Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus. In the communication method provided in present application, one piece of common signaling or one common tunnel is used to carry a plurality of pieces of sensing information corresponding to a plurality of terminal devices, and the plurality of pieces of sensing information corresponding to the plurality of terminal devices are transmitted to a sensing function network element by means of one piece of common signaling or one common tunnel. The present method avoids separately sending sensing information corresponding to each of the plurality of terminal devices, thereby improving transmission efficiency of the plurality of pieces of sensing information.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410829843.6, filed on June 24, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In harmonized communication and sensing (HCS) technology, terminal devices can both transmit sensing signals as transmitters and receive sensing signals reflected from sensing targets, thus participating in sensing tasks. In some implementations of terminal device participation in sensing tasks, network devices need to feed back relevant sensing measurement information to the core network.

[0004] Therefore, how network devices can feed back relevant sensing and measurement information from terminal devices to the core network has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which aim to improve the transmission efficiency of sensing information when terminal devices participate in sensing tasks.

[0006] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applied to a network side, such as a sensing server on the network side or a component (e.g., a circuit, chip, or chip system) within the sensing server. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes:

[0007] Determine the first sensing information, which is associated with the first terminal device; send the first signaling to the first network element, which is a common signaling that includes the first sensing information; or send the first sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel, which is a common tunnel.

[0008] The first sensing information is reported to the first network element through the first public signaling or the first tunnel. When multiple terminal devices participate in the sensing task, the sensing information associated with multiple terminal devices is reported together through the first signaling or the first tunnel, thereby improving the reporting efficiency of sensing information.

[0009] In some implementations, the first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device. Alternatively, sending first sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel includes: sending first sensing information and first identification information to the first network element through the first tunnel.

[0010] Using the first identification information, the first network element can determine that the terminal device corresponding to the first sensing information is the first terminal device.

[0011] In some implementations, the first identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the Quality of Service flow, identification information of the Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP), identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information.

[0012] In some implementations, the method further includes the following steps before determining the first perceived information:

[0013] Receive first instruction information, which indicates first identification information; or send second instruction information, which indicates first identification information.

[0014] When the first identification information is identification information assigned by a core network element or network device, the core network element or network device needs to indicate the first identification information to the corresponding network element through the first indication information and the second indication information.

[0015] In some implementations, when sending the first signaling to the first network element, the first network element is an access and mobility management function network element or a sensing function network element; or, when sending the first sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel, the first network element is a user plane function network element or a sensing function network element.

[0016] When transmitting the first sensing information via the control plane or user plane, the first sensing information can be directly transmitted to the SF network element, or it can be relayed and uploaded via the AMF network element or UPF network element.

[0017] In some implementations, the method also includes:

[0018] Determine the second sensing information, which is associated with the second terminal device; send a first signaling message to the first network element, which includes the second sensing information; or send the second sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel.

[0019] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to the network side. Taking the application of this method to an access and mobility management function network element as an example, the method includes:

[0020] Receive a first signaling message, which is a common signaling message including first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with a first terminal device; send a second signaling message to the sensing function network element, which is a common signaling message including the first sensing signaling message.

[0021] In some implementations, the first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device; the second signaling also includes second identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0022] In some implementations, the first identification information includes at least one of the following: NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device; the second identification information includes at least one of the following: a permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device.

[0023] In some implementations, the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

[0024] The NGAP identification information is maintained only by AMF network elements and network devices. When the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, the AMF network element modifies and replaces it with a permanent identity identifier known to the SF network element, so that the SF network element can determine the terminal device corresponding to the first perception information as the first terminal device based on the second identification information.

[0025] In some implementations, the method further includes the following steps before receiving the first signaling:

[0026] Send a first instruction message, which indicates a first identification message; and / or send a third instruction message, which indicates a second identification message.

[0027] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applied to the network side. Taking the application of this method to a user plane functional network element as an example, the method includes:

[0028] The first sensing information is received through a first tunnel, which is a public tunnel, and the first sensing information is associated with a first terminal device; the first sensing information is sent to the sensing function network element through a second tunnel, which is also a public tunnel.

[0029] In some implementations, receiving first sensing information through a first tunnel includes receiving first sensing information and first identification information through the first tunnel, wherein the first identification information is identification information associated with a first terminal device.

[0030] Sending first sensing information to the sensing function network element through the second tunnel includes: sending first sensing information and second identification information to the sensing function network element through the second tunnel, wherein the second identification information is identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0031] In some implementations, the first identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the Quality of Service flow, NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information;

[0032] The second identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the quality of service flow, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, session identification information, or a permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

[0033] In some implementations, the method further includes the following steps before receiving the first signaling:

[0034] Receive the fourth instruction information, which indicates the NGAP identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0035] When transmitting the first sensing information via the user plane, the UPF network element is used as the relay network element. The NGAP identification information is only maintained in the AMF network element and network equipment. The fourth indication information enables the UPF network element to obtain the NGAP identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0036] In some implementations, the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

[0037] When the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, the UPF network element modifies and replaces it with a permanent identity identifier known to the SF network element, so that the SF network element can determine the terminal device corresponding to the first sensing information as the first terminal device based on the second identification information.

[0038] Fourthly, this application provides a sensing method applied to the network side. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes:

[0039] Send first sensing information, which is associated with a first terminal device; send second sensing information, which is associated with a second terminal device; receive third sensing information, which indicates first information of the sensing target, and the first information is determined based on the first sensing information; receive fourth sensing information, which indicates second information of the sensing target, and the second information is determined based on the second sensing information; determine the third information of the sensing target based on the third and fourth sensing information.

[0040] Network devices determine the third information of the sensing target based on the third and fourth sensing information. This is equivalent to jointly analyzing and processing the sensing information associated with multiple terminal devices, taking into account the relationship between the sensing information associated with multiple terminal devices, thereby improving the sensing accuracy.

[0041] In some implementations, the first information includes the first location information of the perceived target, and the second information includes the second location information of the perceived target.

[0042] In some implementations, the third information is the perceived result of the target.

[0043] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or including modules for implementing the methods of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or including modules for implementing the methods of the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0044] For example, the communication device in the fifth aspect is a network device or a component configured in a network device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0045] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device, including a processor, which is configured to execute the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or to execute the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or to execute the communication method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0046] Optionally, the apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to a processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0047] Optionally, the device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other communication devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0048] For example, the communication device provided in the sixth aspect is a chip or chip system.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device provided in the seventh aspect and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device provided in the seventh aspect. The processor implements the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or implements the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or implements the communication method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect, through logic circuits or executing code instructions. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0050] Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, it can implement the communication method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or implement the communication method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or implement the communication method of the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0051] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store instructions and data, and when the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, it can implement the channel state information feedback method in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or implement the channel state information feedback method in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or implement the communication method in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect.

[0052] Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface for communicating with other communication devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0053] Ninthly, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, or for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, or for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect, such as receiving or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods.

[0054] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located inside or outside the processor.

[0055] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0056] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of the first, second, or third aspect and any possible implementation of the first, second, or third aspect.

[0057] In one aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of the first, second, or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0058] The fifth to eleventh aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first, second and third aspects of this application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0059] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiments of this application;

[0061] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the access network equipment used in the embodiments of this application;

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the HCS network architecture used in the embodiments of this application;

[0063] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the process of performing perception tasks in HCS technology;

[0064] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in yet another embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the application of a communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application to an A-IoT scenario;

[0070] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the application of a communication method proposed in another embodiment of this application to an A-IoT scenario;

[0071] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0075] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concepts of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0076] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0077] It should be understood that in this application, "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 alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship; the specific meaning can be understood in context. "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 can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0078] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applied in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network device in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0079] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems (such as 6G mobile communication systems). RAN 100 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0080] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, is part of the communication system used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 1000 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0081] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a Wi-Fi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0082] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control planes (CU-CPs), CU-user planes (CU-UPs), or radio units (RUs). 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 frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0083] 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 ORAN system, CU can also be called an open-CU (open-CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open-DU (open-DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-CU-CP (open-CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-CU-UP (open-CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open-RU (open-RU, O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses 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 this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0084] Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. They can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0085] In this embodiment of the application, the network device may be, for example, the RAN node 110 shown in FIG1, and the terminal device may be, for example, the terminal device 120 shown in FIG1. ​​Multiple network devices may transmit data or control signaling to a single terminal device at the same time. This application does not specifically limit the types of network devices and terminal devices.

