Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a first device sends first information, the first information being used for determining the relationship between a target device and a coverage area of the first device; the first device receives first feedback information from the target device; and, on the basis of the first feedback information, the first device determines that the target device is located within the coverage area of the first device. The present application is used for effectively reducing signaling interaction between a first device and a target device, thereby improving detection efficiency.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410881191.0 filed on July 2, 2024 and entitled "A communication method and 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, in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The so-called radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is an important core technology in the Internet of Things (IoT), and its principle is that the reader and the tag perform non-contact data communication to achieve the purpose of identifying the target. Each tag has a unique electronic product code (EPC) and can store detailed information of the goods, and can be read and written by the reader.

[0004] Since the tag is limited by cost and power consumption, it does not support measurement reporting, so if you want to detect whether the tag is in the coverage area of the reader, you need to rely on the inventory process of RFID. However, the reader in the existing inventory process needs to interact with the tag multiple times to obtain the EPC information feedback by the tag. If the EPC information is verified by the reader, it means that the inventory of the tag is successful, at this moment, it is not difficult to know that the detection result is that the reader and the tag are close. According to the above analysis, it takes a lot of time to obtain the inventory result of the tag, which will result in low detection efficiency. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can effectively reduce the signaling interaction between the first device (for example, the reader) and the target device (for example, the tag), thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a first device and includes: sending first information, the first information being used to determine the relationship between a target device and the coverage area of the first device; receiving first feedback information from the target device; and determining, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0008] In the method, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device is detected, which is not related to the inventory result of the target device, but is related to whether the first device can receive the first feedback information from the target device, that is, if the first device can receive the first feedback information within a preset time, it is determined that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, and the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively close; if the first device does not receive the first feedback information within the preset time, it is determined that the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device, and the distance between the two is relatively far. Compared with the detection by using the inventory process, the communication method provided in the embodiment optimizes the complex inventory process, reduces the interaction times between the first device and the target device, and effectively improves the detection efficiency.

[0009] In an implementation manner, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device includes that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, or the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device.

[0010] As can be seen from the above implementation manner, the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, that is, the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively close, and the two can directly communicate with each other; the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device, that is, the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively far, and the two are difficult to directly communicate with each other, which means that the detection method in the embodiment does not need to detect the specific distance value between the two devices, but detects whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device according to the first feedback information. This detection method does not need to rely on positioning information, nor needs to use a range-finding instrument, and is more simple and efficient.

[0011] In an implementation manner, the first information includes counter information, and the counter information is used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0012] The counter information can be set according to actual business requirements. For example, when detecting whether the second device exists in the coverage area of the first device, the counter information can be set to 0, so that multiple second devices send feedback information in the same time unit. For another example, when detecting the number or specific identifier of the second device in the coverage area of the first device, the counter information can be set to a non-zero number, so that multiple second devices send feedback information in different time units. In other words, through the above implementation manner, time-sharing response or simultaneous response can be more flexibly realized, and the measurement efficiency is maximized.

[0013] In an implementation manner, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, including that the first information is used to determine the relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device; the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0014] Through the above implementation manner, the first device can send the first information to one second device, or send the first information to multiple second devices, that is, not only the detection in the unicast scenario can be implemented, but also the detection in the multicast scenario can be implemented, and the application scenario is more extensive.

[0015] In an implementation manner, the target device is a first sending feedback information second device in the M second devices; the method further includes: if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, the second information is sent to the M second devices, the second information is used to instruct the M second devices to update the value of the counter, and the second information carries the content in the first information.

[0016] The above implementation manner can be used to detect whether the second device exists in the coverage area of the first device, if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, the second information (for example, the queryrep instruction) needs to be continuously sent to wait for the target device to send the first feedback information at the target time unit, if the first feedback information is received within the preset time, the second information is stopped, the interaction times are reduced as much as possible, and the detection efficiency is improved. In addition, since the second information carries the content in the first information, the repeated request of other second devices due to not receiving the first information can be effectively avoided, and the detection efficiency is improved.

[0017] In an implementation manner, the first device is further configured to receive second feedback information from a third device, the third device being a second device other than the target device in the M second devices; the method further includes: determining the number of successfully received feedback information within the preset time based on the first feedback information and the second feedback information.

[0018] The above implementation manner can be used to count the number of second devices in the coverage area of the first device, if the number of successfully received feedback information within the preset time is less than M, the first device can continue to send the second information until the timeout, if the number of successfully received feedback information within the preset time is equal to M, the first device can stop sending the second information, the interaction times are reduced as much as possible, and the detection efficiency is improved.

[0019] In an implementation manner, the first information includes a target device identifier, and the target device identifier is used to indicate the target device.

[0020] The above implementation manner provides a detection manner, that is, whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device is detected according to the target device identifier, so that efficient detection in the unicast scenario is realized.

[0021] In an implementation manner, the first information includes a group identifier corresponding to the M second devices, the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0022] The implementation provides another detection manner, i.e., detecting the relationship between the M second devices and the coverage area of the first device according to the group identifier, so as to realize efficient detection in a multicast scenario.

[0023] In an implementation, the first information includes a first flag, and the first flag is used to indicate validity of the first information.

[0024] The implementation provides another detection manner, i.e., efficiently detecting whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device according to the first flag. Generally, a flag is a special control character, which can make information exchange between devices more efficient, thereby improving performance of a communication system.

[0025] In an implementation, the method further includes: sending, to the target device, third information, the third information being used to instruct the target device to configure a second flag, and the second flag being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0026] Through the implementation, when it is determined that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device (i.e., the two devices are relatively close), a flag can be configured for the target device, so as to facilitate subsequent selective scheduling. For example, when the first device performs other service operations (e.g., inventory) on the target device, the target device does not need to interact through multiple rounds, but can directly respond, thereby improving service efficiency.

[0027] In an implementation, the first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0028] The cyclic redundancy check is a channel coding technology for generating a short fixed bit check code according to network data packets or computer files, and is mainly used to detect or check possible errors after data transmission (or saving). The first feedback information does not include the cyclic redundancy check code, which means that the cyclic redundancy check is not needed in the generation process of the first feedback information. This can not only improve signal generation efficiency, but also reduce the data amount of the first feedback information and transmission overhead between the target device and the first device, thereby improving transmission efficiency.

[0029] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a target device, including: receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to determine a relationship between the target device and a coverage area of the first device; determining first feedback information corresponding to the first information; and sending the first feedback information to the first device, the first feedback information being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0030] In the method, after receiving the first information sent by the first device, the target device does not need to interact with the first device for multiple rounds, but sends feedback information to the first device once, which means that the target device can quickly realize detection between the two devices through single response, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0031] In an implementation manner, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device includes that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

[0032] According to the implementation manner, the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, that is, the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively short, and the two devices can directly communicate with each other; the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device, that is, the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively long, and the two devices are difficult to directly communicate with each other, which means that the detection method in the embodiment of the present application does not need to detect the specific distance value between the two devices, but detects whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device according to the first feedback information. This detection method does not need to rely on positioning information and does not need to use a range-finding instrument, and is more simple and efficient.

[0033] In an implementation manner, the first information includes counter information, and the counter information is used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0034] For the plurality of second devices, each second device sends feedback information in its own target time unit, and the target time unit determined by different second devices is different, that is, the target device will not send feedback information in the same time unit as other second devices, which can effectively avoid the conflict between the target device and other second devices, so that the first device can more accurately determine that the sender of the first feedback information is the target device.

[0035] In an implementation manner, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, including that the first information is used to determine the relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device, the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0036] Through the implementation manner, efficient detection in a multicast scenario can be realized, and the application scenario is more extensive.

[0037] In an implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving second information sent by the first device, the second information carrying content in the first information; updating the value of the counter of the target device based on the second information; and until the updated value is a preset value, performing the step of sending the first feedback information to the first device.

