Measurement method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application is a measurement method, the method comprising: a first communication apparatus transmitting first configuration information to a second communication apparatus, wherein the first configuration information comprises an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and the association relationship is used for indicating that the second communication apparatus transmits the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal; the first communication apparatus transmitting the first reference signal; the first communication apparatus receiving the second reference signal from the second communication apparatus, wherein a first moment at which the second communication apparatus transmits the second reference signal is determined on the basis of a second moment, and the second moment is a moment at which the second communication apparatus receives the first reference signal; and on the basis of the first configuration information, a third moment and a fourth moment, the first communication apparatus determining a measurement result, wherein the third moment is a moment at which the first reference signal is transmitted, and the fourth moment is a moment at which the second reference signal is received. In this way, strict time synchronization between two parties is not required during measurement, thereby improving the accuracy of sensing measurement

Description

A measurement method and related apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202410856800.7 filed on June 27, 2024, and entitled "A measurement method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a measurement method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of wireless technology, more and more smart devices, including industrial instruments, cars, sensors, and home facilities, are connected and communicate with each other. With the help of advanced integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems, not only can information be exchanged, but also the position information of user equipment (UE) or environmental targets can be determined by measuring reference signals, thereby providing high-precision positioning and navigation services for users or reconstructing the environment.

[0004] Currently, round trip time (RTT) measurement is a commonly used measurement method because it does not require strict clock synchronization. By measuring the time of flight (TOF) of a reference signal transmitted between two devices, and then multiplying the TOF by the speed of light, the distance between the devices can be calculated.

[0005] However, in order to improve measurement accuracy and reduce environmental interference and other factors, multiple reference signals need to be sent for measurement during the execution of the measurement task by the device. For example, in the sensing mode of base station to UE reception, how the UE should select a suitable downlink sensing reference signal as a time reference to ensure accurate transmission of the uplink reference signal is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. SUMMARY

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a measurement method and related apparatus for determining the transmission time of a sensing reference signal to improve sensing measurement accuracy when performing sensing measurement. The present application also provides corresponding apparatuses, computer-readable storage media, and computer program products, etc.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a measurement method, which comprises:

[0008] Firstly, the first communication device sends first configuration information to the second communication device, the first configuration information comprising an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal; then, the first communication device sends the first reference signal; next, the first communication device receives the second reference signal from the second communication device, the first time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal being determined based on a second time, the second time being the time at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal; after the first communication device receives the second reference signal, a measurement result is determined according to the first configuration information, a third time and a fourth time, the third time being the time at which the first reference signal is sent, and the fourth time being the time at which the second reference signal is received.

[0009] In the present application, the first communication device and the second communication device can both be sensing measurement nodes, such as a receiving end or a transmitting end of a sensing signal, and can both be an access network device, a terminal device, or a chip in the access network device or a chip in the terminal device, or other forms of devices.

[0010] In the present application, before performing sensing measurement, the second communication device reports capability information to the first communication device, the capability information indicating whether the second communication device has the capability to perform sensing RTT measurement, i.e., whether the second communication device can adjust the sending time of the second reference signal in response to the measurement result of the first reference signal after receiving the first reference signal sent by the first communication device.

[0011] By way of example, the first communication device and the second communication device are an access network device and a terminal device, respectively. The first reference signal is a downlink sensing reference signal, and the second reference signal is an uplink sensing reference signal.

[0012] By way of example, when performing sensing measurement, the access network device determines available downlink sensing reference signal resources, sends configuration information of the downlink sensing reference signal (i.e., configuration information of the first reference signal) to the terminal device, and determines available uplink sensing reference signal resources, and sends configuration information of the uplink sensing reference signal (i.e., configuration information of the second reference signal) to the terminal device. The configuration information of the first reference signal comprises an identification ID of the first reference signal, and the configuration information of the second reference signal comprises an identification ID of the second reference signal.

[0013] In the present application, there are multiple implementation methods for the first communication device to send the first configuration information, which will be introduced as follows:

[0014] Optionally, the first configuration information is carried in configuration information of the first reference signal, or is carried in configuration information of the second reference signal, or is first configuration information as separate configuration information. The association relationship between the first reference signal and the second reference signal can be included in the configuration information of the first reference signal, specifically, an ID of the second reference signal is carried in the configuration information of the first reference signal; or can be included in the configuration information of the second reference signal, specifically, an ID of the first reference signal is carried in the configuration information of the second reference signal; or the first communication device sends separate association configuration information to the second communication device, and the association configuration information carries the ID of the first reference signal and the ID of the second reference signal.

[0015] In the present application, after obtaining the association relationship, the second communication device identifies the first reference signal according to the configuration information, and takes a time of arrival (ToA) of the reference signal as a reference of a sending time of the second reference signal.

[0016] By using the above method, the second communication device can determine to take the ToA of the first reference signal as a reference of the sending time of the second reference signal according to the association relationship between the first reference signal and the second reference signal, and send a second sensing reference signal in response, without the need for strict time synchronization between the first communication device and the second communication device, thereby improving flexibility and accuracy of RTT measurement.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes timing reference indication information, and the timing reference indication information is used to indicate the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals.

[0018] In the present application, when performing a measurement task, the first communication device can need to send multiple reference signals for continuous measurement. By using the above method, the second communication device determines the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the first reference signal.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes first time information; and the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time information.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a first time length, and the first time length is a time difference between the first time and the second time.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a fifth time and a third time, the fifth time is a time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal, the first time is after the fifth time, and a time difference between the first time and the fifth time is a time difference between the second time and the third time.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the measurement result is a time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0023] In the present application, two possible implementations of the first time information are described. In the first implementation, the first time length, i.e., the time alignment (TA) of the second time at which the first reference signal is received, or the offset, is sent. In the second implementation, the fifth time and the third time are sent. The fifth time indicates the time at which the second communication device sends the uplink sensing reference signal. After the ToA (the second time) of the first communication device is measured, the second communication device adds the time difference between the second time and the third time to the fifth time.

[0024] In the present application, the time sequence is as follows:

[0025] The third time at which the first communication device sends the first reference signal is T0.

[0026] The second time at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal is T1.

[0027] The fifth time at which the first communication device indicates the time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal is T2.

[0028] The first time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal is T3.

[0029] The fourth time at which the first communication device receives the second reference signal is T4.

