Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the method, a first apparatus may obtain, by receiving first indication information, time-domain resources for sensing, so as to send a first signal on a first time-domain resource. For example, the first apparatus may use some of the resources for sensing (such as a time-domain resource for sensing and receiving an echo signal), to send an uplink reference signal, thereby improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

Description

A communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410933376.1, filed on July 11, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0003] The core idea of ​​integrated communication and sensing technology is to add sensing capabilities to mobile communication networks, building the ability to detect and image targets. This allows communication and sensing capabilities to be integrated into a single network, achieving harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit. For example, sensing technology requires the transmitting end to send radio waves in a specific direction. When the radio waves illuminate the target surface, they form reflected radio waves. The receiving end receives and processes these reflected radio waves to obtain information such as the target's position, speed, and type. In one possible implementation, pulse signal-based sensing technology can utilize the frame structure configuration of communication, sending sensing signals in one symbol and receiving them in other symbols. However, when a base station occupies one or more time slots for sensing, a portion of the resources in those time slots is used solely for base station sensing, resulting in reduced resource utilization of those time slots. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a first device. For example, the method can be executed by the first device, which may be a terminal, a communication module or component of the terminal, or a circuit or chip applicable to the terminal (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc.). The first device receives first indication information, which indicates a time-domain resource for sensing. The first device transmits a first signal on the first time-domain resource, where the first time-domain resource is a portion of the time-domain resources for sensing; the first signal is an uplink reference signal.

[0006] In this method, the first device can acquire the time-domain resources for sensing by receiving the first instruction information, and then use some of the sensing resources (such as the time-domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals) to send uplink reference signals, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the first signal comprises a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted over a first time-domain resource.

[0008] In this embodiment, the first device can repeatedly transmit uplink signals (such as transmitting multiple consecutive identical signals) within the time domain resources of sensing and receiving echo signals, so that in any echo detection stage, the echo signal has a consistent low cross-correlation with the uplink signal, thereby reducing the uplink signal interference level throughout the entire echo reception time.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

[0010] In this embodiment, in order to reduce the interference of the first signal to the echo signal, the first indication information is also used to indicate the first sequence of the sensing signal, which is beneficial for the second device to select a second sequence with a lower cross-correlation with the first sequence to send the first signal.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time-domain location for transmitting a sensing signal when sensing is performed, the first time-domain location including a first time slot location and / or a first symbol location.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first device receives second indication information, which is used to indicate a switching time. The first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position where the first device sends the first signal.

[0013] In the above embodiments, the first time domain position of the first device sending the first signal is indicated by two different methods, which is beneficial for the second device to receive the uplink signal when it starts receiving the echo signal, thereby helping to ensure that the second device maintains low cross-correlation during the sensing and receiving time.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first device sends a third indication message to indicate a second sequence. The first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second and first sequences is less than a threshold.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence. Wherein, the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from the initialization seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

[0017] In the above embodiments, the cross-correlation value between the second sequence generating the first signal and the first sequence generating the sensed signal is further limited to less than a threshold (i.e., the cross-correlation between the first and second sequences is low), thereby reducing interference with the echo signal. For example, a low correlation between the second and first sequences can be achieved by using the same type of sequence (e.g., a gold sequence or a ZC sequence), but with different initialization seed values ​​or rooting. Furthermore, after the first device determines the second sequence, it can indicate the second sequence to the second device, which facilitates the second device in completing the measurement of the first signal.

[0018] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a second device. For example, the method can be executed by the second device, which may be a network device (such as a base station), a communication module or component of the network device, or a logic module capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Specifically, the second device sends first indication information, which indicates the time-domain resources to be sensed. The first device sends a sensing signal. The first device receives the echo signal of the sensing signal and a first signal on the first time-domain resources, where the first time-domain resources are a portion of the time-domain resources for sensing.

[0019] In this method, the second device can indicate the time-domain resources to be sensed to the first device and send a sensing signal; this is beneficial for the second device to receive the first signal sent using part of the sensing resources while receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first signal is an uplink reference signal from the second device, or a signal from the third device for channel measurement.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first signal comprises a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted over a first time-domain resource.

[0022] In this embodiment, the second device can receive multiple consecutive identical signals within the time domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals, so that in any echo detection stage, the echo signal has a consistent low cross-correlation with the uplink signal, thereby reducing the uplink signal interference level throughout the entire echo reception time.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

[0024] In this embodiment, in order to reduce the interference caused by receiving the first signal and the echo signal, the first indication information is also used to indicate the first sequence of the sensing signal, which is beneficial for the second device to select a second sequence with a lower cross-correlation with the first sequence to send the first signal.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time-domain location for transmitting a sensing signal when sensing is performed, the first time-domain location including a first time slot location and / or a first symbol location.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second device sends second indication information, which is used to indicate a switching time. The first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position for receiving the first signal.