[0038] By the above implementation manner, the time for the target device to send the first feedback information is related to the value of the counter of the target device, instead of being sent randomly, so that the conflict with other second devices can be effectively avoided, and the detection accuracy is improved. In addition, since the second information carries the content in the first information, the target device can be more clear about the purpose of the interaction at this time.

[0039] In an implementation manner, the first information includes a target device identifier of the target device.

[0040] The above implementation manner provides a detection manner, that is, whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device is detected according to the target device identifier, so that efficient detection in a unicast scenario is realized.

[0041] In an implementation manner, the first information includes a group identifier of a device group to which the target device belongs, and the device group includes M second devices, M being a positive integer greater than 1.

[0042] The above implementation manner provides another detection manner, that is, the relationship between the M second devices and the coverage area of the first device is detected according to the group identifier, so that efficient detection in a multicast scenario is realized.

[0043] In an implementation manner, the first information is a first flag bit, and the first flag bit is used to indicate the validity of the first information.

[0044] The above implementation manner provides another detection manner, that is, whether the target device is in the coverage area of the first device is efficiently detected according to the first flag bit. Generally, a flag bit is a special control character, which can make the information exchange between devices more efficient, so as to improve the performance of the communication system.

[0045] In an implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving third information sent by the first device, the third information carrying a second flag bit, the second flag bit being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device; and writing the second flag bit into the device information corresponding to the target device.

[0046] By the above implementation manner, when the target device receives the third information, the target device can determine that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device (that is, the distance between the two devices is relatively short) according to the second flag bit. At this time, the target device can write the second flag bit into the device information of the target device, so as to facilitate subsequent selective scheduling. For example, when the target device receives other instructions (for example, inventory instructions, etc.) of the first device, the target device does not need to interact through multiple rounds, but can directly respond, so as to improve the business efficiency.

[0047] In an implementation manner, the first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0048] The cyclic redundancy check is a kind of channel coding technology for generating a short fixed number of check codes according to network data packets or computer files and the like, and is mainly used for detecting or checking possible errors after data transmission (or saving). The first feedback information does not include the cyclic redundancy check code, which means that the cyclic redundancy check is not required in the generation process of the first feedback information. In this way, the signal generation efficiency can be improved, the data amount of the first feedback information can be reduced, the transmission overhead between the target device and the first device can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0049] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver configured to send first information, the first information being used to determine a relationship between a target device and a coverage area of a first device; the transceiver is further configured to receive first feedback information from the target device; and a processing unit configured to determine, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0050] In an implementation manner, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device includes that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

[0051] In an implementation manner, the first information includes counter information, and the counter information is used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0052] In an implementation manner, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, including that the first information is used to determine the relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device; the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0053] In an implementation manner, the target device is a first second device of the M second devices that sends the feedback information; and the transceiver is further configured to send second information to the M second devices if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, the second information being used to indicate that the M second devices update a value of a counter, and the second information carrying content in the first information.

[0054] In an implementation manner, the first device is further configured to receive second feedback information from a third device, the third device being a second device other than the target device in the M second devices; and the processing unit is further configured to determine, based on the first feedback information and the second feedback information, a number of successfully received feedback information within the preset time.

[0055] In an implementation manner, the first information includes a target device identifier, and the target device identifier is used to indicate the target device.

[0056] In an implementation manner, the first information comprises group identifiers corresponding to M second devices, the M second devices comprise the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0057] In an implementation manner, the first information comprises a first flag bit, and the first flag bit is used to indicate validity of the first information.

[0058] In an implementation manner, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the target device, third information used to instruct the target device to configure a second flag bit, and the second flag bit is used to indicate that the target device is in a coverage area of the first device.

[0059] In an implementation manner, the first feedback information does not comprise a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a transceiver configured to receive first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to determine a relationship between a target device and a coverage area of the first device; a processing unit configured to determine first feedback information corresponding to the first information; and the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first device, the first feedback information, and the first feedback information is used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0061] In an implementation manner, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device comprises that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

[0062] In an implementation manner, the first information comprises counter information, and the counter information is used to instruct the target device to send the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0063] In an implementation manner, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, and the first information is used to determine a relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device; the M second devices comprise the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0064] In an implementation manner, the transceiver is further configured to receive second information sent by the first device, the second information carrying content in the first information; the processing unit is further configured to update a value of a counter of the target device based on the second information; and the processing unit is further configured to execute the step of sending the first feedback information to the first device until the updated value is a preset value.

[0065] In an implementation manner, the first information comprises a target device identifier of the target device.

[0066] In an implementation manner, the first information comprises a group identifier of a device group in which the target device is located, and the device group comprises M second devices, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0067] In an implementation manner, the first information is a first flag bit, and the first flag bit is used to indicate validity of the first information.

[0068] In an implementation manner, the transceiver is further configured to receive third information sent by the first device, the third information carrying a second flag bit used to indicate that the target device is in a coverage area of the first device; and the processing unit is further configured to write the second flag bit into the device information corresponding to the target device.

[0069] In an implementation manner, the first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0070] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a memory and a processor, the memory is used to store computer instructions, and the processor is used to call and run the computer instructions from the memory to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0071] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: an input / output interface and a logic circuit, the input / output interface is used to acquire input information and / or output information; and the logic circuit is used to execute the method in the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect, and process and / or generate output information according to the input information.

[0072] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including: a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus, the first communication apparatus is used to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, and the second communication apparatus is used to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0073] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, and the computer readable storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a processor, to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0074] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, and the computer program product includes instructions, when the instructions are run on a processor, to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or to implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0075] The technical effects brought by the second aspect to the ninth aspect and any implementation of each aspect can refer to the first aspect and the corresponding implementation of the first aspect. The repeated parts will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0076] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram corresponding to an inventory process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 3 is a method interaction diagram one for detecting a coverage area of a first device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a scenario for detection in a unicast scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 5 is a method interaction diagram two for detecting a coverage area of a first device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a scenario for detection in a multicast scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 7 is a method interaction diagram three for detecting a coverage area of a first device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 8 is a method schematic diagram one for communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 9 is a method schematic diagram two for communication provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 10 is a module schematic diagram for generating a physical layer signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 11 is another module schematic diagram for generating a physical layer signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 12 is a structure schematic diagram one of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 13 is a structure schematic diagram two of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In order to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and effects are distinguished by using "first", "second", and the like. Those skilled in the art can understand that "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different. Meanwhile, in the embodiments of the present application, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to represent an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, "exemplary" or "for example" is used to specifically present the related concept in a specific manner, for the purpose of understanding.

[0090] In order to understand the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, first, related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are introduced:

[0091] Detection request

[0092] The detection request can be a proximity determination request (pdr) or a distance measurement request. The detection request can carry first information used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device. The coverage area of the first device can refer to an area formed with the position of the first device as the center and a preset distance threshold (for example, 10 meters) as the radius. The preset distance threshold can be dynamically adjusted according to actual business needs, which will not be limited here. Optionally, the coverage area of the first device can also refer to the area (for example, a park, a factory building, and the like) currently located by the first device.

[0093] First device

[0094] The first device refers to a device in a communication system for initiating a detection request, which can be a reader or a base station (BS), wherein the reader is also called a reading device, a scanner, a communicator, and a reader-writer, etc. The base station is an entity on the network side for transmitting or receiving signals. There can be different names in different communication modes, such as the base station of the long term evolution (LTE) system is called evolved node B (eNodeB or eNB), and the base station of the new radio (NR) system is called next generation node B (gNB). Among them, the base station here can be a macro base station, or a micro base station, a small base station, or a pole station. The base station can be a base station that supports receiving data transmitted through transmission communication. The base station can be a base station that supports sending a wake-up signal.