[0086] In addition, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, software functions running on general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of terminal devices and network devices.

[0087] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the access network device used in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the access network device includes one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and one or more RUs. For clarity, only one CU, DU, and RU are shown in Figure 2. The CU is used to connect to the core network and one or more DUs. Optionally, the CU may have some of the functions of the core network. The CU may include CU-CP and CU-UP.

[0088] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0089] When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0090] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF network element in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

[0091] CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) network elements in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0092] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0093] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0094] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms related to this application are explained below.

[0095] Sensing signal: 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, environmental sensing signals, etc. Sensing signals can be pulse signals or any signal that may be present in a wireless communication system, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signals.

[0096] Echo signal: The echo signal is the signal reflected back to the receiver after the sensing signal is emitted from the transmitter to the target object. By performing autocorrelation processing on the echo signal and the sensing signal, and then transforming them, the time delay of the echo signal relative to the sensing signal in the time domain can be analyzed. This allows us to determine the distance of the sensing target from the transmitting source. By comparing the echo signals reflected back from the same target by different transmitted signals, we can convert the signal to the Doppler domain. Combining the Doppler and range domain analyses, we can determine the distance and velocity of the sensing target. Furthermore, the direction of the sensing target relative to the transmitting source can be determined by the beam direction of the antenna emitting the sensing signal. The echo signal can be understood as the reflected sensing signal; therefore, the echo signal can also be called the sensing signal.

[0097] For ease of description, in this application, the detection signal emitted by the transmitter toward the target object is uniformly referred to as the sensing signal, and the signal reflected back to the receiver is referred to as the echo signal.

[0098] Harmonized communication and sensing (HCS), also known as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), is a key technology in next-generation wireless communication systems. HCS aims to integrate wireless communication and sensing functions into the same system, utilizing the various propagation characteristics of wireless signals to achieve sensing functions such as target localization, detection, imaging, and identification, thereby acquiring information about the surrounding physical environment, improving communication performance, and enhancing user experience.

[0099] In HCS technology, network devices or terminal devices perform sensing by sending sensing signals and receiving echo signals to obtain information such as the position and speed of targets in the environment. The echo signal is the signal generated by the sensing signal being reflected by targets in the environment. The time delay of the echo signal relative to the sent sensing signal reflects the distance of the target, and the Doppler frequency shift of the echo signal relative to the sent sensing signal reflects the speed of the target.

[0100] According to the discussions in 3GPP SA1, the sensing modes involved in HCS technology can be divided into the following six modes:

[0101] 1. Network device self-transmission and self-reception: The network device sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by a target in the environment, and then the echo signal is received by the network device.

[0102] 2. Network device A sends, network device B receives: Network device A sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by a target in the environment, and then the echo signal is received by network device B.

[0103] 3. Network device transmits, terminal device receives: The network device sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by the target in the environment and then received by the terminal device.

[0104] 4. Terminal device sends, network device receives: The terminal device sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by a target in the environment, and then the network device receives the echo signal.

[0105] 5. Terminal device self-transmission and self-reception: The terminal device sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by a target in the environment, and then the terminal device receives the echo signal.

[0106] 6. Terminal device A sends signals and terminal device B receives them: Terminal device A sends a sensing signal, which is reflected by a target in the environment, and then the echo signal is received by terminal device B.

[0107] Regarding HCS technology, the "Research Report on 5G-Advanced Sensing and Convergence Network Architecture" proposes a new network architecture. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the HCS network architecture applied in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the core network architecture includes network data analytics function (NWDAF) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, unified data management (UDM) network elements, location management function (LMF) network elements, and sensing function (SF) network elements, etc.

[0108] The functions of the network elements involved in Figure 3 above are as follows:

[0109] NWDAF network element: Provides network analysis services based on network service request data.

[0110] NEF network elements: primarily used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0111] AF (Automatic Feedback) network elements are primarily responsible for providing services to the 3GPP network, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions, or providing third-party services to the network side.

[0112] AMF network elements are primarily responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0113] UPF network elements are primarily responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and billing.

[0114] PCF network element: It mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is also responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions.

[0115] UDM network elements are used for generating authentication credentials, processing user identifiers (such as storing and managing permanent user identities), controlling access authorization, and managing subscription data.

[0116] LMF network element: It is mainly responsible for the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, and provides functions such as positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation.

[0117] SF network elements are primarily responsible for selecting sensing devices, controlling sensing services, processing sensing measurement data independently or jointly with other network elements, and outputting sensing results to the sensing requester. It is understood that, based on the six sensing modes mentioned above, both network devices and terminal devices can participate in sensing tasks; that is, both network devices and terminal devices can be considered sensing devices.

[0118] It should be noted that there are related logical units in the RAN with functions similar to those of the SF network elements, such as sensing units. Sensing units can implement some sensing control functions or some sensing data processing functions. For ease of description, this application embodiment uses a core network element with sensing-related functions as an example.

[0119] It should be noted that, under different sensing scenarios and business requirements, after the sensing device receives the echo signal, it may need to undergo processing by one or more sensing nodes. The data involved in this processing is called sensing-related data. The sensing-related data detected and acquired by the sensing device varies, and can be mainly divided into the following three categories:

[0120] Echo signal or raw channel information: The complex result of the received echo signal or its channel response, such as amplitude / phase, I-channel / Q-channel and related calculation results.

[0121] Sensing measurement data: Measurement data obtained based on the processing of received signals or raw channel information, such as the time delay, Doppler, angle, intensity of sampling points, and their multidimensional combination representations, or the position, velocity, intensity of sampling points, and their multidimensional combination representations.

[0122] Perception Results: Based on further calculations and analysis of the perception measurement data, the data obtained are related to business functions and performance, such as the presence of a target, the target's distance and speed, orientation, acceleration, position, trajectory, action, expression, breathing rate / heart rate, imaging results, weather, air quality, material and composition, etc.

[0123] Among them, the perception result is the perception-related data obtained by further processing the perception measurement data. Therefore, the perception result can also be understood as the final perception measurement data. In this application, the echo signal, original channel information or perception measurement data in the above three types of perception-related data are uniformly described as perception information. When the network device or terminal device needs to upload the perception information to the SF network element, the perception information can be transmitted through the control plane or user plane.

[0124] The serial numbers NS1, NS2, etc., and the serial numbers named in the form of "N+number" such as N1, N2, etc. in Figure 3 are all interface serial numbers, used to indicate the radio interface indicated by the corresponding next generation application protocol (NGAP). The meaning of these interface serial numbers can be found in the definition in the 3GPP standard protocol, and is not limited here.

[0125] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the process of performing sensing tasks in HCS technology. The purpose of performing sensing tasks is to provide sensing services. As shown in Figure 4, the process of performing sensing tasks can be divided into three stages: service establishment stage, sensing execution stage, and service settlement stage, specifically including steps S401 to S408.

[0126] S401, the SF network element sends a sensing request message to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sensing request message from the SF network element.

[0127] During the service establishment phase, the SF network element, acting as the control network element for the sensing service, first sends sensing request information to the network devices. Correspondingly, after receiving the sensing request information, the network devices can trigger sensing tasks based on this information.

[0128] It should be noted that the SF network element can send the perception request information directly to the network device, or it can send the perception request information to the AMF network element first. The AMF network element acts as a message relay, and forwards the perception request message to the network device. The dotted circle nodes in Figure 4 are used to represent the corresponding network elements that act as message relays.

[0129] In the aforementioned six sensing modes, when the terminal device sends sensing signals and / or receives echo signals in modes three through six, it is equivalent to the terminal device participating in the sensing task. The sensing information obtained by the sensing task is associated with the terminal device, and the sensing information associated with the terminal device can be regarded as the sensing information corresponding to the terminal device.

[0130] S402, the network device sends a sensing resource control request to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the sensing resource control request from the network device.

[0131] In the process shown in Figure 4, the terminal device participates in the sensing task. Therefore, when the network device receives the sensing request information, the network device sends the sensing resource control request information to the terminal device.

[0132] S403, the terminal device sends sensing signal configuration information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sensing signal configuration information from the terminal device.

