI.

[0109] The power level is related to the reference power. Optionally, the reference power can be related to the DMRS associated with the first PDSCH, for example, the reference power is the transmission power of the DMRS. Optionally, the time-domain resources occupied by the DMRS associated with the first PDSCH are a subset of the time-domain resources occupied by the first signal. The second device can determine the reference power based on the DMRS. For example, the second device receives the DMRS and can perform channel estimation and other processing based on the DMRS to determine the power. The second device will consider this power to be the transmission power of the first signal. Alternatively, this power can also be used as the reference power. The second device can obtain the reference power and, based on the first information, can also obtain the power level to which the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH belongs in M ​​time units. Therefore, it can determine the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in M ​​time units.

[0110] For example, the first device can have four transmission powers: P, P1, P2, and P3, where P represents the reference power. The power levels corresponding to the first device can include P-P1, P-P2, and P-P3, meaning that the transmission power of the signal transmitted by the first device (e.g., the first PDSCH) at a certain time unit can be the reference power, (reference power - P1), (reference power - P2), or (reference power - P3). For example, P-P1 = 3, P-P2 = 6, and P-P3 = 9, indicating that the transmission power of the signal transmitted by the second device at a certain time unit has four possibilities: the first is the transmission power is the reference power; the second is the transmission power reduced by 3 dB relative to the reference power; the third is the transmission power reduced by 6 dB relative to the reference power; and the fourth is the transmission power reduced by 9 dB relative to the reference power.

[0111] As mentioned above, the first information may include M power information items, which indicate the power level of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in M ​​time units. As an example of these M power information items, the first information includes a string that indicates the M power information items. For example, the length of the string may be M, or the number of characters in the string may be M, where each character indicates one power information item. The i-th character in the string indicates the power level of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit out of the M time units, where i is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to M. For example, for the i-th character, if the value of the i-th character is "0", it means that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit is the reference power, or it means that the difference between the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit and the reference power is 0, that is, the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit is the reference power; if the value of the i-th character is "1", it means that the power level of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit is the first power level among at least one power level; if the value of the i-th character is "2", it means that the power level of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the i-th time unit is the second power level among at least one power level, and so on.

[0112] Taking the signal carried by the first PDSCH shown in Figure 6 as an example, and assuming that the first configuration information indicates a power level set, and that the power level set is {3,6,9}, the string included in the first information is, for example, “000000002211”. The first 8 characters of this string have a value of “0”, indicating that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH at each of the first 8 symbols is the reference power; the 9th and 10th characters of this string have a value of “2”, indicating that the power level corresponding to the 9th and 10th symbols of the signal carried by the first PDSCH is at least The second power level in a power level, i.e., "6", indicates that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH drops by 6dB relative to the reference power at the 9th and 10th symbols; the value of the 11th and 12th characters of the string is "1", indicating that the power level of the signal carried by the first PDSCH at the 9th and 10th symbols is the first power level in at least one power level, i.e., "3", indicating that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH at the 11th and 12th symbols drops by 3dB relative to the reference power.

[0113] Taking the first PDSCH shown in Figure 6 as an example, and assuming that the first configuration information indicates a power level set, and that the power level set is {3,6,9}, the string included in the first information is, for example, “000000001111”. The first 8 characters of this string have a value of “0”, indicating that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH on each of the first 8 symbols is the reference power; the last 4 characters of this string have a value of “1”, indicating that the power level corresponding to the signal carried by the first PDSCH on each of the last 4 symbols is the first power level among at least one power level, i.e., “3”. This shows that the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH on each of the last 4 symbols is 3dB lower than the reference power.

[0114] 2. As a second optional indication method for the first information, the first information may indicate the time-domain position of the second signal within M time units, and indicate that the second signal is a signal with reduced power; or, the first information may indicate the time-domain position of the second signal within M time units, and indicate the transmission power of the second signal. Taking symbols 2 to 13 within a time slot as an example, the first information may indicate that the second signal is located at symbols 10 to 13, and indicate that the second signal is a signal with reduced power; or, for example, the first information may indicate that the second signal is located at symbols 10 to 13, and indicate the transmission power of the second signal.

[0115] Alternatively, if the first signal and the second signal occupy M time units (the first signal and the second signal occupy different time units within the M time units), then optionally, the first information can also have another indication method. For example, the first information indicates the time domain position of the first signal within the M time units and indicates that the second signal is a signal with reduced power; or, the first information can indicate the time domain position of the first signal within the M time units and indicate the transmission power of the second signal. Taking symbols 2 to 13 within a time slot as an example, the first information could indicate that the first signal is located at symbols 2 to 9 (the second device can thus know that the second signal is located at symbols 10 to 13), and indicate that the second signal is a signal with reduced power; or, for another example, the first information could indicate that the first signal is located at symbols 2 to 9 (the second device can thus know that the second signal is located at symbols 10 to 13), and indicate the transmission power of the second signal. If the first information indicates the time domain position of the first signal in M ​​time units, the second device can also determine the time domain position of the second signal in M ​​time units accordingly. For example, the remaining time units in the M time units, excluding the time units occupied by the first signal, are the time units occupied by the second signal.