[0027] In the above embodiments, the first time domain position of the first device sending the first signal is indicated by two different methods, which is beneficial for the second device to receive the uplink signal when it starts receiving the echo signal, thereby helping to ensure that the second device maintains low cross-correlation during the sensing and receiving time.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the second device receives third indication information, which is used to indicate a second sequence. The first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence. Wherein, the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from the initialization seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

[0031] In the above embodiments, the cross-correlation value between the second sequence generating the first signal and the first sequence generating the sensed signal is further limited to less than a threshold (i.e., the cross-correlation between the first and second sequences is low), thereby reducing interference with the echo signal. For example, the low correlation between the second and first sequences can be achieved by using the same type of sequence (e.g., a gold sequence or a ZC sequence) but with different initialization seed values ​​or rooting. Furthermore, the second device receives third indication information, thereby determining the second sequence, which facilitates the measurement of the first signal.

[0032] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device is located on the terminal side and can be a terminal, a device applied to the terminal (e.g., at least one processor, chip, or chip system), or a device compatible with the terminal. In one possible implementation, the communication device has the functions described in the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is configured to receive first indication information, which indicates a time-domain resource to be sensed. The communication unit is also configured to transmit a first signal on the first time-domain resource, which is a portion of the time-domain resources to be sensed; the first signal is an uplink reference signal.

[0034] In this embodiment, the communication device can acquire the time-domain resources for sensing by receiving the first instruction information, and then use some of the sensing resources (such as the time-domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals) to send uplink reference signals, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0035] Optionally, other possible implementations in the third aspect can be referred to the descriptions of other possible implementations in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0036] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device. This communication device is located on the network side and can be a network device, or a device applied to a network device (e.g., at least one processor, chip, or chip system), or a device compatible with a network device. In one possible implementation, the communication device has the functions described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit is configured to transmit first indication information, which indicates a time-domain resource for sensing. The communication unit is also configured to transmit a sensing signal. Furthermore, the communication unit is configured to receive an echo signal of the sensing signal and a first signal on a first time-domain resource, wherein the first time-domain resource is a portion of the time-domain resources for sensing.

[0038] In this embodiment, the communication device can indicate the time-domain resources for sensing to the first device and send a sensing signal; this is beneficial for the second device to receive the first signal sent using part of the sensing resources while receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, thereby improving the utilization rate of the sensing resources.

[0039] Optionally, other possible implementations of the fourth aspect can be referred to the descriptions of other possible implementations of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0040] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device comprising a memory and one or more processors. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in at least one of the first or second aspects described above. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to perform at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the memory and the processor may be decoupled.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device may also include interface circuitry, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components via the interface circuitry.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device can be a terminal, or a communication module in the terminal, or a chip in the terminal that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0043] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is configured to implement at least one of the following through logic circuits or executing code instructions: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication device may be located on the network side.

[0044] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system comprising at least one of the means or apparatuses of the fourth to eighth aspects described above, such that the at least one means or apparatus performs at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0045] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0046] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0047] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip including at least one processor (or logic circuit). Optionally, the chip may further include at least one communication interface (or interface) for implementing at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect, and the method of the third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect. In one possible implementation, if the chip is the smallest processing unit in the whole machine, the chip may be at least one processor, or may include at least one processor and at least one memory, or may include at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one transceiver for implementing at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0048] Eleventhly, this application provides a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor and at least one interface. Optionally, it may also include memory for implementing at least one of the following: the method of the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the method of the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include chips and other discrete devices. Attached Figure Description

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network scenario;

[0050] Figure 2 is an example diagram of an O-RAN architecture;

[0051] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the six sub-scenes of perception;

[0052] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a pulse sensing mechanism;

[0053] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0054] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a time-domain resource;

[0055] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0056] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a sensing signal and a first signal;

[0057] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] For ease of understanding, the definitions of relevant terms used in this application are provided below:

[0061] Network Architecture: The communication method provided in this application can be applied to the network scenario shown in Figure 1. For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network scenario where network devices and terminals in the communication network can communicate while also sensing objects that do not have communication capabilities (which can be called sensing targets). For example, sensing targets include, but are not limited to, moving targets such as vehicles, low-altitude drones, and pedestrians, as well as stationary objects in the environment such as buildings and the ground.

[0062] The communication system described in this application may include, but is not limited to, various radio access technologies (RATs), such as 5G (or new radio, NR) communication systems, transitional systems between LTE and 5G, which may also be referred to as 4.5G systems, or future communication systems such as sixth-generation (6G) or even seventh-generation (7G) systems. The network architecture and service 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. Those skilled in the art will understand that with the evolution of communication network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0063] In this context, a terminal, also known as a terminal device (terminal), user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT), refers to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. Examples include handheld devices with wireless connectivity and in-vehicle devices. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, drones, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, smart homes, 5G networks, future network evolution, and terminals in future communication systems.