[0095] The second device

[0096] The second device refers to a device in a communication system for feeding back a detection request, which can be any terminal device (UE), such as a machine type communication user equipment (smartphone, tablet computer, notebook computer, desktop computer, smart speaker, smart watch, vehicle terminal, or smart television, etc. smart terminal), which can also be an NR terminal device, and can also be a terminal device supporting a wake-up receiver. The terminal device can include two receivers: a main receiver and a wake-up receiver (WUR). The main receiver can be turned off or set to deep sleep. When the main receiver is turned on, it can be used for data transmission and reception. The wake-up receiver can also be understood as an auxiliary receiver, a low-power wake-up receiver, or an ultra-low-power wake-up receiver. The auxiliary receiver has the ability to monitor the wake-up signal with ultra-low power consumption. The auxiliary receiver can trigger the main receiver to wake up after receiving the wake-up signal. In addition, the terminal device can be a low-power terminal device, which only includes a low-power receiver or only supports low-power transmission and / or reception functions.

[0097] When the second device is a low-power ambient IoT (ambient IoT, a-iot) device, it can be divided into active and passive types according to the ability to automatically generate or emit carrier signals. Among them, the active a-iot can complete the transmission of wireless communication signals by means of the energy stored in its own energy storage module. Specifically, it can include active tags, active tags, or active terminals, etc., while the passive a-iot mainly obtains energy from external radio frequency signals and communicates through backscattering radio frequency signals, and finally realizes ultra-low power consumption or even zero power consumption. Among them, the passive a-iot can specifically include passive tags, battery-free terminals / devices, battery-free terminals / devices, backscatter terminals / devices, backscatter communication devices, passive IoT devices, etc., which will not be limited here.

[0098] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present application are briefly introduced.

[0099] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram corresponding to an inventory process provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes two important components, namely device a and device b. For ease of exposition, device a in FIG. 1 is taken as an example of a reader, and device b is taken as an example of a tag. The reader can emit a single-frequency continuous wave (continuous wave, cw), which serves as both a wireless power supply for the tag and a carrier wave for the tag to generate a baseband signal. The inventory process between the reader and the tag is as follows:

[0100] 1. When the reader receives an upper-layer instruction (e.g., an inventory instruction) to identify the tag, it needs to send a signal and an instruction D1 (e.g., a select instruction). The signal can be used to power the tag, and the select instruction can contain the identity of the corresponding tag. The tag can determine whether it is selected by matching the identity.

[0101] 2. The reader sends an instruction D2 (e.g., a query instruction), which indicates the start of a new round of identification process. The counter information (e.g., Q value) carried in the query instruction can be used to determine the initial value of the tag's counter, which can be a random number selected from the value range of 0-2^Q.

[0102] 3、tag receives the query instruction, and determines whether to respond according to the inventory mark or other marks. For the tag that meets the matching condition, if the value of the counter is the same as the preset value (for example, 0), the tag is switched to the response state and sends a random number (for example, RN16) to the reader; if the value of the counter is different from the preset value, the tag is switched to the arbitration state and waits. If the instruction D4 (for example, the queryrep instruction) sent by the reader is received, the value of the counter is changed, for example, the value of the counter is decremented (that is, reduced by 1), until the changed value is the preset value, and the tag is switched to the response state.

[0103] 4、After receiving the random number sent by the tag, the reader can send the instruction D3 (for example, the ack instruction) to the tag, and the random number carried in the ack instruction is the same as the random number sent by the tag.

[0104] 5、After receiving the valid ack instruction, the tag is switched to the confirmation state and sends the tag information to the reader. The tag information can include the information 1 for describing the physical properties of the tag, the information 2 (for example, the epc) for uniquely indicating the tag, and the information 3 for verification.

[0105] 6、The reader can verify the tag based on the tag information. If the verification is passed, it means that the inventory result of the tag indicates that the inventory is successful, and at this time, it can be determined that the distance between the reader and the tag is close.

[0106] In any case, the reader can send the instruction D5 (for example, the nak instruction), and the tag that receives the instruction returns to the arbitration state, and the inventory mark remains unchanged. It can be understood that the time interval T1, the time interval T2 and the time interval T3 in FIG. 1 are the time lengths preset according to actual business needs, which will not be limited here.

[0107] According to the above analysis, in the entire inventory process, the reader and the tag need to interact multiple times to obtain the inventory result of the tag. If the tag needs to be checked whether it is in the coverage area of the reader, it needs to rely on the inventory process, which means that the existing detection method needs to spend a lot of time, thereby affecting the detection efficiency.

[0108] To solve the above problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a new communication method, in which a first device sends first information and receives first feedback information from a target device. Wherein, the first information can be used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device. Further, the first device can determine that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device based on the first feedback information.

[0109] In the embodiment of the present application, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device is detected, which is not related to the inventory result of the target device, but is related to whether the first device can receive the first feedback information from the target device, that is, if the first device can receive the first feedback information within a preset time, it is determined that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, and the distance between the target device and the first device is relatively close; if the first device does not receive the first feedback information within the preset time, it is determined that the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device, and the distance between them is relatively far. Compared with directly using the inventory process shown in FIG. 1 for detection, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application optimizes the complex inventory process, reduces the number of interactions between the first device and the target device, and effectively improves the detection efficiency.

[0110] Among them, the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN), narrow band-internet of things (NB-iot), LTE system, LTE Advanced (LTE-A) system, etc. fourth generation (4G) communication system, satellite communication, sidelink (SL), NR, etc. fifth generation (5G) communication system, sixth generation (6G) and the like. After 5G future communication system, etc. Among them, the communication system exists an entity that can send information, and there also exists other entities that can receive information, which will not be limited here.

[0111] It can be understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the present application specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, "embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily mean the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0112] The network architecture of the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced as follows:

[0113] Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a system architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 20X can be composed of a plurality of communication devices, taking ten as an example, which can include the base station 210a, the base station 220a, the device 210b, the device 220b, the device 230b, the device 240b, the device 250b, the device 260b, the device 270b and the device 280b.

[0114] In the communication system 20X, the base station 210a can send information (e.g., first information, second information, third information, etc.) to at least one device in the first device cluster, where the first device cluster refers to a device cluster composed of the device 210b, the device 220b, the device 230b, the device 240b, the device 250b, the device 260b. The first information can be used to determine the relationship between the devices in the first device cluster and the coverage area of the base station 210a; the second information can be an instruction for instructing the devices in the first device cluster to change the counter value thereof; and the third information can be used to instruct the devices in the first device cluster to perform a business operation (e.g., read-write operation).

[0115] For example, if the information sent by the base station 210a is the first information, the base station 210a can determine whether there is a device in the first device cluster within the coverage area of the base station 210a based on the feedback information received within a preset time, or count the number of devices in the first device cluster within the coverage area of the base station 210a. If a device is within the coverage area of the base station 210a, it means that the device is close to the base station 210a; if a device is outside the coverage area of the base station 210a, it means that the device is far away from the base station 210a.

[0116] Optionally, the base station 210a can also send information to at least one device in the second device cluster through the base station 220a, where the second device cluster refers to a device cluster composed of the device 270b and the device 280b. In the present application, the base station 220a can be referred to as a relay device of the base station 210a.

[0117] For example, when the base station 210a needs to detect whether there is a device close to it in the second device cluster, the base station 220a can not only forward the first information determined by the base station 210a to the second device cluster, but also forward the feedback information sent by a device in the second device cluster to the base station 210a within a preset time. Then, the base station 210a can determine the device in the second device cluster within the coverage area of the base station 210a based on the received feedback information.

[0118] It can be understood that the device 240b, the device 250b and the device 260b shown in FIG. 2 can also constitute a communication system X1, in which the device 240b can also send information (for example, first information, second information, third information, etc.) to the device 250b or the device 260b. Wherein the device 240b can be any form of intelligent terminal, such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a smart speaker, a smart watch, a vehicle terminal or a smart television, which will not be limited here.

