Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, which are applied to the field of communications. In the technical solution of the present application, a radio access network device sends carrier signals to a UE by means of frequency hopping in a first frequency range. A plurality of reflected signals from the UE that carry a positioning reference signal sequence in the first frequency range meet an amplitude-phase consistency requirement. The amplitude-phase consistency requirement comprises: amplitude indexes of the plurality of reflected signals are less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or phase indexes of the plurality of reflected signals are less than or equal to a second threshold. The amplitude indexes of the plurality of reflected signals indicate a degree of amplitude fluctuations of the plurality of reflected signals, and the phase indexes of the plurality of reflected signals indicate a degree of phase fluctuations of the plurality of reflected signals. The technical solution of the present application can improve the positioning accuracy of the UE.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411378192.X filed on September 29, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0003] One positioning method in a communication system is as follows: a device to be positioned transmits frequency-hopped positioning reference signals, devices for positioning measure the positioning reference signals and estimate the transmission time of the positioning reference signals for the devices for positioning based on the arrival phase and / or amplitude of the positioning reference signals, or estimate the transmission time difference of the positioning reference signals for multiple devices for positioning, and determine the position of the device to be positioned based on the transmission time or the transmission time difference.

[0004] However, this positioning method has the technical problem of low positioning accuracy. SUMMARY

[0005] The communication method and the communication apparatus provided by the present application help to improve the positioning accuracy of a device.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the communication method comprising: receiving first information, the first information indicating that a plurality of reflected signals of a first device in a first frequency range satisfy an amplitude and phase consistency requirement, wherein the plurality of reflected signals are used to carry a positioning reference signal sequence, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement comprises that an amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflected signals is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase indicator of the plurality of reflected signals is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflected signals represents the fluctuation degree of the amplitude of the plurality of reflected signals, and the phase indicator of the plurality of reflected signals represents the fluctuation degree of the phase of the plurality of reflected signals; and transmitting a plurality of carrier signals to the first device in the first frequency range by frequency hopping.

[0007] It can be understood that the plurality of reflected signals are reflected signals of multiple frequencies, or in other words, the frequencies of any two reflected signals in the plurality of reflected signals are different.

[0008] In the communication method, the carrier signal transmitted by the frequency hopping manner is located in the first frequency range, and the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, which helps to improve the measurement accuracy of the transmission time or the transmission time difference when the positioning device measures the phase and / or amplitude of the multiple reflection signals bearing the positioning reference signal sequence received from the first device to determine the transmission time or the transmission time difference, and finally helps to improve the positioning accuracy of the first device when the positioning device positions the first device based on the transmission time or the transmission time difference.

[0009] The communication method can be executed by a communication device, or can be executed by one or more of the modules, apparatuses, chips or circuits configured in the communication device or configured to cooperate with the communication device. In the subsequent implementation manners, the execution subject is taken as an example of the communication device.

[0010] In some implementation manners, the communication device is a network device, for example, a base station.

[0011] In the communication method, whether the reflection signal of the first device in the first frequency range meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is indicated by the first device through the first information. The communication device determines that the reflection signal of the first device in the first frequency range meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement only when the first information indicates that the reflection signal of the first device in the first frequency range meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and then transmits the carrier signal in the first frequency range by the frequency hopping manner. In this way, it is helpful to avoid the communication device transmitting the carrier signal in the first frequency range by the frequency hopping manner when the reflection signal of the first device in the first frequency range does not meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, so as to avoid the communication device transmitting the carrier signal that cannot be accurately positioned, and to avoid resource waste.

[0012] In some implementation manners, before receiving the first information, the communication method further includes: transmitting second information, the second information indicating whether the first device reports that the multiple reflection signals in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0013] That is, whether the first device reports the first information is indicated by the communication device through the second information. In this way, it can be avoided that the first device reports the first information when the communication device does not need to know the first information, so as to avoid resource waste.

[0014] In some implementation manners, the first information indicating that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement includes: the first information indicating at least one frequency range in which the multiple reflection signals of the first device meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and the at least one frequency range includes the first frequency range.

[0015] That is, the first information received by the communication device is one or more frequency ranges reported by the first device to indicate that the multiple reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement. In this implementation, the communication device can provide flexibility in selecting the frequency range for transmitting the carrier signal in the frequency hopping manner, thereby improving the probability that the reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and further improving the probability that the positioning result is accurate.

