Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: a first apparatus sends a first request message, the first request message comprising first information and second information, the first information being used for indicating whether to execute a sensing measurement task, and the second information is used for indicating whether to execute a positioning measurement task; and the first apparatus receives a first response message from at least one second apparatus, the first response message being used for responding to whether to accept the measurement tasks requested by the first request message. The method formulates a unified measurement procedure for sensing measurement tasks and positioning measurement tasks. The method is applicable to sensing scenarios or positioning scenarios, and is also applicable to scenarios in which both sensing and positioning are present, thereby reducing energy consumption generated by executing measurement tasks in sensing and positioning scenarios.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410916846.3, filed on July 9, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing refers to the process by which devices with WLAN sensing capabilities use received wireless signals in a given environment to determine the characteristics of a predetermined target (such as an object, animal, or person). These characteristics include the target's distance, orientation, speed, motion, and behavior. The IEEE 802.11bf standard defines the sensing measurement interaction process and related frame structures. The sensing measurement process includes three phases: sensing measurement session establishment, sensing measurement interaction, and sensing measurement closure. The IEEE 802.11az standard defines the fine timing measurement (FTM) process, which includes three phases: FTM process negotiation, measurement interaction, and FTM session closure.

[0005] In current technology, sensing / positioning measurement processes can be applied independently to millimeter-wave (i.e., high-frequency) or Sub-7 GHz (i.e., low-frequency) scenarios. This means there is no collaboration between high-frequency and low-frequency components in the sensing / positioning measurement process. However, executing sensing / positioning measurement processes at high and low frequencies respectively has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, for high-frequency sensing / positioning measurement processes, the larger bandwidth results in better sensing / positioning performance (e.g., higher resolution, accuracy). However, due to significant high-frequency attenuation, directional transmission and reception are typically used, making them susceptible to interference from blockages or beam misalignment, which can hinder direct sensing information exchange and prevent sensing measurements from being executed or completed. For low-frequency sensing / positioning measurement processes, the relatively smaller bandwidth limits sensing / positioning performance. However, low frequencies typically employ omnidirectional transmission, making them less susceptible to blockages and suitable for information exchange.

[0006] Currently, two independent processes (or schemes) are used for the aforementioned sensing and localization measurement tasks. Therefore, if sensing and localization measurement tasks are executed simultaneously, two processes need to be run, which obviously results in significant power consumption and overhead. Furthermore, the high-frequency and low-frequency measurement processes for sensing / localization are also independent; that is, there is no collaboration between high-frequency and low-frequency processes within a single measurement process. However, each process suffers from the aforementioned drawbacks, thus affecting measurement execution and performance. Currently, there is no unified process and message format that can simultaneously implement the aforementioned sensing and localization measurement tasks to address this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application proposes a communication method and apparatus that establishes a unified process and message format for sensing and positioning measurement tasks.

[0008] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a first device, or a component of the first device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device, or a device used in conjunction with the first device. Taking the application of this method to a first device as an example, the method includes: the first device sending a first request message, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information indicating whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information indicating whether to perform a positioning measurement task; the first device receiving a first response message from at least one second device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0009] In this embodiment, the first device is the initiator (or initiator) of the measurement task, and the second device is the responder (or responder) of the measurement task. Exemplarily, the first device can be an access point (AP) (e.g., a base station) or a non-access point site (STA) (e.g., a terminal device). The second device can be a non-access point site (STA) (e.g., a terminal device) or an access point (AP) (e.g., a base station).

[0010] In this application, a first device sends a first request message, which includes first information and second information. The first information indicates whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information indicates whether to perform a positioning measurement task. A first device receives a first response message from at least one second device, which responds to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message. It is understood that this method establishes a unified measurement process for sensing and positioning measurement tasks. This method can be applied to sensing scenarios, positioning scenarios, or scenarios where sensing and positioning coexist, thereby reducing the energy consumption generated by performing measurement tasks in sensing and positioning scenarios.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a process in which the first device, based on first information and second information, coordinates with at least one second device to perform a sensing measurement task and / or a positioning measurement task (i.e., a measurement task requested by the first request message). Through this implementation, the initiator of the measurement task can effectively coordinate with the responder to perform the sensing measurement task and / or the positioning measurement task according to the instructions of the first and second information.

[0012] In one possible implementation, when the first information indicates a first value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is performed; when the first information indicates a second value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is not performed; or when the second information indicates a first value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is performed; when the second information indicates a second value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is not performed.

[0013] For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. If the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 0, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a sensing measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 0 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a positioning measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of both the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task.

[0014] This implementation method enables the first and second information to effectively indicate whether the corresponding measurement task should be performed.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first request message and the first response message are transmitted on the first link; the management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the first link, and the physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the second link; wherein, the reliability of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the first link is higher than that of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the second link, and the measurement performance achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the second link is higher than that achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the first link (PPDUs generally do not carry communication data, but can carry empty data packets).

[0016] In the embodiments of this application, "transmission" may include the meanings of "sending" and / or "receiving".

[0017] For example, the first link can be a low-frequency link, and the second link can be a high-frequency link. In this embodiment, a low-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 2.4 GHz and 7.25 GHz, and a high-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 42 GHz and 71 GHz.

[0018] The method of this application embodiment can be applied to multi-link scenarios. In multi-link scenarios, the multiple links established between the AP multi-link device (MLD) and the Non-AP MLD only need to be located in non-overlapping channels. Therefore, this application does not limit the specific frequency bands corresponding to the first link and the second link. The first link and the second link can both be high-frequency links or both be low-frequency links.

[0019] This implementation method ensures both the reliability of transmitting management and / or control information and good measurement performance of the transmitted PPDU in measurement scenarios involving sensing and / or positioning.

[0020] The following section provides a more detailed description of the other parameters or information carried in the first request message.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first request message also includes measurement sub-element information and measurement parameters corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively; wherein the measurement sub-element information is used to indicate the measurement form (the measurement form may include TB measurement or non-TB measurement) corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively.

[0022] With this implementation, for both sensing and positioning measurement tasks, the first request message contains corresponding information or fields to indicate the corresponding measurement parameters and measurement methods. Therefore, the first request message can be used to request the execution of either a sensing or positioning measurement task, or it can be used to request the execution of both sensing and positioning measurement tasks simultaneously.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the measurement sub-element information includes trigger-based TB-specific subelement and / or non-trigger-based TB-specific subelement.

[0024] Among them, the trigger-based special information includes the detection sequence information in the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, as well as one or more of the following: the identifier of the sub-element information, the length of the sub-element information, the association identifier (AID) or the unassociated station identifier (USID), the polling allocation, the channel state information (CSI) change threshold, and the available window.

[0025] The detection sequence information is used to indicate the execution order of various detection processes (e.g., NDPA detection, TF detection) included in the sensing and positioning measurement tasks. In this embodiment, when the sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks include multiple detection stages, the execution order of these multiple detection stages can be flexibly set. The initiating end (i.e., the first device) can effectively instruct or notify the responding end (i.e., the second device) through the detection sequence information.

[0026] If the measurement task is initiated by a non-access point site, the above available windows are the available window elements of the initiating site; if the measurement task is initiated by an access point, the above available windows are the available window elements of the responding site.

[0027] The non-triggering dedicated information includes one or more of the following: the identifier of the sub-element information, the length of the sub-element information, the maximum measurement time, the minimum measurement time, the power of the transmitting device from the responding end to the initiating end R2I, and the power of the transmitting device from the initiating end to the responding end I2R.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the measurement parameters include, but are not limited to, public information and / or link information for sensing and positioning measurement tasks; wherein the public information (i.e., shared and common information) includes measurement session indication information and measurement report request information, wherein the measurement session indication information indicates that the purpose of the measurement task is positioning and / or sensing; the link information is used to indicate parameter information on the link used by the measurement task, and the link information includes at least one device information, and each device information (or per-STA profile) includes beam information of the transmitting end and / or beam information of the receiving end.

[0029] In the embodiments of this application, the beam information may include: one or more beam information corresponding to the first path of the positioning measurement task, and / or one or more beam information corresponding to the sensing measurement task (i.e., multiple beams in different directions, or beam information corresponding to multiple different paths).

[0030] In one possible implementation, the measurement report request information includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0031] The report link identification information from the initiator to the responder (I2R report link ID), the report preparation timer from the responder to the initiator (R2I report preparation timer), and the report preparation timer from the initiator to the responder (I2R report preparation timer) are as follows: The report link identification information from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the link identifier from which the initiator sends the report; the report preparation timer from the responder to the initiator is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiator can accept from the responder sending the report; and the report preparation timer from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the maximum delay required by the initiator to send the report.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the measurement report request information further includes, but is not limited to, request information for a perception measurement report, and / or, request information for a location measurement report; wherein the request information for a perception measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the perception measurement report, and the request information for a location measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the location measurement report.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the request information in the perception measurement report includes, but is not limited to, request information for target parameters and / or request information for CSI; wherein the request information for target parameters is used to indicate whether to feed back target parameters (e.g., target distance, departure angle DOD, arrival angle DOA, Doppler frequency, etc.), and the request information for CSI is used to indicate whether to feed back CSI.

[0034] The request information for the location measurement report includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0035] R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) request information, R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) type request information, and R2I report preparation timing information;

[0036] Among them, the TOA request information of R2I is used to request feedback on the TOA, the TOA type request information of R2I is used to request feedback on the type of TOA, and the R2I report preparation timing information is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiating end can accept for the responding end to send the report.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the measurement task process includes one or more of the following steps:

[0038] Transmit empty data packet declaration NDPA information; transmit trigger information (also known as trigger frame); transmit one or more empty data packets NDP or PPDU.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the above measurement task process may also include the following steps:

[0040] Transmit polling trigger information, which is used to poll and trigger devices participating in sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks.

[0041] Transmit the response information triggered by polling.

[0042] In the embodiments of this application, the measurement-related management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task may include, but are not limited to, polling trigger information and polling response information and NDPA information, which can be transmitted on the first link or on the second link; in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task, empty data packets NDP or PPDU (PPDU generally does not carry communication data) can be transmitted on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0043] The NDPA information (or NDPA frames) described above can be transmitted via broadcast. The NDPA information may include one or more STA info fields. The first field in each STA info field is AID11, and the value of AID11 indicates whether the devices participating in the measurement task should read the STA info. If the AID11 value in the STA info field is between 1 and 2007, it instructs the corresponding STA to receive and read this STA info field; if there is a STA info field with an AID11 value of 2045, it instructs all STAs participating in the measurement task to receive and read this STA info field.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the NDPA information includes, but is not limited to, first site information, which includes, but is not limited to, bit information used to indicate that the measurement task is a sensing measurement task and a positioning measurement task.

[0045] For example, the first site information could refer to the STA info field carrying AID11 with a value of 2045.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the method further includes transmitting second site information, which includes identification information of the measurement session.

[0047] For example, the second site information could refer to an STA info field carrying an AID11 value between 2008 and 2042, or a value of 2046.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the trigger information (also referred to as the trigger frame) includes, but is not limited to, common information, including, but not limited to, trigger type information and trigger dependent common information; wherein, the trigger type information is a first value (e.g., the first value is 9), which indicates that the trigger information is for sensing and / or positioning; the trigger dependent common information includes trigger subtype information and a first field, which indicates that the trigger information is used for sensing and / or positioning, and the trigger subtype information may include one or more of the following variables:

[0049] Polling, sounding, threshold-based reporting, and reporting.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the process of the above measurement task may further include: transmitting measurement report information; the measurement report information includes, but is not limited to, public behavior information and / or at least one measurement report sub-information (or measurement report container(s)), or the measurement report information includes one or more of public behavior information, report type bitmap information, and CSI information.

[0051] The above-mentioned public behavior information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following newly added fields:

[0052] IMMW measurement report, sensing IMMW measurement report, positioning IMMW measurement report.

[0053] The measurement report sub-information described above may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: length information of the measurement report sub-information, segmentation control information, measurement report control information, and measurement report. The segmentation control information includes link identification information, which indicates the link corresponding to the measurement report sub-information obtained during the measurement. In this embodiment, the link indicated by the link identification information refers to the link used for measurement, i.e., the link transmitting the NDP or PPDU. The measurement report information may be transmitted using the same link as the NDP or PPDU, or it may be transmitted through other links; there is no limitation on this.