[0133] In this step, after receiving the sensing resource control request information, the terminal device sends sensing signal configuration information back to the network device. Based on the sensing signal configuration information, both the network device and the terminal device can participate in the sensing task as sensing devices.

[0134] S404, the network device sends a sensing response message to the SF network element. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the sensing response message from the network device.

[0135] In the final step of the service establishment phase, the network device sends a sensing response message to the SF network element. Correspondingly, upon receiving the sensing response message, the SF network element determines that the sensing service has been successfully established. The network device can either send the sensing response message directly to the SF network element, or it can first send the sensing response message to the AMF network element, which then forwards it to the SF network element.

[0136] S405, The sensing device performs sensing measurements.

[0137] After the sensing service is successfully established, the sensing execution phase begins. During the sensing execution phase, the sensing devices perform sensing measurements to acquire the corresponding sensing information.

[0138] Specifically, the sensing device sends a sensing signal, and the sensing device receives the echo signal. These two sensing devices can be the same or different, and can be terminal or network devices.

[0139] S406, network devices send sensing information to SF network elements.

[0140] In this step, the network device reports the sensed information to the SF network element via the control plane or user plane. As shown in Figure 4, when transmitting sensed information via the control plane, the network device can directly report the sensed information to the SF network element, or it can first send the sensed information to the AMF network element, which then forwards it to the SF network element. When transmitting sensed information via the user plane, the network device can directly report the sensed information to the SF network element, or it can first send the sensed information to the UPF network element, which then forwards it to the SF network element.

[0141] S407, SF network elements perform perception settlement.

[0142] As shown in Figure 4, during the service settlement stage, SF network elements can perform further calculations and analyses based on the received sensing information to obtain sensing results.

[0143] S408, the SF network element sends the sensing results to network devices and / or terminal devices.

[0144] This step is an optional step in the sensing task process. In this step, the SF network element can provide the processed sensing results to network devices and / or terminal devices so that the network devices and / or terminal devices can use the sensing service.

[0145] It should be noted that during the perception execution phase, when the perception information is associated with the terminal device, if the network device transmits the perception information through the user plane, the data transmission channel related to the UE can be reused, and the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol-U (GTP-U) can be used between the network device and the SF network element.

[0146] The aforementioned method of reporting sensing information to SF network elements is equivalent to reusing existing Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions. When multiple terminal devices participate in the sensing task, the sensing device can obtain the sensing information associated with each of the multiple terminal devices; that is, the sensing device can obtain multiple sensing information corresponding one-to-one with multiple terminal devices. However, when network devices reuse PDU sessions to report sensing information via the control plane or user plane, they can only report sensing information for a single terminal device. Therefore, when multiple terminal devices participate in the sensing task, the network device needs to report the sensing information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices separately. The transmission efficiency of this reporting method is obviously not efficient enough.

[0147] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus, aiming to improve the transmission efficiency of sensing information when terminal devices participate in sensing tasks.

[0148] The technical concept of this application is to carry multiple sensing information corresponding to multiple terminal devices through a common signaling or a common tunnel, and transmit the multiple sensing information corresponding to multiple terminal devices to the SF network element through a common signaling or a common tunnel, thereby avoiding the separate transmission of the sensing information corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the above multiple sensing information.

[0149] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. As an example, this communication method corresponds to the perception execution stage in the perception task execution flow of Figure 4. The terminal device participates in the perception task, and as shown in Figure 5, the communication method includes S501 to S502.

[0150] S501, the network device determines the first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device.

[0151] In this step, if the corresponding sensing mode is the aforementioned fourth sensing mode, that is, the first terminal device sends a sensing signal, the network device receives the echo signal, and the network device can determine the first sensing information based on the received echo signal.

[0152] If the corresponding sensing mode is the third, fifth, or sixth sensing mode mentioned above, the first terminal device receives the echo signal and can determine the first sensing information based on the received echo signal. Since the SF network element needs to obtain the first sensing information, the first terminal device can send the first sensing information to the network device through the control plane or user plane. Accordingly, the network device receives the first sensing information from the first terminal device, which is equivalent to the network device being able to determine the first sensing information.

[0153] In the above-mentioned sensing mode involving the first terminal device, the first sensing information determined by the network device is the sensing information associated with the first terminal device. It should be noted that the first sensing information here can be the echo signal, the original channel information, or the sensing measurement data among the three types of sensing-related data mentioned above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0154] S502, the network device sends a first signaling message to the first network element. The first signaling message is a common signaling message that includes first sensing information. Alternatively, the network device sends the first sensing information to the first network element through a first tunnel. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first sensing information from the network device.

[0155] During the perception execution phase, network devices can report perception information via the control plane or the user plane. In this step, when reporting the first perception information to the first network element via the control plane, the network device needs to send the first perception information to the first network element via the first signaling, where the first signaling is a common signaling that contains the first perception information.

[0156] When transmitting the first sensing information via the control plane, the first sensing information needs to be carried in a control signaling. The first signaling in this step is a common control signaling in the control plane. The common signaling can be used to carry sensing information corresponding to one or more terminal devices. For example, the first signaling can be non-UE association NGAP signaling. Compared with UE association NGAP signaling, which can only carry sensing information corresponding to a single terminal device, there is no one-to-one association between non-UE association NGAP signaling and the terminal device. Therefore, non-UE association NGAP signaling can carry sensing information corresponding to multiple terminal devices. It is equivalent to multiple terminal devices sharing the same signaling. Non-UE association NGAP signaling can be understood as a kind of common control signaling.

[0157] In this step, when the user reports the first sensing information to the first network element, the network device needs to send the first sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel, where the first tunnel is a public tunnel.

[0158] When transmitting the first sensing information via the user plane, the first sensing information needs to be encapsulated into data packets. These data packets are then transmitted to the first network element through a user plane tunnel. The first tunnel in this step is a common tunnel within the user plane. Similar to common signaling, a common tunnel can be used to transmit data packets encapsulated from sensing information corresponding to one or more terminal devices. The first tunnel is essentially a shared user plane tunnel for multiple terminal devices.

[0159] As one possible implementation, when reporting the first sensing information via the control plane, the first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device. Alternatively, when reporting the first sensing information via the user plane, the network device sends the first sensing information and the first identification information to the first network element through the first tunnel. Based on the first identification information and the first sensing information from the network device, the first network element can determine that the first sensing information is sensing information associated with the first terminal device.

[0160] As an example, the first identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the Quality of Service flow, identification information of the Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP), identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information.

[0161] It should be noted that the information contained in the first identification information may differ when transmitted via the control plane or via the user plane. The specific information contained in the first identification information will be further described below when the process of transmitting via the control plane or via the user plane is described.

[0162] Considering that the first identification information may not be maintained in the network device, meaning the network device cannot determine the corresponding first terminal device based on the first identification information, in some implementations, as shown in step S500 of Figure 5, before determining the first sensing information, the network device receives first indication information, which indicates the first identification information. Based on the first indication information, the network device can determine that the first identification information is the identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0163] In some implementations, when multiple terminal devices participate in a sensing task, the network device can determine the sensing information associated with the multiple terminal devices. As an example, if a second terminal device participates in the same sensing task as a first terminal device, in step S501, the network device can also determine second sensing information, which is associated with the second terminal device.

[0164] Accordingly, if the network device reports the second sensing information to the first network element via the control plane in this step, the first signaling may also include the second sensing information as a common control signaling. Alternatively, if the network device transmits the second sensing information via the user plane, since the first tunnel is a common tunnel shared by multiple terminal devices, the network device can send the second sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel.

[0165] In this embodiment, when multiple terminal devices participate in the sensing task, the sensing information associated with multiple terminal devices can be reported to the first network element through a common first signaling or first tunnel. The sensing information corresponding to multiple terminal devices can be reported together through the common signaling or common tunnel, thereby improving the reporting efficiency of sensing information.

[0166] As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 5, when the first sensing information is reported via the control plane or via the user plane, different processing is required for the first sensing information. The following describes in more detail the method of reporting the first sensing information in the sensing execution phase in conjunction with the HCS network architecture.

[0167] As one possible implementation, the first sensing information is reported via the control plane. That is, when the network device sends the first signaling to the first network element, the first network element is either an AMF network element or an SF network element. First, assuming that the first network element is an SF network element, the process of the network device reporting the first sensing information to the SF network element via the control plane is described with reference to Figure 6.