[0119] The base station 220a, the device 270b and the device 280b shown in FIG. 2 can also constitute a communication system X2, in which the base station 220a can also send information (for example, first information, second information, third information, etc.) to the device 250b or the device 260b.

[0120] The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is used for quickly detecting the second device in the coverage area of the first device. In order to facilitate description, the detection scenario can be divided into unicast scenario and multicast scenario according to the number of second devices. Wherein the number of second devices in the unicast scenario is one, and the number of second devices in the multicast scenario is M (a positive integer greater than 1).

[0121] In order to facilitate understanding, further, please refer to FIG. 3, which is a method interaction diagram one for detecting the coverage area of the first device provided by the embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the method can be executed by the first device and a second device (i.e. target device), wherein if the first device is taken as the device 240b in the communication system X1 shown in FIG. 2, the target device can be the device 250b in the communication system X1. The method can at least include steps S301-S304:

[0122] Step S301, the first device sends first information.

[0123] Wherein the first information can be used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device. The first information can include at least one of the following information: first flag bit and device identifier of the target device (i.e. target device identifier). The first information can be information carried by the first channel, when the first device is a reader and the target device is a device, the first channel here can be a physical layer R2D channel (Physical Reader To Device Channel, PRDCH), that is, used for data transmission from device to reader.

[0124] The first flag bit can be used to indicate the validity of the first information. If the first flag bit has a first value (e.g., 1), it means that the first information is valid, i.e., the first information can be used to detect the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device. If the first flag bit has a second value (e.g., 0), it means that the first information is invalid, i.e., the first information can be used for other business operations, but not for detecting the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device.

[0125] In step S302, the target device determines first feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0126] The first feedback information can include at least one of the following: a preamble, a device identifier (e.g., tag ID) of the target device, a device identifier of the first device, and a group identifier (e.g., group ID) of a device group to which the target device belongs. The preamble refers to the actual content sent by the target device in the physical random access channel.

[0127] For example, when the first information includes a target device identifier (tag ID or device ID), the first feedback information can be a preamble. In other words, when the first device addresses a specific second device to determine whether the second device is within its coverage area, the matching second device can receive a measurement request containing the tag / device ID, and then transmit / refiect a preamble signal to the first device.

[0128] For another example, when the first information is a paging message (e.g., Msg0) sent by the first device to the target device in random access, the first information can include a first flag bit. In this case, the first feedback information can be a preamble, which can reduce the feedback overhead. Alternatively, the first feedback information can also be a preamble and information carried by a second channel. When the first device is a reader and the target device is a device, the second channel can be a physical device-to-reader channel (PDRCH), i.e., a channel used for data transmission from the reader to the device. The information carried by the second channel can include a device identifier of the first device and a device identifier of the target device.

[0129] In step S303, the target device sends the first feedback information to the first device within a preset time.

[0130] In step S304, the first device determines, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is within the coverage area of the first device.

[0131] In the unicast scenario, the first device can send first information to a second device (i.e., target device), and after the target device receives the first information, the target device can send first feedback information corresponding to the first information to the first device. At this time, the target device does not expect to receive feedback from the first device. For the first device, if the first feedback information is not received within a preset time, it is determined that the distance between the target device and the first device is far, and if the first feedback information is received within the preset time, it is determined that the distance between the target device and the first device is close, and the first device also does not expect to send feedback to the target device after receiving the first feedback information, and the like, which reduces the number of interactions between the first device and the target device, and effectively improves the detection efficiency.

[0132] For ease of understanding, further, please refer to FIG. 4, which is a scene diagram of detection in a unicast scenario according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication system shown in FIG. 4 can include a device 40a (first device), a device 41b (target device), a device 42b, and a device 43b. The device identifier corresponding to the device 41b can be device identifier x, the device identifier corresponding to the device 42b can be device identifier y, and the device identifier corresponding to the device 43b can be device identifier z.

[0133] It should be understood that when the device 40a wants to detect whether the device corresponding to the device identifier x is in the coverage area of the device 40a, the device 40a can broadcast information 4E (i.e., first information) in the communication system shown in FIG. 4, and the information 4E can carry the device identifier x.

[0134] When the device 41b receives the information 4E, it can compare its own identifier with the device identifier x carried in the information 4E. Since the comparison result indicates that the two identifiers are the same, the device 41b needs to respond to the information 4E, i.e., determine information 4F (i.e., first feedback information, such as a preamble) corresponding to the information 4E, and send the information 4F to the device 40a within a preset time.

[0135] The device 42b (or the device 43b) can compare its own identifier with the device identifier x carried in the information 4E when receiving the information 4E. Since the comparison result indicates that the two identifiers are different, the device 40a does not need to respond.

[0136] If the device 40a successfully receives the information 4F sent by the device 41b, it is considered that the device 41b is in the coverage area of the device 40a, and the distance between the two is relatively close. It can be understood that when the device 40a is a reader and the device 41b is a tag, compared with the inventory process shown in FIG. 1, the tag in the embodiment of the present application does not expect to receive the random number RN16 fed back by the reader, in other words, after receiving the information 4F of the tag, the reader does not need to send an ack instruction to the tag, or does not enter the subsequent inventory process, or does not expect to receive the tag information fed back by the tag.

[0137] Further, please refer to FIG. 5, which is a second interaction diagram of a method for detecting the coverage area of a first device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the method can be jointly executed by the first device and a target device, wherein the target device can be a first sending feedback information second device among M second devices, and M is a positive integer greater than 1. The method can at least include steps S501-S508:

[0138] Step S501, the first device sends first information.

[0139] The first information can be used to determine the relationship between the M second devices and the coverage area of the first device, and the first information can include at least one of the following information: a first flag bit, a group identifier corresponding to the M second devices, and counter information.

[0140] The first flag bit can be used to indicate the validity of the first information. If the value of the first flag bit is a first value (for example, 1), it means that the first information is valid, and if the value of the first flag bit is a second value (for example, 0), it means that the first information is invalid.

[0141] The counter information can be used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time. If the counter information is 0, it means that the M second devices send feedback information in the same time unit. If the counter information is not 0, it means that the second device needs to send feedback information in different time units.

[0142] Step S502, the target device determines the first feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0143] The first feedback information can include at least one of the following information: a preamble, a device identifier of the target device, an acknowledgement signal, a number of times of successfully receiving the first information or a number of times of receiving a downlink control signal, and a time parameter (for example, a current time unit or a neighboring transmission-reception interval).

[0144] Since the target device is the first one of the M second devices to send the feedback information, it means that the embodiment of the present application is applied in a multicast scenario, in order to solve the problem of contention access existing in this scenario, the embodiment of the present application can divide the preset time into multiple time units, and set a counter for each second device, so that any one device can determine the target time unit of sending the feedback information according to the value of the counter.

[0145] For example, the value of the counter can be used to represent the serial number of the current time unit, for example, the value of the counter is 0, which is used to represent that the current time unit is time unit 0, the value of the counter is 1, which is used to represent that the current time unit is time unit 1, and so on.

[0146] For example, the value of the counter can also be used to represent the number of times of waiting to receive the second information (for example, the queryrep instruction), for example, the value of the counter is 10, which is used to represent that the feedback information can be sent to the first device when the second information is received for the 10th time.

[0147] Of course, the value of the counter can also have other meanings, which will not be limited here.

[0148] Step S503, the target device determines whether the current time unit is the target time unit based on the value of the counter.

[0149] For convenience of description, the meaning of the value of the counter in the embodiment of the present application can be taken as an example of the number of times of waiting to receive the second information, if the value of the counter is a first preset value (for example, 0), the current time unit is the target time unit, at this time, step S507 needs to be jumped to execute, if the value of the counter is not the first preset value, the current time unit has not reached the target time unit of the target device, at this time, steps S504-S507 need to be executed.