[0016] In some implementations, before receiving the first information, the communication method further includes: transmitting third information, the third information indicating the frequency range in which the multiple reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement. That is, whether the first device reports the frequency range in which the first device itself satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is indicated by the communication device through the third information. In this way, the first device can be prevented from reporting the frequency range in which the first device itself satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement when the communication device does not need to know the first information, thereby avoiding resource waste.

[0017] In some implementations, the first frequency range is represented by at least one of the following information: an upper boundary frequency, a lower boundary frequency, an offset of a center frequency, an identifier, or a bandwidth.

[0018] In some implementations, after transmitting the multiple carrier signals in the frequency hopping manner in the first frequency range to the first device, the communication method further includes: receiving multiple reflection signals corresponding to the multiple carrier signals; and obtaining measurement results from the multiple reflection signals corresponding to the multiple carrier signals, the measurement results including a distance or a time delay.

[0019] In this implementation, because the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the accuracy of the measurement results obtained from the multiple reflection signals of the first device can be improved, thereby improving the accuracy of the positioning result obtained based on the measurement results.

[0020] In some implementations, the communication device determines whether the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement; and if it is determined that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the communication device transmits the multiple carrier signals in the frequency hopping manner in the first frequency range. Optionally, the communication device determines whether the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement based on the received first information.

[0021] In some implementations, if it is determined that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the communication device transmits a carrier signal, receives a reflection signal corresponding to the carrier signal, and obtains a measurement result from the reflection signal, the measurement result including an angle. Optionally, the carrier signal is transmitted by multiple antennas.

[0022] In this implementation, when the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the measurement result obtained by the first device from the reflection signals is an angle, which can improve the accuracy of the positioning result obtained based on the measurement result.

[0023] In some implementations, the amplitude indicator includes at least one of the following indicators: a variance of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals.

[0024] The amplitude indicator includes the deviation of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, that is, whether the amplitude fluctuation of the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meets the requirement is measured by the deviation of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result, and thus can improve the accuracy of positioning by frequency hopping when the measurement result indicates that the amplitude fluctuation of the first device meets the requirement.

[0025] The amplitude indicator includes an absolute value of a difference between a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, that is, whether the amplitude fluctuation of the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meets the requirement is measured by the absolute value of the difference between the maximum amplitude and the minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, which can reduce the complexity of obtaining the measurement indicator value of the amplitude fluctuation of the first device.

[0026] The amplitude indicator includes a variance of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, which can balance the measurement accuracy of the amplitude fluctuation of the first device and the complexity of obtaining the measurement indicator value, that is, a measurement indicator value that can guarantee the measurement accuracy of the amplitude fluctuation of the first device is obtained with relatively low complexity.

[0027] In some implementations, the phase indicator includes at least one of the following indicators: a variance of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum phase and a minimum phase of the phases of the multiple reflection signals.

[0028] The phase indicator includes the deviation of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, that is, whether the phase fluctuation of the first device meets the requirement is measured by the deviation of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, which can improve the accuracy of the measurement result, and thus can improve the accuracy of positioning by frequency hopping when the measurement result indicates that the phase fluctuation of the first device meets the requirement.

[0029] The phase indicator includes an absolute value of a difference between a maximum phase and a minimum phase in the phases of the multiple reflection signals, that is, whether the phase fluctuation of the first device meets the requirement is measured by the absolute value of the difference between the maximum phase and the minimum phase in the phases of the multiple reflection signals, and complexity of obtaining the measurement indicator value of the phase fluctuation of the first device can be reduced.

[0030] The phase indicator includes a variance of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, and measurement accuracy of the phase fluctuation of the first device and complexity of obtaining the measurement indicator value can be considered, that is, the measurement indicator value that can guarantee the measurement accuracy of the phase fluctuation of the first device is obtained with relatively low complexity.

[0031] In some implementations, the communication method further includes: sending fourth information and / or fifth information, the fourth information indicating the first threshold, and the fifth information indicating the second threshold. That is, which range the amplitude indicator of the first device is located in to meet the requirement, and / or which range the phase indicator of the first device is located in to meet the requirement, is indicated by the communication device. This implementation provides support for the communication device to flexibly configure the first threshold based on the positioning accuracy requirement, and helps to guarantee the positioning accuracy.