[0168] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the communication method is a flowchart illustrating the reporting of first sensing information to an SF network element via a control plane, including steps S601 to S602.

[0169] S601, the sensing device performs sensing measurements to determine first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device.

[0170] In the aforementioned third to sixth sensing modes, network devices and / or terminal devices act as sensing devices to perform sensing measurements. The specific implementation of this step is consistent with step S501 in the embodiment shown in Figure 5, and will not be repeated here.

[0171] S602, the network device sends a first signaling message to the SF network element. The first signaling message is a common signaling message that includes the first sensing information. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the first signaling message from the network device.

[0172] For example, the first signaling, as a public signaling, includes at least first sensing information associated with the first terminal device. It is understood that there is no one-to-one association between the first signaling, as a public signaling, and the terminal device. Therefore, when the network device sends the first signaling including the first sensing information to the SF network element, the first signaling also includes first identification information, which is the identification information associated with the first terminal device. Based on the first identification information and the first sensing information contained in the first signaling, the SF network element can determine that the first sensing information is the sensing information associated with the first terminal device.

[0173] For example, the aforementioned first signaling can be service-associated signaling, which contains first perception information. The network device reports the first perception information to the SF network element through the service-associated signaling.

[0174] As one possible implementation, when the first network element is an SF network element, the first identification information included in the first signaling can contain the user permanent identifier (SUPI) of the terminal device. The SF network element and the network device can identify a unique terminal device based on a SUPI.

[0175] In some implementations, prior to step S601, as shown in step S600-1, the SF network element sends first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating first identification information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first indication information from the SF network element.

[0176] During the service establishment phase, the SF network element can identify at least one terminal device participating in the sensing task. When the sensing session is established, the SF network element can assign an identification information to each of the at least one terminal device. This identification information is the identification information associated with the terminal device. It can be understood that the first terminal device is one of the at least one terminal devices mentioned above, therefore the first identification information includes the identification information assigned to the first terminal device by the SF network element.

[0177] Accordingly, when the network device directly reports the first sensing information to the SF network element through the first signaling, the first identification information included in the first signaling includes the identification information assigned by the SF network element to the first terminal device in step S600-1. The SF network element and the network device can determine the corresponding first terminal device based on the above first identification information.

[0178] In some implementations, the identification information associated with the terminal devices participating in the sensing task can also be allocated by the network device. As shown in step S600-2, the network device sends second indication information to the SF network element, and the second indication information indicates the first identification information. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the second indication information from the network device.

[0179] Similarly, during the service establishment phase, the network device can identify at least one terminal device participating in the sensing task. When the sensing session is established, the network device can assign an identification information to each of the at least one terminal device. This identification information is the identification information associated with the terminal device. As the first terminal device is one of the at least one terminal devices, the first identification information includes the identification information assigned to the first terminal device by the network device.

[0180] Accordingly, when the network device directly reports the first sensing information to the SF network element through the first signaling, the first identification information included in the first signaling includes the identification information assigned by the network device to the first terminal device in step S600-2. The SF network element and the network device can determine the corresponding first terminal device based on the above first identification information.

[0181] It is understandable that the identification information associated with the above terminal devices can also be allocated by other network elements in the core network, such as AMF network elements or session management function (SMF) network elements. The allocated first identification information is then indicated to the network devices and SF network elements through the first indication information. The specific implementation is similar to the above implementation method, and will not be described in detail here.

[0182] It should be noted that steps S600-1 and S600-2 are two optional steps in the communication method shown in Figure 6, and do not mean that the two steps are applied simultaneously in the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

[0183] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, in this communication method, the AMF network element is used as the first network element, and the network device reports first sensing information to the SF network element through the AMF network element in the control plane. The method includes steps S701 to S703.

[0184] S701, the sensing device performs sensing measurements to determine the first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device.

[0185] This step is the same as step S601 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be described again here.

[0186] S702, the network device sends a first signaling message to the AMF network element. The first signaling message is a common signaling message that includes the first sensing information. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the first signaling message from the network device.

[0187] For example, when the first network element is an AMF network element, the first signaling can be service association NGAP signaling, session association NGAP signaling, or non-UE association NGAP signaling.

[0188] In some implementations, the first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device. As an example, the first identification information includes at least one of the following: NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device.

[0189] The NGAP identification information (also known as NGAP pair ID) can include a pair of identification information: one is the identification information assigned to the terminal device by the AMF network element (AMF UE NGAP ID), and the other is the identification information assigned to the terminal device by the network device (RAN UE NGAP ID). When the first identification information includes NGAP identification information, it can include at least one of the above two types of identification information.

[0190] The identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device can specifically be the identification information assigned to the first terminal device by an SF network element, SMF network element, AMF network element, or network device. As a possible example, as shown in step S700-1 of Figure 7, when an AMF network element assigns first identification information to the first terminal device, the AMF network element sends first indication information to the network device, indicating the first identification information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first identification information from the AMF network element.

[0191] When the network device assigns identification information to the first terminal device, referring to step S600-2 in the embodiment shown in FIG6, as shown in step S700-2 in FIG7, before step S701, the network device sends second indication information indicating the first identification information to the SF network element, which will not be described in detail here.

[0192] S703, the AMF network element sends a second signaling message to the SF network element. The second signaling message is a common signaling message that includes the first sensing signaling message. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the second signaling message from the AMF network element.

[0193] After the network device sends the first sensing information to the AMF network element via the first signaling, the AMF network element, as a relay network element, also needs to forward the first sensing information to the SF network element. In this step, the AMF network element sends the first sensing information to the SF network element via the second signaling, which is a common signaling that contains the first sensing information.

[0194] It is understandable that the AMF network element sending the first sensing information to the SF network element via the second signaling is similar to the network device sending the first sensing information to the AMF network element via the first signaling. In some implementations, the second signaling includes second identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device.

[0195] For example, the second identification information includes at least one of the following: a permanent identifier of the first terminal device, and identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device. Specifically, the core network element can be an SF network element, an SMF network element, or an AMF network element. As shown in step S700-3 of Figure 7, when the AMF network element assigns identification information to the first terminal device, the AMF network element sends third indication information to the network device, the third indication information indicating the first identification information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the AMF network element.

[0196] It is understandable that the first identification information and the second identification information can be the same identification. For example, the first identification information is the identification information assigned by the SF network element, SMF network element, AMF network element or network device. Accordingly, the second identification information follows the first identification information.

[0197] In some implementations, the first identification information and the second identification information can also be different identification information. As an example, the first identification information is NGAP identification information, and the second identification information is any of the following: SUPI, identification information assigned to the terminal device by the core network element (i.e., SF network element, SMF network element, or AMF network element) or network device.

[0198] It should be noted that when the AMF network element receives the first sensing information through the first signaling, the first signaling contains the first identification information. When the AMF network element sends the first sensing information through the second signaling, the second signaling contains the second identification information. When the first identification information and the second identification information are different identification information, the AMF network element acts as a relay network element and modifies (or replaces, updates) the first identification information with the second identification information.

[0199] As an example, the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the SUPI of the first terminal device. That is, the AMF, as a relay network element, modifies (or replaces, updates) the first identification information to the second identification information.

[0200] It should be noted that when the first sensing information is reported via the control plane, the network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7 can be a gNB or an open RAN node. As an example, it can specifically be an O-CU.

[0201] The embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7 above illustrate the process of reporting the first sensing information via the control plane. The following describes the process of reporting the first sensing information via the user plane. First, assuming the first network element is an SF network element, the process of the network device reporting the first sensing information to the SF network element via the user plane is described with reference to Figure 8.

[0202] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication method shown in Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the reporting of first sensing information to the SF network element via the user plane, including S801 to S802.

[0203] S801, the sensing device performs sensing measurements to determine the first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the terminal device.

[0204] This step is the same as step S601 in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be described again here.

[0205] In S802, the network device sends the first sensing information to the SF network element through the first tunnel, which is a common tunnel. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the first sensing information from the network device.

[0206] For example, when the first network element is an SF network element, the first tunnel can be a common user plane tunnel between the network device and the SF network element in the sensing task. When the network device sends the first sensing information to the SF network element through the first tunnel, the first sensing information needs to be encapsulated in the form of a data packet. The first tunnel, as a common tunnel, transmits data packets encapsulated with sensing information associated with at least one terminal device.