[0150] Step S504, the target device continues to wait.

[0151] Step S505, the target device receives the second information sent by the first device.

[0152] For the first device, if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, it means that the first device has not received any feedback information sent by the second device within the preset time, in order to detect whether there is a second device in the coverage area of the first device among the M second devices, the first device also needs to continue to send the second information to the M second devices, wherein the second information can be used to instruct the M second devices to update the value of the counter. Wherein, the second information here can carry the content in the first information, or can not carry the content in the first information, which will not be limited here.

[0153] For example, the first device needs to detect whether a time interval between a first timestamp (i.e., a current timestamp) and a second timestamp (an end timestamp of a previous time unit) reaches a time length corresponding to a time unit (e.g., 1 second), the second timestamp can also refer to a sending timestamp of a previous query instruction (e.g., a query instruction or a queryrep instruction). If the time interval reaches the time length corresponding to the time unit, the first device needs to send the second information to the M second devices.

[0154] In step S506, the target device updates the value of the counter until the current time unit is the target time unit.

[0155] For example, if the value of the counter of the target device is a first value (e.g., 10), the target device can perform a decrementing process on the value of the counter based on the second information, that is, change the value of the counter from the first value to a second value (e.g., 9). Since the second value is different from the first preset value, the target device needs to continue waiting until the target device updates the value of the counter to the first preset value, and then determines that the current time unit is the target time unit.

[0156] In step S507, the target device sends the first feedback information in the target time unit.

[0157] In step S508, the first device determines, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0158] In the multicast scenario, when the first device detects whether there is a second device in the coverage area of the first device from the M second devices, if the first feedback information sent by the target device is not received within a preset time, it means that the first device needs to send the second information multiple times until the preset time is exceeded. If the first feedback information sent by the target device has been received within the preset time, at this time, the first device stops sending the second information to the M second devices, and ends the measurement, thereby maximizing the detection efficiency.

[0159] For ease of understanding, further, please refer to FIG. 6, which is a scene diagram of detection in a multicast scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication system shown in FIG. 6 can include a device 60a (a first device), a device 61b (a target device), a device 62b, a device 63b, a device 64b, and a device 65b. The device identifier corresponding to the device 61b can be device identifier x, the device identifier corresponding to the device 62b can be device identifier y, the device identifier corresponding to the device 63b can be device identifier z, the device identifier corresponding to the device 64b can be device identifier w, and the device identifier corresponding to the device 65b can be device identifier q.

[0160] As shown in FIG. 6, the device 61b, the device 62b and the device 63b belong to the same device group (for example, the device group 1 corresponding to the group identifier I1), and the device 64b and the device 65b belong to the same device group (for example, the device group 2 corresponding to the group identifier I2). In the embodiment of the present application, the device types in the same device group are generally the same, for example, the device types of the three devices included in the device group 1 all belong to the first device type (for example, temperature sensor), and the device types of the two devices included in the device group 2 all belong to the second device type (for example, speed sensor).

[0161] It should be understood that when the device 60a wants to detect whether there is a device in the device group 1 which is in the coverage area of the device 60a, the device 60a can broadcast the information 6E (that is, the first information) in the communication system shown in FIG. 6, and the information 6E can carry the group identifier I1 corresponding to the device group 1.

[0162] If the device 61b is the first second device to send the feedback information, when receiving the information 6E, the device 61b can compare the group identifier of the device group in which the device 61b is located with the group identifier I1 carried in the information 6E. Since the comparison result indicates that the two group identifiers are the same, the device 61b needs to respond to the information 6E, that is, determine the information 6F (that is, the first feedback information) corresponding to the information 6E. At this time, the device 61b needs to determine whether the current time unit is the target time unit based on the value of the counter. If not, the device 61b waits for the first device to send the second information.

[0163] For the device 60a, if the device a does not receive the feedback information sent by any device in the device group 1 within the preset time, the device 60a needs to continue to send the second information. When the device 61b receives the second information, the device 61b can update the value of the counter until the value of the counter is the same as the first preset value. The device 61b can determine that the current time unit is the target time unit, and send the information 6F to the device 60a.

[0164] After the device 60a receives the information 6F sent by the device 61b within the preset time, it can be considered that the device 61b is in the coverage area of the device 60a, that is, there is a second device in the device group 1 which is close to the device 60a. At this time, the device 60a no longer sends the second information, and ends the measurement. When the device 60a is a reader and the device 61b is a tag, compared with the inventory process shown in FIG. 1, the tag in the embodiment of the present application does not expect to receive the random number RN16 fed back by the reader. In other words, after the reader receives the information 6F of the tag, the reader does not need to send the ack instruction to the tag, or does not enter the subsequent inventory process, or does not expect to receive the tag information fed back by the tag, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0165] In a possible implementation, the first device can also explicitly count the number (or specific identities) of the second devices in the device group that are in the coverage area of the first device.

[0166] For example, after sending the first information, the first device can not only receive the first feedback information from the target device within the preset time, but also receive the second feedback information from the third device within the preset time. Further, the first device can determine the number of feedback information successfully received within the preset time based on the first feedback information and the second feedback information.

[0167] For ease of description, the embodiments of the present application can refer to one of the M second devices as a target device, and refer to the (M-1) second devices other than the target device as third devices. For example, if the M second devices are the devices in the device group 1 corresponding to the group identifier I1 in FIG. 6, and specifically include the device 61b, the device 62b, and the device 63b, when the device 61b is the target device, the device 62b and the device 63b can both be referred to as third devices.

[0168] In other words, when the device 60a wants to detect the number of devices in the device group 1 that are in the coverage area of the device 60a, the device 60a can not only receive the feedback information sent by the device 61b, but also receive the feedback information sent by the device 62b and the device 63b, respectively.

[0169] If the device 61b and the device 62b both send feedback information to the device 60a within the preset time, at this time, the device 60a counts the number as 2. Since the counted number does not reach the number in the device group 1, the device 60a will continue to send the second information within the preset time until the feedback information sent by the device 63b is received. The second information can carry the content in the first information, or can not carry the content in the first information, which will not be limited here.

[0170] If the device 61b, the device 62b, and the device 63b all send feedback information to the device 60a within the preset time, at this time, the device 60a counts the number as 3, and since the counted number has reached the number in the device group 1, the device 60a can end the measurement this time and determine that there are 3 devices in the device group 1 that are in its coverage area.

[0171] It can be understood that the first device receives the first feedback information of the target device, which means that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, i.e., the target device can directly communicate with the first device. In order to improve the communication efficiency between the target device and the first device, the first device can additionally respond to the target device, such as configuring a second flag (for example, a proximity determination flag) for the target device. For ease of understanding, please refer to FIG. 7, which is a method interaction diagram three for detecting the coverage area of the first device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the method can be jointly executed by the first device and the target device, wherein the first device can be a device (for example, the base station 210a shown in FIG. 2) in the communication system for initiating a detection request, and the target device can be a device (for example, the device 210b shown in FIG. 2) in the communication system for feeding back the detection request. The method can at least include steps S701-S706:

[0172] Step S701: The first device sends first information.

[0173] Step S702: The target device determines first feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0174] Step S703: The target device sends the first feedback information within a preset time.

[0175] Step S704: The first device determines, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0176] The specific implementation of steps S701-S703 can refer to the description of steps S301-S304 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3 or the description of steps S501-S508 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0177] Step S705: The first device sends third information to the target device.

[0178] The third information can be used to instruct the target device to configure a second flag, and the second flag is used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device. The third information can include at least one of the following information: the second flag, the device identifier of the target device, and the device identifier of the first device.

[0179] The value of the second flag is 0, which can be used to indicate that the distance between the first device and the target device is far, i.e., the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device. The value of the second flag is 1, which can be used to indicate that the distance between the first device and the target device is close, i.e., the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0180] Step S706, the target device writes the second flag bit into the device information corresponding to the target device.