[0054] The measurement report control information includes presence and control bitmap information, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0055] The system contains indications for CSI, target parameters, LMR (Location Measurement Report), and angle of arrival (AOA) feedback.

[0056] The report type bitmap information mentioned above includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0057] The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: a measurement task shutdown message sent by the first device to at least one second device, the measurement task shutdown message indicating the shutdown of the measurement task; the measurement shutdown message including measurement session shutdown control information, the shutdown control information including one or more of the following:

[0059] Terminate all trigger-based measurement sessions, terminate all non-trigger-based measurement sessions, trigger-based measurement session type, and non-trigger-based measurement session type.

[0060] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a second device, or a component of the second device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device, or a device used in conjunction with the second device. Taking the application of this method to a second device as an example, the method includes: the second device receiving a first request message from a first device, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information indicating whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information indicating whether to perform a positioning measurement task; the second device sending a first response message to the first device, the first response message responding to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first device is the initiator (or initiator) of the measurement task, and the second device is the responder (or responder) of the measurement task. Exemplarily, the first device can be an access point (AP) (e.g., a base station) or a non-access point site (STA) (e.g., a terminal device). The second device can be a non-access point site (STA) (e.g., a terminal device) or an access point (AP) (e.g., a base station).

[0062] In this application, the second device receives a first request message from the first device. The first request message includes first information and second information. The first information indicates whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information indicates whether to perform a positioning measurement task. The second device sends a first response message to the first device, which responds to whether it accepts the measurement task requested by the first request message. It is clear that this method establishes a unified measurement process for sensing and positioning measurement tasks. This method can be applied to sensing scenarios, positioning scenarios, or scenarios where sensing and positioning coexist, thereby reducing the energy consumption generated by performing measurement tasks in sensing and positioning scenarios.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a second device performing a sensing measurement task and / or a positioning measurement task based on the first information and the second information. With this implementation, the responder of the measurement task can effectively perform the sensing measurement task and / or the positioning measurement task according to the instructions of the first and second information.

[0064] In one possible implementation, when the first information indicates a first value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is performed; when the first information indicates a second value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is not performed; or when the second information indicates a first value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is performed; when the second information indicates a second value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is not performed.

[0065] For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. If the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 0, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a sensing measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 0 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a positioning measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of both the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task.

[0066] This implementation method enables the first and second information to effectively indicate whether the corresponding measurement task should be performed.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the first request message and the first response message are transmitted on the first link; the management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the first link, and the physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the second link; wherein, the reliability of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the first link is higher than that of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the second link, and the measurement performance achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the second link is higher than that achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the first link (PPDUs generally do not carry communication data, but can carry empty data packets).

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, "transmission" may include the meanings of "sending" and / or "receiving".

[0069] For example, the first link can be a low-frequency link, and the second link can be a high-frequency link. In this embodiment, a low-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 2.4 GHz and 7.25 GHz, and a high-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 42 GHz and 71 GHz.

[0070] The method of this application can be applied to multi-link scenarios. In a multi-link scenario, multiple links established between AP MLD and Non-AP MLD only need to be located in non-overlapping channels. Therefore, this application does not limit the specific frequency bands corresponding to the first link and the second link. The first link and the second link can both be high-frequency links or both be low-frequency links.

[0071] This implementation method ensures both the reliability of transmitting management and / or control information and good measurement performance of the transmitted PPDU in measurement scenarios involving sensing and / or positioning.

[0072] The following section provides a more detailed description of the other parameters or information carried in the first request message.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the first request message also includes measurement sub-element information and measurement parameters corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively; wherein the measurement sub-element information is used to indicate the measurement form (the measurement form may include TB measurement or non-TB measurement) corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively.

[0074] With this implementation, for both sensing and positioning measurement tasks, the first request message contains corresponding information or fields to indicate the corresponding measurement parameters and measurement methods. Therefore, the first request message can be used to request the execution of either a sensing or positioning measurement task, or it can be used to request the execution of both sensing and positioning measurement tasks simultaneously.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the measurement sub-element information includes trigger-based specific information (TB specific subelement) and / or non-trigger-based specific information (Non-TB specific subelement); wherein, the trigger-based specific information includes detection sequence information in the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, as well as one or more of the following: the identifier of the sub-element information, the length of the sub-element information, the associated identifier AID or the unassociated site identifier USID, the polling allocation, the channel state information CSI change threshold, and the available window;

[0076] The detection sequence information is used to indicate the execution order of various detection processes (e.g., NDPA detection, TF detection) included in the sensing and positioning measurement tasks. In this embodiment, when the sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks include multiple detection stages, the execution order of these multiple detection stages can be flexibly set. The initiating end (i.e., the first device) can effectively instruct or notify the responding end (i.e., the second device) through the detection sequence information.

[0077] If the measurement task is initiated by a non-access point site, the above available windows are the available window elements of the initiating site; if the measurement task is initiated by an access point, the above available windows are the available window elements of the responding site.

[0078] The non-triggering dedicated information includes one or more of the following: the identifier of the sub-element information, the length of the sub-element information, the maximum measurement time, the minimum measurement time, the power of the transmitting device from the responding end to the initiating end R2I, and the power of the transmitting device from the initiating end to the responding end I2R.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the measurement parameters include, but are not limited to, public information and / or link information for sensing and positioning measurement tasks; wherein the public information (i.e., shared and common information) includes measurement session indication information and measurement report request information, wherein the measurement session indication information indicates that the purpose of the measurement task is positioning and / or sensing; the link information is used to indicate parameter information on the link used by the measurement task, and the link information includes at least one device information, and each device information (or per-STA profile) includes beam information of the transmitting end and / or beam information of the receiving end.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, the beam information may include: one or more beam information corresponding to the first path of the positioning measurement task, and / or one or more beam information corresponding to the sensing measurement task (i.e., multiple beams in different directions, or beam information corresponding to multiple different paths).

[0081] In one possible implementation, the measurement report request information includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0082] The report link identification information from the initiator to the responder (I2R report link ID), the report preparation timer from the responder to the initiator (R2I report preparation timer), and the report preparation timer from the initiator to the responder (I2R report preparation timer) are as follows: The report link identification information from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the link identifier from which the initiator sends the report; the report preparation timer from the responder to the initiator is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiator can accept from the responder sending the report; and the report preparation timer from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the maximum delay required by the initiator to send the report.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the measurement report request information further includes, but is not limited to, request information for a perception measurement report, and / or, request information for a location measurement report; wherein the request information for a perception measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the perception measurement report, and the request information for a location measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the location measurement report.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the request information in the perception measurement report includes, but is not limited to, request information for target parameters and / or request information for CSI; wherein the request information for target parameters is used to indicate whether to feed back target parameters (e.g., target distance, departure angle DOD, arrival angle DOA, Doppler frequency, etc.), and the request information for CSI is used to indicate whether to feed back CSI.

[0085] The request information for the location measurement report includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0086] R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) request information, R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) type request information, and R2I report preparation timing information;

[0087] Among them, the TOA request information of R2I is used to request feedback on the TOA, the TOA type request information of R2I is used to request feedback on the type of TOA, and the R2I report preparation timing information is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiating end can accept for the responding end to send the report.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the measurement task process includes one or more of the following steps:

[0089] Transmit empty data packet declaration NDPA information; transmit trigger information; transmit one or more empty data packets NDP or PPDU.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the above measurement task process may also include the following steps:

[0091] Transmit polling trigger information, which is used to poll and trigger devices participating in sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks.

[0092] Transmit the response information triggered by polling.

[0093] In the embodiments of this application, the measurement-related management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task may include, but are not limited to, polling trigger information and polling response information and NDPA information, which can be transmitted on the first link or on the second link; in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task, empty data packets NDP or PPDU (PPDU generally does not carry communication data) can be transmitted on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0094] In this embodiment, NDPA information (or NDPA frames) can be transmitted via broadcast. The NDPA information may include one or more STA info fields. The first field in each STA info field is AID11, and the value of AID11 indicates whether the devices participating in the measurement task should read the STA info. If the AID11 value in the STA info field is between 1 and 2007, the corresponding STA is instructed to receive and read this STA info field; if there is a STA info field with an AID11 value of 2045, all STAs participating in the measurement task are instructed to receive and read this STA info field.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the NDPA information includes, but is not limited to, first site information, which includes, but is not limited to, bit information used to indicate that the measurement task is a sensing measurement task and a positioning measurement task.

[0096] For example, the first site information could refer to the STA info field carrying AID11 with a value of 2045.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the above measurement task process further includes: transmitting second site information, which includes identification information of the measurement session.

[0098] For example, the second site information could refer to an STA info field carrying an AID11 value between 2008 and 2042, or a value of 2046.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the trigger information includes, but is not limited to, common information, including, but not limited to, trigger type information and trigger dependent common information; wherein, the trigger type information is a first numerical value (e.g., the first numerical value is 9), which indicates that the trigger information is for sensing and / or positioning; the trigger dependent common information includes trigger subtype information and a first field, which indicates that the trigger information is used for sensing and / or positioning, and the trigger subtype information may include one or more of the following variables:

[0100] Polling, sounding, threshold-based reporting, and reporting.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the process of the above measurement task may further include: transmitting measurement report information; the measurement report information includes, but is not limited to, public behavior information and / or at least one measurement report sub-information (or measurement report container(s)), or the measurement report information includes one or more of public behavior information, report type bitmap information, and CSI information.

[0102] The above-mentioned public behavior information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following newly added fields:

[0103] IMMW measurement report, sensing IMMW measurement report, positioning IMMW measurement report.

[0104] The measurement report sub-information described above may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: length information of the measurement report sub-information, segmentation control information, measurement report control information, and measurement report. The segmentation control information includes link identification information, which indicates the link corresponding to the measurement report sub-information obtained during the measurement. In this embodiment, the link indicated by the link identification information refers to the link used for measurement, i.e., the link transmitting the NDP or PPDU. The measurement report information may be transmitted using the same link as the NDP or PPDU, or it may be transmitted through other links; there is no limitation on this.

[0105] The measurement report control information includes presence and control bitmap information, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0106] The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

[0107] The report type bitmap information mentioned above includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0108] The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: the at least one second device receiving measurement task shutdown information sent by the first device, the measurement task shutdown information indicating shutdown of the measurement task; the measurement shutdown information includes measurement session shutdown control information, which may include one or more of the following:

[0110] Terminate all trigger-based measurement sessions, terminate all non-trigger-based measurement sessions, trigger-based measurement session type, and non-trigger-based measurement session type.

[0111] Thirdly, this application also provides a communication device, which is the first device or a chip corresponding to the first device. The communication device has the functions of implementing the first aspect and any of the possible embodiments described above. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0112] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the first device in the method described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and other communication devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0113] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0114] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device, which is a second device or a chip corresponding to a second device. The communication device has the functions of implementing the second aspect described above and any of the possible embodiments therein. The communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0116] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the second device in the method described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes interface circuitry for supporting communication between the communication device and other communication devices, such as the transmission and reception of data or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0117] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0118] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0119] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the first aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0120] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods of the second aspect and any of the possible implementations thereof through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0121] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0122] Eighthly, a computer program product storing instructions is provided, which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0123] A ninth aspect provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory for implementing the methods of the first and second aspects and any possible embodiments thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0124] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising the terminal equipment described in the first aspect and the network equipment described in the second aspect.

[0125] It should be noted that the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the third to tenth aspects or any of the third to tenth aspects can be referred to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the first and second aspects or any of the first and second aspects, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0126] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a TB perception measurement interaction process;

[0127] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of multiple sensory measurement interactions contained in a TXOP;

[0128] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a non-TB perception measurement interaction process;

[0129] Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of the measurement interaction in an available window for TB positioning;

[0130] Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of a TB positioning and measurement interaction that includes a polling phase and a measurement and detection phase;

[0131] Figure 3C is a flowchart illustrating the measurement report phase in a TB location measurement interaction;

[0132] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a Non-TB positioning measurement exchange process;

[0133] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture to which the method of the embodiments of this application can be applied;

[0134] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0135] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of a non-TB measurement process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0136] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of a TB measurement process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0137] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of an IMMW measurement request frame structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0138] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the elemental structure of an IMMW measurement parameter provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 8C is a schematic diagram of a non-trigger-based dedicated sub-element structure provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0140] Figure 8D is a schematic diagram of a trigger-specific sub-element structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0141] Figure 9 is a beam diagram of a sensing and / or positioning scene provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0142] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a measurement report request field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0143] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a site information field carried in an NDPA frame according to an embodiment of this application;

[0144] Figure 12A is a schematic diagram of the structure of an IMW trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0145] Figure 12B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a trigger-related public information field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0146] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a unified measurement report frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0147] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an existence and control pattern field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0148] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a measurement report frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0149] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a measurement shutdown frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0150] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0151] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0152] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a chip device structure according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0153] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0154] The relevant technologies, terms, and features involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0155] I. Sensing Technology:

[0156] The following section uses the 802.11bf scenario to introduce the relevant content of sensing technology.