[0116] The second device can determine the transmission power of the first signal (for example, it can determine the transmission power of the first signal based on the DMRS associated with the first PDSCH, as described above, such as the previous descriptions of reference power and the transmission power of the first signal). Additionally, the second device needs to know the transmission power of the second signal to demodulate both the first and second signals. Therefore, in the second indication method of the first information, the first information also needs to indicate the transmission power of the second signal so that the second device can determine its transmission power. The way the first information indicates the transmission power of the second signal can include indicating the transmission power of the second signal or indicating that the second signal is a signal with reduced power. If the first information indicates the transmission power of the second signal, the second device can determine the transmission power of the second signal based on the first information; or, if the first information indicates that the second signal is a signal with reduced power, for example, if the transmission power corresponding to a signal with reduced power is predefined by the protocol, or pre-configured by the first device for the second device, or pre-negotiated and determined by the first and second devices, then the second device can also determine the transmission power of the second signal. As described above, the first information indicates the transmission power of the second signal, which the second device can determine. Therefore, the second device can determine the transmission power of both the first and second signals. Optionally, the first information can also indicate the time-domain position of the second signal within M time units or the time-domain position of the first signal within M time units. Based on the first information, the second device can determine the time-domain positions of the first and second signals in the first PDSCH. In summary, the second device can obtain the transmission power of both the first and second signals, as well as the time-domain positions of both the second and first signals in the first PDSCH, thus enabling correct demodulation of both signals.

[0117] The first information indicates the time-domain position of the second signal within M time units. Optionally, one indication method includes: the first information indicating the start time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal within the M time units; or, the first information indicating the end time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal within the M time units; or, the first information indicating the start time unit and the end time unit of the second signal within the M time units. The above three indication methods assume that the symbols occupied by the second signal are continuous. If the time-domain units occupied by the second signal are not continuous, one indication method includes: the first information indicating the index of the time-domain units occupied by the second signal within the M time units.

[0118] Taking the first information indicating the starting time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal within M time units as an example, the starting time unit, the number of time units occupied by the second signal, and the value of the first information can satisfy the relationships shown in Formula 1 and / or Formula 2. F = 14 × (L-1) + S, where L-1 ≤ 7 (Formula 1) F = 14 × (14 - L + 1) + (14 - 1 - S), where L-1 > 7 (Formula 2)

[0119] Where L represents the number of time units occupied by the second signal, S represents the index of the starting time unit of the second signal in the M time units, and F represents the value of the first information. Where 0 <L<14-S。

[0120] For example, there is a correspondence between the index of the starting time unit of the second signal within the M time units, the number of time units occupied by the second signal within the M time units, and the value of the first information. For the second device, if it receives information, it can determine the index of the starting time unit of the second signal within the M time units and the number of time units occupied by the second signal within the M time units by querying the value of the first information in this correspondence. Therefore, the first information is equivalent to indicating the index of the starting time unit of the second signal within the M time units and the number of time units occupied by the second signal within the M time units. See Table 1 for an example of this correspondence.

[0121] Table 1

[0122] For example, in Table 1, when the value of the first information is 24, the corresponding S is 10 and L is 2, and so on. Blank boxes in Table 1 indicate no corresponding relationship or are reserved. The corresponding relationship in the embodiments of this application may include one or more items in Table 1, or may include items not included in Table 1, or may not include Table 1 but include other items.

[0123] As shown in Figure 6, taking the time unit as a symbol as an example, the first PDSCH occupies symbols 2 to 13 within one time slot. The first signal can occupy symbols 2 to 9, and the second signal can occupy symbols 10 to 13. Therefore, the S indicated by the first information can be 10, and L can be 4. According to Table 1, the value of the first information can be 52. For example, the first information can be implemented using a binary string, such as "00110100".

[0124] In this embodiment of the application, optionally, the first information may directly indicate the transmission power of the second signal. For example, the first information includes one or more bits that may indicate the transmission power of the second signal.

[0125] Alternatively, the first information can indicate the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and the reference power, thereby indicating the transmission power of the second signal. In one optional embodiment, the difference between the transmission power and the reference power can correspond to a power level, so the first information can indicate the transmission power of the second signal by indicating the power level corresponding to the transmission power of the second signal. For a related introduction to concepts such as power level and reference power, please refer to the preceding text.