[0181] It can be understood that the second flag bit is written into the device information of the target device, which means that the target device has been labeled, so as to facilitate subsequent selective scheduling, thereby improving the efficiency of other services (for example, inventory service).

[0182] As shown in FIG. 6, if the feedback information received by the device 60a within the preset time is the feedback information sent by the device 61b, the device 60a can send third information to the device 61b, and the third information can include the device identifier x and the second flag bit (for example, flag). After receiving the third information, the device 61b can write the second flag bit into the device information of the device 61b.

[0183] In subsequent inventory of the plurality of devices in the device group 1 corresponding to the group identifier I1, the device 60a can send an inventory instruction, and the inventory instruction can carry the second flag bit.

[0184] Since the second flag bit does not exist in the device information of the device 62b and the device 63b, after receiving the inventory instruction of the device 60a, the two devices need to send their label information to the device 60a through multiple rounds of interaction according to the inventory method shown in FIG. 1.

[0185] Since the device 61b has been labeled, that is, the second flag bit has been written into the device information of the device 61b, after receiving the inventory instruction, the device 61b can immediately respond to the device 60a and send the label information (including cpc, etc.) corresponding to the device 61b to the device 60a, thereby improving the efficiency of the inventory service.

[0186] Next, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application will be introduced from the perspective of a single network device with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0187] Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of a method for communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the method can be executed by a first device, which can be a device for initiating a detection request in a communication system, and can be the device 40a shown in FIG. 4 or the device 60b shown in FIG. 6, which will not be limited here. The method can at least include steps S801-S803:

[0188] Step S801, sending first information.

[0189] In the unicast scenario, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, and the first information can include at least one of the following information: a first flag and a device identifier of the target device (i.e., target device identifier). The first flag can be used to indicate the validity of the first information. If the value of the first flag is a first value (e.g., 1), it means that the first information is valid; if the value of the first flag is a second value (e.g., 0), it means that the first information is invalid.

[0190] In the multicast scenario, the first device can send the first information to M second devices, and the first information can be used to determine the relationship between the M second devices and the coverage area of the first device. The M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1. The first information can include at least one of the following information: a first flag, a group identifier corresponding to the M second devices, and counter information.

[0191] It can be understood that when the first information does not include the counter information or the counter information is 0, it means that the M second devices send the feedback information in the same time unit. When the first information includes the counter information and the counter information is not 0, it means that the second device needs to send the feedback information in different time units.

[0192] In order to solve the problem of competing access in the multicast scenario, the embodiment of the present application can divide the preset time into multiple time units, and set a counter for each second device, so that any one device can determine the time unit (i.e., target time unit) for sending feedback information according to the value of the counter.

[0193] If the target device is the first second device in the M second devices to send the feedback information, when the first device does not receive the first feedback information within the preset time, the first device can send the second information to the M second devices. In order to make the target device clear the interaction purpose at this time (i.e., determine the relationship with the coverage area of the first device), the first device needs to carry the content in the first information when sending the second information. Of course, the first information here can also not carry the content in the first information, which will not be limited here.

[0194] After receiving the second information, the target device can update the value of the counter of the target device until the updated value is a preset value (e.g., a first preset value or a second preset value), and can send the first feedback information to the first device. The first preset value here can be 0, and the second preset value here can be the counter information.

[0195] Step S802, receiving the first feedback information from the target device within the preset time.

[0196] The first feedback information can include at least one of the following information: a preamble, a device identifier of the target device, a device identifier of the first device, an acknowledgement signal, a number of times of successfully receiving the first information or a number of times of receiving a downlink control signal, and a time parameter (e.g., a current time unit or an adjacent transmission-reception interval).

[0197] In step S803, it is determined that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device based on the first feedback information.

[0198] The specific implementation of steps S801-S803 can refer to the description of steps S301-S304 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3 or the description of steps S501-S508 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a method for performing communication according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the method can be performed by a target device, which can be a device (e.g., the device 210b shown in FIG. 2) for feeding back a detection request in a communication system. The method can include at least steps S901-S903:

[0200] In step S901, the first information sent by the first device is received.

[0201] The first information can be used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, and the first information can include at least one of the following information: a first flag bit, a device identifier of the target device (i.e., a target device identifier), a group identifier of a device group to which the target device belongs, and counter information. The device group can include M second devices, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0202] In a multicast scenario, the first information can be used to determine the relationship between the M second devices and the coverage area of the first device. To solve the problem of contention access in the multicast scenario, the embodiment of the present application can divide a preset time into a plurality of time units, and set a counter for each second device, so that any one device can determine a time unit (i.e., a target time unit) for sending feedback information according to the value of the counter.

[0203] In step S902, the first feedback information corresponding to the first information is determined.

[0204] The first feedback information can include at least one of the following information: a preamble, a device identifier of the target device (e.g., a tag ID), a device identifier of the first device, and a group identifier of a device group to which the target device belongs (e.g., a group ID). The preamble refers to the actual content sent by the target device in a physical random access channel.

[0205] Step S903, sending the first feedback information to the first device within the preset time.

[0206] The first feedback information is used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0207] In the multicast scenario, the target device sends the first feedback information to the first device within a target time unit of the preset time, which can be determined by the target device based on the counter information in the first information and the value of the counter of the target device.

[0208] For example, if the preset time is divided into time unit 0, time unit 1 and time unit 2, the counter information received by the target device can be 3. At this time, the target device can perform hash calculation on the device identifier of the target device to obtain the hash value (for example, 10) corresponding to the target device, and then use the hash value to perform modulo operation on the counter information (for example, 3) to obtain the remainder (for example, 1). At this time, the target device can determine the time unit (i.e. time unit 1) corresponding to the remainder as the target time unit, and then send the first feedback information to the first device when the counter of the target device indicates that the current time unit is the target time unit.

[0209] It is worth noting that in order to avoid multiple second devices sending feedback information in the same time unit, the number of time units needs to be greater than or equal to the number of second devices, so as to effectively ensure that each second device sends feedback information in different time units within the preset time.

[0210] For example, the counter information can also be used to determine the initial value of the counter of the target device, such as a random number selected from the value range of 0-2^Q. If the value of the counter of the target device is the same as the first preset value (for example, 0), the target device can determine the current time unit as the target time unit of the target device within the preset time, and send the first feedback information to the first device.

[0211] If the value of the counter of the target device (for example, 13) is different from the first preset value, the target device needs to wait. During the waiting process, if the second information (for example, queryrep instruction) sent by the first device is received, the value of the counter of the target device can be updated (for example, decremented) based on the second information until the updated value is the first preset value. At this time, the target device can send the first feedback information to the first device.

[0212] For example, the counter information can also be used to indicate a second preset value of the target device. The initial value of the counter of the target device can be configured by the user according to actual business requirements. If the value of the counter of the target device is the same as the second preset value (for example, 30), the target device can send the first feedback information to the first device.

[0213] If the value of the counter (for example, 3) is different from the second preset value (for example, 30), the target device needs to wait. During the waiting process, if the second information (for example, the queryrep instruction) sent by the first device is received, the value of the counter of the target device can be updated (for example, the increment processing) based on the second information until the updated value is the second preset value. The target device can send the first feedback information to the first device.

[0214] The specific implementation of steps S901-S903 can refer to the description of steps S301-S304 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 3 or the description of steps S501-S508 in the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a schematic diagram of a module for generating a physical layer signal according to an embodiment of the present application. The channel corresponding to FIG. 10 can be a physical layer R2D channel (Physical Reader To Device Channel, PRDCH), that is, a channel for data transmission from a device (for example, a tag) to a reader. When the reader needs to detect the tags in its coverage area, the reader can initiate a measurement request and first information, which needs to be carried in the PRDCH.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 10, the module for processing the physical layer of the PRDCH can specifically include an information generation module 101, a verification module 102, a line coding module 103, a modulation module 104, and a signal generation module 105.