[0030] In the present application, after the first communication device receives the second reference signal, the measurement result TOF is calculated according to T4 and T0, in combination with TA or T2. In the first implementation, the TOF calculation formula is In the second implementation, the TOF calculation formula is

[0031] By using the above method, the first communication device does not need to receive the feedback of the time difference between the transmission and reception or the ToA of the first reference signal when calculating the TOF, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration message.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

[0034] In the present application, the connection reconfiguration message belongs to a radio resource control (RRC) type message. The first message is a message type proposed in the present application, and is specially used for instructing the second communication device to perform RTT measurement. The first message includes configuration of uplink and downlink resources and timing reference indication information.

[0035] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a measurement method, which includes:

[0036] The second communication device receives first configuration information from the first communication device, the first configuration information including an association relationship of a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal;

[0037] The second communication device receives the first reference signal from the first communication device;

[0038] The second communication device determines the second reference signal according to the association relationship and the first reference signal;

[0039] The second communication device sends the second reference signal, a first time point at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal being determined based on a second time point, the second time point being a time point at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal, and the second reference signal being used by the first communication device to determine a measurement result.

[0040] In the present application, the first communication device and the second communication device can be sensing measurement nodes, such as receiving ends or transmitting ends of sensing signals. The first communication device and the second communication device can be access network devices, terminal devices, chips in the access network devices, chips in the terminal devices, or other forms of devices.

[0041] In the present application, before performing sensing measurement, the second communication device reports capability information to the first communication device, the capability information indicating whether the second communication device has the capability of performing sensing RTT measurement, i.e., whether the second communication device can adjust a sending time of a response second reference signal based on a measurement result of the first reference signal after receiving the first reference signal sent by the first communication device.

[0042] For example, the first communication device and the second communication device are an access network device and a terminal device respectively. The first reference signal is a downlink sensing reference signal, and the second reference signal is an uplink sensing reference signal.

[0043] There are various methods for the first communication device to send the first configuration information, which can be referred to the description in the first aspect, and will not be described here.

[0044] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes timing reference indication information, and the timing reference indication information is used to instruct the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals.

[0045] In the present application, the first communication device may need to send multiple reference signals for continuous measurement when performing the measurement task. By using the above method, the second communication device determines the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the first reference signal.

[0046] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes first time information, and the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time information.

[0047] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a first time length, and the first time length is a time difference between the first time and the second time.

[0048] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a fifth time and a third time, the fifth time is a time point at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal, the third time is a time point at which the first communication device sends the first reference signal, the first time is after the fifth time, and a time difference between the first time and the fifth time is a time difference between the second time and the third time.

[0049] In a possible implementation manner, the measurement result is a time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0050] In the present application, two possible implementation manners of the first time information are described above. In the first scheme, a first time length, i.e., a TA of the second time at which the first reference signal is received, or an offset, is sent. In the second scheme, the fifth time and the third time are sent, the fifth time is a time point at which the second communication device sends an uplink sensing reference signal, and the second communication device adds a time difference between the second time and the third time to the fifth time after measuring the ToA (the second time) of the first communication device.

[0051] The calculation formula of the TOF can be referred to the description in the first aspect, and will not be described here again.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration message.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information is carried in a first message, and the first message is used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

[0054] In the present application, the connection reconfiguration message belongs to the RRC type message. The first message is a message type proposed in the present application, and is specially used for instructing the second communication device to perform RTT measurement. The first message includes the configuration of the uplink and downlink resources and the timing reference indication information.

[0055] The third aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can be the first communication device, comprising a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0056] The transceiver module is configured to send first configuration information to the second communication device, wherein the first configuration information includes the association relationship between the first reference signal and the second reference signal, and the association relationship is used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal.

[0057] The transceiver module is further configured to send the first reference signal.

[0058] The transceiver module is further configured to receive the second reference signal from the second communication device, wherein the first time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal is determined based on the second time, and the second time is the time at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal.

[0059] The processing module is configured to determine a measurement result based on the first configuration information, the third time and the fourth time, wherein the third time is the time at which the first reference signal is sent, and the fourth time is the time at which the second reference signal is received.

[0060] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes timing reference indication information, and the timing reference indication information is used to instruct the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals.

[0061] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information further includes first time information, and the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time information.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a first time length, and the first time length is the time difference between the first time and the second time.

[0063] In a possible implementation manner, the first time information includes a fifth time and a third time, the fifth time is the time at which the second communication device is instructed to send the second reference signal, the first time is after the fifth time, and the time difference between the first time and the fifth time is the time difference between the second time and the third time.

[0064] In a possible implementation manner, the measurement result is the time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0065] In a possible implementation manner, the first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration message.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is carried in a first packet, and the first packet is used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

[0067] The fourth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can be the second communication device, comprising a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0068] The transceiver module is configured to receive first configuration information from the first communication device, the first configuration information comprising an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal.

[0069] The transceiver module is further configured to receive the first reference signal from the first communication device.

[0070] The processing module is configured to determine the second reference signal according to the association relationship and the first reference signal.

[0071] The transceiver module is configured to send the second reference signal, a first time point at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal being determined based on a second time point at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal, the second reference signal being used by the first communication device to determine a measurement result.

[0072] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information further comprises timing reference indication information, the timing reference indication information being used to instruct the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from a plurality of received reference signals.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information further comprises first time information, and the first time point is determined based on the second time point and the first time information.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the first time information comprises a first time length, the first time length being a time difference between the first time point and the second time point.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the first time information comprises a fifth time point and a third time point, the fifth time point being a time point at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal, the third time point being a time point at which the first communication device sends the first reference signal, the first time point being after the fifth time point, and a time difference between the first time point and the fifth time point being a time difference between the second time point and the third time point.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the measurement result is a time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0077] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration packet.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the first configuration information is carried in a first packet, and the first packet is used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

[0079] The fifth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which comprises a processor. The processor is configured to invoke and run a computer program stored in a memory, so that the processor implements the method described in the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0080] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a transceiver, and the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transceive signals.

[0081] Optionally, the communication device comprises a memory, and the memory stores the computer program.

[0082] The communication device of the fifth aspect can be a device or a chip (system) in a device.

[0083] The sixth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which comprises a processor. The processor is configured to invoke and run a computer program stored in a memory, so that the processor implements the method described in the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0084] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a transceiver, and the processor is further configured to control the transceiver to transceive signals.

[0085] Optionally, the communication device comprises a memory, and the memory stores the computer program.

[0086] The communication device of the sixth aspect can be a device or a chip (system) in a device.