[0126] For example, the first information indicates the transmission power of the second signal using a single character. If the value of this character is "0", it means that the transmission power of the second signal is the reference power, or that the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and the reference power is 0. If the value of this character is "1", it means that the power level corresponding to the second signal is the first power level among at least one power level. If the value of this character is "2", it means that the power level corresponding to the second signal is the second power level among at least one power level, and so on. Taking a power level set indicated by the first configuration information as {3,6,9} as an example, if the value of the character included in the first information is 1, it means that the power level corresponding to the second signal is the first power level among at least one power level, i.e., "3", which indicates that the transmission power of the second signal is 3dB lower than the reference power. As another example, if the value of the character included in the first information is 3, it means that the power level corresponding to the second signal is the third power level among at least one power level, i.e., "9", which indicates that the transmission power of the second signal is 9dB lower than the reference power.

[0127] In the preceding description, the example given was that the first signal precedes the second signal in the time domain. However, this is not the only possibility; for instance, the first signal could also precede the second signal in the time domain. Furthermore, the number of time units occupied by the first and second signals shown in the preceding figures are merely examples, and the time units occupied by the first and / or second signals may differ from the aforementioned examples.

[0128] Optionally, the method may further include S502, in which the first device sends a first PDSCH, and correspondingly, the second device receives the first PDSCH.

[0129] The first PDSCH transmitted by the first device has a transmission power consistent with the transmission power determined by the second device based on the first information. Upon receiving the first PDSCH, the second device can determine the transmission power of the first signal within it (for example, the second device determines the transmission power of the first signal based on the DMRS associated with the first PDSCH, which is also the reference power mentioned above); additionally, upon receiving the first information, the second device can determine the transmission power of the second signal based on the first information, thereby enabling the second device to receive and demodulate both the first and second signals.

[0130] Optionally, the method may further include S503, whereby the first device receives a third signal, which may be an echo signal of the second signal. For example, the second signal may be reflected by a scattering object in the environment to generate the third signal, and the first device may receive the third signal. Optionally, the first device may sense the environment based on the third signal (or based on the second and third signals), and the embodiments of this application do not limit the sensing process.

[0131] In this embodiment, the first PDSCH can carry a first signal and a second signal. The first device can indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH in the M time units it occupies through first information. Then, the second device can know the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal. Therefore, even if the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal are not the same, the second device can still demodulate the first signal and the second signal, improving the demodulation success rate of the second device. For example, if the first signal is used for communication and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing, then the technical solution of this embodiment can enable the second device to correctly demodulate the signal used for communication and the signal used for both communication and sensing.

[0132] Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 700 can be the first device or its circuit system as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5, used to implement the method corresponding to the first device in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 700 can be the second device or its circuit system as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5, used to implement the method corresponding to the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, one type of circuit system is a chip system.

[0133] The communication device 700 includes at least one processor 701. The processor 701 can be used for internal processing within the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 701 includes instructions. Optionally, the processor 701 can store data. Optionally, different processors can be independent devices, located in different physical locations, or located on different integrated circuits. Optionally, different processors can be integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more integrated circuits.

[0134] Optionally, the communication device 700 includes one or more memories 703 for storing instructions. Optionally, the memories 703 may also store data. The processor and the memories may be separate or integrated together.

[0135] Optionally, the communication device 700 includes a communication line 702 and at least one communication interface 704. Since the memory 703, communication line 702, and communication interface 704 are all optional, they are all represented by dashed lines in Figure 7.

[0136] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver and / or an antenna. The transceiver can be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver may be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver circuit, input / output interface, etc., and is used to realize the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 700 via the antenna. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. For example, the transmitter can be used to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal from a baseband signal, and the receiver can be used to convert the RF signal back into a baseband signal.

[0137] The processor 701 may include a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of programs according to the present application.

[0138] Communication line 702 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

[0139] The communication interface 704 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wired access network, etc.

[0140] The memory 703 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it may be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory 703 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 701 via communication line 702. Alternatively, the memory 703 may be integrated with the processor 701.

[0141] The memory 703 stores computer execution instructions for implementing the present application's solution, and its execution is controlled by the processor 701. The processor 701 executes the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 703, thereby implementing the steps performed by the first or second device in the embodiment shown in FIG5.

[0142] Optionally, the computer execution instructions in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as application code, and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0143] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG7.

[0144] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 700 may include multiple processors, such as processors 701 and 705 in FIG. 7. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0145] When the device shown in Figure 7 is a chip, such as the chip of the first device or the chip of the second device (or, the first device is a chip or the second device is a chip), the chip includes a processor 701 (and may also include a processor 705), a communication line 702, and a communication interface 704. Optionally, it may include a memory 703. Specifically, the communication interface 704 may be an input interface, pins, or circuits, etc. The memory 703 may be a register, cache, etc. The processor 701 and processor 705 may be a general-purpose CPU, microprocessor, ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program for the sensing method of any of the above embodiments.