[0217] The information generation module 101 is configured to generate initial data corresponding to the first information.

[0218] The verification module 102 is configured to verify the initial data. Common verification methods can include parity check, Internet check, and cyclic redundancy check (Cyclic Redundancy Check, CRC), etc. In the cyclic redundancy check, the reader can calculate a check code according to a certain algorithm, and attach the obtained check code to the back of the data frame to obtain the check data.

[0219] Line coding module 103: used to transform the check data into digital signals suitable for signal transmission, the code type adopted can be referred to as line code.

[0220] Modulation module 104: used to modulate the presence of a carrier signal. For example, if the modulation method here is on off keying (ook) modulation, ook modulation can realize the transmission of digital signals by switching between "on" and "off". "1" in ook can be used to represent high voltage, i.e. the presence of a carrier signal, and "0" in ook can be used to represent low voltage, i.e. the carrier signal is off.

[0221] Signal generation module 105: used to generate the first information by a signal generator, which can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (ofdm) signal generator. Since the tag belongs to an a-iot device, the first information can be referred to as an a-iot downlink physical layer signal.

[0222] Similarly, please refer to FIG. 11, which is another schematic diagram of a module for generating a physical layer signal provided by an embodiment of the present application. The channel corresponding to FIG. 11 can be PDRCH, i.e. used for data transmission from a reader to a device (e.g. a tag). After receiving the first information sent by the reader, the tag in the embodiment of the present application can generate first feedback information, which needs to be carried in PDRCH.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 11, the module for processing the physical layer of PRDCH can specifically include a check module 111, a forward error correction (fec) module 112, a transport block repetition module 113, a line coding module 114, a modulation module 115, a chip repetition module 116 and a waveform generation module 117.

[0224] Check module 111: used to check the original data bits. Common check methods can include parity check, internet check and CRC check, etc.

[0225] Forward error correction code module 112: used to control the packet error rate (packet loss, garbled code) of received data.

[0226] Transport block repetition module 113: used to help obtain time diversity gain and support early termination when receiving signals on the reader side.

[0227] The line coding module 114 is used to help eliminate the interference of the carrier by the natural ability of the signal frequency offset, and can save storage space compared with the transmission block repetition module 113.

[0228] The modulation module 115 is used to modulate the presence of the carrier signal.

[0229] The waveform generation module 117 is used to form a waveform corresponding to the first feedback information. Since the tag belongs to an a-iot device, the first feedback information can be referred to as an a-iot uplink physical layer signal.

[0230] Optionally, in order to reduce the transmission overhead between the tag and the reader, the module for processing the physical layer of the PRDCH can include three modules, specifically the line coding module 114, the modulation module 115, and the waveform generation module 117.

[0231] Optionally, the module for processing the physical layer of the PRDCH can include at least one of the check module 111, the forward error correction code module 112, the transmission block repetition module 113, and the chip repetition module 116 in addition to the line coding module 114, the modulation module 115, and the waveform generation module 117, and the specific selection can be made according to actual business needs.

[0232] When the module for processing the physical layer of the PRDCH does not include the check module 111, and the check mode adopted by the check module 111 is CRC check, it means that the generation process of the first feedback information can not need to go through CRC check, that is, the first feedback information can not include the crc code, which not only can improve the generation efficiency of the first feedback information, but also can reduce the data amount of the first feedback information, and can reduce the transmission overhead when the first feedback information is transmitted from the tag to the reader.

[0233] Further, please refer to FIG. 12, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus 1 can include at least one of a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202. These units can perform the corresponding functions of the devices in the above method embodiments.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1 can be used to implement the functions of the first device in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, or FIG. 7.

[0235] Specifically, the transceiver unit 1201 is configured to send first information, the first information being used to determine the relationship between a target device and a coverage area of the first device; the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to receive first feedback information from the target device; and the processing unit 1202 is configured to determine, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0236] In an implementation, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device includes that the target device is within the coverage area of the first device or the target device is outside the coverage area of the first device.

[0237] In an implementation, the first information includes counter information, the counter information being used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0238] In an implementation, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, including that the first information is used to determine the relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device; the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0239] In an implementation, the target device is a second device of the M second devices that sends the feedback information first; the transceiver 1201 is further configured to, if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, send second information to the M second devices, the second information being used to instruct the M second devices to update the value of the counter, and the second information carrying the content in the first information.

[0240] In an implementation, the first device is further configured to receive second feedback information from a third device, the third device being a second device of the M second devices other than the target device; the processing unit 1202 is further configured to determine the number of feedback information successfully received within the preset time based on the first feedback information and the second feedback information.

[0241] In an implementation, the first information includes a target device identifier, the target device identifier being used to indicate the target device.

[0242] In an implementation, the first information includes a group identifier corresponding to the M second devices, the M second devices including the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0243] In an implementation, the first information includes a first flag bit, the first flag bit being used to indicate the validity of the first information.

[0244] In an implementation, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to send third information to the target device, the third information being used to instruct the target device to configure a second flag bit, the second flag bit being used to indicate that the target device is within the coverage area of the first device.

[0245] In an implementation, the first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0246] The specific implementation of the transceiver unit 1201 and the processing unit 1202 can refer to the descriptions of steps S801-S803 in the above-mentioned embodiment corresponding to FIG. 8, and will not be repeated here. In addition, the beneficial effects of using the same method will not be repeated.

[0247] In another possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1 can be used to implement the functions of the target device in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 or FIG. 7.

[0248] Specifically, the transceiver unit 1201 is configured to receive first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to determine a relationship between the target device and a coverage area of the first device; the processing unit 1202 is configured to determine first feedback information corresponding to the first information; and the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to send the first feedback information to the first device, the first feedback information being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

[0249] In one implementation, the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device includes that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

[0250] In one implementation, the first information includes counter information, the counter information being used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

[0251] In one implementation, the first information is used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device, including that the first information is used to determine the relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device; the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0252] In one implementation, the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to receive second information sent by the first device, the second information carrying the content in the first information; the processing unit 1202 is further configured to update the value of a counter of the target device based on the second information; and the processing unit 1202 is further configured to execute the step of sending the first feedback information to the first device until the updated value is a preset value.

[0253] In one implementation, the first information includes a target device identifier of the target device.

[0254] In one implementation, the first information includes a group identifier of a device group in which the target device is located, and the device group includes M second devices, M being a positive integer greater than 1.

[0255] In one implementation, the first information is a first flag bit, and the first flag bit is used to indicate the validity of the first information.

[0256] In an implementation, the transceiver 1201 is further configured to receive third information sent by the first device, the third information carrying a second flag bit, the second flag bit being used to indicate that the target device is in a coverage area of the first device; and the processing unit 1202 is further configured to write the second flag bit into the device information corresponding to the target device.

[0257] In an implementation, the first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

[0258] The specific implementation of the transceiver 1201 and the processing unit 1202 can refer to the descriptions of steps S901-S903 in the above-described embodiment corresponding to FIG. 9, and will not be described here again. In addition, the beneficial effects of using the same method will not be described again.

[0259] Further, please refer to FIG. 13, which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 13, specifically, the communication apparatus 2 can be configured to implement the functions of the first device, or the communication apparatus 2 can be configured to implement the functions of the target device.

[0260] Referring to FIG. 13, the communication apparatus 2 includes all or part of hardware in a processor 1301, a communication interface 1302 and a memory 1303. The number of processors 1301 in the communication apparatus 2 can be one or more, and FIG. 13 takes one processor as an example. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 1301, the communication interface 1302 and the memory 1303 can be connected through a bus system or other means, and FIG. 13 takes the connection through the bus system 1304 as an example.

[0261] The processor 1301 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of the CPU and the NP. The processor 1301 can also include a hardware chip. The hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof.