[0087] The seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can be the first communication device, or a module or unit (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit) in the first communication device, which is used to perform the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect.

[0088] The eighth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can be the second communication device, or a module or unit (for example, a chip or a chip system or a circuit) in the second communication device, which is used to perform the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect.

[0089] The ninth aspect of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which comprises computer instructions, when the computer instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method described in the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0090] The tenth aspect of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium comprising computer instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0091] The eleventh aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0092] The twelfth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0093] The thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a chip device comprising a processor configured to invoke a program stored in a memory to cause the processor to perform the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0094] Optionally, the memory is located inside or outside the chip device.

[0095] The fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a chip device comprising a processor configured to invoke a program stored in a memory to cause the processor to perform the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0096] Optionally, the memory is located inside or outside the chip device.

[0097] The fifteenth aspect of the present application provides a communication system comprising a first communication device configured to perform the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect, and a second communication device configured to perform the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect.

[0098] The technical effects brought by the third aspect or any of the implementation manners of the third aspect, the fifth aspect, the seventh aspect, the ninth aspect, the eleventh aspect, the thirteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or any of the implementation manners of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0099] The technical effects brought by the fourth aspect or any of the implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the sixth aspect, the eighth aspect, the tenth aspect, the twelfth aspect or the fourteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects brought by the second aspect or any of the implementation manners of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0100] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort on the basis of these drawings.

[0101] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of an example of a perception network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 1B is another schematic diagram of an example of a perception network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an O-RAN architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a measurement method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of an example of configuration information transmission provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG. 4B is another schematic diagram of an example of configuration information transmission provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG. 4C is another schematic diagram of an example of configuration information transmission provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG. 5 is another flowchart of a measurement method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG. 6 is another flowchart of a measurement method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a measurement method provided by an embodiment of the present application under an O-RAN architecture;

[0111] FIG. 8 is another flowchart of a measurement method provided by an embodiment of the present application under an O-RAN architecture;

[0112] FIG. 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG. 10 is another structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0114] FIG. 11 is another structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG. 12 is another structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0116] With reference to the drawings and the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0117] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and the like in the description and claims of the present application and above drawings, if any, are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily indicate a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data thus used can be interchanged, where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be carried out in other than the order shown or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or communication device including a list of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or communication devices.

[0118] The embodiments of the present application provide a measurement method for determining the sending time of a sensing reference signal when performing sensing measurement, thereby improving the sensing measurement accuracy. The present application also provides corresponding devices, computer readable storage media and computer program products, etc. The following will be described in detail.

[0119] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as satellite communication, 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), mobile communication system after 5G network (for example, 6G mobile communication system), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, etc.

[0120] The communication system has stronger communication capability and sensing capability, and is an integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) communication system. The integrated sensing and communication communication system refers to a communication system that can communicate through a communication signal (the communication signal can also be described as a communication channel) and can also perform sensing measurement through a sensing signal (the sensing signal can also be described as a sensing channel).

[0121] In the present application, sensing refers to sensing the surrounding environment and detecting targets by using the transmission, reflection, and scattering of radio waves (radio frequency signals), for example, sensing other vehicles or objects around the vehicle through sensing signals in vehicle networking, and imaging targets (tangible objects such as buildings and vehicles) in the environment by using sensing signals in an imaging system. Of course, the communication system of the present application can also be an industrial automation system and other communication systems that involve sensing.

[0122] For ease of understanding, the technical terms related to the embodiments of the present application are briefly introduced as follows:

[0123] (1) Sensing measurement node:

[0124] The communication device for sensing measurement can include a transmission (Tx) end, a receiving (Rx) end, or a transceiver integrated communication device.

[0125] (2) Reference signal (RS):

[0126] In the present application, RS refers to a radio frequency signal used to implement sensing measurement functions or positioning. The RS can be a sensing reference signal (SRS), a positioning reference signal (PRS), or a sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. The RS can be transmitted in the form of a beam.

[0127] (3) Report-free sidelink round trip time (Report-free SL RTT):

[0128] A two-way ranging technique is used to measure the time of flight of a reference signal to and from a base station (or terminal device) and a tag (or terminal device) to calculate the distance. Taking the measurement of a base station and a terminal device as an example, the time of flight (TOF) between the base station and the terminal device is calculated, which can follow the following steps:

[0129] 1) The base station sends a signal to the terminal device and records the sending time t1.

[0130] 2) After receiving the signal, the terminal device records the receiving time t2, sends a reply signal to the base station, and records the sending time t3.

[0131] 3) The base station receives the reply signal from the terminal device and records the receiving time t4.

[0132] Unlike the traditional RTT measurement technique, in the Report-free SL RTT technique, the time difference between the reference signals in the round trip is a fixed time difference, which can avoid carrying the terminal device transmission time difference, i.e., the time difference between t2 and t3, in the reply signal. In this way, the resource overhead in the positioning process can be saved.

[0133] Among them, since RTT is two-way ranging, the time from the base station to the terminal device and the time from the terminal device back to the base station, as well as the delay time difference between the terminal device sending the reply signal and receiving the reference signal, need to be considered. The one-way flight time of the reference signal is half of the round-trip time. Therefore And the time difference Δt = t3-t2 is fixed, and t1 and t4 are two time points recorded at the base station side, so the base station can directly calculate the TOF without additional information.

[0134] The sensing measurement scenario can be understood with reference to FIG. 1A. The sensing network architecture on which the measurement method in the embodiments of the present application is based is briefly described below.

[0135] In the architecture shown in FIG. 1A, a sensing function (SF) network element is added. The SF can be a device or component that provides sensing functions for the network, and can also be referred to as a sensing management function (SMF), or can have other names. The SF can be deployed on the core network side or the RAN side. FIG. 1A takes the example of deployment on the core network side. The SF and the location management function (LMF) can also be deployed together, i.e., sensing and positioning are in the same network element. The SF can also be a network element in the RAN. The LMF is a core network element in the 5G core network (5G core network, 5GC), and is responsible for providing location services on the control plane, including location information calculation and feedback, positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, assistance data distribution, and terminal position estimation. In particular, the core capabilities of this network element include support for UE location calculation, obtaining downlink location measurements or position estimates from the UE, and obtaining uplink location measurements from the NG RAN.