[0157] Sensing measurement, also known as wireless sensing or WLAN sensing, refers to the process by which a transmitting and receiving end detects or determines the status of a target by transmitting signals. For example, it involves using wireless signals to sense environmental information (called sensing information). This information includes the distribution, size, quantity, and temperature of objects in the environment, human actions and behaviors, and even human breathing rate and heart rate. After sensing the environment, various other technologies, such as AI, can be combined for subsequent processing to reconstruct the physical environment, analyze the environment, identify and analyze people and objects within it, and trigger subsequent actions, etc.

[0158] WLAN sensing refers to a station (STA) with WLAN sensing capabilities using received WLAN signals to detect characteristic information of expected targets in a given environment. For example, characteristic information includes one or more of the following: distance, speed, angle, motion, presence or proximity, gestures, etc. Targets include one or more of the following: objects, people, animals, etc. Environment includes one or more of the following: rooms, houses, vehicles, businesses, etc.

[0159] For example, the transmitting end can send a signal for sensing and measurement to the receiving end, which can measure the signal to obtain a channel estimation result, such as Channel State Information (CSI). The receiving end can then perform sensing based on the CSI. Alternatively, the receiving end can send the channel estimation result back to the transmitting end, which can then perform target sensing or target state sensing based on the channel estimation result. For example, either the receiving end or the transmitting end can process the CSI to determine whether a moving target exists in the environment.

[0160] In the sensing and measurement process, the devices involved in sensing mainly consist of the following roles:

[0161] Sensing initiator (SI): The device that initiates the sensing measurement process and sends a sensing measurement establishment request. For non-DMG devices, the sensing initiator is the device that sends the sensing measurement establishment request frame. For DMG devices, the sensing initiator is the device that sends the DMG sensing measurement establishment request frame.

[0162] Sensing responder (SR): A device that responds to the sensing process initiated by the sensing initiator and sends a sensing measurement response. For non-DMG devices, the sensing responder refers to the device that sends a sensing measurement establishment response frame. For DMG devices, the sensing responder refers to the device that sends a DMG sensing measurement establishment response frame.

[0163] Sensing transmitter: A device that transmits sensing signals. These sensing signals can refer to signals used for sensing measurements, such as Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs). Sensing can be WLAN sensing or DMG sensing.

[0164] Sensing receiver: A device that receives sensing signals sent by a sensing transmitter. Sensing can be WLAN sensing or DMG sensing.

[0165] In the embodiments of this application, sensing can refer to WLAN sensing (such as low-frequency sub7GHz sensing) or (E)DMG sensing (i.e., high-frequency sensing, such as 60GHz sensing). Here, DMG can refer to high-frequency sensing, and this application does not limit the specific protocol used.

[0166] The current WLAN sensing process can include the following stages / processes: sensing measurement establishment (or sensing measurement session establishment), sensing measurement instance (also known as sensing measurement exchange), and sensing measurement shutdown / termination.

[0167] After the sensing initiator completes the sensing measurement establishment, it will initiate one or more sensing measurement instances / exchanges.

[0168] Typically, sensing measurement instances / exchanges take the following two forms:

[0169] (1) Trigger-based (TB) sensing measurement exchange; (2) Non-trigger-based (Non-TB) sensing measurement exchange.

[0170] In TB, the sensing measurement exchange is generally initiated by AP as the sensing initiator, while in Non-TB, the sensing measurement exchange is generally initiated by Non-AP STA as the sensing initiator.

[0171] In an example of a TB-based sensing measurement instance, at least one of the following stages may be included:

[0172] (1) Polling phase:

[0173] At the start of the sensing measurement, the sensing initiator polls all devices that need to participate in the sensing measurement interaction. Specifically, the AP at the sensing initiator sends a sensing polling trigger frame to all devices participating in the sensing measurement interaction. After receiving the sensing polling trigger frame, these devices decide to participate in the sensing measurement and then send a CTS-to-self frame to the AP.

[0174] (2) Null data packet announcement (NDPA) sounding phase:

[0175] The AP, acting as the sensing initiator, sends NDPs to the devices participating in the sensing measurement. Specifically, the AP broadcasts a sensing NDPA frame to one or more STAs first, and after a short inter-frame space (SIFS), the AP sends the NDP to one or more STAs again.

[0176] (3) Trigger frame (TF) sounding phase:

[0177] For the TF detection phase, sensing can be achieved by one or more sensing response terminals (SRs) sending NDPs to sensing initiators (SIs), or by one sensing response terminal (SR) sending NDPs to another sensing response terminal (SR).

[0178] For example, the AP triggers the sensing response device to send an NDP. Specifically, the AP sends a sensing SR2SI sounding trigger frame to all devices participating in the sensing measurement. After a short frame interval (SIFS), these devices send an SR2SI NDP to the AP according to the settings in the sensing response to sensing initiation frame.

[0179] (4) Reporting phase:

[0180] During the NDPA detection phase described above, after all participating sensing and measurement devices receive the NDPA sent by the AP, they will generate a sensing and measurement report locally, which includes CSI data. Subsequently, the AP can send a sensing reporting trigger frame to these devices (i.e., all participating sensing and measurement devices) to trigger them to send reports. After receiving the sensing reporting trigger frame, these devices will send a sensing and measurement report frame to the AP after a short inter-frame interval (SIFS).

[0181] Figure 1A illustrates a flowchart of a TB (Through-Based) sensing measurement interaction encompassing all the aforementioned stages. Referring to Figure 1A, the AP, acting as the sensing initiator, broadcasts a sensing polling trigger frame during the polling phase. STA1-STA5 receive this frame, and after deciding to participate in the sensing measurement, STA1 and STA2, as well as STA4 and STA5, respectively send back a CTS-to-self frame to the AP. During the NDPA (Not-In-Place) detection phase, the AP broadcasts a sensing NDPA frame to STA4-STA6. After a short frame interval (SIFS), the AP sends an SI2SR DNP to STA4-STA6. During the TF (Through-Based) detection phase, the AP sends a sensing trigger frame (sensing SR2SI sounding trigger), which is received by STA1 and STA2. After a short frame interval (SIFS), STA1 and STA2 respectively send an SR2SI NDP to the AP. During the reporting phase, the AP sends a perception report trigger frame to STA5 and STA6. After receiving the perception report trigger frame, STA5 and STA6 respectively send a perception measurement report frame back to the AP.

[0182] In this embodiment of the application, all stages of the TB's perception measurement interaction can occur during the transmission opportunity (TXOP) or during the service period (SP).

[0183] Figure 1A above illustrates the stages of a perception measurement interaction. Typically, a TXOP can contain one perception measurement interaction or multiple perception measurement interactions. For example, as shown in Figure 1B, referring to Figure 1B(1), the first TB perception measurement interaction includes a polling stage and a TF probing stage, and the second TB perception measurement interaction includes a polling stage, an NDPA probing stage, and a reporting stage; referring to Figure 1B(2), both the first and second TB perception measurement interactions include a polling stage, an NDPA probing stage, a TF probing stage, and a reporting stage.

[0184] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a Non-TB sensing measurement interaction. Referring to Figure 2, in the Non-TB sensing measurement interaction flow, STA1, as the sensing initiator, first sends a sensing NDPA frame. After a short interval (SIFS), STA1 sends an SI2SR NDP. Correspondingly, AP receives the sensing NDPA frame and, after a short interval, receives the SI2SR NDP. Furthermore, AP, as the sensing responder, sends an SR2SI NDP to STA1 after a short interval (SIFS). If a reporting phase exists, AP sends a sensing measurement report frame to STA1 after transmitting the SR2SI NDP.

[0185] Similarly, all stages of the above-described Non-TB perception measurement interaction can be completed in TXOP or SP, which will not be elaborated further here. Furthermore, in TB perception measurement interaction, TXOP is obtained by AP, while in Non-TB perception measurement interaction, TXOP is obtained by Non-AP.

[0186] II. Positioning Technology

[0187] The IEEE 802.11az standard (positioning or ranging) defines the procedure for fine timing measurement (FTM), which is typically initiated by a Non-AP STA. The initiating end is called the ISTA, and the responding end is called the RSTA.

[0188] A typical FTM process consists of three phases: FTM process negotiation (or session establishment), measurement interaction, and FTM session closure.

[0189] During the FTM negotiation process, a STA sends an FTM request (FTMR) frame to initiate measurement. Upon receiving this FTM request frame, the AP replies with an FTM frame, after which the measurement interaction process is executed. Similar to the perception measurement interaction process described above, FTM measurement interaction can include the following two forms:

[0190] (1) Triggered-based ranging measurement exchange; (2) Non-trigger-based ranging measurement exchange.

[0191] The positioning and measurement interaction of TB may include at least one of the following stages:

[0192] (1) Polling phase; (2) Measurement sounding phase; (3) Measurement reporting phase.

[0193] As shown in Figure 3A, it illustrates the availability window for TB location. This availability window includes two TXOPs, each of which includes three phases of a measurement interaction: the polling phase, the measurement sounding phase, and the measurement reporting phase.

[0194] Figure 3B illustrates a flowchart of a one-tillage (TB) positioning measurement interaction, including a polling phase and a measurement probe phase. Referring to Figure 3B, in the polling phase, the responding device RSTA sends a poll ranging trigger frame to each initiating device ISTA (Non-AP STA). Upon receiving the poll ranging trigger frame, the ISTA decides to participate in the positioning measurement and replies with a CTS-to-self frame. After receiving the CTS-to-self frames from each initiating device ISTA (Non-AP STA), the responding device RSTA sends a TF ranging sounding frame. The initiating device ISTA then sends an I2R NDP based on the allocated uplink resources. After receiving the last I2R NDP, the AP sends an NDPA frame, followed by an R2I NDP.

[0195] Figure 3C illustrates a flowchart of the measurement reporting phase in a TB location measurement interaction. Referring to Figure 3C, after the polling and measurement probing phases, the RSTA sends a responder-to-initiator location measurement report (R2I LMR). Optionally, if negotiated during the negotiation phase, the RSTA first sends a report ranging trigger frame, and then the ISTA, upon receiving this report ranging trigger frame, sends an initiator-to-responder location measurement report (I2R LMR).

[0196] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a non-TB positioning measurement exchange. Referring to Figure 4, ISTA sends a ranging NDPA frame to RSTA, followed by an I2R NDP. Upon receiving the I2R NDP, RSTA sends an R2I NDP to ISTA. After a short inter-frame interval (SIFS), RSTA sends an LMR to ISTA.

[0197] The positioning measurement interaction and measurement reporting phase for Non-TB can be referred to the positioning measurement interaction and measurement reporting phase for TB as described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0198] Furthermore, the sensing and positioning measurement processes can be applied independently to millimeter-wave (i.e., high-frequency) or Sub-7 GHz (i.e., low-frequency) scenarios. This means there is no collaboration between high-frequency and low-frequency components in the sensing / positioning measurement process. However, executing sensing / positioning measurement processes at high and low frequencies respectively has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, for high-frequency sensing / positioning measurement processes, the larger bandwidth results in better sensing / positioning performance (e.g., higher resolution, accuracy). However, due to significant high-frequency attenuation, directional transmission and reception are typically employed, making them susceptible to interference from blockages or beam misalignment, which can hinder direct sensing information exchange and prevent sensing measurements from being executed or completed. For low-frequency sensing / positioning measurement processes, the relatively smaller bandwidth limits sensing / positioning performance. However, low frequencies typically employ omnidirectional transmission, making them less susceptible to blockages and suitable for information exchange.