[0032] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, the communication method including: generating first information, the first information indicating that multiple reflection signals of a first device in a first frequency range meet an amplitude and phase consistency requirement, wherein the multiple reflection signals are used to carry a positioning reference signal sequence, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement including: an amplitude indicator of the multiple reflection signals being less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or a phase indicator of the multiple reflection signals being less than or equal to a second threshold, the amplitude indicator of the multiple reflection signals representing a fluctuation degree of amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, and the phase indicator of the multiple reflection signals representing a fluctuation degree of phases of the multiple reflection signals; and sending the first information.

[0033] It can be understood that the multiple reflection signals are reflection signals of multiple frequencies, or in other words, frequencies of any two reflection signals in the multiple reflection signals are different.

[0034] The communication method can be executed by a communication device, or can be executed by one or more of modules, apparatuses, chips or circuits configured in the communication device or configured to cooperate with the communication device. In subsequent implementations, the execution subject is taken as an example of the communication device.

[0035] In some implementations, the communication device is a terminal device, for example, an internet of things (IoT) device.

[0036] In some embodiments, before the sending the first information, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information indicating whether the multiple reflection signals reported by the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first information indicating that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement includes: the first information indicating at least one frequency range in which the multiple reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the at least one frequency range including the first frequency range.

[0038] In some embodiments, before the sending the first information, the method further includes: receiving third information, the third information indicating frequency ranges in which the multiple reflection signals reported by the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first frequency range is indicated by at least one of the following: an upper boundary frequency, a lower boundary frequency, an offset of a center frequency, an identifier, or a bandwidth.

[0040] In some embodiments, the amplitude indicator includes at least one of the following: a variance of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals.

[0041] In some embodiments, the phase indicator includes at least one of the following: a variance of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of the phases of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum phase and a minimum phase of the phases of the multiple reflection signals.

[0042] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided. The communication apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods described in the first aspect. The module can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0043] In one design, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the sending and receiving actions in the methods described in any of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions related to processing in the methods described in any of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect.

[0044] In one design, the communication apparatus can be a network device, a device, a module, a circuit, or a chip configured to be deployed in a network device, or a device capable of being used with a network device.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The module can be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0046] In one design, the communication apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module. The communication module can be configured to perform the sending actions and the receiving actions in the methods described in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, and the processing module can be configured to perform the actions related to processing in the methods described in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0047] In one design, the communication apparatus can be a terminal device, or an apparatus / module / circuit / chip, etc. configured to be deployed in a terminal device, or an apparatus that can be used in matching with a terminal device.

[0048] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus including a processor. Instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to be implemented.

[0049] Optionally, the communication apparatus can further include a storage medium that stores the aforementioned instructions for the processor to execute.

[0050] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus including a processor. Instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect to be implemented.

[0051] Optionally, the communication apparatus can further include a storage medium that stores the aforementioned instructions for the processor to execute.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute a program or instructions, so that the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect is implemented.

[0053] Optionally, the chip can further include a memory configured to store the program or instructions.

[0054] Optionally, the chip can further include the transceiver circuit, or an input / output interface.

[0055] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute a program or instructions, so that the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect is implemented.

[0056] Optionally, the chip can further include a memory configured to store the program or instructions.

[0057] Optionally, the chip can further comprise the transceiver circuit, or the input / output interface.

[0058] In a ninth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to be performed.

[0059] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect to be performed.

[0060] In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to be performed.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect to be performed.

[0062] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system configured to perform the method described in any possible implementation of the first aspect above and perform the method described in any possible implementation of the second aspect above.

[0063] It can be understood that the technical effects in any of the second aspect to the thirteenth aspect can refer to the technical effects in the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1 is an example diagram of a communication principle of a tag;

[0065] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning method of an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of transmission of a frequency hopping signal of an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a phase-frequency relationship and an amplitude-frequency relationship of an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system of an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIGS. 6 and 7 are example structural diagrams of a radio access network device of an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIGS. 8 to 11 are schematic flow diagrams of a communication method of an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are structural schematic diagrams of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The technical solutions in the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish between items or similar items that have substantially the same function and effect. For example, the first value and the second value are merely used to distinguish between different values and do not limit the order. Those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily mean different.