[0136] In this application, the SF can fully utilize and reuse the interfaces between the LMF and the access and mobility management function (AMF), network capability exposure function (network exposure function, NEF), unified data management (unified data management, UDM), network data analysis function (network data analytics function, NWDAF), and policy control function (policy control function, PCF) and other core components to achieve efficient sensing interaction. Among them, the sensing control signaling between the LMF (including the SF) and the radio access network (radio access network, RAN) or the UE is transmitted through the AMF. At the same time, the sensing measurement data obtained by the RAN / UE can be transmitted to the LMF (including the SF) through the control plane, using the LTE positioning protocol (LTE positioning protocol, LPP) or NR positioning protocol annex (NR positioning protocol annex, NRPPa) for transmission, or through the user plane transmission method, using the user plane function (user plane function, UPF) forwarding or directly transmitting to the LMF (including the SF).

[0137] In this application, the newly added SF network element can be independently deployed or deployed with the 5GC network element (such as AMF or LMF, etc.), or the SF network element can be located in the RAN. This network element can realize the basic functions of sensing, such as sensing authorization, sensing control, sensing measurement data processing and result output, etc. If the sensing function is combined with the LMF, the LMF and the gateway mobile location center (GMLC) need to be functionally enhanced to support the basic functions of sensing, wherein the GMLC is the first network element in the operator network to process the sensing request, perform privacy check or authorization function, route the sensing request to the AMF, perform LMF selection, etc.

[0138] The sensing network element sets up interfaces with the 5GC network elements such as AMF, NEF, UDM, NWDAF, PCF, LMF and UPF, and interacts with them, including NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4, NS5, NS6, NS7. These NS interfaces provide comprehensive communication and cooperation capabilities for the sensing network element in the 5G network, support the needs of sensing services in the control plane, user plane, location information acquisition, AI processing, authentication and authorization, and policy making, etc., and provide key technical support for the intelligentization of 5G network.

[0139] In addition to the above-mentioned new interfaces, existing interfaces (such as N1, N2, N5, N8, N33, etc.) need to support the transmission of sensing service related information, such as authentication information, sensing service type, sensing service quality requirement, sensing measurement data, sensing result, etc.

[0140] If the sensing function is combined with the LMF, a new interface is needed between the LMF and the GMLC to transmit sensing service related information. The interfaces related to the LMF and the GMLC (such as the NL1 interface between the AMF and the LMF, the NL2 interface between the AMF and the GMLC, the NL5 interface between the NEF and the GMLC, the NL6 interface between the UDM and the GMLC, etc.) also need to support the transmission of sensing service related information, and a new NL9 interface is added between the LMF and the GMLC.

[0141] In addition, the sensing network architecture can also be understood with reference to FIG. 1B.

[0142] The perception function in the architecture is relatively independent of the existing 5GC, and the perception network element SF does not need to interact with the 5GC or only performs less interaction. For scenarios where there is only a specific area of perception demand or only a perception demand, the architecture can provide perception services without the need for 5GC control or only with partial network element participation in control, and can also achieve that the perception measurement data or perception results do not go out of the park through local deployment of SF, thereby meeting the needs of enterprises for the security and privacy of perception measurement data or perception results, and also reducing the perception latency. The architecture is simple, flexible and efficient, has fewer transmission nodes, is easy to deploy, and can optionally support UE-related perception needs, and consider implementation schemes for authorization, mobility management and billing functions as needed.

[0143] In the architecture, the SF directly establishes a connection with the RAN node, and the perception control plane signaling messages and the perception measurement data are transmitted through the newly defined interface NS1. When the UE participates in perception, the control plane signaling messages are forwarded to the SF through the AMF, and the perception measurement data is transmitted through NS1. In addition, the SF can also have interfaces with the 5GC network elements AMF, NEF or NWDAF to control the AF to provide the perception service demand to the SF through the core network function.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 2, the overall system architecture of O-RAN is shown. Compared with the traditional RAN architecture, O-RAN defines the architecture relationship and interface standardization between various modules inside the RAN. A RAN can be disassembled into multiple modules, and because of the interface standardization, modules from different manufacturers can be spliced together. For O-RAN, for example, an antenna from company A, a RRU from company B, and a BBU from company C can be purchased and assembled into a RAN device. For the O-RAN architecture diagram of FIG. 1A, combined with the ETSI TS103 859 protocol, the main network elements included are: a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC), a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC), an O-RAN central unit (O-CU), an O-RAN central unit control plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU), an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU), and an O-RAN cloud (O-Cloud). Under the O-RAN architecture, the network element with sensing function can be the RT RIC, and the O-DU completes the multipath measurement and reports the measurement result to the RT RIC. The network element with sensing function can also be the O-CU, which receives the multipath measurement result reported by the O-DU and completes the sensing calculation.

[0145] The terminal device and the access network device of the present application are described below.

[0146] The terminal device can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving access network device scheduling and indication information. The wireless terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, or a device with sensing function.

[0147] A terminal device, also referred to as a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device including a wireless communication function and / or a sensing function (providing voice or data connectivity to a user), such as a handheld device having wireless connection function or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. Currently, some examples of the terminal device are a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a drone, a wireless modem, a handset, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in Internet of Vehicles, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, or a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. For example, the wireless terminal in Internet of Vehicles can be a vehicle-mounted device, a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle, etc. The wireless terminal in industrial control can be a camera, a robot, etc. The wireless terminal in smart home can be a television, an air conditioner, a sweeping machine, a sound box, a set-top box, etc.

[0148] An access network device is a device deployed in a wireless access network to provide a terminal device with a wireless communication function and / or a sensing function. For example, the access network device can be a radio access network (RAN) node to access a wireless network for a terminal device. The access network device can also be a device deployed in a wireless access network to communicate with other access network devices, and to provide a wireless communication function and / or a sensing function between the access network devices.

[0149] The access network device includes, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (for example, a home evolved NodeB, or a home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), and the like, and can also be an access network device in a 5G mobile communication system. For example, a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a new radio (NR) system, a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP); or one or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system; or the access network device can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point. For example, a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), and the like.

[0150] In some deployments, a gNB can comprise various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices. The gNB can also be a transmission and reception point (TRP), a transmission measurement function (TMF). The gNB can include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB can also include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements part of the functions of the gNB, and the DU implements part of the functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, implementing radio resource control (RRC), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer functions. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, implementing radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer and physical (PHY) layer functions. The AAU implements part of the physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing and related functions of the active antenna. The information of the RRC layer will eventually become the information of the PHY layer, or be converted from the information of the PHY layer. Therefore, under this architecture, high-layer signaling (such as RRC layer signaling) can also be considered as being sent by the DU, or being sent by the DU and the AAU. It can be understood that the access network device can be a device comprising one or more of the CU node, the DU node, and the AAU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into an access network device in the radio access network (RAN), or the CU can be divided into an access network device in the core network (CN), which is not limited in the present application.