[0064] Among them, network devices can be, for example, radio access network (RAN) devices used to implement wireless-related functions, including connecting terminals to RAN nodes (or devices) of the wireless network. Network devices can also be called base stations. Examples of RAN nodes include: the next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), satellites in satellite communication systems, radio controllers in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, wearable devices, drones, or devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or communication devices in device-to-device (D2D) communication, etc.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the network device in this application can be an open wireless access network (O-RAN). For example, Figure 2 is an example diagram of an O-RAN architecture, in which the access network device (RAN, such as an eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network device) communicates with the core network via a backhaul link and with the UE via an air interface. Optionally, the O-RAN system may include other components besides those shown in Figure 2, which is not limited in this application.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the ORAN includes at least one centralized unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link. Optionally, the ORAN may also include at least one service unit (SU), which can communicate with the CU and DU via midhaul, as shown in Figure 2. Optionally, the SU may also be deployed outside the RAN; for example, the SU is a functional entity deployed outside the RAN to provide related services, such as providing at least one of the following services: sensing, channel map management, and positioning.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the CU is a logical node carrying the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which may be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which may be interfaces such as F1 interfaces. Optionally, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the CU can be split into CU-CP (centralized unit-control plane) and CU-UP (centralized unit-user plane). CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. AMF network elements are responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (user plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. The CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as latency. Functions requiring low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions not requiring this latency can be placed in the CU.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the DU is a logical node carrying the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. Optionally, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. Optionally, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing components, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the RU is a logical node carrying both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the low-PHY includes portions of the PHY processing, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the DU and RU may or may not be co-located. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS) interface through a fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces, respectively providing the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane). In one possible implementation, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that the DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer may include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0073] Communication and Sensing Integration: Communication and sensing integration technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​this technology is to add sensing capabilities to the mobile communication network, building the ability to detect and image targets, thereby integrating communication and sensing capabilities into a single network to achieve harmonious coexistence and even mutual benefit.

[0074] The technical principles of sensing differ somewhat from those of communication. In communication, the transmitting end modulates information onto radio waves and sends it to the receiving end, which then demodulates the signal to obtain the information. Sensing, however, requires the transmitting end to send radio waves in a specific direction. When these radio waves strike a target surface, they are reflected, and the receiving end receives and processes these reflected waves to obtain information such as the target's position, speed, and type.

[0075] Perception can generally be divided into two modes: single-site perception and dual-site perception. In single-site perception, the transmitting and receiving ends of the perception signal are the same device. In terms of the perception signal flow, the perception station must both transmit the perception signal and receive the signal reflected from the target surface. Therefore, the single-site perception mode is also called the self-transmitting and self-receiving mode. For dual-site perception, the transmitting and receiving ends of the perception signal are two different devices. In terms of the perception signal flow, after perception station A transmits the perception signal, the signal reflected from the target surface is received by perception station B. Therefore, the dual-site perception mode is also called the A-transmitting and B-receiving mode. For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of six sub-scenarios of perception, including: (1) base station self-transmitting and self-receiving, (2) UE self-transmitting and self-receiving, (3) base station A-transmitting and B-receiving, (4) UE A-transmitting and B-receiving, (5) base station transmitting and UE receiving, and (6) UE transmitting and base station receiving. Optionally, this application mainly involves the scenarios of base station self-transmitting and self-receiving, base station A-transmitting and B-receiving, base station transmitting and UE receiving, and UE transmitting and base station receiving.

[0076] Radar transmitted signals are generally classified into two main categories: continuous waves and pulse waves. Taking pulse waves as an example, in achieving range measurement, the distance is estimated by the time delay difference between the received echo and the transmitted signal. If the radar transmits a signal at t=0, and after a time delay τ, the radar receives the reflected echo, then the target distance R can be expressed as: For example, sensing technology can be pulse sensing. Pulse sensing utilizes the frame structure configuration of communication to transmit sensing signals in one symbol and receive them in other symbols. For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of pulse sensing. Typically, a time slot includes 14 symbols (as shown by the gray squares in Figure 4). The base station can transmit sensing signals in the first symbol (pulse #1 in Figure 4), reserve time for switching between downlink transmission and uplink reception in the second symbol, and receive the echo signals of the sensing signals in the remaining symbols (echoes of target 1 and target 2 in Figure 4), ultimately calculating the distance to the target.

[0077] However, according to the description in Figure 4, when a base station occupies multiple time-domain resources (such as multiple time slots or multiple symbols) for sensing, these resources in the system are only used for the base station to perform sensing (that is, they cannot be used for other communications), resulting in a decrease in the utilization rate of these resources. For example, in Figure 4, only the three symbols occupied by pulse #1, the echo of target 1, and the echo of target 2 are utilized, while the other 11 symbols are not utilized, resulting in a low resource utilization rate.

[0078] This application provides a communication method that can improve resource utilization in a system while reducing the impact on sensing performance.