[0199] As described above, current measurement tasks for sensing and localization use two independent processes (or schemes). Therefore, executing both sensing and localization measurement tasks simultaneously requires running two separate processes, which obviously results in significant power consumption and overhead. Furthermore, the high-frequency and low-frequency measurement processes for sensing / localization are also independent; there is no collaboration between high-frequency and low-frequency processes within a single measurement process. Each of these processes suffers from the aforementioned drawbacks, affecting measurement execution and performance. Currently, there is no unified process and message format that can simultaneously implement the aforementioned sensing and localization measurement tasks.

[0200] Therefore, embodiments of this application propose a communication method and apparatus. This method establishes a unified process and message format for sensing and positioning measurement tasks, thereby reducing the overhead of sensing and positioning measurement tasks. Embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as cellular network systems and wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems. Cellular network systems include: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, 5G systems, or new radio (NR) systems, or systems applied to future communication systems (such as next-generation cellular wireless communication systems) or other similar communication systems; Wi-Fi network systems can include: network systems supporting 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bf, 802.11bk, 802.11ax, 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT), 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8), or next-generation Wi-Fi 8 standards, and may also include 802.11ad, 802.11ay standards, or integrated millimeter wave (MWW) standards. Network systems such as IMW (Intense Pulsed Wave) or Spark Link / NearLink protocols, or network systems applied to future protocols (e.g., next-generation wireless local area network systems). It is understood that the above examples are merely illustrative and do not limit the possible combinations of communication systems in this application. Other communication systems can also be applied to the embodiments of this application. For example, cellular network systems and ultra-wideband (UWB) systems, cellular network systems and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) systems, cellular network systems and satellite communication systems, etc. Furthermore, the communication systems in the embodiments of this application may also include other communication systems, such as ultra-wideband (UWB) systems, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) systems, satellite communication systems, etc.

[0201] Figure 5 illustrates a possible communication system 5000 applicable to this application. The communication system 5000 includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 5000 may also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (or network device) (110a and 110b in Figure 5) and at least one terminal (120a-120i in Figure 5). The terminal connects wirelessly to the wireless access network device, and the wireless access network device connects wirelessly or via a wired connection to the core network. The core network device 200 and the wireless access network device 100 can be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device 200 and the logical functions of the wireless access network device 100 can be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of the core network device 200 and some of the functions of the wireless access network device 100. Terminals and wireless access network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. Figure 5 is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 5.

[0202] Radio access network equipment (or network equipment) can be, for example, a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system. Radio access network equipment can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). Radio access network equipment can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. Radio access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 5, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 5, 110b), a relay node, or a donor node, etc.

[0203] Furthermore, the wireless access network equipment can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0204] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a wireless access network equipment in the following description. It is understood that a base station can be referred to as a communication device. For example, a base station can be understood as a device with base station functions. For example, the device used to implement the functions of a base station can be a base station; or some components in a base station, such as CU, DU, etc. It can also be a device that can support the base station in implementing this function, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or hardware circuit plus software module, which can be installed in a base station or can be used in conjunction with a base station. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0205] A terminal can also be called a terminal device, such as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal, or station (STA) in a Wi-Fi network. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0206] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal. It is understood that a terminal can be referred to as a communication device. For example, a terminal can be understood as a device with terminal functions. For example, the device used to implement the terminal functions can be a terminal itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or hardware circuit plus software module. This device can be installed in the terminal or can be used in conjunction with the terminal.

[0207] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0208] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0209] Core network equipment can include, for example, core network nodes, core network functions, mobility management entities (MME), access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), user plane functions (UPF), policy control functions (PCF), policy and charging rules functions (PCRF), edge application server discovery functions (EASDF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), home subscriber servers (HSS), centralized network configuration (CNC), network repository functions (NRF), network exposure functions (NEF), local NEF (or L-NEF), binding support functions (BSF), application functions (AF), location management functions (LMF), and enhanced serving mobile location centers. The center (E-SMLC), network data analytics function (NWDAF), etc.

[0210] Servers can be, for example, cloud computing servers used to build cloud computing platforms; supercomputing servers used for high-performance computing and scientific computing; mobile edge computing (MEC) servers, servers deployed on edge devices used to process and analyze real-time data; and other servers with computing capabilities.

[0211] It is understood that the terminal in this application includes a multi-mode terminal, such as a terminal that includes a WIFI module and a cellular module, which can support cellular communication and WIFI communication.

[0212] The communication system architecture or network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of communication system or network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0213] Unless otherwise specified in this document, the term "first device" and "second device" are used as the main entities for description.

[0214] The "first device" (or "second device") can be a network device, a device with network device functions, or a device that implements network device functions. For example, the "first device" (or "second device") can be an access network device (such as an AP, AP MLD), or the "first device" (or "second device") can be a module (e.g., a chip or circuit) within an access network device (such as an AP, AP MLD), or it can be a module or unit (e.g., a CU, DU, or RU), logic module, or software that fully or partially implements an access network device (such as an AP, AP MLD). Alternatively, the "first device" (or "second device") can be a terminal (such as a Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD), a device with terminal (such as a Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD) functions, or a device that implements terminal (such as a Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD) functions. Alternatively, the "first device" (or "second device") can be a core network device. Or, the "first device" (or "second device") can be a server, such as a cloud server. Alternatively, the "first device" (or "second device") can be a device or apparatus with sensing and / or positioning capabilities, or a device or apparatus capable of performing artificial intelligence tasks. Among these, the device capable of performing artificial intelligence tasks can be referred to as an artificial intelligence task execution device.

[0215] Furthermore, the "first device" can be either the initiator or the responder (sender or receiver) of the measurement task, and the "second device" can also be either the initiator or the responder (sender or receiver) of the measurement task. For example, if the "first device" is the initiator (or initiator) of the measurement task, then the "second device" can be the responder (or responder) of the measurement task; if the "second device" is the initiator (or initiator) of the measurement task, then the "first device" can be the responder (or responder) of the measurement task.

[0216] The following description uses "first device" as the initiating end and "second device" as the responding end as an example to introduce the scheme of the embodiments of this application. In addition, "first device" can be replaced by "first device", or "first communication device", or "initiating device", etc., and "second device" can be replaced by "second device", or "second communication device", or "responding device", etc.

[0217] In this application, "send" and "receive" refer to the direction of information / data / signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, and "send information" can include direct transmission or indirect transmission through other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, and "receive information" can include receiving directly from YY or receiving indirectly from YY through other units or modules. Furthermore, "send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, "send" or "receive" can occur between devices, such as a base station and a terminal transmitting or receiving data via an air interface. "Send" or "receive" can also occur within a device, such as transmitting or receiving data between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0218] It should be understood that the names of the messages (or information) in the following processes in this application are merely examples. As communication technology evolves, the names of the messages (or information, etc.) in the following processes may change. However, regardless of how the names change, as long as their meaning is the same as the function or meaning of the messages (or information, etc.) in this application, they all fall within the protection scope of this application. For example, "first request message" can be replaced with "measurement session establishment request message," and "first response message" can be replaced with "measurement session establishment response message." Furthermore, some names involving "information" in this application can be replaced with "frame," for example, "NDPA information" can be replaced with "NDPA frame," and "trigger information" can be replaced with "trigger frame." Similar information in this application can be replaced with the aforementioned substitution methods, and will not be listed here individually.

[0219] The solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0220] This application provides a communication method, which can be applied to, but is not limited to, the architecture shown in FIG5. The method can be executed by a first device (or a second device), a module of the first device (or the second device) (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device (or the second device). Furthermore, this application does not impose specific limitations on the specific structure of the execution entities (first device, second device) or the number of each execution entity, as long as communication can be performed by running a program that records the code of the method provided in this application.

[0221] For ease of description, the following explanation uses the first device as the initiator and at least one second device as the responder, illustrating the interaction between the first device and the at least one second device. For example, the first device can be an AP, AP MLD, Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD, etc., and the second device can be an AP, AP MLD, Non-AP STA, Non-AP MLD, etc. The order of steps in the following processes is merely illustrative. In practical applications, the execution order of steps in each process can be adjusted, and all or some of the steps described below can be executed adaptively.

[0222] Referring to Figure 6, the method provided in this application embodiment may include the following:

[0223] S601: The first device sends a first request message, which includes first information and second information. The first information indicates whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information indicates whether to perform a positioning measurement task. Accordingly, at least one second device receives the first request message.

[0224] In this embodiment of the application, the first device is the initiator of the measurement task and sends a first request message; after receiving the first request message from the first device, at least one second device decides whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0225] For example, the first device is an AP (or AP MLD), and the second device is a Non-AP STA (or Non-AP MLD); the AP (or AP MLD) broadcasts a first request message, and accordingly, after receiving the first request message, at least one Non-AP STA (or Non-AP MLD) decides whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0226] S602: At least one second device sends a first response message to the first device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message. Accordingly, the first device receives the first response message from at least one second device.

[0227] In S602, the first device, as the initiator (or initiator) of the measurement task, can send a first request message in a broadcast or non-broadcast form; after confirming that it has accepted the measurement task requested by the first request message, at least one second device sends a first response message to the first device.

[0228] For example, a first device sends a first request message to M second devices, and the M second devices receive the first request message. Among them, N second devices accept the measurement task requested by the first request message, where M is a positive integer and N is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0229] In some embodiments, the N second devices send a first response message to the first device in response to accepting the measurement task requested by the first request message. In other embodiments, when N is less than M, the N second devices each send a first response message to the first device in response to accepting the measurement task requested by the first request message, and the remaining MN second devices send a first response message to the first device in response to rejecting the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0230] In one possible implementation, when the first information indicates a first value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is performed; when the first information indicates a second value, the first information indicates that a sensing measurement task is not performed; or when the second information indicates a first value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is performed; when the second information indicates a second value, the second information indicates that a positioning measurement task is not performed.

[0231] For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. If the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 0, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a sensing measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 0 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of a positioning measurement task; if the first information indicates / represents a value of 1 and the second information indicates / represents a value of 1, then the first request message is used to request the execution of both the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the method of this application embodiment may further include: each second device (i.e., the second device that receives the measurement task) may perform a sensing measurement task and / or a positioning measurement task according to the first information and the second information in the first request message.

[0233] Accordingly, based on the first information and the second information, the first device can coordinate with at least one second device (i.e., the second device that receives the measurement task) to perform the sensing measurement task and / or the positioning measurement task.

[0234] The parameters / information carried in the first request message of this application embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the first request message also includes sensing / ranging subelement information and measurement parameters corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively; the sensing subelement information is used to indicate the measurement form (the measurement form may include TB measurement or non-TB measurement) corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively.

[0236] The measurement sub-element information and measurement parameters contained in the first request message are described below:

[0237] (1) Measurement sub-element information: Measurement sub-element information may include, but is not limited to, trigger-based specific information (TB specific subelement) and / or non-trigger-based specific information (Non-TB specific subelement).

[0238] The trigger-based TB-specific subelement may include detection sequence information from sensing and positioning measurement tasks, as well as one or more of the following: subelement identifier, subelement length, associated identifier AID or unassociated site identifier USID, polling allocation, channel state information (CSI) change threshold, and available window.

[0239] The detection sequence information is used to indicate the execution order of various detection processes (e.g., NDPA detection, TF detection) included in the sensing and positioning measurement tasks. In this embodiment, when the sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks include multiple detection stages, the execution order of these multiple detection stages can be flexibly set. The initiating end (i.e., the first device) can effectively instruct or notify the responding end (i.e., the second device) through the detection sequence information.

[0240] If the measurement task is initiated by a non-access point site, the above available windows are the available window elements of the initiating site; if the measurement task is initiated by an access point, the above available windows are the available window elements of the responding site.

[0241] Non-TB specific subelement information may include one or more of the following: the identifier of the subelement information, the length of the subelement information, the maximum measurement time, the minimum measurement time, the power of the transmitting device from the responding end to the initiating end R2I, and the power of the transmitting device from the initiating end to the responding end I2R.

[0242] (2) Measurement parameters: Measurement parameters include common information and / or link information for sensing measurement tasks and positioning measurement tasks.

[0243] The following section provides an introduction to common information and link information.