[0151] The application scenario of the scheme of the present application is introduced above, and the measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced below in combination with the interaction process of the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 3, the measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises:

[0153] 301. The first communication device sends first configuration information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first configuration information from the first communication device.

[0154] In the present application, the first communication device needs to perform sensing measurement on the second communication device. Both the first communication device and the second communication device can be an access network device, a terminal device, or a chip in the access network device, or a chip in the terminal device.

[0155] Exemplarily, the sensing measurement is the collection of sensing measurement related data by the sensing network element SF through the RAN or the UE.

[0156] Exemplarily, the SF network element interacts with the AF network element to control the configuration of the sensing area by sending and receiving sensing function start requests. Further, the SF network element also communicates with the access and AMF network elements and the RAN nodes to ensure sensing within the correct area and accurately deliver data to the required place.

[0157] In the present application, before step 301, there can be step 300: the second communication device sends capability information to the first communication device. The capability information indicates whether the second communication device has the capability to perform sensing RTT measurement, i.e., whether the second communication device can adjust the transmission time of the second reference signal in response to the first reference signal after receiving the first reference signal sent by the first communication device.

[0158] In the present application, when performing sensing measurement, the first communication device first determines the available sensing reference signal resource, generates the first configuration information including the association relationship between the first reference signal and the second reference signal, and then sends the first configuration information to the second communication device. The association relationship indicates that the second communication device sends the second reference signal as the response signal of the first reference signal after receiving the first reference signal.

[0159] Specifically, the first configuration information includes the indication information of the first reference signal and the indication information of the second reference signal. The indication information of the first reference signal includes the ID of the first reference signal, and the indication information of the second reference signal includes the ID of the second reference signal.

[0160] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes timing reference indication information, which is used to indicate the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from the received multiple reference signals. Specifically, when the first communication device sends multiple sensing reference signals to the second communication device, the second communication device can determine the ToA of the first reference signal as the timing reference according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the first reference signal.

[0161] Optionally, the first configuration information further includes first time information, which is used to indicate the second communication device to determine the transmission time of the second reference signal.

[0162] In the present application, the signal carrying the first configuration information has multiple optional schemes, which are described in detail below.

[0163] Next, taking the sensing mode of a base station (BS) receiving a UE as an example, the first communication device is the BS, and the second communication device is the UE. Correspondingly, the first reference signal sent by the BS to the UE is a downlink reference signal RS1, and the second reference signal sent by the UE to the BS is an uplink reference signal RS2.

[0164] Among them, the specific implementation includes:

[0165] I. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first configuration information is carried in the configuration information of RS1 and the configuration information of RS2, respectively.

[0166] Step 401a: The BS sends the "downlink RS1 configuration information" to the UE.

[0167] Specifically, the "downlink RS1 configuration information" includes timing reference indication information.

[0168] Specifically, the "downlink RS1 configuration information" includes the resource configuration information of RS1, such as the identification ID of RS1.

[0169] Step 402a: The BS sends the "uplink RS2 configuration information" to the UE.

[0170] Specifically, the "uplink RS2 configuration information" includes the transmission time related information of the uplink sensing reference signal, i.e., the first time information.

[0171] Specifically, the "uplink RS2 configuration information" includes the resource configuration information of RS2, such as the identification ID of RS2.

[0172] Exemplarily, the "downlink RS1 configuration information" and the "uplink RS2 configuration information" are both carried in the connection reconfiguration message of the radio resource control (RRC).

[0173] And for the association relationship of RS1 and RS2, the present application has multiple implementation manners:

[0174] Optionally, the ID of RS2 can be carried in the "downlink RS1 configuration information".

[0175] Optionally, the ID of RS1 can be carried in the "uplink RS2 configuration information".

[0176] Optionally, step 403a is performed: the BS sends the UE separate association configuration information, which carries the ID of RS1 and the ID of RS2.

[0177] II. As shown in FIG. 4B, the first configuration information is carried in the configuration information of RS1, and only the downlink RS1 configuration information is sent.

[0178] Step 401b: the BS sends the UE the "downlink RS1 configuration information".

[0179] Specifically, the "downlink RS1 configuration information" includes the aforementioned timing reference indication information and the first time information, and the resource configuration information of RS2, the specific content of which has been described in the foregoing method embodiments, and thus is not described here again for brevity.

[0180] It should be understood that the second implementation can also carry the first configuration information in the configuration information of RS2, and only send the uplink RS2 configuration information.

[0181] In the embodiments of the present application, the content in the configuration information of RS2 is carried in the configuration information of RS1, and the RS1 configuration information is sent; or the content in the configuration information of RS1 is carried in the configuration information of RS2, and the RS2 configuration information is sent. In this way, the signal overhead is reduced, and the association relationship between RS1 and RS2 is implicitly carried.

[0182] III. As shown in FIG. 4C, the first configuration information is respectively carried in the RTT measurement signal configuration information, and only the RTT measurement signal configuration information is sent.

[0183] Step 401c: the BS sends the UE the "RTT measurement signal configuration information".

[0184] Specifically, the "RTT measurement signal configuration information" includes the aforementioned timing reference indication information and the first time information, and the resource configuration information of RS1 and the resource configuration information of RS2, which are not described here again for brevity.

[0185] In the embodiments of the present application, the RTT measurement signal configuration information is used to instruct the UE to perform RTT measurement, and by introducing the RTT measurement signal configuration information, the association configuration of the uplink and downlink sensing signals is realized.

[0186] 302. The first communication device sends a first reference signal to a second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first reference signal from the first communication device.

[0187] Specifically, the first communication device sends the first reference signal at time T0. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first reference signal. The ToA of the first reference signal is recorded as T1. The second communication device determines T1 as the timing reference for sending the second reference signal according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the first reference signal.

[0188] 303. The second communication device sends the second reference signal to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second reference signal from the second communication device.

[0189] The second communication device determines the sending time of the second reference signal as T3 according to the first time information in the first configuration information and T1 obtained in step 302.

[0190] Specifically, the second communication device sends the second reference signal at time T3. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second reference signal and records the ToA of the second reference signal as T4.