[0207] It should be noted that the term "public" in "first tunnel" has two different granularities. One is that the first tunnel can be a public tunnel for one sensing session, meaning that multiple terminals corresponding to one sensing session can share the first tunnel. The other is that the first tunnel can be a public tunnel for multiple sensing sessions, where "multiple sensing sessions" can refer to all sensing sessions, meaning that multiple terminals corresponding to each sensing session share the first tunnel.

[0208] In some implementations, the first sensing information can be encapsulated into a first data packet. The header of the first data packet includes first identification information associated with the first terminal device, and the data portion of the first data packet includes the first sensing information. Accordingly, when the network device sends the first data packet to the SF network element through the first tunnel, it is equivalent to the network device sending both the first sensing information and the first identification information to the SF network element through the first tunnel. Based on the header of the first data packet, the SF network element can determine that the first data packet corresponds to the first terminal device.

[0209] In some implementations, the first identification information may include at least one of the following: quality of service flow (QoS) flow identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information.

[0210] In 5G communication systems, to ensure end-to-end service quality, the user plane tunnel between network devices and core network elements corresponds to QoS flows. Each QoS flow can be identified by a QoS flow identifier (QFI). The QFI indicates a unique QoS flow within a PDU session; the QFI serves as the identification information for the QoS flow. Furthermore, due to the correspondence between QoS flows and terminal devices, there is an association between the QFI and the corresponding terminal device. Therefore, the corresponding terminal device can be determined through the QFI.

[0211] It should be noted that, if the QoS flow identification information is used as the first identification information, as a possible implementation, before step S802, the method further includes sending indication information to the network device. This indication information is used to indicate the correspondence between the QoS flow and the first terminal device, or the indication information is used to indicate the correspondence between the QoS flow and the sensing session corresponding to the first terminal device. For example, the SMF network element can send this indication information to the network device.

[0212] For example, a first terminal device corresponds to a PDU session 1. The SMF network element sends signaling related to PDU session 1 to the network device. This signaling contains identification information for four different QoS flows: QFI 1 to QFI 4. Since a PDU session is associated with a unique terminal, QFI 1 to QFI 4 indicate the four QoS flows in PDU session 1 associated with the first terminal device. This signaling may also contain indication information, which indicates the sensing session corresponding to any one of QFIs 1 to QFI 4. Specifically, it can indicate sensing session 1 corresponding to QFI 1. It can be understood that QFI 1 indicates the QoS flow in PDU session 1 associated with the first terminal device; therefore, this indication information indicates the sensing session of the first terminal device corresponding to QFI 1.

[0213] Accordingly, in step S802, when the header of the first data packet includes QFI 1, the network device can determine that the first data packet is the data packet of the sensing session of the first terminal device based on QFI 1. That is, the first data packet includes the first sensing information of the first terminal device, and specifically the first data packet is the data packet of the sensing session 1 of the first terminal device.

[0214] It is understandable that the signaling related to PDU session 1 sent by the SMF network element can contain the above indication information, and the SMF network element can also send the above indication information to the network device through a separate message. Specifically, the SMF network element can send the above indication information to the AMF network element, and then the AMF network element forwards the indication information to the network device.

[0215] When a second terminal device participates in the same sensing task, assuming the second terminal device corresponds to a PDU session 1, the SMF network element sends signaling related to PDU session 1 corresponding to the second terminal device to the network device. This signaling also contains the identification information of four QoS flows, QFI 1 to QFI 4. Since PDU session 1 is the PDU session associated with the second terminal device, the above QFI 1 to QFI 4 indicate the four QoS flows in PDU session 1 associated with the second terminal device. The above signaling may also contain indication information, which is used to indicate the sensing session corresponding to any one of the QFIs from QFI 1 to QFI 4.

[0216] It should be noted that, in order to distinguish between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the QFI involved in the indication information in the signaling of PDU session 1 corresponding to the second terminal device is different from the QFI involved in the indication information in the signaling of PDU session 1 corresponding to the first terminal device. Therefore, the indication information in the signaling of PDU session 1 corresponding to the second terminal device can be used to indicate the sensing session 1 corresponding to QFI 2. This indication information is used to indicate the sensing session 1 of the second terminal device corresponding to QFI 2.

[0217] It is understood that the above indication information can be included in the signaling related to PDU session 1 corresponding to the second terminal device sent by the SMF network element to the network device. The SMF network element can also send the above indication information to the AMF network element, which will then forward the indication information to the network device.

[0218] Accordingly, in step S802, when the network device sends the second sensing information associated with the second terminal device to the SF network element through the first tunnel, the second sensing information can be encapsulated into a second data packet. When the header of the second data packet includes QFI 2, the network device can determine that the second data packet is a data packet of the sensing session of the second terminal device based on QFI 2. That is, the second data packet includes the second sensing information of the second terminal device. Specifically, the second data packet is a data packet of the sensing session 1 of the second terminal device.

[0219] It should be noted that the first terminal device can correspond to one PDU session or multiple PDU sessions. Multiple PDU sessions can contain the same QFI. In this case, the above indication information can indicate to the network device that one or more QFIs in the multiple PDU sessions correspond to the perception session of the first terminal device.

[0220] For example: The first terminal device corresponds to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. The signaling related to PDU session 1 contains four identification information, QFI 1 to QFI 4. The signaling related to PDU session 2 also contains four identification information, QFI 1 to QFI 4. Then the indication information can indicate that QFI 1 in the signaling related to PDU session 1 and / or PDU session 2 corresponds to the first terminal device's perception session 1.

[0221] Similarly, when the second terminal device corresponds to multiple PDU sessions, the indication information can indicate that one or more QFIs among the multiple PDU sessions correspond to the sensing session of the second terminal device. Referring to the foregoing, the QFI used to indicate the sensing session of the second terminal device in the indication information here is an identification information different from QFI 1. Therefore, the QFI in the header of the second data packet is different from QFI 1.

[0222] For example, the second terminal device corresponds to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. The relevant signaling of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 for the second terminal device contains four identification information: QFI 1 to QFI 4. In order to distinguish between the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the indication information can indicate that QFI 2 in the relevant signaling of PDU session 1 and / or PDU session 2 corresponds to the perception session 1 of the second terminal device.

[0223] When the first identification information includes identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, the core network element can be an SF network element, a UPF network element, or an AMF network element. For example, when the SF network element assigns identification information to the first terminal device, as shown in step S800-1 of FIG8, the SF network element sends first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating the first identification information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first indication information from the SF network element.

[0224] Similarly, when the network device assigns identification information to the terminal device, as shown in step S800-2, the network device sends second indication information to the SF network element. The second indication information indicates the first identification information. It can be understood that the first indication information and the second indication information in steps S800-1 and S800-2 above are consistent with the first indication information and the second indication information in the embodiment shown in Figure 6. The implementation method of assigning identification information to the terminal device by the core network element or network device is similar to the aforementioned embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0225] For example, the session identification information included in the first identification information is a session identifier associated with the first terminal device, such as a perception session identifier or a PDU session identifier.

[0226] It should be noted that steps S800-1 and S800-2 are two optional steps in the communication method shown in Figure 8, and do not mean that the two steps are applied simultaneously in the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

[0227] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, in this communication method, a UPF network element is used as the first network element, and the network device reports first sensing information to the SF network element through the UPF network element in the user plane. The method includes steps S901 to S903.

[0228] S901, the sensing device performs sensing measurements to determine the first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device.

[0229] This step is the same as step S801 in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0230] S902, the network device sends the first sensing information to the UPF network element through the first tunnel, which is a common tunnel. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the first sensing information from the network device.

[0231] For example, when the first network element is a UPF network element, the first tunnel can be a common user plane tunnel between the network device and the UPF network element.

[0232] Referring to step S802 in Figure 8, when the network device sends the first sensing information to the UPF network element through the first tunnel, it encapsulates the first sensing information into a first data packet. The header of the first data packet includes first identification information associated with the first terminal device, and the data portion of the first data packet includes the first sensing information. Sending the first data packet to the UPF network element through the first tunnel is equivalent to sending both the first sensing information and the first identification information to the UPF network element through the first tunnel.

[0233] As one possible implementation, the first identification information may include at least one of the following: identification information of the quality of service flow, NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by the core network element or network device, or session identification information.