[0244] Public information: Public information may include measurement session indication information and measurement report request information. The measurement session indication information indicates that the purpose of the measurement task is localization and / or sensing. The measurement report request information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0245] Report link identification information from the initiator to the responder (I2R report link ID), report preparation timer information from the responder to the initiator (R2I report preparation timer), and report preparation timer information from the initiator to the responder (I2R report preparation timer);

[0246] Among them, the report link identification information from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the link identification for sending the report from the initiator; the report preparation timing information from the responder to the initiator is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiator can accept from the responder sending the report; and the report preparation timing information from the initiator to the responder is used to inform the responder of the maximum delay required for the initiator to send the report.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the measurement report request information may also include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0248] (1) Request information for perception measurement report; (2) Request information for location measurement report;

[0249] The request information in the aforementioned perception measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback in the perception measurement report; the request information in the perception measurement report may include, but is not limited to, request information for target parameters, and / or, request information for CSI;

[0250] The target parameter request information is used to indicate whether to feed back target parameters (such as target distance, departure angle (DOD), arrival angle (DOA), Doppler frequency, etc.); the CSI request information is used to indicate whether to feed back CSI.

[0251] The aforementioned request information for the positioning measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback for the positioning measurement report; the request information for the positioning measurement report may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0252] R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) request information, R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) type request information, and R2I report preparation timing information;

[0253] Among them, the R2I TOA request information is used to request a TOA response, the R2I TOA type request information is used to request the type of TOA response, and the R2I report preparation timing information is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiating end can accept for the responding end to send the report.

[0254] Link information: Link information is used to indicate parameter information on the link used by the measurement task. The link information includes at least one device information. Each device information (also referred to as per-STA profile) may include, but is not limited to, beam information of the transmitting end and / or beam information of the receiving end.

[0255] In this embodiment, the beam information may include one or more beams corresponding to the first path of a positioning measurement task, and / or one or more beams corresponding to a sensing measurement task. When the sensing measurement task corresponds to multiple beams, these multiple beams may refer to multiple beams in different directions, or beams corresponding to multiple different paths. For example, the beam information may specifically include the beam index, beam direction, beam size (or width), etc.

[0256] In this embodiment of the application, the information / content contained in the first response message may be the same as the information / content contained in the first request message described above. For details, please refer to the description of the first request message described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the first request message and the first response message are transmitted on the first link; the management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the first link, and the physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task are transmitted on the second link; wherein, the reliability of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the first link is higher than that of transmitting management frames and / or control frames on the second link, and the measurement performance achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the second link is higher than that achieved by transmitting PPDUs on the first link (PPDUs generally do not carry communication data, but can carry empty data packets).

[0258] For example, the first link can be a low-frequency link, and the second link can be a high-frequency link. In this embodiment, a low-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 2.4 GHz and 7.25 GHz, and a high-frequency link can refer to a link with a corresponding frequency range between 42 GHz and 71 GHz.

[0259] The method of this application can be applied to multi-link scenarios. In a multi-link scenario, multiple links established between AP MLD and Non-AP MLD only need to be located in non-overlapping channels. Therefore, this application does not limit the specific frequency bands corresponding to the first link and the second link. The first link and the second link can both be high-frequency links or both be low-frequency links.

[0260] Steps S601 and S602 described above can be considered as the measurement establishment stage (or measurement session establishment stage) in the flow of the measurement task (sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task) of this application embodiment. Furthermore, the first device can cooperate with the at least one second device to perform the measurement task (i.e., perform the measurement stage). In the measurement stage, the first device can be a sender or receiver of measurement information / data, and the second device can also be a sender or receiver of measurement information / data; there is no limitation on this.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the measurement task flow (i.e., the measurement phase) may include one or more of the following steps:

[0262] 1) Transmit empty data packet declaration NDPA information; 2) Transmit trigger information; 3) Transmit one or more empty data packets NDP or PPDU. In the embodiments of this application, "transmit" may include the meanings of "sending" and / or "receiving".

[0263] The NDPA information (or NDPA frames) described above can be transmitted via broadcast. The NDPA information may include one or more STA info fields. The first field in each STA info field is AID11, and the value of AID11 indicates whether the devices participating in the measurement task should read the STA info. If the AID11 value in the STA info field is between 1 and 2007, it instructs the corresponding STA to receive and read this STA info field; if there is a STA info field with an AID11 value of 2045, it instructs all STAs participating in the measurement task to receive and read this STA info field.

[0264] In the embodiments of this application, when indicating a sensing measurement task and / or a positioning measurement task via NDPA information (or NDP frame), the following may be included:

[0265] The NDPA information includes, but is not limited to, first site information, which includes, but is not limited to, bit information used to indicate that the measurement task is a sensing measurement task and a positioning measurement task.

[0266] For example, the first site information could be a STA info field with a value of 2045 carrying AID11.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the process of the measurement task (i.e., the measurement phase) may further include: transmitting second site information, which includes identification information of the measurement session.

[0268] For example, the second site information could be a STA info field with AID11 value of 2046, or it could be a STA info field with AID11 value of other values ​​(e.g., any integer value between 2008 and 2042).

[0269] The aforementioned trigger information (also referred to as trigger frame) may include, but is not limited to, common information, which may include, but is not limited to, trigger type information and trigger dependent common information.

[0270] The trigger type information is set to a first value (e.g., 9), which indicates that the trigger information is for sensing and / or positioning. The trigger dependent common info may include, but is not limited to, trigger subtype information and a first field. The first field indicates that the trigger information is for sensing and / or positioning. The trigger subtype information may include one or more of the following fields / information:

[0271] Polling, sounding, threshold-based reporting, and reporting.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the above measurement task process (i.e., the measurement phase) may also include: transmitting measurement report information;

[0273] The measurement report information includes, but is not limited to, public behavior information and / or at least one measurement report sub-information (or measurement report container(s)), or the measurement report information includes one or more of the following: public behavior information, report type bitmap information, and CSI information.

[0274] The above-mentioned public behavior information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following newly added fields:

[0275] IMMW measurement report, sensing IMMW measurement report, positioning IMMW measurement report.

[0276] The measurement report sub-information described above may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: length information of the measurement report sub-information, segmentation control information, measurement report control information, and measurement report. The segmentation control information includes link identification information, which indicates the link corresponding to the measurement report sub-information obtained during the measurement. In this embodiment, the link indicated by the link identification information refers to the link used for measurement, i.e., the link transmitting the NDP or PPDU. The measurement report information may be transmitted using the same link as the NDP or PPDU, or it may be transmitted through other links; there is no limitation on this.

[0277] The measurement report control information includes presence and control bitmap information, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0278] The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

[0279] The report type bitmap information mentioned above includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0280] The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

[0281] In one possible implementation, the above measurement task process (i.e., the measurement phase) may also include the following steps:

[0282] Transmit polling trigger information, which is used to poll and trigger devices participating in sensing measurement tasks and / or positioning measurement tasks; transmit polling trigger response information.

[0283] In the embodiments of this application, the measurement-related management frames and / or control frames in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task may include, but are not limited to, polling trigger information and polling response information and NDPA information, which can be transmitted on the first link or on the second link; in the sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task, empty data packets NDP or PPDU (PPDU generally does not carry communication data) can be transmitted on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0284] The following two examples illustrate the interactive process of the above measurement task (i.e., the measurement phase). In the following text, AP can refer to AP MLD, and STA can refer to Non-AP MLD.

[0285] Example 1 (Flowchart of a Non-TB Measurement Task):

[0286] Assuming the first device is AP1 and the second device is STA1; the initiator of the measurement task is STA1, and at least one AP (including AP1) acts as the receiver of the measurement task. The process of executing non-triggered measurement tasks (sensing measurement tasks and / or positioning measurement tasks) between STA and AP may include the following steps:

[0287] Step 1: STA1 can send an empty data packet to at least one AP to declare NDPA on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0288] STA1 can also send NDPA to at least one AP on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0289] Step 2: STA1 can send one or more NDP / PPDUs to each of the at least one AP on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link); accordingly, each AP generates corresponding measurement report information after receiving one or more NDP / PPDUs.

[0290] Step 3: The at least one AP can send measurement report information to STA1 on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link); accordingly, STA1 receives the measurement report information from the at least one AP.

[0291] The at least one AP can also send measurement report information to STA1 on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0292] Step 4: The at least one AP can send an NDP / PPDU to STA1 on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link); accordingly, after receiving the NDP / PPDU from the at least one AP, STA1 generates the corresponding measurement report information.

[0293] It should be noted that each AP can send one or more NDP / PPDUs to STA1.

[0294] Step 5: STA1 can send the corresponding measurement report information to the at least one AP on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0295] STA1 can also send corresponding measurement report information to at least one AP on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0296] In this application embodiment, the execution order of the steps (steps 2 and 3) of STA1 sending NDP / PPDU and the steps (steps 4 and 5) of at least one AP sending NDP / PPDU is not specifically limited.

[0297] Example 2 (Flowchart of TB Measurement Task):

[0298] Assuming the first device is AP1 and the second device is STA1; the initiator of the measurement task is AP1, and at least one STA (including STA1) acts as the receiver of the measurement, the process of executing a trigger-based measurement task (sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task) between AP and the at least one STA may include the following steps:

[0299] Step 1: AP1 broadcasts polling trigger information on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link) to poll and trigger devices participating in the measurement task.

[0300] Step 2: At least one STA can send a polling-triggered response message to AP1 on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link); accordingly, AP1 receives the polling-triggered response message from the at least one STA.

[0301] The polling trigger information and polling trigger response information mentioned above can also be transmitted on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0302] Step 3: Based on the response information triggered by the polling of at least one STA, AP1 performs the following steps with the at least one STA:

[0303] Step 4.1: AP1 broadcasts NDPA information on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link), and at least one STA receives the NDPA information.

[0304] The aforementioned NDPA information can also be transmitted on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0305] Step 4.2: AP1 can send one or more NDP / PPDUs to each of the at least one STA on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link); after each STA receives one or more NDP / PPDUs, it generates the corresponding measurement report information.

[0306] Step 4.3: The at least one STA can send measurement report information to AP1 on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0307] The at least one STA can also send measurement reports to AP1 on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0308] In one possible implementation, prior to step 4.3, AP1 may further include: sending a report triggering message to the at least one STA on a first link (e.g., a low-frequency link) or a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link) to trigger the STA to send a measurement report. Accordingly, upon receiving the report triggering message, the at least one STA executes step 4.3.

[0309] Steps 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 above constitute the NDPA detection phase. The specific process can be performed by referring to the NDPA detection phase in current technology.

[0310] Step 5.1: AP1 can send probe trigger information to at least one STA on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0311] The aforementioned detection trigger information can also be transmitted on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0312] Step 5.2: Each of the at least one STA can send one or more NDP / PPDUs to AP1 on the second link (e.g., a high-frequency link). After receiving one or more NDP / PPDUs sent by each STA, AP1 generates the corresponding measurement report information.

[0313] Step 5.3: AP1 can send measurement report information to the at least one STA on the first link (e.g., a low-frequency link).

[0314] AP1 can also send measurement report information to at least one STA on a second link (e.g., a high-frequency link).

[0315] Steps 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 above constitute the trigger frame (TF) detection process. The specific process can also be executed by referring to the TF detection stage in the current technology.

[0316] In the embodiments of this application, when both NDPA detection process (e.g., steps 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 above) and TF detection process (e.g., steps 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 above) exist simultaneously, the execution order of the NDPA detection process and the TF detection process is not limited, and can be indicated by the detection order information in the trigger-based special information carried in the first request message.

[0317] Furthermore, for the aforementioned first and second links (or, low-frequency links and high-frequency links), the frequency bands corresponding to each link are not specifically limited.

[0318] In one possible implementation, the method of this application embodiment may further include: a first device sending measurement task shutdown information to the at least one second device; correspondingly, the at least one second device receiving the measurement task shutdown information, wherein the measurement task shutdown information is used to indicate the shutdown of the measurement task (i.e., the shutdown or end phase of the measurement task).

[0319] In this embodiment of the application, the measurement shutdown information may include, but is not limited to, measurement session shutdown control information, which may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0320] Terminate all trigger-based measurement sessions, terminate all non-trigger-based measurement sessions, trigger-based measurement session type, and non-trigger-based measurement session type.

[0321] In summary, this application provides a communication method comprising: a first device sending a first request message, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information indicating whether to perform a sensing measurement task and the second information indicating whether to perform a positioning measurement task; and the first device receiving a first response message from at least one second device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message. It is evident that this method establishes a unified measurement process for sensing and positioning measurement tasks, and can be applied to sensing scenarios, positioning scenarios, or scenarios where sensing and positioning coexist, thereby reducing the energy consumption generated by performing measurement tasks in sensing and positioning scenarios.

[0322] The scheme shown in Figure 6 above will be described in detail below through several specific implementation methods.