[0191] 304. The first communication device determines the measurement result.

[0192] The first communication device determines the measurement result according to the first configuration information, T0 and T4.

[0193] For example, the measurement result is the time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device. It should be understood that the distance between the first communication device and the second communication device can be obtained by multiplying the value of TOF by the speed of light.

[0194] Specifically, according to the different first time information in the first configuration information, the embodiments of the present application provide two TOF calculation processes. Next, taking the scenario of BS perceiving UE as an example, the two TOF calculation processes are introduced respectively.

[0195] I. The first time information is a first time length TA, which is timing information specially configured for the perception reference signal.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 5, another embodiment of the measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present application includes:

[0197] 500. The UE sends UE capability information to the BS. Correspondingly, the BS receives the UE capability information from the UE.

[0198] 501. The BS sends first configuration information to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information from the BS.

[0199] The first time information contained in the first configuration information indicates the time difference TA between the time when the UE sends the uplink RS2 and the time when the downlink RS1 is received.

[0200] The content of the first configuration information in step 501 and the signal carrying the first configuration information can be understood by referring to the description of FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, which will not be repeated here.

[0201] 502. The BS sends a downlink RS1 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the downlink RS1 from the BS.

[0202] Specifically, the BS sends the downlink RS1 at T0, and the UE receives the RS1 sent by the BS and measures it, recording the ToA of the downlink RS1 as T1. The UE determines T1 as the timing reference for sending RS2 according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the downlink RS1.

[0203] 503. The UE sends RS2 to the BS. Correspondingly, the BS receives the RS2 from the UE.

[0204] The UE determines the sending time T3 of the uplink RS2 according to the TA and T1 obtained in step 502. The TA is the time difference between T3 and T1, i.e. TA=T3-T1. In general, the UE experiences a delay time of TA after receiving RS1 and then sends the uplink RS2.

[0205] Specifically, the UE sends the uplink RS2 at T3. Correspondingly, the BS receives the uplink RS2 and records the ToA of the uplink RS2 as T4.

[0206] 504. The BS calculates the time of flight.

[0207] Specifically,

[0208] The BS records the sending time T0 of the downlink RS1 and the ToA T4 of the uplink RS2, and the TA of the time calibration is configured by the BS to the UE. Since the BS has recorded all the parameters required for the calculation of TOF, the BS does not need the UE to provide the ToA T1 of RS1 or the transmission-reception time difference in the process of calculating the TOF, which can reduce the information carried by the UE in RS2.

[0209] II. The first time information is the sending time T0 of RS1 and the time T2 for sending RS2.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 6, another embodiment of the measurement method provided by the present application comprises:

[0211] 600. The UE sends UE capability information to the BS. Correspondingly, the BS receives the UE capability information from the UE.

[0212] 601. The BS sends first configuration information to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information from the BS.

[0213] The first time information contained in the first configuration information is a sending time T0 of the RS1 and a time T2 indicating sending of the uplink RS2. That is, the BS recommends the UE to send the uplink RS2 at the sending time T2, and the UE will make appropriate time adjustment according to T2 when actually sending the uplink RS2, and the specific adjustment time is the flight time T1-T0 of the downlink RS1.

[0214] 602. The BS sends the downlink RS1 to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the downlink RS1 from the BS.

[0215] Specifically, the BS sends the downlink RS1 at the time T0, and the UE records the ToA of the RS1 as T1. The UE determines T1 as the timing reference for sending the RS2 according to the timing reference indication information in the first configuration information and the ID of the RS1.

[0216] 603. The UE sends the RS2 to the BS. Correspondingly, the BS receives the RS2 from the UE.

[0217] The UE determines the sending time T3 of the uplink RS2 according to T0 and T2 and T1 obtained in step 602. Specifically, T1-T0 is superimposed on T2, that is, T3=T2+T1-T0.

[0218] Specifically, the UE sends the uplink RS2 at the time T3. Correspondingly, the BS receives the uplink RS2 and records the ToA of the uplink RS2 as T4.

[0219] 604. The BS calculates the flight time.

[0220] Specifically,

[0221] The BS records the ToA of the uplink RS2 as T4, and T2 is configured by the BS to the UE. The BS has recorded all the parameters required for the calculation of the TOF, and similarly, the embodiments of the present application can also reduce the information carried in the RS2 by the UE.

[0222] Optionally, the first communication device reports the measurement result to the SF network element.

[0223] It should be noted that the SF network element will process the collected measurement results, which may include calculating using a preset algorithm to obtain a target sensing result. The processed measurement result may be forwarded again to the AF network element through the NEF network element for use by the upper layer application.

[0224] In the embodiments of the present application, through the associated configuration of the first reference signal and the second reference signal, and the special configuration of the timing reference indication information for the first reference signal, when the first communication device sends multiple sensing reference signals, the second communication device can identify which reference signal should be used as the reference, and determine the sending time of the second reference signal of the response. This makes it unnecessary to strictly synchronize the time between the two parties when measuring, thereby improving the sensing measurement accuracy, and can reduce the feedback of the second communication device of the transmission-reception time difference or the ToA of the downlink RS, and reduce the signaling overhead.

[0225] In addition, the embodiments of the present application also provide corresponding measurement methods for the O-RAN system architecture. The core idea is similar to the foregoing embodiments. In the O-RAN system architecture, the configuration-related information in the foregoing embodiments is determined and sent by the O-CU, the configuration of the uplink sensing reference signal or the downlink sensing reference signal is implemented, or the configuration of the sensing RTT measurement signal is implemented, and the sending and receiving or measurement of the reference signal are performed by the O-DU and the UE.

[0226] As shown in FIG. 7, another embodiment of the measurement method provided by the embodiments of the present application includes:

[0227] 700. The UE sends UE capability information to the O-CU. Correspondingly, the O-CU receives the UE capability information from the UE.

[0228] 701. The O-CU sends first configuration information to the UE, and the first configuration information contains indication information of the time difference TA between the time when the UE sends the uplink RS2 and the time when the downlink RS1 is received. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information from the O-CU.

[0229] Regarding the content in the first configuration information, the association relationship between the downlink RS1 and the uplink RS2 and the timing reference indication information, and the specific form and transmission mode of the signal carrying the first configuration information can be understood by referring to the introduction of FIGS. 4A to 4C, which will not be described again here.

[0230] 702. The O-DU sends the downlink RS1 to the UE at T0. Correspondingly, the UE receives the downlink RS1 from the O-DU, and records the ToA of the downlink RS1 as T1.