[0234] It is understood that when the first identification information includes the identification information assigned to the first terminal device by the core network element or network device, the network element that assigns the identification information to the first terminal device needs to indicate the first identification information to the SF network element or network device through the corresponding indication information. For details, please refer to the aforementioned embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0235] It should be noted that since NGAP pair ID is maintained only by network devices and AMF network elements, UPF network elements cannot determine the corresponding first terminal device based on NGAP pair ID. Therefore, when the first identification information includes NGAP pair ID, it is necessary to additionally enable UPF network elements to obtain the association between the first terminal device and the NGAP pair ID.

[0236] As an example, as shown in step S900-1 of Figure 9, the AMF network element sends fourth indication information to the UPF network element. The fourth indication information indicates the NGAP identification information associated with the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the UPF network element receives the fourth indication information from the AMF network element.

[0237] S903, the UPF network element sends the first sensing information to the SF network element through a second tunnel, which is a common tunnel. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the first sensing information from the UPF network element.

[0238] After the network device sends the data packet encapsulated with the first sensing information to the UPF network element through the first tunnel, the UPF network element, as a relay network element, also needs to forward the first sensing information to the SF network element. In this step, the UPF network element sends the first sensing information to the SF network element through the second tunnel, which is a common user plane tunnel between the UPF network element and the SF network element.

[0239] The transmission of first sensing information from a UPF network element to an SF network element via a second tunnel is similar to the transmission of first sensing information from a network device to a UPF network element via a first tunnel. In some implementations, the UPF network element transmits a second data packet to the SF network element via a second tunnel. The header of the second data packet includes second identification information associated with the first terminal device, and the data portion of the second data packet includes the first sensing information. This is equivalent to the UPF network element transmitting both first sensing information and second identification information to the SF network element via a second tunnel.

[0240] For example, the second identification information may include at least one of the following: identification information of the quality of service flow, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, session identification information, or a permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

[0241] It should be noted that when the first identification information and the second identification information are the same, the first data packet and the second data packet can be understood as the same data packet. For example, if the first identification information of the first data packet includes identification information assigned by the SF network element, UPF network element, AMF network element, or network device, then the second identification information of the second data packet will also use the above identification information. Therefore, when the UPF network element sends the second data packet to the SF network element through the second tunnel, it is equivalent to the UPF network element sending the first data packet to the SF network element through the second tunnel.

[0242] When the first identification information and the second identification information are different, the first data packet and the second data packet are equivalent to different data packets. As can be seen from step S902, the NGAP identification information (NGAP pair ID) is maintained only by network devices and AMF network elements. When the first identification information contains the NGAP identification information (NGAP pair ID), the SF network element also cannot determine the corresponding first terminal device based on the NGAP identification information. In some implementations, the UPF network element can modify (or replace, update) the first identification information to the second identification information known to the SF network element.

[0243] As an example, the first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device. That is, when the UPF network element acts as a relay network element and re-encapsulates the first sensing information, it modifies the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device to the SUPI of the first terminal device.

[0244] It should be noted that when the first sensing information is reported via the user plane, the network device in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9 can be a gNB or an open RAN node. As an example, it can specifically be an O-CU, O-DU, or a sensing unit on the base station side.

[0245] The communication method shown in the above embodiments is a communication method for HCS technology to report sensing information in sensing tasks. The implementation of data transmission through a public tunnel in the above methods is also applicable to data transmission between network devices and core network elements in the environmental Internet of Things.

[0246] A passive radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an interrogator and a tag device, where the tag device can also be understood as an electronic tag. This embodiment uses an electronic tag as an example. The interrogator reads information from the tag device or writes information that the tag device needs to store into the tag device. Non-contact data communication occurs between the interrogator and the tag device. Given the low power consumption advantage of passive radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, applying RFID technology to 5G systems can construct a highly simplified Internet of Things (IoT), namely, an ambient IoT (A-IoT).

[0247] A-IoT, as an infrastructure based on cellular network communication, consists of readers and passive / semi-passive / active tags. It's important to note that in A-IoT, network devices can act as readers, implementing their functionality. Tags in A-IoT are equivalent to terminal devices in a cellular network, and can be understood as a type of IoT terminal with extremely low power consumption and low complexity.

[0248] The main services of A-IoT include inventory management, positioning, sensing, and command processing. Typical application scenarios include logistics, warehousing, industrial manufacturing, identification, and environmental monitoring. Inventory management involves using readers to connect tags (A-IoT terminal devices) within the coverage area. Successfully connected devices need to send their unique identifier to the reader; this unique identifier is recognizable by the network, such as the electronic product code (EPC) in RFID. Positioning uses location signals to pinpoint the location of the tags. Sensing involves the tags reporting sensor data, such as temperature data, to network devices.

[0249] It is understandable that in the above A-IoT services, data needs to be transmitted between tags, network devices and core network elements. However, when multiple tags participate in data transmission, similar to reporting sensing information in the above sensing tasks, data transmission needs to be performed separately for each tag, which results in inefficient data transmission. Therefore, the communication method proposed in the aforementioned embodiments can also be applied to A-IoT scenarios.

[0250] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the application of a communication method proposed in an embodiment of this application in an A-IoT scenario. For example, as shown in Figure 10, when this communication method is applied to an A-IoT scenario, it specifically includes steps S1001 to S1003.

[0251] S1001, the core network element sends A-IoT session request information and A-IoT session identifier to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the A-IoT session request information and A-IoT session identifier from the core network element.

[0252] In this step, the A-IoT session identifier serves as a unique identifier to indicate the corresponding A-IoT service or session. It is understood that in all embodiments of this application, A-IoT services, A-IoT tasks, or A-IoT sessions can be interchanged.

[0253] S1002, the network device sends tunnel information and A-IoT session response information to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the tunnel information and A-IoT session response information from the network device.

[0254] In this step, after receiving the A-IoT session request information and A-IoT session identifier from the core network element, the network device sends the tunnel information of the user plane tunnel for the A-IoT service or session and the A-IoT session response information to the core network element. The tunnel information and A-IoT session response information can be sent uniformly through a single message or separately through multiple messages.

[0255] It is understandable that the configuration process corresponding to S1001 and S1002 above is the establishment process of A-IoT service, which is similar to the service establishment process in the aforementioned sensing task.

[0256] S1003, the tag transmits A-IoT data to the core network elements through the public tunnel.

[0257] When multiple tags participate in A-IoT services, the data to be transmitted is A-IoT data associated with the tags. Network devices can encapsulate the A-IoT data of multiple tags into data packets, and the header of the data packets includes the identification information associated with each of the multiple tags.

[0258] In some implementations, the identification information associated with a tag can be any of the following: the identification information of the QoS flow associated with the tag (such as QFI), the NGAP identification information of the tag, or identification information assigned by core network elements or network devices. It is understood that in the A-IoT scenario, the aforementioned core network elements can specifically be AMF network elements or control network elements dedicated to A-IoT.

[0259] The network device transmits the encapsulated A-IoT data to the core network element through a common user plane tunnel. The core network element can be an AMF network element or an A-IoT control network element. The implementation method is similar to the method of reporting the first sensing information through the user plane in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 or Figure 9, and will not be described again here.

[0260] It should be noted that the aforementioned public user plane tunnel can not only be used to report the data corresponding to the tag to the core network element, but the core network element can also transmit A-IoT data to the corresponding tag through the public user plane tunnel. The A-IoT data here can be the tag's identification information, the tag's location information, or the tag's sensing data.

[0261] It is understood that in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the tag transmits A-IoT data to the core network element through the public tunnel, which is equivalent to transmitting A-IoT data via the user plane. Referring to the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7, A-IoT data can also be transmitted via the control plane.

[0262] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the application of a communication method proposed in another embodiment of this application to an A-IoT scenario. Exemplarily, when this communication method is applied to an A-IoT scenario, it specifically includes steps S1101 to S1103.

[0263] S1101, the core network element sends A-IoT session request information and A-IoT session identifier to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the A-IoT session request information and A-IoT session identifier from the core network element.

[0264] S1102, the network device sends tunnel information and A-IoT session response information to the core network element. Correspondingly, the core network element receives the tunnel information and A-IoT session response information from the network device.

[0265] The steps S1101 and S1102 above are the same as the corresponding steps S1001 and S1002 in the embodiment shown in Figure 10, and will not be repeated here.