[0262] The communication interface 1302 is configured to receive and send data. Specifically, the communication interface 1302 can include a receiving interface and a sending interface. The receiving interface can be configured to receive data, and the sending interface can be configured to send data. The number of the communication interface 1302 can be one or more.

[0263] The memory 1303 can include a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM), and / or a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). The memory 1303 can also include a combination of the above-mentioned memories.

[0264] Optionally, the memory 1303 stores an operating system and programs, executable modules or data structures, or a subset thereof, or an extended set thereof. The programs can include various operation instructions for implementing various operations. The operating system can include various system programs for implementing various basic services and processing hardware-based tasks. The processor 1301 can read the programs in the memory 1303 to implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0265] The memory 1303 can be a memory device in the communication device 2, or a memory device independent of the communication device 2.

[0266] The bus system 1304 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus system 1304 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of representation, only one thick line is shown in FIG. 13, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0267] In some possible embodiments, the communication apparatuses described above can be implemented as virtualized devices. For example, the virtualized devices can be virtual machines (VMs) running programs for sending signals, and the virtual machines are deployed on hardware devices (for example, physical servers). The virtual machine refers to a complete computer system that is simulated by software, has complete hardware system functions, and runs in a completely isolated environment. The virtual machine can be configured as the communication apparatus. For example, the functions of the communication apparatus can be implemented based on a general physical server in combination with a network function virtualization (NFV) technology. Those skilled in the art can virtualize the communication apparatus with the above functions on the general physical server by reading the present application in combination with the NFV technology, and details are not described herein.

[0268] It should be noted that the communication apparatus mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a base station, a terminal device, or a chip for implementing the method of the present application, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations. When the communication apparatus is a chip, the interface circuit in the chip can be used to perform the receiving or sending operation, and the processor in the chip can be used to perform the processing operation.

[0269] Optionally, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, which comprises an input and output interface and a logic circuit. The input and output interface is configured to acquire input information and / or output information. The logic circuit is configured to perform the method in any of the method embodiments described above, and process the input information and / or generate the output information.

[0270] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, which comprises a first communication apparatus (a first device) and a second communication apparatus (a target device) in the communication method of the embodiments of the present application.

[0271] In one specific implementation, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive instructions and transmit the instructions to the processor. The processor can be configured to perform the operations of the communication apparatuses in the communication method described above. The processor is coupled with a memory, and the memory is configured to store programs or instructions. When the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the method in any of the method embodiments described above.

[0272] Optionally, the processor in the chip can be one or more. The processor can be implemented by hardware and / or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is configured to read software codes stored in the memory to implement the functions.

[0273] Optionally, the memory in the chip can also be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or can be arranged separately from the processor, and the application does not limit. Illustratively, the memory can be a non-transient processor, for example, a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), which can be integrated on the same chip as the processor, or can be arranged separately on different chips, and the application does not limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0274] Illustratively, the chip can be a field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA), can be an application-specific integrated chip (application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC), can also be a system chip (system on chip, SoC), can also be a central processor (central processor unit, CPU), can also be a network processor (network processor, NP), can also be a digital signal processing circuit (digital signal processor, DSP), can also be a microcontroller (micro controller unit, MCU), can also be a programmable controller (programmable logic device, PLD) or other integrated chip.

[0275] The embodiment of the application further provides a computer readable storage medium, including instructions or computer programs, when running on the processor, causing the processor to execute the communication method provided by the above embodiment.

[0276] The embodiment of the application further provides a computer program product including instructions or computer programs, when running on the processor, causing the communication device to execute the communication method provided by the above embodiment.

[0277] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and the like (if any) in the specification and claims of the application and the above-described drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily have to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data thus used can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but can include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0278] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, and the division of units is only a logical business division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0280] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separated, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or they can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

[0281] Those skilled in the art should realize that, in one or more of the above examples, the services described in the present application can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, these services can be stored in a computer readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes computer storage medium and communication medium, wherein the communication medium includes any medium that facilitates the transmission of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general or special purpose computer.

[0282] The above detailed description further illustrates the purpose, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above is only a specific implementation of the present application.

[0283] The above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for some technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first device comprises: sending first information, the first information being used to determine a relationship between a target device and a coverage area of the first device; receiving first feedback information from the target device; determining, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device comprises: the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information comprises counter information, the counter information being used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first information used to determine the relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device comprises: the first information is used to determine relationships between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device, the M second devices comprising the target device, and M being a positive integer greater than 1.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The target device is a second device of the M second devices that sends feedback information first. The method further comprises: if the first feedback information is not received within the preset time, sending second information to the M second devices, the second information being used to indicate that the M second devices update values of counters, and the second information carrying contents in the first information.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The first device is further used to receive second feedback information from a third device, the third device being (M-1) second devices of the M second devices other than the target device. The method further comprises: determining, based on the first feedback information and the second feedback information, a number of successfully received feedback information within a preset time.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information comprises a target device identifier, the target device identifier being used to indicate the target device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information comprises a group identifier corresponding to the M second devices, the M second devices comprising the target device, and M being a positive integer greater than 1.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first information comprises a first flag bit, the first flag bit being used to indicate validity of the first information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending third information to the target device, the third information being used to indicate that the target device configures a second flag bit, the second flag bit being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first feedback information does not comprise a cyclic redundancy check code.

12. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a target device comprises: receiving first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to determine a relationship between the target device and a coverage area of the first device; determining first feedback information corresponding to the first information; sending the first feedback information to the first device, the first feedback information being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The relationship between the target device and the coverage area of the first device comprises: the target device is in the coverage area of the first device, or the target device is out of the coverage area of the first device.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information includes counter information, and the counter information is used to indicate that the target device sends the first feedback information in a target time unit within a preset time.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The first information is used to determine a relationship between the target device and a coverage area of the first device, and includes: The first information is used to determine a relationship between M second devices and the coverage area of the first device, and the M second devices include the target device, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving second information sent by the first device, the second information carrying content in the first information; updating a value of a counter of the target device based on the second information; until the updated value is a preset value, performing the step of sending the first feedback information to the first device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized by, The first information includes a target device identifier of the target device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized by, The first information includes a group identifier of a device group in which the target device is located, and the device group includes M second devices, and M is a positive integer greater than 1.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-18, characterized in that, The first information is a first flag bit, and the first flag bit is used to indicate validity of the first information.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, characterized by, The method further includes: receiving third information sent by the first device, the third information carrying a second flag bit, and the second flag bit is used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device; writing the second flag bit into device information corresponding to the target device.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The first feedback information does not include a cyclic redundancy check code.

22. A communications device, characterized by Comprising: a transceiving unit, configured to send first information, the first information being used to determine a relationship between a target device and a coverage area of a first device; the transceiving unit is further configured to receive first feedback information from the target device; a processing unit, configured to determine, based on the first feedback information, that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

23. A communications device, characterized by Comprising: a transceiving unit, configured to receive first information sent by a first device, the first information being used to determine a relationship between a target device and a coverage area of the first device; a processing unit, configured to determine first feedback information corresponding to the first information; the transceiving unit is further configured to send the first feedback information to the first device, the first feedback information being used to indicate that the target device is in the coverage area of the first device.

24. A communications device, characterized by Comprising a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store computer instructions, and the processor being used to call and run the computer instructions from the memory to implement the method in any one of claims 1-11, or to implement the method in any one of claims 12-21.

25. A communications device, characterized by Comprising: an input / output interface and a logic circuit; the input / output interface is used to obtain input information and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the method in any one of claims 1-11, or to implement the method in any one of claims 12-21, to process and / or generate the output information according to the input information.

26. A communication system, characterized by Comprising: a first communication device configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-11, and a second communication device configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 12-21.

27. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium has stored therein instructions which, when executed on a processor, implement the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or implement the method according to any one of claims 12-21.

28. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-11, or perform the method according to any one of claims 12-21.

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