[0231] 703. The UE sends RS2 to the O-DU. Correspondingly, the O-DU receives RS2 from the UE.

[0232] Similar to FIG. 5, the UE determines the sending time of the uplink RS2 as T3 according to TA and T1, TA=T3-T1. The O-DU records the ToA of the downlink RS2 as T4.

[0233] 704. The O-DU calculates the time of flight.

[0234] The process of calculating the time of flight in step 704 can be understood by referring to the description of step 504 in FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0235] As shown in FIG. 8, another embodiment of the measurement method provided by the present application includes the following steps:

[0236] 800. The UE sends UE capability information to the O-CU. Correspondingly, the O-CU receives the UE capability information from the UE.

[0237] 801. The O-CU sends first configuration information to the UE, and the first configuration information includes a sending time T0 of RS1 and an indication of a time T2 of sending uplink RS2. Correspondingly, the UE receives the first configuration information from the O-CU.

[0238] 802. The O-DU sends downlink RS1 to the UE at time T0. Correspondingly, the UE receives the downlink RS1 from the O-DU and records the ToA of the downlink RS1 as T1.

[0239] 803. The UE sends RS2 to the O-DU. Correspondingly, the O-DU receives the RS2 from the UE.

[0240] Similar to FIG. 5, the UE determines the sending time T3 of the uplink RS2 according to TA and T1, and TA = T3-T1. The O-DU records the ToA of the downlink RS2 as T4.

[0241] 804. The O-DU calculates the time of flight.

[0242] The process of calculating the time of flight in step 804 can be understood by referring to the description of step 604 in FIG. 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0243] In summary, under the O-RAN architecture, timing reference indication information is introduced for the downlink sensing signal, and special timing information is configured for the uplink sensing signal. In combination with the associated configuration of the downlink sensing signal and the uplink sensing signal, the same technical effects as the foregoing embodiments are achieved, and the measurement performance under the O-RAN architecture is improved and the signaling overhead is reduced.

[0244] The communication system and the measurement method in the embodiments of the present application are introduced above, and the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below. Please refer to FIG. 9, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 can be used to execute the steps in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 8. The communication device 900 is a first communication device, and specific details can be referred to the related description in the above method embodiments.

[0245] The communication apparatus 900 includes a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. The transceiver module 901 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 902 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver module 901 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0246] Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 can further include a storage unit, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 902 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the communication apparatus implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0247] The communication apparatus 900 can be configured to perform the actions in the foregoing method embodiments. The communication apparatus 900 can be a terminal device or an access network device, or a component or module configured to the terminal device or the access network device. The transceiver module 901 is configured to perform the receiving operations in the foregoing method embodiments, and the processing module 902 is configured to perform the processing operations in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0248] Optionally, the transceiver module 901 can include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform the sending operations in the foregoing method embodiments. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operations in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0249] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 900 can include the sending module and not include the receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 900 can include the receiving module and not include the sending module. Specifically, whether the sending module and the receiving module are included in the communication apparatus 900 can depend on whether the sending action and the receiving action are included in the foregoing scheme implemented by the communication apparatus 900.

[0250] As an example, the communication apparatus 900 serving as a first communication apparatus is configured to perform the actions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0251] The transceiver module 901 is configured to send, to a second communication apparatus, first configuration information. The first configuration information includes an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal. The association relationship is configured to indicate that the second communication apparatus sends the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal.

[0252] The transceiver module 901 is further configured to send the first reference signal.

[0253] The transceiver module 901 is further configured to receive the second reference signal from the second communication apparatus. A first time at which the second communication apparatus sends the second reference signal is determined based on a second time. The second time is a time at which the second communication apparatus receives the first reference signal.

[0254] The processing module 902 is configured to determine a measurement result according to the first configuration information, a third time, and a fourth time. The third time is a time at which the first reference signal is sent, and the fourth time is a time at which the second reference signal is received.

[0255] It should be understood that the specific process of each module performing the corresponding steps described above has been described in detail in the method embodiments described above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0256] The processing module 902 in the above embodiment can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver module 901 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver module 901 can also be referred to as a communication unit or a communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0257] Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 1000 can be used to execute the steps in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-8. The communication apparatus 1000 is a second communication apparatus, and specific details can be referred to the related description in the method embodiments described above.

[0258] The communication apparatus 1000 includes a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002. For specific module details, please refer to the related description of FIG. 9, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] As an example, the communication apparatus 1000, which is a second communication apparatus, is used to execute the actions in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0260] The transceiver module 1001 is configured to receive first configuration information from a first communication apparatus, the first configuration information including an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to indicate that the second communication apparatus transmits the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal;

[0261] The transceiver module 1001 is further configured to receive the first reference signal from the first communication apparatus.

[0262] The processing module 1002 is configured to determine the second reference signal according to the association relationship and the first reference signal.

[0263] The transceiver module 1001 is further configured to transmit the second reference signal, a first time at which the second communication apparatus transmits the second reference signal being determined based on a second time, the second time being a time at which the second communication apparatus receives the first reference signal, and the second reference signal being used by the first communication apparatus to determine a measurement result.

[0264] The embodiments of the present application also provide another communication apparatus 1100. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication apparatus 1100 includes a processor 1110 and a memory 1120. The memory 1120 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 1110 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1120, so that the method in the method embodiments described above is executed.

[0265] Optionally, the processor 1110 comprised in the communication apparatus 1100 is one or more.

[0266] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 can further comprise a memory 1120, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0267] Optionally, the memory 1120 comprised in the communication apparatus 1100 is one or more.

[0268] Optionally, the memory 1120 can be integrated with the processor 1110 or be separately arranged.

[0269] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 can further comprise a transceiver 1130, as shown in FIG. 11, which is configured to receive and / or send signals. For example, the processor 1110 is configured to control the transceiver 1130 to receive and / or send signals.

[0270] As an option, the communication apparatus 1100 is configured to implement the operations in the above method embodiments.

[0271] For example, the processor 1110 is configured to implement the operations related to processing in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver 1130 is configured to implement the operations related to receiving and / or sending in the above method embodiments.

[0272] Embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a communication apparatus 1100, which can be a terminal device or an access network device, or a chip or module in a terminal device or an access network device or a device in a core network. The communication apparatus 1100 can be configured to perform the operations in the above method embodiments.