[0074] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to represent an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. The term "and / or" describes the association between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character "or" generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. The term "at least one of the following" or the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0076] The user equipment (UE) in the embodiments of the present application has the ability of mutual perception, information interaction, calculation, and self-identification through embedding sensors, micro control units (MCU), and the like, in combination with radio frequency identification, communication, edge computing, and the like, thereby having the ability of being organically connected with the digital world.

[0077] The UE in the embodiments of the present application can include an internet of things (IoT) terminal. The IoT terminal can be an electronic tag or a sensor type IoT terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the electronic tag can be referred to as a tag.

[0078] An electronic tag, also known as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a radio frequency tag, or a transponder, etc., can be composed of a coupling element and a chip, a communication module, each electronic tag has a unique identification (ID) or electronic code, attached or integrated on an object for identifying a target object; can exchange information and communicate through information transmission media to realize intelligent identification, positioning, tracking or supervision of objects and other functions. The electronic tag in the present application can be referred to as a tag.

[0079] Electronic tags can be widely used in various fields, for example, in logistics or warehousing, the corresponding electronic tags of the goods can be identified to achieve the purpose of quickly identifying the goods, and the identified goods information can also be managed. Therefore, in the field of logistics or warehousing, the identification of electronic tags can be referred to as inventory.

[0080] For example, passive or semi-passive electronic tags can be embedded or attached to goods, and stored in warehouses, shopping malls, etc. During the logistics process of the goods, the information of the electronic tags can be automatically collected and obtained by a reader, and the relevant information of the goods can be queried in the goods inventory system by the management personnel, thereby reducing the risk of goods loss or theft, and improving the goods handover speed. Compared with manual inventory, the accuracy and efficiency of inventory can be effectively improved, and the goods can be prevented from being diverted and counterfeited.

[0081] Electronic tags can also be applied to asset management or industrial manufacturing fields, for example, in libraries, art galleries, museums, and other asset-intensive or valuable goods management, a complete management program or strict protection measures are required, when the storage information of books or valuable goods has abnormal changes, the management personnel can be reminded through a preset reminder mechanism, so as to handle the relevant situation.

[0082] Sensor-based IoT terminals include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light sensors, motion sensors, etc. These sensors detect various parameters in the environment and transmit data to the Internet of Things platform or other devices for analysis and application. For example, temperature sensors are widely used in smart homes, industrial control, weather monitoring, etc. can accurately measure the environment temperature and transmit data to the Internet of Things platform for remote monitoring and control.

[0083] From the perspective of application environment, the IoT terminal of the present application can include an ambient IoT terminal. From the perspective of energy supply, the IoT terminal of the present application can include a passive IoT (PIoT) terminal. The PIoT terminal includes three types of tags: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

[0084] The A-class tag can also be referred to as a passive tag, a passive device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, or a passive terminal. The A-class tag is not equipped with a battery and an energy storage module, and works in a mode of collecting energy while communicating. As shown in (a) of FIG. 1, the passive tag can receive a carrier signal transmitted by a network device to obtain energy, and reflect the carrier signal to obtain a reflected signal. The reflected signal carries relevant information of the passive tag and / or a positioning reference signal sequence. The passive tag feeds back the reflected signal to the network device.

[0085] The B-class tag can also be referred to as a semi-passive tag or a semi-passive device. The energy storage module of the semi-passive device provides energy for communication by collecting energy in the environment, such as solar energy. The semi-passive device supports amplification of a transmitted signal and supports a power consumption of hundreds of microwatts. For example, the semi-passive device supports a power consumption of 100 uW (microwatt). The semi-passive device cannot actively transmit a signal, but can transmit a signal after being stimulated. That is, the semi-passive device cannot actively generate a carrier to carry a signal to be transmitted. As shown in (b) of FIG. 1, the semi-passive tag can receive a carrier signal transmitted by a network device. The semi-passive device reflects the carrier signal to obtain a reflected signal. The reflected signal carries relevant information of the semi-passive device and / or a positioning reference signal sequence. The semi-passive device feeds back the reflected signal to the network device.