[0266] S1103, the tag transmits A-IoT data to the core network elements via public signaling.

[0267] When multiple tags participate in A-IoT services, the data to be transmitted is the A-IoT data associated with each tag. The network device can send a common signaling message to the core network element, which includes the A-IoT data of multiple tags. In Figure 11, the A-IoT data associated with tags 1 to N are contained in the same signaling message.

[0268] Since there is no one-to-one association between public signaling and tags, public signaling also includes identification information associated with each tag among multiple tags. Core network elements can determine the correspondence between A-IoT data and tags based on the identification information associated with tags.

[0269] In some implementations, the identification information associated with a tag can be the tag's NGAP identification information, or any type of identification information assigned by core network elements or network devices. This identification information is used to index and identify the unique tag. In the A-IoT scenario, the aforementioned core network elements can specifically be AMF network elements or control network elements dedicated to A-IoT.

[0270] The network device transmits A-IoT data of multiple tags to the core network element through a common signaling. The core network element can be an AMF network element or an A-IoT control network element. The implementation method is similar to the method of reporting the first sensing information through the first signaling in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7, and will not be described again here.

[0271] Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the aforementioned common signaling can not only be used to report the data corresponding to the tag to the core network element, but the core network element can also transmit A-IoT data to the corresponding tag via the common signaling. Here, the A-IoT data can be the tag's identification information, the tag's location information, or the tag's sensing data. In the above embodiment, when performing a sensing task in HCS technology, if a terminal device participates in the sensing task, because the network device cannot obtain the terminal device's location information, during the service settlement phase, the SF network element does not consider the terminal device's location information when performing further calculations and analyses based on the received sensing information. This results in the SF network element being unable to obtain accurate sensing results during the sensing settlement process.

[0272] As shown in Figure 3, the HCS network architecture is responsible for calculating and feeding back location information in the 5G network. In some implementations, the LMF network element can provide the location information of the terminal device.

[0273] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, steps S1201 to S1208 in the flow of the sensing method proposed in this application correspond to steps S401 to S408 in the execution flow of the sensing task shown in Figure 4, and will not be described again here.

[0274] Before the service establishment phase, as shown in step S1200 of Figure 12, the terminal device positioning process is executed. The LMF network element, responsible for location information calculation and feedback in the HCS network architecture, can execute this process to obtain the location information of the terminal devices. It should be noted that the terminal devices involved in the terminal device positioning process can all be pre-determined to participate in the sensing task, or they can be selected from among them in subsequent processes.

[0275] During the service establishment phase, i.e., before the sensing devices perform sensing measurements, the SF network element can trigger a sensing task through a sensing request message. Based on the sensing request message, the terminal devices participating in this sensing task can be identified. Accordingly, the SF network element can query or subscribe to the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the terminal devices participating in the sensing task.

[0276] In some implementations, during the sensing execution phase, after the SF network element receives the first sensing information from the network device, the SF network element can also query the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the terminal devices participating in the sensing task.

[0277] As an example, during the service establishment phase or the perception execution phase, i.e., before the SF network element performs perception settlement, as shown in step S1205-1 of Figure 12, the SF network element can send a first request message to the LMF network element. The first request message is used to request the location information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the LMF network element receives the first request message from the SF network element.

[0278] According to the first request message, as shown in step S1205-2 of Figure 12, the LMF network element can send a fifth indication message to the SF network element. The fifth indication message is used to indicate the location information of the terminal device. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the fifth indication message from the LMF network element, and the SF network element can determine the location information of the terminal device participating in the sensing task based on the fifth indication message.

[0279] As a possible implementation, before the SF network element performs perception settlement in the service settlement phase, the SF network element can also query the LMF network element to obtain the location information of the terminal devices participating in the perception task. This means that the above steps S1205-1 and S1205-2 can also be executed between steps S1206 and S1207.

[0280] In some implementations, after the LMF network element determines the location information of the terminal device through the positioning process, it can proactively send the terminal device's location information to the SF network element. When the location of the terminal device changes, the LMF network element can also update the terminal device's location information and send the updated location information to the SF network element.

[0281] During the service settlement phase, for example, the SF network element determines the sensing result based on the first sensing information and the fifth instruction information. The fifth instruction information indicates the location information of the terminal devices participating in the sensing task. Based on the fifth instruction information, the SF network element can perform further calculations and analysis to determine the sensing result (e.g., determine the sensing target in the environment).

[0282] Understandably, during the service settlement phase, i.e., after the SF network element performs perception settlement, the SF network element can proactively provide the processing results to network devices and / or terminal devices so that they can use the perception service. In some implementations, network devices and / or terminal devices can also send perception service provision request messages to the SF network element. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the perception service provision request messages from the network devices and / or terminal devices and sends the perception results processed based on the location information and perception information of the terminal devices to the network devices and / or terminal devices.

[0283] In this embodiment, for the sensing task involving the terminal device, the LMF network element executes the positioning process to obtain the location information of the terminal device, avoiding the network device from obtaining sensitive information. The SF network element analyzes and calculates based on the sensing information associated with the terminal device and the location information of the terminal device, thereby generating the sensing result of the absolute position and ensuring the accuracy of the sensing result.

[0284] As can be understood, in the embodiment shown in Figure 12, during the service settlement phase, the SF network element performs the perception settlement, obtains the final perception result, and sends the perception result to the network device. Therefore, when the network device needs to use the perception service, it needs to obtain the perception result from the SF network element.

[0285] In some implementations, SF network elements analyze and process the location and sensing information of terminal devices. The processing results include the location information of the sensing target. SF network elements can send the processing results to network devices, which then perform sensing settlement and obtain the final sensing results.

[0286] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application. As an example, this sensing method is mainly applied to the sensing execution stage and service settlement stage in the sensing task execution process. The service establishment stage is similar to the service establishment stage in the sensing method shown in Figure 12. First, the LMF network element needs to execute the terminal device positioning process so that the SF network element can query and obtain the location information of the terminal devices participating in the sensing task. This will not be described in detail here.

[0287] S1301, the sensing device performs sensing measurements to determine first sensing information and second sensing information. The first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device, and the second sensing information is associated with the second terminal device.

[0288] In this step, the first terminal device and the second terminal device participate in the same sensing task. Therefore, after performing sensing measurements, the sensing devices can acquire first sensing information and second sensing information. For example, the first sensing information and the second sensing information can be raw I / Q data, point cloud data of the sensing target in a relative coordinate system, or spectral information of the sensing target.

[0289] S1302, the network device sends first sensing information and second sensing information to the SF network element. Correspondingly, the SF network element receives the first sensing information and second sensing information from the network device.

[0290] This step corresponds to step S1206 in Figure 12. The first sensing information and the second sensing information can be transmitted to the SF network element via the control plane or the user plane. As an example, the first signaling includes the first sensing information and the second sensing information. When transmitted via the control plane, the network device can directly send the first signaling to the SF network element, or it can first send the first signaling to the AMF network element, and then the AMF network element will send the second signaling containing the first sensing information and the second sensing information to the SF network element.

[0291] When transmitting via the user plane, the network device can directly send the first sensing information and the second sensing information to the SF network element through the first tunnel, or it can send the first sensing information and the second sensing information to the UPF network element through the first tunnel, and the UPF network element can then forward the first sensing information and the second sensing information to the SF network element through the second tunnel.

[0292] The first and second sensing information can be transmitted to the SF network element through public signaling or public tunnel, or they can be transmitted to the SF network element separately. This application does not restrict the specific method by which the network device sends the first and second sensing information to the SF network element in step S1302.

[0293] S1303, the SF network element performs the processing.

[0294] It is understood that the embodiment shown in Figure 13 performs a terminal device positioning process before the service establishment phase, so the SF network element can determine the location information of the first terminal device and the location information of the second terminal device. Therefore, in this step, the SF network element processes the location information of the first terminal device and the first sensing information to obtain the first information of the sensing target in the environment, that is, the first information is determined based on the first sensing information.

[0295] In some implementations, the first information of the perceived target includes one or more of the following: position information, velocity information, orientation information, acceleration information, etc. For example, if the first sensing information includes the relative coordinate point cloud information of the perceived target, then the SF network element can determine the absolute coordinate point cloud information of the perceived target based on the first sensing information and the position information of the first terminal device.