[0079] For example, Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application. This method is implemented through the interaction between a first device and a second device. For instance, the first device is located on the terminal side and can be a terminal or a component thereof, or a chip or circuit applied to the terminal; the second device is located on the network side and can be a network device (such as a base station) or a component thereof, or a chip or circuit applied to the network device. The method includes the following steps:

[0080] S101, the second device sends first instruction information, which is used to indicate the time domain resources for sensing; correspondingly, the first device receives the first instruction information.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the time-domain resources for sensing. Specifically, the first indication information may be used to indicate the first time-domain position for transmitting the sensing signal when sensing is performed. The first time-domain position includes a first timeslot position and / or a first symbol position. For example, in a scenario where the base station transmits and receives signals, base station A transmits and base station B receives, or the base station transmits and the UE receives, and the sensing signal is transmitted by the base station, then the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain position (such as the first timeslot position and / or the first symbol position) for the base station (second device) to transmit the sensing signal. As another example, in a scenario where the UE transmits and the base station receives, and the sensing signal is transmitted by the UE, then the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain position (such as the first timeslot position and / or the first symbol position) for the UE (first device) to transmit the sensing signal. Optionally, this application does not limit the frequency-domain resources for sensing. For example, the first indication information may also be used to indicate the frequency-domain resources for sensing (such as subcarriers, system bandwidth, etc.), or it may not indicate the frequency-domain resources for sensing.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain position of transmitting the sensing signal during sensing. This indication can be at the symbol level, such as indicating the first symbol position of the transmitted sensing signal. For example, assuming the second device transmits a sensing signal and receives an echo signal once within a time slot, the second device can use 4 bits of information for indication. For instance, the first indication information includes 4 bits, with different values ​​of these 4 bits corresponding to different symbol positions within the time slot, as shown in Table 1.

[0083] Table 1: Examples of the first instruction information.

[0084] In this first indication information, different values ​​of the 4 bits are used to indicate different symbol positions. For example, if the 4 bits of the first indication information include 0001 and 0100, it indicates that the second device transmits a sensing signal on the second symbol of the time slot and receives an echo signal on the fifth symbol. Optionally, the first indication information is also used to indicate the position of the first time slot for transmitting the sensing signal. For example, other bits in the first indication information besides the aforementioned 4 bits can be used to indicate the time slot position (e.g., the first or second time slot in the frame structure). Optionally, Table 1 is only one example. If the number of symbols in the time slot is greater than or less than 14, the bit values ​​of the first indication information and the meanings in Table 1 can also be changed accordingly. This application does not impose any limitations.

[0085] In one possible implementation, considering that the uplink / downlink handover time of a base station is typically less than one symbol length, the base station needs to notify the UE of the specific handover time so that the UE can determine the specific time to send the first signal. Therefore, in addition to sending the first indication information, the second device can also send second indication information, which is used to indicate the handover time; wherein, the first time domain position and the handover time are used to determine the second time domain position for sending the first signal. For example, assuming a predefined set of handover times, where the elements in the set represent different handover time lengths, such as the predefined set of handover times represented as {1,2,3,4}, and assuming that the time unit in this set is microseconds; then the second device can provide indication using 2-bit information, for example, the second indication information includes 2 bits, where different values ​​of these 2 bits correspond to different handover time lengths, as shown in Table 2:

[0086] Table 2: Examples of second instruction information.

[0087] In this second indication information, different values ​​of the 2 bits are used to indicate different handover time lengths. For example, if the 2 bits of the second indication information include 00, it indicates that the handover time length is 1 microsecond. This means that in the handover symbol (e.g., if the second device sends a sensing signal on the first symbol), the handover time is 1 microsecond after the start of the second symbol. The time after this symbol can be used for the first device to send the first signal, as shown in Figure 6. Optionally, Table 2 is only one example. If there are more values ​​in the set of handover times, the bit values ​​of the second indication information and the meaning in Table 2 can also change accordingly. This application does not limit this. Optionally, in the scenario where the base station transmits and receives independently, the handover time is not 0 (to ensure that the base station can switch between uplink and downlink, thereby receiving the feedback echo signal normally). In the scenario where the base station transmits and the UE receives or the UE transmits and the base station receives, the handover time can be 0 or not 0. In the scenario where base station A transmits and B receives, the handover time is 0.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the second device sends the first indication information, which may be a radio resource control (RRC) message, a media access control (MAC) message, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling, wherein the first indication information is carried in the RRC message, MAC message, or DCI signaling. Optionally, the second indication information may also be carried in the RRC message, MAC message, or DCI signaling.

[0089] S102, the first device transmits a first signal on the first time domain resource; correspondingly, the second device receives the first signal on the first time domain resource.