[0273] When the communication apparatus 1100 is a communication apparatus, FIG. 12 shows a simplified structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus comprises a processor, a memory, a transceiver, wherein the memory can store computer program codes, the transceiver comprises a transmitter 1131, a receiver 1132, a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1133 and an input / output device (not shown in the figure). The processor is mainly configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the communication apparatus, execute software programs, process data of the software programs, etc. The memory is mainly configured to store software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly configured to convert baseband signals and radio frequency signals and process radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly configured to transceive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly configured to receive data input by a user and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of communication apparatuses can not have an input / output device.

[0274] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and sends a radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave through an antenna. When data is sent to the communication apparatus, the radio frequency circuit receives a radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data. For ease of illustration, only one memory, one processor, and one transceiver are shown in FIG. 12. In actual communication apparatus products, there can be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory can be independent of the processor or integrated with the processor. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0275] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit having the transceiving function can be regarded as a transceiving unit of the communication apparatus, and the processor having the processing function can be regarded as a processing unit of the communication apparatus.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus includes a processor 1110, a memory 1120, and a transceiver 1130. The processor 1110 can also be referred to as a processing unit, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. The transceiver 1130 can also be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving device, etc.

[0277] Optionally, the devices for implementing the receiving function in the transceiver 1130 can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the devices for implementing the sending function in the transceiver 1130 can be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiver 1130 includes a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiving unit, or a transceiving circuit, etc. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving unit, or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting unit, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0278] For example, in an implementation manner, the processor 1110 is configured to perform the processing actions in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3, and the transceiver 1130 is configured to perform the transceiving actions in FIG. 3. For example, the transceiver 1130 is configured to perform the transceiving operations of steps 301-303 in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3. The processor 1110 is configured to perform the processing operations of step 304 in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3.

[0279] It should be understood that FIG. 12 is merely an example and not limiting. The above communication apparatus including a transceiving unit and a processing unit can not depend on the structure shown in FIG. 12.

[0280] When the communication apparatus 1100 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processing unit integrated on the chip or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the communication apparatus in the method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the communication apparatus in the method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0281] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon computer instructions for implementing the method in the method embodiments.

[0282] For example, the computer program is executed by a computer, so that the computer can implement the method executed in the method embodiments.

[0283] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product containing instructions, which are executed by a computer to make the computer implement the method executed in the method embodiments.

[0284] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, including the access network device and the terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0285] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip device, including a processor, configured to invoke computer degrees or computer instructions stored in a memory, so that the processor executes the method in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8.

[0286] In a possible implementation manner, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8.

[0287] Optionally, the processor is coupled with the memory through an interface.

[0288] Optionally, the chip device further includes a memory, and the memory stores computer degrees or computer instructions.

[0289] The processor mentioned in any of the above can be a general central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the programs of the method in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8. The memory mentioned in any of the above can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0290] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0291] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0293] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0294] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0295] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contribution of the technical solution of this application, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or an access network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A method of measurement, characterized by, The first communication device sends first configuration information to a second communication device, the first configuration information comprising an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal; The first communication device sends the first reference signal; The first communication device receives the second reference signal from the second communication device, a first time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal being determined based on a second time, the second time being a time at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal; The first communication device determines a measurement result according to the first configuration information, a third time and a fourth time, the third time being a time at which the first reference signal is sent, and the fourth time being a time at which the second reference signal is received. The first configuration information further comprises timing reference indication information, the timing reference indication information being used to instruct the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from a plurality of received reference signals.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first configuration information further comprises first time information; the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first time information comprises a first time length, the first time length being a time difference between the first time and the second time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first time information comprises a fifth time and the third time, the fifth time being a time at which the second communication device is instructed to send the second reference signal, the first time being after the fifth time, and a time difference between the first time and the fifth time being a time difference between the second time and the third time.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The measurement result is a time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration packet.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first configuration information is carried in a first packet, the first packet being used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first communication device sends first configuration information to a second communication device, the first configuration information comprising an association relationship between a first reference signal and a second reference signal, the association relationship being used to instruct the second communication device to send the second reference signal after receiving the first reference signal; 9. A method of measurement, characterized by, The first communication device sends the first reference signal; The first communication device receives the second reference signal from the second communication device, a first time at which the second communication device sends the second reference signal being determined based on a second time, the second time being a time at which the second communication device receives the first reference signal; The first communication device determines a measurement result according to the first configuration information, a third time and a fourth time, the third time being a time at which the first reference signal is sent, and the fourth time being a time at which the second reference signal is received. The first configuration information further comprises timing reference indication information, the timing reference indication information being used to instruct the second communication device to determine the first reference signal from a plurality of received reference signals. The first configuration information further comprises first time information; the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The first time information comprises a first time length, the first time length being a time difference between the first time and the second time. The first time information comprises a fifth time and the third time, the fifth time being a time at which the second communication device is instructed to send the second reference signal, the first time being after the fifth time, and a time difference between the first time and the fifth time being a time difference between the second time and the third time. The measurement result is a time of flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device. The first configuration information is carried in a connection reconfiguration packet. The first configuration information is carried in a first packet, the first packet being used to instruct the second communication device to perform a round trip time (RTT) measurement.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first configuration information also includes first time information; the first time is determined based on the second time and the first time information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first time information includes a first duration, which is the time difference between the first moment and the second moment.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first time information includes a fifth time and a third time. The fifth time is the time when the second communication device is instructed to send the second reference signal, and the third time is the time when the first communication device sends the first reference signal. The first time is after the fifth time, and the time difference between the first time and the fifth time is the time difference between the second time and the third time.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, The measurement result is the Time of Flight (TOF) between the first communication device and the second communication device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in that, The first configuration information is carried in the connection reconfiguration message.

16. The method of any one of claims 9-14, wherein, The first configuration information is carried in a first message, which is used to instruct the second communication device to perform round-trip time (RTT) measurement.

17. A communications device, characterized by Includes methods for performing any one of the methods described in claims 1 to 8.

18. A communications device, characterized by Includes methods for performing any one of the methods described in claims 9 to 16.

19. A communications device, characterized by include: A processor for executing a program that causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

20. A communications device, characterized by include: A processor for executing a program that causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

21. A communication system, characterized by include: A communication device for performing any of the methods described in steps 1 to 8, and a communication device for performing any of the methods described in claims 9 to 16.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

23. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When it is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

24. A chip, characterized by The chip includes a processor coupled to a memory, the chip being configured to read and execute instructions stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

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