[0323] Based on the scheme shown in Figure 6 above, Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the flowchart of the measurement task in the embodiments of this application. The flow of the measurement task (sensing measurement task and / or positioning measurement task) in the embodiments of this application includes a measurement session establishment stage, a measurement stage, and a measurement reporting stage; in addition, the flow of the measurement task in the embodiments of this application also includes a measurement end / closing stage. Based on the method of the embodiments of this application, these stages will be described in detail below through several embodiments.

[0324] Implementation Method 1:

[0325] In Implementation Method 1, based on the scheme shown in Figure 6 above, the measurement session establishment stage in Figures 7A and 7B will be described in detail. The measurement session establishment stage includes the following steps:

[0326] Step 1: The initiator (i.e., the first device in the scheme shown in FIG6) sends an IMW measurement request frame (i.e., an example of the first request message in the scheme shown in FIG6). Accordingly, at least one responder (i.e., at least one second device in the scheme shown in FIG6) receives the IMW measurement request frame.

[0327] Step 2: At least one responder sends an IMW measurement response frame to the initiator (i.e., an example of the first response message in the scheme shown in Figure 6). Accordingly, the initiator receives the IMW measurement response frame.

[0328] In the embodiments of this application, in Non-TB measurement, the initiator can be an STA, and the measurement can be used for sensing, or localization, or sensing and localization. In TB measurement, the initiator can be an AP or an STA, and the measurement can be used for sensing, or localization, or sensing and localization.

[0329] For example, in the Non-TB measurement shown in Figure 7A, the initiator is STA1, and the responder is AP. In the TB measurement shown in Figure 7B, the initiator is AP, and the responder is STA1.

[0330] Since some operational parameters for current sensing and positioning are the same and some are different, in this embodiment of the application, these parameters are set as common parameters (or public information, that is, shared and common) and specific parameters based on different measurement purposes and measurement types.

[0331] In this embodiment of the application, FIG8A shows a schematic diagram of the structure of (1) IMMW measurement request frame and (2) IMMW measurement response frame in this embodiment of the application. As shown in FIG8A, the IMMW measurement request frame (i.e., an example of the first request message in the scheme shown in FIG6 above) and the IMMW measurement response frame (i.e., an example of the first response message in the scheme shown in FIG6 above) include IMMW measurement parameter elements.

[0332] The IMMW measurement parameter element includes one or more of the following:

[0333] (1) Sensing / ranging subelement (i.e., examples of measurement subelement information corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the ranging measurement task in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above);

[0334] (2) IMMW measurement parameters (i.e., examples of the measurement parameters corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above).

[0335] Figure 8B shows a possible structural schematic diagram of the IMMW measurement parameters element according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 8B, the sensing / localization sub-element includes: a non-trigger-based specific subelement (i.e., an example of non-trigger-based specific information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above) and a trigger-based specific subelement (i.e., an example of trigger-based specific information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above).

[0336] When executing a Non-TB process, a non-TB-specific subelement is carried. When executing a TB process, a TB-specific subelement is carried.

[0337] As shown in Figure 8C, the non-TB specific subelement can reuse the frame structure in 11az, but certain rules are set for the use of fields. If the measurement purpose is only sensing, then the Max Time Between Measurements, R2I Tx Power, and I2R Tx Power fields in the subelement are reserved.

[0338] Referring to Figure 8D, based on the trigger-specific subelement, if the measurement purpose (or measurement task) is only location, then the poll assigned and CSI variation threshold fields in this subelement are set to reserved. Regarding the availability window field, if the session is initiated by a non-access point (STA), the IMW measurement request frame carries an ISTA availability window element; if it is initiated by an access point (AP), the IMW measurement request frame carries an RSTA availability window element.

[0339] In this application method, the order of probes can be flexibly set. If it is indicated that both NDPA sounding and TF sounding exist when the session is established, the newly added field can be used to indicate the order of execution.

[0340] For example, the trigger-specific subelement shown in Figure 8D (i.e., an example of trigger-specific information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above) includes a new field: sounding order (i.e., an example of sounding order information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above).

[0341] For example, the probe order field is 1 bit in size. If the value of the probe order field is 0, the field is used to indicate that NDPA sounding is performed first; if the value of the probe order field is 1, the field is used to indicate that TF sounding is performed first.

[0342] The following is a detailed description of the new fields added to the IMMW measurement parameters in this application embodiment:

[0343] The new field in the IMMW measurement parameters is used to indicate whether the session is used for sensing, or positioning, or both sensing and positioning.

[0344] As shown in Figure 8B, the IMMW measurement parameters include common information and link information.

[0345] In the common info section, add one or more of the following fields:

[0346] (1) Sensing (i.e., an example of the first information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above) and locating (i.e., an example of the second information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above);

[0347] For example, the sensing and positioning fields are 2 bits in size. The sensing field occupies 1 bit and is used to indicate whether the session is used for sensing (or whether a sensing measurement task is being performed); the positioning field occupies 1 bit and is used to indicate whether the session is used for positioning (or whether a positioning measurement task is being performed). If the value of the sensing field is 1, it indicates that the session is used for sensing (or indicates that a sensing measurement task is being performed); if the value of the positioning field is 1, it indicates that the session is used for positioning (or indicates that a positioning measurement task is being performed); if the values ​​of both fields are 1, it indicates that both sensing and positioning are being performed.

[0348] (2) Measurement report requested.

[0349] For example, when the value of the sensing / ranging field is 0, it indicates that the session is used for sensing; when the value of the sensing / ranging field is 1, it indicates that the session is used for ranging; when the value of the sensing / ranging field is 2, it indicates that the session is used for both sensing and ranging.

[0350] In this application embodiment, the purpose of the session is indicated by the newly added sensing / ranging field, which can include the following application scenarios.

[0351] The perceived scene: that is, the detection of target characteristics within the environment.

[0352] Location scenarios: This refers to locating one's own position or the location of a device, where the device can refer to a site, including access points or non-access points.

[0353] Perception and localization scenarios: Human presence detection. In indoor scenarios (e.g., large conference rooms), human presence detection can be achieved through sensing (passive sensing), localization (because people usually carry mobile phones), and mapping.

[0354] However, the above-mentioned newly added one or more fields (i.e., fields for sensing and positioning, and / or fields for measurement report requests) located in the common info is only one example. In fact, the above-mentioned newly added one or more fields are not limited to being located in the common info. For example, they may also be located in other locations / fields in the IMMW measurement parameter elements, or in other locations / fields in the IMMW measurement request frame or IMMW measurement response frame. This application does not limit this.

[0355] The link information in the IMW measurement parameters is described below:

[0356] The method described in this application is applicable to multi-link architectures, where high- and low-frequency cooperation is possible. Management frames and measurement frames can be transmitted on different links to ensure the stability of periodic measurements. For example, management frames can be transmitted on low-frequency links, while measurement frames are transmitted on high-frequency links; or management frames and measurement frames can be transmitted on different low-frequency links; or management frames and measurement frames can be transmitted on different high-frequency links. Because high-frequency links have high path loss and small coverage, the PPDU used for measurement can be transmitted directionally via a transmission beam.

[0357] As shown in Figure 9(1), if the measurement is used for sensing, then multiple beams of different directions or paths for transmitting / receiving the measurement PPDU are established during the measurement process (sensing involves scanning a certain range).

[0358] As shown in Figure 9(2), if the measurement is used for positioning, then a first path beam is specified during the measurement process, which is the beam corresponding to the line of sight (LOS) path. Generally, the transmitting end Tx and the receiving end Rx each contain a beam, namely the beam pair of the first path (including the transmitting beam (first path TX beam) and the receiving beam (first path RX beam)). The transmitting end Tx uses the transmitting beam of the first path to transmit, and the receiving end can use the receiving beam of the first path to receive.

[0359] Optionally, in addition to specifying the first path beam during the measurement setup process, at least one beam in another direction can be specified.

[0360] As shown in Figure 9(3), if the measurement is used for sensing and positioning, then during the measurement process, the initiating end needs to indicate the first path beam (the beam in bold in the figure) and the beams of multiple paths in other different directions.

[0361] In this embodiment of the application, according to different measurement purposes, usage rules are set for the parameters in the common information (which can be for the transmitter and receiver) and the parameters in the link information (transmit beam list subelement, receive beam list subelement), as shown in Table 1 below.

[0362] Table 1

[0363] In Table 1 above, the value "1" can be used to indicate that the corresponding measurement is performed, and "0" can be used to indicate that the corresponding measurement is not performed, or vice versa; there are no limitations on this. For example, if the parameter in the common info is "sensing," the sending and receiving ends can set this parameter to 1 or 0 depending on the type. If the parameter is set to 1, it indicates that the measurement purpose is sensing; if the parameter is set to 0, it indicates that sensing measurement is not performed. As another example, if the parameter in the common info is "ranging," both the sending and receiving ends can set this parameter to 1 to indicate that the measurement purpose is positioning (or to indicate that positioning measurement is performed). As yet another example, if the parameters in the common info are both "sensing" and "ranging," both the sending and receiving ends can set the parameter (sensing plus positioning) to 1 to indicate that the measurement purpose is both sensing and positioning (or to indicate that sensing and positioning measurements are performed).

[0364] Table 1 above is an example; actual applications may contain more or less information / content.

[0365] The following describes the measurement report request in the common info.

[0366] In the perception process, after the perception measurement is completed, the perception response end will provide CSI feedback based on whether the perception initiator requires it. In the positioning process, based on the negotiation results between the AP and STA during the negotiation phase, TOD, TOA, and AOA will be provided. Typically, only CSI is provided during the perception reporting phase; TOD, TOA, and AOA are provided during the positioning reporting phase.

[0367] In this embodiment of the application, different feedback types can be flexibly indicated based on the measurement purpose initiated by the initiator, the parameters ultimately desired to be obtained, and its own capabilities. These types may include at least one of the following:

[0368] Channel State Information (CSI); Target parameters; Time of arrival (TOA), which is the timestamp when the NDP arrives at the receiver; Time of departure (TOD), which is the timestamp when the NDP leaves the transmitter; AOA.

[0369] As shown in Figure 8B, the common information includes a new field: Measurement report requested (variable) (i.e., an example of the measurement report request information in the common information of the scheme shown in Figure 6 above). The frame structure of this field is shown in Figure 10.

[0370] As shown in Figure 10, add one or more of the following fields to the measurement report request:

[0371] (1) I2R report link ID from the initiator to the responder: used to inform the responder of the link ID from which the report was sent.

[0372] (2) R2I report preparation timer from the responding end to the initiating end: Specifies the maximum delay time for the responding end to send back the report.

[0373] Function: If the responding end needs to provide a report after signal processing, such as wanting to directly obtain parameter information in the environment, then the other end needs time to process it. Therefore, the initiating end can indicate the maximum acceptable delay time for the responding end to send back the report.

[0374] (3) I2R report preparation timer from the initiator to the responder: used to inform the responder of the time required to send the report.

[0375] The one or more fields added in the above measurement report request are merely examples. In fact, these one or more fields are not limited to the measurement report request; they can also be located in other places / fields, such as other places / fields in the common info, or other places / fields in the IMW measurement request / response frame. There are no limitations on this.

[0376] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, additional fields have been added to the sensing measurement report request and location measurement report request within the measurement report request, as detailed below:

[0377] Sensing measurement report requested:

[0378] The Perception Measurement Report Request is used to indicate the type of perception report feedback requested. One or more of the following fields have been added to the Perception Measurement Report Request:

[0379] (1) Target parameters requested: Target parameters requested is used to indicate whether target parameters should be returned.

[0380] Function: AP / STA has signal processing capabilities, directly feeding back the parameters required by the initiator, reducing the amount of feedback.

[0381] (2) CSI request: A CSI request is used to indicate / request whether to respond to CSI.

[0382] Function: The initiating end obtains CSI and can freely calculate the parameters and parameter precision it needs based on the CSI data.

[0383] Furthermore, the one or more fields added to the perception measurement report request mentioned above are merely an example. These one or more fields may not be limited to the perception measurement report request, but may also be located in other places / fields.

[0384] Location measurement report requested:

[0385] The Location Measurement Report Request indicates the type of distance measurement report feedback requested. One or more of the following fields have been added to the Location Measurement Report Request:

[0386] (1) TOA request from the responding end to the initiating end (R2I TOA requested): The R2I TOA request is used to indicate that a TOA has been requested.