[0090] For example, based on the first indication information and the second indication information, the first device can determine the first time domain position and the switching time, thereby determining the second time domain position for transmitting the first signal, and starting to transmit the first signal at the second time domain position, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the first signal is an uplink reference signal. For example, in a scenario where the base station transmits and receives signals independently, base station A transmits and base station B receives, and the UE receives, the base station transmits a sensing signal. The UE can then transmit the first signal (such as an uplink reference signal) on the time-domain resources of the echo signal received by the base station from the sensing signal, thereby utilizing the sensing resources for communication (such as performing channel measurement using the uplink reference signal). Optionally, when the first signal is an uplink reference signal, its function can be similar to a sounding reference signal (SRS) for performing channel measurement. Alternatively, the uplink reference signal can be other uplink reference signals used to achieve similar functions; this application does not limit the specific application to such a function.

[0092] In this embodiment, the first device can acquire the time-domain resources for sensing by receiving the first instruction information, and then use the portion of the sensing resources (such as the time-domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals) to send the first signal, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0093] For example, Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application. This method is implemented through the interaction between a first device and a second device. For instance, the first device is located on the terminal side and can be a terminal or its components, or a chip applied to the terminal; the second device is located on the network side and can be a network device (such as a base station) or its components. The method includes the following steps:

[0094] S201, the second device sends first instruction information, which is used to indicate the time domain resources for sensing; correspondingly, the first device receives the first instruction information.

[0095] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the time-domain resources for sensing. Specifically, the first indication information may be used to indicate the first time-domain position for transmitting the sensing signal when sensing is performed. The first time-domain position includes a first time slot position and / or a first symbol position. Specific examples of this implementation can be found in the corresponding description in S101, and will not be repeated here.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain position where the sensing signal is transmitted during sensing. This indication can be at the symbol level, such as the first indication information indicating the first symbol position where the sensing signal is transmitted. Specific examples of this implementation can be found in the corresponding description in S101, such as the description in Table 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the second device, in addition to sending the first indication information, can also send second indication information, which is used to indicate the switching time; wherein, the first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position for sending the first signal. Specific examples of this implementation can be found in the corresponding description in S101, such as the description related to Table 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate the first sequence to be sensed. For example, assume a predefined set of candidate sequences, and assume that the set of candidate sequences is a set of sequences known to both the first and second devices. Optionally, the sensed signal can typically be generated using sequences such as gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc., therefore the echo signal of the sensed signal can also be considered as being generated using sequences such as gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc., i.e., the first sequence includes, but is not limited to, gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc. The first indication information is used to indicate the first sequence to be sensed, specifically, the first indication information can be used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the set of candidate sequences. For example, assume that the set of candidate sequences includes 10 sequences, and the index values ​​of these 10 sequences are #0 to #9; the first indication information is used to indicate one of the index values ​​from #0 to #9, such as #5, which indicates that the first sequence is the sequence with index value #5 in the set of candidate sequences. Optionally, the first indication information can also directly indicate the corresponding sequence, specifically, the first indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence. For example, assuming the first sequence is a gold sequence, the first indication information can indicate the initialization seed value of the gold sequence (i.e., the first value, which could be 100 or 1000, or other positive integers). As another example, assuming the first sequence is a ZC sequence, the first indication information can indicate the root of the ZC sequence (e.g., 837, or other positive integers).

[0099] S202, the second device sends a sensing signal; correspondingly, the first device receives the sensing signal.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the second device transmits a sensing signal over the time-domain resources where sensing is performed. For example, referring to the description corresponding to FIG6, the second device may transmit the sensing signal on the first symbol of the time slot where sensing is performed. Optionally, after transmitting the sensing signal, the second device needs to reserve a period of time to switch to receiving mode, thereby receiving the echo signals of the first signal and the sensing signal; wherein, the reserved period of time is the switching time described above.

[0101] S203, the first device transmits a first signal on the first time domain resource; correspondingly, the second device receives the first signal on the first time domain resource.

[0102] In one possible implementation, the first time-domain resource is a portion of the time-domain resources used for sensing. For example, referring to the description corresponding to FIG6, the first time-domain resource may be a symbol other than the first symbol (such as the second symbol) in the time slot used for sensing, and the first device may transmit the first signal on the second symbol.