[0296] Similarly, the SF network element analyzes and processes the location information and second sensing information of the second terminal device to obtain the second information of the sensing target, and the second information is determined based on the second sensing information.

[0297] As an example, the first information of the perceived target includes the first location information of the perceived target, and the second information of the perceived target includes the second location information of the perceived target.

[0298] S1304, the SF network element sends third sensing information and fourth sensing information to the network device. The third sensing information indicates the first information of the sensing target, and the fourth sensing information indicates the second information of the sensing target. Correspondingly, the network device receives the third sensing information and fourth sensing information from the SF network element.

[0299] S1305, the network device determines the third information of the sensing target based on the third sensing information and the fourth sensing information.

[0300] In this step, the network device can perform perception calculation based on the third and fourth perception information. For example, the network device can fuse the third and fourth perception information to obtain the third information of the perception target.

[0301] The third information about a perceived target can include one or more of the following: the target's absolute position, its velocity, or its trajectory. As an example, if the third information is the perceived result, based on the three types of perception-related data mentioned above, it can specifically include the target's distance, velocity, orientation, acceleration, position, trajectory, etc.

[0302] In some implementations, network devices can also report third-party information about the perceived target to the SF network element.

[0303] In this embodiment, during the service settlement phase, the network device processes and obtains the final sensing result itself. The network device can obtain the sensing result more conveniently, eliminating the process of forwarding by the SF network element, and enabling the network device to apply the sensing service more flexibly.

[0304] When a terminal device participates in a sensing task, the sensing range of a single terminal device is limited. As can be seen from the embodiment shown in Figure 13, when multiple terminal devices participate in a sensing task, the network device can also perform analysis and processing based on the third and fourth sensing information, and consider the connection between the sensing information associated with multiple terminal devices, thereby improving the sensing accuracy.

[0305] It should be noted that the service establishment stage, perception execution stage, and service settlement stage involved in the above embodiments of this application are used to illustrate the perception task process. The main purpose is to more clearly describe the various steps of the communication method proposed in this application, and does not represent that the above stage division actually exists in the perception task process.

[0306] Figures 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first network element or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be the first network element or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 11, or it can be a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the first network element or network device, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the first network element or network device.

[0307] Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the communication device 1400 includes a processing module 1410 and a transceiver module 1420.

[0308] The transceiver module 1420 can implement corresponding communication functions and can also be referred to as an input / output interface or communication unit. The processing module 1410 can be used to perform processing operations. It should be understood that if the device 1400 is a component configured in a network device or a first network element, such as a chip, the transceiver module 1420 can be an input / output interface.

[0309] Optionally, the transceiver module 1420 may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module is used to perform the transmitting operation of the network device or the first network element in Figures 5 to 11, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation of the network device or the first network element in Figures 5 to 11.

[0310] It should be understood that when the device 1400 is a component configured in a network device or a first network element, such as a chip, the transmitting module can be an output interface, and the transmitting operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the output interface; the receiving module can be an input interface, and the receiving operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the input interface.

[0311] Optionally, the device 1400 may further include a storage module for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1410 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 11.

[0312] In another possible design, the device 1400 can be used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 11. Alternatively, the device 1400 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 11. This unit can be implemented wholly or partially by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0313] When device 1400 is used to implement the function of network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5, transceiver module 1420 (specifically, it can be a sending module) can be used to execute step S502 in FIG5 to send first signaling to the first network element; processing module 1410 can be used to execute step S501 in FIG5 to determine first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with the first terminal device.

[0314] A more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing module 1410 and transceiver module 1420 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0315] It should be noted that the transceiver module can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device, etc. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device or network device side in the above method. The device in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be considered as the receiving module, and the device in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be considered as the sending module; that is, the transceiver module includes both a receiving module and a sending module.

[0316] In another possible design, the aforementioned transceiver module and / or processing module can be implemented using virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices, and the transceiver module can also be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices. In another possible design, the processing module or transceiver module can also be implemented using physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0317] It should be understood that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0318] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The device 1500 shown in Figure 15 can be used to perform any of the methods described above that are executed by the communication device.

[0319] As shown in Figure 15, the device 1500 of this embodiment includes: a memory 1501, a processor 1502, a communication interface 1503, and a bus 1504. The memory 1501, the processor 1502, and the communication interface 1503 are interconnected via the bus 1504.

[0320] The memory 1501 may be a read-only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1501 may store programs, and when the program stored in the memory 1501 is executed by the processor 1502, the processor 1502 performs any of the aforementioned methods.

[0321] The processor 1502 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit, or one or more integrated circuits for executing relevant programs.

[0322] The processor 1502 can also be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the various related steps in the embodiments of this application can be completed through the integrated logic circuitry in the hardware of the processor 1502 or through software instructions.

[0323] The processor 1502 described above can also be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0324] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory 1501. Processor 1502 reads information from memory 1501 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the functions required by the units included in the device of this application.

[0325] The communication interface 1503 can use, but is not limited to, transceivers to enable communication between the device 1500 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0326] Bus 1504 may include a pathway for transmitting information between various components of device 1500 (e.g., memory 1501, processor 1502, communication interface 1503).

[0327] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the methods described above.

[0328] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the various steps in the methods described above.

[0329] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more microprocessors, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Furthermore, when a module is implemented by a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. Moreover, these modules can be integrated together to implement a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0330] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, software modules, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A 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 flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is 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, 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., a solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0331] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and intent of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0332] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Determine the first sensing information, which is associated with the first terminal device; Send a first signaling message to the first network element, wherein the first signaling message is a common signaling message including the first sensing information; or, The first sensing information is sent to the first network element through the first tunnel, where the first tunnel is a public tunnel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device; or, The step of sending the first sensing information to the first network element through the first tunnel includes: The first sensing information and the first identification information are sent to the first network element through the first tunnel.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the Quality of Service flow, identification information of the Next Generation Application Protocol (NGAP), identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Before determining the first perceived information, the method further includes: Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating the first identification information; or, Send a second indication message, which indicates the first identification information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, When the first signaling is sent to the first network element, the first network element is an access and mobility management function network element or a sensing function network element; or, When the first sensing information is sent to the first network element through the first tunnel, the first network element is a user plane function network element or a sensing function network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the second sensing information, which is associated with the second terminal device; Send a first signaling message to the first network element, the first signaling message including the second sensing information; or, The second sensing information is sent to the first network element through the first tunnel.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first signaling message, wherein the first signaling message is a public signaling message including first sensing information, and the first sensing information is associated with a first terminal device; Send a second signaling message to the sensing function network element. The second signaling message is a common signaling message that includes the first sensing signaling message.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first signaling also includes first identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device; The second signaling also includes second identification information, which is identification information associated with the first terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first identification information includes at least one of the following: NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device; The second identification information includes at least one of the following: a permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device, or identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Before receiving the first signaling, the method further includes: Send a first indication message, the first indication message indicating the first identification information; and / or, Send a third indication message, which indicates the second identification information.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: First sensing information is received through a first tunnel, which is a public tunnel, and the first sensing information is associated with a first terminal device. The first sensing information is sent to the sensing function network element through a second tunnel, which is a public tunnel.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, Receiving the first sensing information through the first tunnel includes: The first sensing information and the first identification information are received through the first tunnel, wherein the first identification information is identification information associated with the first terminal device; The step of sending the first sensing information to the sensing function network element through the second tunnel includes: The first sensing information and the second identification information are sent to the sensing function network element through the second tunnel. The second identification information is the identification information associated with the first terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the quality of service flow, NGAP identification information, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, or session identification information; The second identification information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the quality of service flow, identification information assigned to the first terminal device by a core network element or network device, session identification information, or a permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, Before receiving the first signaling, the method further includes: Receive a fourth indication message, which indicates the NGAP identification information associated with the first terminal device.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first identification information includes the NGAP identification information of the first terminal device, and the second identification information includes the permanent identity identifier of the first terminal device.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a functional module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or includes a functional module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11, or includes a functional module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 12 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and memory; The memory stores computer-executed instructions; The processor executes computer execution instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or any one of claims 7 to 11, or any one of claims 12 to 16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or any one of claims 7 to 11, or any one of claims 12 to 16.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or any one of claims 7 to 11, or any one of claims 12 to 16.

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