[0387] (2) TOA type request from the initiator to the responder (I2R TOA Type requested): The I2R TOA type request is used to indicate the type of TOA requested, whether to provide phase shift TOA feedback, which refers to a timestamp type, usually used in passive ranging.

[0388] Furthermore, the one or more fields added to the location measurement report request mentioned above are merely an example. These one or more fields may not be limited to the location measurement report request, but may also be located in other locations / fields.

[0389] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the measurement report requested field can be used as follows:

[0390] Use the corresponding fields according to different measurement purposes (indication of sensing / locating fields), and reserve other fields, as shown in Table 2 below.

[0391] Table 2

[0392] If the measurement task is only for sensing, then the ranging-specific fields listed in Table 2 can be set to reserved.

[0393] Table 2 above is only an example. In actual applications, Table 2 may contain more or less information or content.

[0394] In Implementation Method 1, this application proposes a unified structure / format for IMMW measurement request frames and IMMW measurement response frames during the measurement session establishment process, which can be effectively applied to sensing and positioning measurement scenarios.

[0395] Implementation Method Two:

[0396] In Embodiment 2, based on the scheme shown in FIG6 above, the measurement stages shown in FIG7A-FIG. FIG7A shows a schematic diagram of the interaction of the Non-TB measurement stage, and FIG7B shows a schematic diagram of the interaction of the TB measurement stage.

[0397] The interaction process of the Non-TB measurement phase in the embodiments of this application is described below. Referring to the measurement phase shown in Figure 7A, taking the transmitter as STA1 and the receiver as AP as an example, the Non-TB measurement phase may include the following steps:

[0398] Step 1: STA1 sends an IMW NDPA frame to the AP.

[0399] When the measurement type is Non-TB measurement interaction and AID11=2045, the NDPA frame will carry the following site information field (STA Info field).

[0400] If the NDPA frame is a sensing NDPA frame, B31 is 1 to indicate that it is sensing. If it is a ranging NDPA frame, B31 is set to reserved.

[0401] In this implementation, when the IMW NDPA frame has AID11 = 2045, the NDPA frame will carry a STA info field, as shown in Figure 11. Referring to Figure 11(1), if the measurement purpose is sensing plus positioning, then B30 is set to 1 and B31 is set to 1; then the measurement session ID is carried through a new STA info field (e.g., AID11 = 2046, or any value between 2008 and 2042), as shown in Figure 11(2).

[0402] Step 2: STA1 sends one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) to AP.

[0403] Step 3: The AP sends one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) to STA1.

[0404] In the measurement phase shown in Figure 7A, the NAPA frame can be transmitted on a low-frequency (Sub 7 GHz) link, while the aforementioned one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) can be transmitted on a high-frequency (mmWave) link. However, the measurement phase shown in Figure 7A is only an example. In practical applications, the NDPA frame can be transmitted on a low-frequency link, while the aforementioned one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) can be transmitted on a high-frequency link; alternatively, both the NDPA frame and the aforementioned one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) can be transmitted on a high-frequency link, without limitation.

[0405] The following describes the interaction process of the TB measurement phase in the embodiments of this application. Referring to the measurement phase shown in Figure 7B, taking the transmitter as STA1 and the receiver as AP as an example, the TB measurement phase may include the following steps:

[0406] Step 1: The AP broadcasts a polling trigger frame.

[0407] Step 2: At least one STA (STA1 in Figure 7B is used as an example) returns a CTS frame to the AP to notify the AP that it has accepted participation in the measurement.

[0408] Step 3: The AP sends an IMMW NDPA frame to at least one STA (STA1 in Figure 7B).

[0409] The IMMW NDPA frame structure in the NDPA detection process of TB measurement interaction can be referred to the IMMW NDPA frame structure in the Non-TB measurement interaction described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0410] Step 4: The AP sends one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) to the at least one STA (STA1 in Figure 7B).

[0411] Step 5: The AP sends an IMMW probe trigger frame.

[0412] Step 6: At least one STA (STA1 in Figure 7B is used as an example) sends one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or detection PPDUs) to the AP.

[0413] In the measurement phase shown in Figure 7B, the polling trigger frame and CTS frame are transmitted on the low-frequency (Sub 7GHz) link, while the NAPA frame, along with one or more sensing PPDUs (or ranging PPDUs, or probe PPDUs) and probe trigger frames, can be transmitted on the high-frequency (mmWave) link. However, the measurement phase shown in Figure 7B is only an example. In practical applications, the polling trigger frame, CTS frame, NDPA frame, and probe trigger frame can be transmitted on either the low-frequency or high-frequency link; there is no limitation on this. Furthermore, the NDPA probe shown in Figure 7B can precede the TF probe, or the order of the NDPA and TF probes can be arbitrarily interchanged. If the measurement is only for sensing, then the measurement phase shown in Figure 7B may only involve NDPA or TF probes.

[0414] The following modifications were made to the frame structure related to the TF probing process in the TB measurement interaction:

[0415] Figure 12A shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an IMW trigger frame (an example of trigger information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above) proposed in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12A, the common information in the IMW trigger frame includes a trigger type field.

[0416] Since different values ​​in the trigger type field indicate different trigger frame types, in this embodiment, a new available value is added to the available values ​​of the trigger type field. When the trigger type field is set to the new value (i.e., the first value in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above), it indicates that the current trigger frame is an IMW trigger frame (i.e., a sensing and / or positioning trigger frame).

[0417] For example, as shown in Table 3 below, different values ​​in the trigger type field indicate different trigger frame types. In the range of values ​​for the trigger type field (0 to 8 as shown in Table 3), an additional usable value of 9 can be added; when the trigger type field is valued at 9 (an example of the first value in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above), it indicates that the trigger frame it belongs to is an IMW trigger frame (i.e., an example of the sensing and / or positioning trigger information in the scheme shown in Figure 6 above).

[0418] Table 3

[0419] Table 3 above is just an example. In practice, in addition to using the value 9 to represent the corresponding IMMW, other values ​​can also be used to represent IMMW, such as any integer value between 10 and 15. In this way, when the trigger frame type field takes any integer value between 10 and 15, it can indicate that the trigger frame it belongs to is an IMMW trigger frame (this IMMW trigger frame is used for sensing and / or positioning).

[0420] For example, Figure 12B shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the trigger-dependent common info in the common info field proposed in the embodiments of this application, wherein one or more of the following fields are added:

[0421] (1) Trigger subtype; (2) Perception / Location.

[0422] For example, as shown in Table 4, the values ​​of the trigger subtype field can be as shown in Table 4. Different values ​​of the trigger subtype correspond to different trigger frame types. For example, when the trigger subtype value is 0, the trigger frame type is a polling trigger frame. If the trigger subtype value is 1, the trigger frame type is a polling trigger, and so on. When the trigger subtype value is 3, the trigger frame type is a reporting trigger frame.

[0423] Table 4

[0424] Table 4 above is just an example; actual applications may contain more or less information or content.

[0425] For example, in the trigger dependent common info shown in Figure 12B, if the newly added sensing / ranging field has a value of 0, the trigger frame is used for locating; if the newly added sensing / ranging field has a value of 1, the trigger frame is used for sensing; and if the newly added sensing / ranging field has a value of 2, the trigger frame is used for both sensing and locating.

[0426] Furthermore, the one or more fields added to the trigger dependent common info mentioned above are merely an example. These one or more fields are not limited to being located in the trigger dependent common info; they can also be located in other places / fields.

[0427] In the second implementation method, a unified process and message format for the measurement stage is introduced in the embodiments of this application, which can be applied to sensing scenarios or positioning scenarios, as well as scenarios where sensing and positioning exist simultaneously.

[0428] Implementation Method 3:

[0429] In Implementation Method 3, based on the scheme shown in FIG6, a detailed description is given of the measurement reporting stage shown in FIG7A-FIG7B.

[0430] In the embodiments of this application, as shown in Figures 7A and 7B, after the measurement phase is completed, the AP and STA provide feedback through a unified report frame. The report frame indicates the purpose of the feedback, namely, for sensing, or localization, or both sensing and localization.

[0431] Furthermore, different parameters can be flexibly indicated through the report frame according to the needs of different response ends.

[0432] For example, the report frame may include one or more of the following information:

[0433] 1) Channel State Information (CSI); 2) Target parameters, such as target range, target angle (including azimuth and / or elevation), Doppler frequency, etc.; 3) Location measurement report, such as TOA, TOD; 4) Location parameters, such as AOA.

[0434] For example, Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a unified measurement report frame proposed in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the measurement report frame includes the following fields:

[0435] (1) Public action:

[0436] In this application embodiment, a common behavior can be added to indicate the function of the report frame: namely, perception, location, perception and location.

[0437] As shown in Table 5 below, different values ​​for the common behavior field indicate different types of measurement report frames. In response, this application embodiment proposes adding new possible values ​​for the common behavior field, such as values ​​61, 62, and 63 as shown in Table 5. If the common behavior field is valued at 61, the measurement report frame indicates an IMW measurement report; if the common behavior field is valued at 62, the measurement report frame indicates a sensing IMW measurement report frame; and if the common behavior field is valued at 63, the measurement report frame indicates a positioning IMW measurement report frame.

[0438] Table 5

[0439] Table 5 above is just an example. In practice, other values ​​can be selected to replace 61, 62, and 63 for corresponding indications. For example, values ​​from 64 to 255 can be selected to indicate the measurement report frame for sensing, positioning, and sensing and positioning, respectively.

[0440] (2) Measurement report contents (measurement report container(s))

[0441] As shown in Figure 13, the measurement report container(s) may include the following information:

[0442] (1) Length of the measurement report content;

[0443] (2) Segmentation control field;

[0444] As shown in Table 6 below, the segmentation control field may include measurement session identifier, measurement interaction identifier, etc., and also carries link identifier information (link ID). The link identifier (link ID) can be used to indicate on which link the report corresponding to each measurement report content (container) was measured.

[0445] Table 6

[0446] Table 6 above is just one example. In actual applications, it may contain more or less information or content. Moreover, the link ID is not limited to the segmentation control field, but may also be located in other fields / locations.

[0447] (2) The measurement report control field is shown in Table 7 below.

[0448] Table 7

[0449] The presence and control bitmap in Table 7 above is shown in Figure 14. Referring to Figure 14, the CSI present field indicates whether the report frame carries CSI, the target parameters present field indicates whether the target parameters are carried, the location measurement report present field indicates whether the location measurement report is carried, and the AOA feedback present field indicates whether the TOD location parameters (i.e., AOA) are carried.

[0450] If the measurement purpose is only for location, then the fields for CSI variation feedback and reference timestamp in Table 7 above should be set to reserved.

[0451] In this embodiment of the application, depending on different measurement purposes, the report frame may optionally carry different measurement reports, as shown in Figure 15. The measurement report frame includes: sensing measurement report container(s), target parameters, location measurement report (LMR), and AOA feedback. A new field, namely the report type bitmap field, is added to indicate the report carried.

[0452] In the third embodiment, a unified process and message format are designed for the measurement report stage, which can be applied to either sensing or positioning scenarios, or scenarios where sensing and positioning coexist.

[0453] In the embodiments of this application, the measurement process shown in Figures 7A and 7B includes a measurement closing / end phase after the measurement reporting phase ends.

[0454] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of a measurement termination frame, which includes a measurement session ID indication and measurement session termination control fields, etc.; wherein the measurement session termination control may include the following fields:

[0455] 1) Close all TB measurement sessions; 2) Close all non-TB measurement sessions; 3) TB measurement session type; 4) Non-TB measurement session type.

[0456] Regarding the above-described embodiments one to three, it should be noted that:

[0457] (1) The above-mentioned implementation methods one to three can be implemented separately or in combination, and no specific limitation is made in this regard.

[0458] (2) For each of the above embodiments one to three, the newly added fields proposed in this application have different functions, and therefore there is no necessary binding or association relationship between them. They can be implemented in combination as shown in the embodiments, or they can be implemented independently. This application does not limit this. In addition, the location of each newly added field proposed in this application is not limited, and the content shown in the above embodiments can be used as an example for reference.

[0459] For example, in the common info section of the IMMW measurement parameters, two new fields have been added: a field for sensing and positioning, and a field for measurement report requested. In practical applications, either one of these two fields can be added to the common info section, or both of these fields can be added. Moreover, it is not required that one or both of these fields be added to the common info section; they can also be added to other fields / locations.