[0103] In one possible implementation, the first device transmits a first signal on a first time domain resource. Specifically, the first device may transmit the first signal at a second time domain location, where the second time domain location is determined based on the first time domain location and the handover time. For example, the first device may transmit the first signal in advance so that the first signal arrives at the second device precisely at the time the second device receives the echo signal, meaning the second device can simultaneously receive the echo signals of both the first signal and the sensing signal. For example, in a scenario where the base station transmits and receives simultaneously (base station A transmits, base station B receives), base station A transmits the sensing signal and also transmits the first signal; or base station A transmits the sensing signal, and base station B transmits the first signal. Another example is a scenario where the base station transmits and the UE receives, where the base station transmits the sensing signal, and the UE transmits the first signal. Yet another example is a scenario where the UE transmits and the base station receives, where the UE transmits the sensing signal, and the base station transmits the first signal.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the second device continuously detects the received echo signal, for example, by performing sequence correlation calculations on the echo signal sequence to determine the position of the peak. However, since the position of the sensing target is unknown, the second device may receive the echo signal at any time. In this case, if the echo signal overlaps with the first signal sent by the first device, the cross-correlation between the second sequence of the first signal and the first sequence of the sensing signal will increase, leading to increased interference. Therefore, this application assumes that the first signal includes multiple consecutive identical signals transmitted on the first time domain resource; for example, the first device repeatedly transmits multiple identical first signals on the first time domain resource. For example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a sensing signal and a first signal; assuming that the echo signal and the first signal overlap during the time period t1 to t2, when the second device receives the echo signal and the first signal and detects the signal, the interference level will increase due to the worsening cross-correlation between the echo signal and the first signal. However, if the first device repeatedly sends the same first signal (as shown by the dashed waveform in Figure 8), the echo signal will have a consistent low cross-correlation with the first signal during the detection phase of any echo signal, thereby reducing the interference level of the first signal throughout the entire time of receiving the echo signal.

[0105] Optionally, after S203, the first device may further perform the following operations: the first device sends third indication information, which is used to indicate the second sequence; correspondingly, the second device receives the third indication information. The first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold. For example, considering that the UE may subsequently send the first signal within the sensing resources where the base station receives echo signals, this may interfere with the base station's reception. Therefore, this application designs the second sequence used to generate the first signal to have a low cross-correlation with the first sequence used for sensing, thereby reducing the interference of the first signal sent by the first device on sensing. For example, the first sequence includes, but is not limited to, gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc.; therefore, the first signal can also be generated using sequences such as gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc., and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold, i.e., the second sequence includes, but is not limited to, gold sequences, ZC sequences, M sequences, etc., and the cross-correlation between the second sequence and the first sequence is low. For example, assuming that both the first and second sequences use ZC sequences, the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold, which indicates that the cross-correlation between the second sequence and the first sequence is low. For example, if the first sequence uses the gold sequence and the second sequence uses the ZC sequence, then the cross-correlation between the first and second sequences is low.

[0106] In one possible implementation, similar to the indication method of the first sequence, the third indication information is used to indicate the second sequence. Specifically, the third indication information may be used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set, or it may be used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence. The initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence, and / or the root of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence. For example, when the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set, assuming the candidate sequence set includes 10 sequences with index values ​​#0 to #9; assuming the first sequence is the sequence with index value #5 in the candidate sequence set, then the second sequence is the sequence corresponding to other index values ​​in the candidate sequence set (such as the sequence with index value #3). Alternatively, the third indication information may directly indicate the corresponding sequence. Specifically, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence, and the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence, and / or the root of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence. For example, assuming both the first and second sequences are gold sequences, and the first indicator indicates that the initialization seed value of the first sequence is 100, then the third indicator indicates that the initialization seed value of the second sequence is 1000 (that is, the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence). As another example, assuming both the first and second sequences are ZC sequences, and the first indicator indicates that the root of the first sequence is 837, then the third indicator indicates that the root of the second sequence is 900 (that is, the root of the second sequence is different from that of the first sequence). Furthermore, the first and second sequences can be different sequences; for example, the first indicator indicates that the first sequence is a gold sequence, and the third indicator indicates that the second sequence is a ZC sequence.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is further used to instruct the first device to send a second sequence of the first signal. That is, the second device can directly instruct the first device to send a second sequence of the first signal; for example, the second device can determine the first sequence of the sensed signal and determine a second sequence that has a low correlation with the first sequence, thereby instructing the first device to send the second sequence through the first indication information. In this case, the first device does not need to determine the second sequence itself, nor does it need to send third indication information to the second device, which simplifies the process.

[0108] S204, the second device receives the echo signal of the sensing signal on the first time domain resource.

[0109] Optionally, the echo signal of the sensing signal can be fed back by the base station or the UE. For example, in a scenario where the base station transmits and receives signals independently, or base station A transmits and base station B receives signals, base station A can transmit the echo signal, or base station B can transmit the echo signal. In this case, base station A or base station B can receive the sensing signal and then transmit the echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, the echo signal of the sensing signal can be a signal fed back by the sensing target through reflection, scattering, or refraction. For example, in a scenario where the base station transmits and the UE receives signals, the base station transmits the sensing signal, and the UE transmits the first signal, but the echo signal is not transmitted by the UE; it can be fed back by other sensing targets. Therefore, the second device can receive the first signal and the echo signal on the first time domain resources, and the two types of signals can come from different devices or apparatuses.

[0110] Optionally, after receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal and the first signal, the second device may also perform the following operations:

[0111] (1) The second device performs channel measurement between the first device and the second device based on the first signal. For example, if the second device is a base station and the first device is a UE, assuming the first signal is an uplink reference signal (such as SRS), the second device receives the SRS signal and can perform channel measurement based on the SRS signal.