[0146] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or software. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, when dividing each functional module according to each function, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a device. The device 800 can be the first device or the second device involved in the above method embodiments, or a chip in the first device or the second device, or the first device is a chip or the second device is a chip. The device 800 includes a processing unit 802 and a transceiver unit 801.

[0147] It should be understood that the device 800 can be used to implement the steps performed by the first device or the second device in the sensing method of the embodiments of this application. The relevant features can be referred to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0148] Optionally, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 801 and processing unit 802 in Figure 8 can be implemented by the processor 701 in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 703. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing unit 802 in Figure 8 can be implemented by the processor 701 in Figure 7 calling computer execution instructions stored in memory 703, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver unit 801 in Figure 8 can be implemented by the communication interface 704 in Figure 7.

[0149] Optionally, when the device 800 is a chip or circuit, the function / implementation process of the transceiver unit 801 can also be implemented through pins or circuits. Optionally, the transceiver unit 801 may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, whereby the transmitting unit implements the transmitting function and the receiving unit implements the receiving function; or, the transceiver unit 801 may be an integral module capable of implementing both transmitting and / or receiving functions. Optionally, the transceiver unit 801 can be implemented using a transceiver.

[0150] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods performed by the first or second device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Thus, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to it, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may 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 this application. The storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0151] This application also provides a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method executed by the first or second device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0152] This application also provides a processing apparatus, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the method executed by the first or second apparatus involved in any of the above method embodiments.

[0153] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0154] The various illustrative logic units and circuits described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented or operate the described functions using a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor; alternatively, it can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor can also be implemented using a combination of computing devices, such as a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

[0155] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in the embodiments of this application can be directly embedded in hardware, software units executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software units can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium in the art. Exemplarily, the storage medium can be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium can also be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium can be disposed in an ASIC, which can be disposed in the terminal device. Optionally, the processor and storage medium can also be disposed in different components of the terminal device.

[0156] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0157] The contents of the various embodiments of this application can be referenced to each other. Unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0158] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the first device and / or the second device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples. In the embodiments of this application, other operations or variations of various operations may also be performed. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first information, which is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The first PDSCH occupies M time units. The first PDSCH carries a first signal and a second signal. The first signal and the second signal occupy different time units in the M time units, and the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal is different. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first PDSCH.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units, including: The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in each time unit.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in each time unit, including: The first information includes a string containing M characters. Each of the M characters in the string corresponds one-to-one with one of the M time units. Any one of the M characters is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power and the reference power of the first signal and the second signal in the time unit corresponding to the any one character.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: The first information is used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal in the M time units, and to indicate the transmission power of the second signal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal in the M time units, including: The first information is used to indicate the starting time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal in the M time units.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal, including: The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and the reference power.

9. The method according to claim 4 or 8, characterized in that, The reference power is the transmission power of the first signal; or, The reference power is the power determined based on the demodulation reference signal, wherein the demodulation reference signal is associated with the first PDSCH.

10. The method according to claim 4, 5 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send first configuration information, which is used to configure at least one power level, and one of the power levels is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power and the reference power.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first signal is used for communication, and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third signal, which is the echo signal of the second signal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The time unit is a time-domain symbol.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, the first PDSCH occupies M time units, the first PDSCH carries a first signal and a second signal, the first signal and the second signal occupy different time units in the M time units, and the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal is different, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first PDSCH based on the first information.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal in each of the M time units, including: The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in each time unit.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the second signal and the reference power in each time unit, including: The first information includes a string containing M characters. Each of the M characters in the string corresponds one-to-one with one of the M time units. Any one of the M characters is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power and the reference power of the first signal and the second signal in the time unit corresponding to the any one character.

19. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the signal carried by the first PDSCH, including: The first information is used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal in the M time units, and to indicate the transmission power of the second signal.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the time-domain position of the second signal in the M time units, including: The first information is used to indicate the starting time unit and the number of time units occupied by the second signal in the M time units.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the transmission power of the second signal, including: The first information is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power of the second signal and the reference power.

22. The method according to claim 17 or 21, characterized in that, The reference power is the transmission power of the first signal; or, The reference power is the power determined based on the demodulation reference signal, wherein the demodulation reference signal is associated with the first PDSCH.

23. The method according to claim 17, 18 or 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure at least one power level, wherein one of the at least one power level is used to indicate the difference between the transmission power and the reference power.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that, The first signal is used for communication, and the second signal is used for both communication and sensing.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that, The time unit is a time-domain symbol.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor, which is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 25 to be performed.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 25.

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