[0460] Similarly, any other fields / information added in all the above implementation methods can be implemented with reference to the examples above, and will not be listed one by one in this application.

[0461] (3) The above focuses on describing the differences between implementation methods one to three. Apart from the differences, implementation methods one to three can be referred to each other.

[0462] (4) The step numbers of the flowcharts described in Embodiments 1 to 3 above are only examples of the execution flow and do not constitute a restriction on the order of execution of the steps. There are no time dependencies between the steps in the various implementations of this application, and there is no strict execution order between them. In addition, not all the steps shown in the flowcharts are mandatory steps. Some steps can be added or deleted based on the actual needs of each flowchart.

[0463] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments or implementations of this application, the first device or the second device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0464] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments or implementations of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0465] Similar to the above concept, as shown in FIG17, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1700 for implementing the functions of the first or second device in the above method. For example, the communication device 1700 can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. The communication device 1700 may include: a communication unit 1701 and a processing unit 1702.

[0466] In this embodiment, the communication unit 1701, also referred to as the transceiver unit, may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the first or second device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1702 may be used to read instructions and / or data from the storage module so that the communication device 1700 implements the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0467] Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a storage unit 1703, which is equivalent to a storage module and can be used to store instructions and / or data.

[0468] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 17 and 18. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, the contents not described in detail can be implemented as shown in Figure 6 above, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0469] The communication unit 1701 can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processing unit can also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in the communication unit 1701 used to implement the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication unit 1701 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, the communication unit 1701 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The communication unit can sometimes also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. The receiving unit can sometimes be referred to as a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. The transmitting unit can sometimes be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0470] When the communication device 1700 executes the first device in the process shown in Figure 6 of the above embodiment:

[0471] The communication unit 1701 is configured to send a first request message, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information being used to indicate whether to perform a positioning measurement task; the communication unit 1701 is also configured to receive a first response message from at least one second device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0472] The processing unit 1702 is used to process information and / or data, etc.

[0473] When the communication device 1700 executes the second device in the process shown in Figure 6 of the above embodiment:

[0474] The communication unit 1701 is configured to receive a first request message from the first device, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate whether to perform a sensing measurement task, and the second information being used to indicate whether to perform a positioning measurement task; the communication unit 1701 is also configured to send a first response message to the first device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

[0475] The processing unit 1702 is used to process information and / or data, etc.

[0476] The above are just examples. Processing unit 1702 and communication unit 1701 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6. It will not be repeated here.

[0477] Figure 18 shows a communication device 1800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device shown in Figure 18 can be a hardware circuit implementation of the communication device shown in Figure 17. This communication device 1800 can be applied to the flowcharts shown above to perform the functions of the first or second device in the above method embodiments. For ease of explanation, Figure 18 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0478] As shown in Figure 18, the communication device 1800 includes a communication interface 1801 and a processor 1802. The communication interface 1801 and the processor 1802 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1801 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface, or an interface circuit such as a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may further include a memory 1803 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1802, or storing input data required by the processor 1802 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1802 executes instructions.

[0479] When the communication device 1800 is used to implement the method shown in FIG6, the communication interface 1801 is used to implement the function of the communication unit 1701, and the processor 1802 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1702.

[0480] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1801, processor 1802, and memory 1803. In Figure 18, the memory 1803, processor 1802, and communication interface 1801 are connected via a communication bus 1804, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 1804 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 18, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0481] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip, Figure 19 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the chip's device structure. The chip 1900 includes an interface circuit 1901 and one or more processors 1902. Optionally, the chip 1900 may also include a bus. Wherein:

[0482] Processor 1902 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the method for determining the service node information described above can be completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware of processor 1902 or through software instructions. Processor 1902 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods and steps disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0483] The interface circuit 1901 can be used to send or receive data, instructions or information. The processor 1902 can use the data, instructions or other information received by the interface circuit 1901 to process the data, instructions or other information, and can send the processed information out through the interface circuit 1901.

[0484] Optionally, chip 1900 also includes memory 1903, which may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides operation instructions and data to the processor. A portion of memory 1903 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM).

[0485] Optionally, the memory stores executable software modules or data structures, and the processor can execute corresponding operations by calling the operation instructions stored in the memory (which may be stored in the operating system).

[0486] Optionally, the chip can be used in the first or second device involved in the embodiments of this application. Optionally, the interface circuit 1901 can be used to output the execution result of the processor 1902. For the communication methods provided by one or more embodiments of this application, please refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0487] It should be noted that the functions of the interface circuit 1901 and the processor 1902 can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software; no restrictions are imposed here.

[0488] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the first or second device in the above method embodiments.

[0489] For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, it enables the computer to implement the method performed by the first or second device in the above method embodiments.

[0490] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method executed by the first or second device in the above method embodiments.

[0491] This application embodiment also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the communication method of the implementation shown in FIG6 above.

[0492] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip corresponds to the receiving operation in the implementation shown in Figure 6 above, and the output of the chip corresponds to the sending operation in the implementation shown in Figure 6 above.

[0493] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0494] Optionally, the chip also includes a memory that stores computer programs or computer instructions.

[0495] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of a program through a communication method for the implementation shown in Figure 6. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0496] It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding service node information determination method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0497] In this application, the communication devices may further include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer may include hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also known as main memory). The operating system layer may be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer may include applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software.

[0498] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in each embodiment of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0499] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the above functions can be stored in a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media and communication media, wherein communication media include any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Storage media can be any available medium accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible to a computer. Furthermore, any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used in embodiments of this application, disks and discs include compact discs (CDs), laser discs, optical discs, digital video discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein disks typically magnetically copy data, while discs optically copy data using lasers. The combinations above should also be included within the scope of protection for computer-readable media.

[0500] In summary, the above descriptions are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made based on the disclosure of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first device or a chip corresponding to the first device, including: Send a first request message, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate whether to perform a sensing measurement task, the second information being used to indicate whether to perform a positioning measurement task; Receive a first response message from at least one second device, the first response message being used to respond to whether to accept the measurement task requested by the first request message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information and the second information, the at least one second device is coordinated to perform the sensing measurement task and / or the positioning measurement task.

3. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second device or a chip corresponding to the second device, including: Receive a first request message from a first device, the first request message including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate whether to perform a sensing measurement task, the second information being used to indicate whether to perform a positioning measurement task; A first response message is sent to the first device, the first response message being used to respond to whether the measurement task requested by the first request message is accepted.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information and the second information, perform the perception measurement task and / or the positioning measurement task.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, When the first information indicates a first value, the first information indicates that the sensing and measurement task should be performed; when the first information indicates a second value, the first information indicates that the sensing and measurement task should not be performed. or When the second information indicates the first value, the second information indicates that the positioning measurement task should be performed; When the second information indicates the second value, the second information indicates that the positioning measurement task should not be performed.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first request message and the first response message are transmitted on the first link; The management frames and / or control frames in the sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks are transmitted on the first link, and the physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) in the sensing and / or positioning measurement tasks are transmitted on the second link. The reliability of transmitting the management frames and / or control frames via the first link is higher than that of transmitting the management frames and / or control frames via the second link, and the measurement performance achieved by transmitting the PPDU via the second link is higher than that achieved by transmitting the PPDU via the first link.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first link is a low-frequency link, and the second link is a high-frequency link.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first request message also includes measurement parameters and measurement sub-element information corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively; the measurement sub-element information is used to indicate the measurement form corresponding to the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, respectively.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The measured sub-element information includes trigger-based dedicated information and / or non-trigger-based dedicated information; The trigger-based dedicated information includes detection sequence information in the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task, as well as one or more of the following: The sub-element information includes the identifier, length, associated identifier AID or unassociated site identifier USID, polling allocation, channel state information (CSI) change threshold, and available window. The non-triggered special information includes one or more of the following: The identifier of the sub-element information, the length of the sub-element information, the maximum measurement time, the minimum measurement time, the power of the transmitting device from the responding end to the initiating end R2I, and the power of the transmitting device from the initiating end to the responding end I2R; The detection sequence information is used to indicate the execution order of various types of detection processes included in the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task; when the measurement task is initiated by a non-access point station, the available window is the available window element of the initiating station; when the measurement task is initiated by an access point, the available window is the available window element of the responding station.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The measurement parameters include common information and / or link information of the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task; The public information includes measurement session indication information and measurement report request information, wherein the measurement session indication information indicates that the purpose of the measurement task is localization and / or sensing; The link information is used to indicate the parameter information on the link used by the measurement task. The link information includes at least one device information, and each device information includes beam information of the transmitting end and / or beam information of the receiving end.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The beam information includes one or more of the following: One or more beam information corresponding to the first path of the positioning measurement task, and one or more beam information corresponding to the sensing measurement task.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The report request information for the measurement includes one or more of the following: The report link identification information from the initiator to the responder is I2R report link ID; the report preparation timer information from the responder to the initiator is R2I report preparation timer; and the report preparation timer information from the initiator to the responder is I2R report preparation timer. The report link identifier information from the initiating end to the responding end is used to inform the responding end of the link identifier through which the initiating end sent the report. The report preparation timing information from the responding end to the initiating end is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiating end can accept from the responding end sending the report. The report preparation timing information from the initiating end to the responding end is used to inform the responding end of the maximum delay required for the initiating end to send the report.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The report request information for the measurement also includes one or more of the following: Request information for perception measurement reports and location measurement reports; The request information for the perception measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the perception measurement report, and the request information for the positioning measurement report is used to indicate the type of feedback from the positioning measurement report.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The request information in the perception measurement report includes one or more of the following: Request information for target parameters and CSI; The target parameter request information is used to indicate whether to provide feedback on the target parameter, and the CSI request information is used to indicate whether to provide feedback on the CSI. The request information in the location measurement report includes one or more of the following: R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) request information, R2I Time of Arrival (TOA) type request information, and R2I report preparation timing information; The R2I TOA request information is used to request feedback on the TOA, the R2I TOA type request information is used to request feedback on the type of TOA, and the R2I report preparation timing information is used to indicate the maximum delay that the initiating end can accept for the responding end to send the report.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The measurement task includes one or more of the following steps: Transmit empty data packets and declare NDPA information; Transmit trigger information; Transmit one or more empty data packets (NDP or PPDU).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The NDPA information includes first site information, which includes bit information indicating that the measurement task is the sensing measurement task and the positioning measurement task.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The measurement task also includes the following steps: Transmit second site information, which includes identification information for the measurement session.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The triggering information includes public information, which includes trigger type information and trigger-related public information. Wherein, the trigger type information corresponds to the first value, and the trigger type information is used to indicate that the trigger information is the trigger information of perception and / or positioning; The trigger-related public information includes trigger subtype information and a first field. The first field is used to indicate that the trigger information is used for sensing and / or positioning. The trigger subtype information includes one or more of the following variables: Polling, Sounding, Threshold-based reporting, and Reporting.

19. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The measurement task also includes the following steps: Transmit measurement report information; The measurement report information includes public behavior information and / or at least one measurement report sub-information; or the measurement report information includes one or more of the following: public behavior information, report type bitmap information, and CSI information.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The public behavior information includes one or more of the following newly added fields: IMMW measurement report, sensing IMMW measurement report, positioning IMMW measurement report.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The measurement report sub-information includes one or more of the following: The measurement report sub-information includes length information, segmentation control information, measurement report control information, and measurement report; The segmented control information includes link identification information, which is used to indicate the link corresponding to the measurement report sub-information obtained by performing the measurement. The measurement report control information includes presence and control bitmap information, which includes one or more of the following: The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

22. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The report type bitmap information includes one or more of the following: The system contains CSI indication information, target parameter indication information, LMR (Location Measurement Report) indication information, and AOA (Angle Arrival) feedback indication information.

23. The method according to any one of claims 1-22, characterized in that, The first device is the device that initiates the measurement task, and the second device is the device that responds to the measurement task.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 5-23, or units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 3-4, 5-23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store program instructions, the processor executing the program instructions causing the method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 5-23 to be performed, or the processor executing the program instructions causing the method as described in any one of claims 3-4, 5-23 to be performed.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer-readable program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 5-23 to be performed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 3-4, 5-23 to be performed.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 5-23, or cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 3-4, 5-23.

28. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is configured to read and execute computer programs or instructions in a memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-2, 5-23, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 3-4, 5-23.

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