[0112] (2) The second device performs sensing based on the echo signal. For example, the second device is a base station. Assuming that the echo signal is a signal fed back by the sensing target (such as other devices or apparatuses besides the first device), the second device can perform sensing based on the echo signal and obtain sensing-related information (such as measuring the sensing channel).

[0113] In this embodiment, the first device can acquire the time-domain resources for sensing by receiving the first indication information, thereby utilizing a portion of the sensing resources (such as the time-domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals) to transmit the first signal, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources. Furthermore, to reduce the interference caused by transmitting the first signal to the echo signal, the first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing signals, which helps the second device select a second sequence with lower cross-correlation with the first sequence to transmit the first signal, thereby reducing interference between signals.

[0114] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions described in the above embodiments of the device, the base station and the terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0115] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the communication devices provided in this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first or second device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0116] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920. The communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the first or second device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 7. Optionally, the transceiver unit 920 includes a sending unit and a receiving unit, and the transceiver unit 920 can also be referred to as a communication unit.

[0117] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 7: the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive first indication information, which indicates the time-domain resources to be sensed. The processing unit 910 is used to transmit a first signal on the first time-domain resources through the transceiver unit 920, where the first time-domain resources are a portion of the time-domain resources to be sensed; the first signal is an uplink reference signal.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first signal comprises a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted over a first time-domain resource.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time-domain location for transmitting a sensing signal when sensing is performed, the first time-domain location including a first time slot location and / or a first symbol location.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive second indication information, which is used to indicate a switching time. The first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position where the first device sends the first signal.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 920 is used to transmit third indication information, which indicates a second sequence. The first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence. Wherein, the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from the initialization seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

[0125] As can be seen, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 7, the communication device 900 can obtain the time domain resources for sensing by receiving the first instruction information, and then use the partial resources for sensing (such as the time domain resources for sensing and receiving echo signals) to send uplink reference signals, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0126] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 7: the transceiver unit 920 is used to send first indication information, which indicates the time-domain resources for sensing. The transceiver unit 920 is also used to send a sensing signal. The processing unit 910 is used to receive the echo signal of the sensing signal and the first signal on the first time-domain resources through the transceiver unit 920, where the first time-domain resources are a portion of the time-domain resources for sensing.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the first signal is an uplink reference signal from the second device, or a signal from the third device for channel measurement.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the first signal comprises a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted over a first time-domain resource.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate a first time-domain location for transmitting a sensing signal when sensing is performed, the first time-domain location including a first time slot location and / or a first symbol location.

[0131] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 920 is used to send second indication information, which is used to indicate a switching time. The first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position for receiving the first signal.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 920 is used to receive third indication information, which indicates a second sequence. The first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; or, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence. Wherein, the initialization seed value of the second sequence is different from the initialization seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

[0135] As can be seen, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the first device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 7, the communication device 900 can indicate the time-domain resources for sensing to the first device and send a sensing signal; this is beneficial for the second device to receive the first signal sent using part of the sensing resources while receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, which is beneficial to improving the utilization rate of sensing resources.

[0136] Optionally, a more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920 can be found in the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 7.

[0137] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes at least one processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The at least one processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the at least one processor 1010, or storing input data required for the execution of instructions by the at least one processor 1010, or storing data generated after the at least one processor 1010 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1020 can also be understood as part of the at least one processor 1010, in which case the communication device 1000 includes at least one processor 1010. Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0138] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the method embodiments shown in FIG5 and FIG7, at least one processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 920.

[0139] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0140] The processor is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, including executing software stored on a computer-readable medium. When executed by the processor, the software causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device. Functions that can be implemented by the processor, memory, and computer-readable medium may include: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding CP, removing CP, and so on.

[0141] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information transmission and reception can be between RAN nodes and terminals, such as between a base station and a terminal; between two RAN nodes, such as between a CU and a DU; or between different modules within a single device, such as between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0142] In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0143] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0144] This application also provides a communication system, which includes one or more of a first device or a second device. A first network element is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the first network element in the preceding embodiments. A second network element is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the second network element in the preceding embodiments. A terminal is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the terminal in the preceding embodiments. An access network device is used to perform all or part of the steps performed by the access network device in the preceding embodiments.

[0145] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer performs the communication method shown in the embodiments of FIG5 and FIG7.

[0146] This application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer performs the communication method shown in the embodiments of FIG5 and FIG7.

[0147] This application provides a chip or chip system including at least one processor and at least one interface, the at least one interface and at least one processor being interconnected via a circuit, the at least one processor being used to run computer programs or instructions to perform the communication methods shown in the embodiments of FIG5 and FIG7.

[0148] The interfaces in the chip can be input / output interfaces, pins, or circuits, etc.

[0149] The aforementioned chip system can be a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) or a baseband chip, etc. The baseband chip can include a processor, channel encoder, digital signal processor, modem, and interface module, etc.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the chip or chip system described above in this application further includes at least one memory, in which instructions are stored. The at least one memory can be an internal storage unit of the chip, such as a register, cache, etc., or it can be a storage unit of the chip itself (e.g., read-only memory, random access memory, etc.).

[0151] In one possible implementation, the chip architecture provided in this application includes a CU, a DU, and a RU. The CU performs layer 2 (L2) and layer 3 (L3) functions. Midhaul and backhaul interfaces are used to carry traffic between the CU and DU, as well as between the CU and the core network. The DU performs layer 1 (L1) and some L2 functions, while the RU performs L1 computation and RF digital functions. Fronthaul and backhaul interfaces are used to carry traffic between the RU and DU, as well as between the CU and DU. An integrated DU includes the aforementioned DU and RU functions.

[0152] The CU / DU hardware includes a chassis platform, motherboard, peripherals, and cooling system. The motherboard contains processing units, memory, internal I / O interfaces, and external connection ports. Its hardware accelerator is designed with interfaces, and hardware functional components include: storage for software, hardware, and system debugging interfaces, and a single-board management controller.

[0153] DU systems are typically implemented using multi-core processors and one or more hardware accelerators. Parts of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, while computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) / graphics processing unit (GPU)-based hardware accelerator; alternatively, all L1 functions can be offloaded to an FPGA / GPU-based hardware accelerator, while other protocol stack components are implemented in software running on the processor; or the entire protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the processor. The hardware accelerator supports interconnection with x86 or non-x86 processors. Similarly, the accelerator has a multi-channel PCIe interface pointing to the central processing unit (CPU) and external connections via GbE.

[0154] The RU comprises three parts: the O-RAN processing unit (OPU), which receives eCPRI frames from the O-RAN fronthaul and performs fronthaul interface operations, the lowest level L1 (encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, beamforming, and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be implemented as a CPU, FPGA, or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The O-RU's digital processing unit (DPU) performs synchronization, digital downconversions (DDC) in the UL, and digital upconversions (DUC) in the DL, improving power amplifier efficiency by reducing the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) / adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the RF front-end; the DPU can be implemented as an FPGA or ASIC. The O-RU's RF processing unit includes a transceiver module, up / down converters, power amplifiers (PA), low-noise amplifiers (LNA), and transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) filters. All conversions between the analog and digital domains (such as digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs)). Note that physical and logical partitions within the RF processing unit do not require specific boundaries.

[0155] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

[0156] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0157] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0158] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0159] In this application, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish technical features that have the same or similar functions. The terms "first" and "second" do not limit the number or execution order, nor do they necessarily imply that they are different.

[0160] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. The use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0161] It is understood that in this application, “when…”, “…when…”, and “if” all refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require a judgment action when implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0162] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0163] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (hereinafter referred to as instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0164] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate the temporal domain resources for sensing; A first signal is transmitted on a first time-domain resource, which is a portion of the time-domain resources being sensed; the first signal is an uplink reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first signal includes a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted on the first time domain resource.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the first time-domain position of transmitting the sensing signal when sensing is performed, and the first time-domain position includes the first time slot position and / or the first symbol position.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate the switching time, and the first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position for sending the first signal.

6. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; Alternatively, the first indication information may be used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

7. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third indication message is sent, which is used to indicate the second sequence; the first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; Alternatively, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence; Wherein, the initial seed value of the second sequence is different from the initial seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first indication message, which is used to indicate the temporal domain resources for sensing; Send sensing signals; The echo signal of the sensing signal and the first signal are received on a first time-domain resource, wherein the first time-domain resource is a portion of the time-domain resources for which sensing is performed.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first signal is either an uplink reference signal from the second device or a signal from the third device used for channel measurement.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first signal includes a plurality of consecutive identical signals transmitted on the first time domain resource.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first indication information is also used to indicate a first sequence of sensing.

13. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate a first time-domain location for transmitting the sensing signal, the first time-domain location including a first time slot location and / or a first symbol location.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message, which is used to indicate the switching time. The first time domain position and the switching time are used to determine the second time domain position for receiving the first signal.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the index of the first sequence in the candidate sequence set; Alternatively, the first indication information may be used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the first sequence.

16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third indication is received, which is used to indicate a second sequence; the first signal is generated based on the second sequence, and the cross-correlation value between the second sequence and the first sequence is less than a threshold.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The third indication information is used to indicate the index of the second sequence in the candidate sequence set; Alternatively, the third indication information is used to indicate the initialization seed value or root of the second sequence; Wherein, the initial seed value of the second sequence is different from the initial seed value of the first sequence, and / or, the root of the second sequence is different from the root of the first sequence.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a memory and one or more processors, the memory being used to store a computer program; the one or more processors being used to execute the computer program in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 9 to 17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 9 to 17.

21. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 9 to 17.

22. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and means for performing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 17.

23. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, said at least one processor being used to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 9 to 17.

Images