[0086] The C-class tag can also be referred to as an active tag or an active device. Compared with the A-class tag, the C-class tag is increased with a reverse amplification circuit and a carrier signal generation circuit, and is close to a conventional cellular terminal. The C-class tag supports independent signal generation. As shown in (c) of FIG. 1, the active tag can transmit a signal to a radio access network device by using energy provided by an energy storage module when working.

[0087] FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the positioning system includes a plurality of positioning headends, at least one reader / writer, and at least one tag.

[0088] The reader sends a radio frequency signal of a certain frequency through an antenna; the tag receives the radio frequency signal in real time to obtain energy and is activated, and reflects the radio frequency signal, and the transmitted radio frequency signal is modulated with a positioning reference signal sequence; each positioning head end measures the positioning reference signal to obtain a positioning reference signal arrival phase, which is used to estimate the propagation time of the positioning reference signal from the tag to the positioning head end, or to estimate the propagation time difference of the positioning reference signal from the tag to multiple positioning head ends, or the propagation time is further converted to obtain the distance from the tag to the positioning head end or the distance difference between the tags to different positioning head ends, and then the estimated distance or distance difference can be used to solve the position of the tag. Wherein, the radio frequency signal sent by the reader can be called as a carrier signal, or as a carrier signal of the positioning reference signal sequence, and the carrier signal carrying the positioning reference signal sequence is called as a positioning reference signal.

[0089] Wherein, the reader can be a wireless access network device, and the positioning head end can be a wireless access network device. For example, the positioning head end can be a micro radio remote unit in the wireless access network device.

[0090] As an example, the reader and the positioning head end can be different components of the same wireless access network device.

[0091] In some implementations, the reader and the positioning head end can be devices of the same type, for example, both can be pRRUs.

[0092] On the one hand, the transmission power of the tag is usually low, for example, 1 micro watt (uW) to 100 watts (wW), resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the positioning reference signal. Under the condition of low SNR, the energy of the positioning reference signal transmitted on the direct path from the tag to the positioning head end is relatively low, so that the estimation of the transmission delay of the positioning reference signal on the direct path is obviously affected by noise or the positioning reference signal on the non-direct path, resulting in measurement error of the ToA of the positioning reference signal on the direct path, and the positioning accuracy also decreases.

[0093] On the other hand, the bandwidth of the tag is usually narrow, and the narrow bandwidth will affect the positioning accuracy. For example, when the bandwidth of the tag is 180 kilohertz (kHz), the resolution accuracy of the ToA is 1500 meters (m), and the probability of the positioning accuracy less than or equal to 38 meters by super-resolution algorithm is less than or equal to 90%.

[0094] The problem of low positioning accuracy caused by low transmission power and narrow bandwidth of the tag can be overcome by frequency hopping technology, because: on the one hand, frequency hopping can accumulate energy, which can improve the SNR, so that the ToA estimation accuracy is improved; on the other hand, frequency hopping can obtain a larger virtual bandwidth, for example, a 20 megahertz (MHz) frequency hopping bandwidth can achieve a ToA resolution accuracy of 15 m, and a super-resolution algorithm can achieve a meter-level positioning accuracy.

[0095] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of estimating ToA based on frequency hopping according to an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 3, each square represents a resource block, and the square filled with diagonal lines represents a resource block for transmitting a carrier signal.

[0096] As shown in the left part of Figure 3, the reader transmits radio frequency signals of different frequencies through time division of antennas; after the tag receives radio frequency signals of different frequencies at different times, the tag modulates a positioning reference signal sequence on radio frequency signals of different frequencies at different times, or in other words, transmits the positioning reference signal using different frequency resources on different symbols.

[0097] As shown in the right part of Figure 3, after the positioning head receives positioning reference signals of different frequencies, the positioning head aggregates small-bandwidth channel estimation results on consecutive frequency bands in the order of subcarriers to form a virtual wide-band channel estimation result, thereby achieving a high-SNR and wide-bandwidth channel estimation result, and further improving positioning accuracy.

[0098] However, when the tag reflects carrier signals of different frequencies, there are problems of phase discontinuity and / or amplitude inconsistency.

[0099] Phase discontinuity refers to that when the tag transmits a positioning reference signal sequence on carrier signals of different frequencies, the tag carries varying random phase errors, i.e., when the tag reflects carrier signals of different frequencies to transmit a positioning reference signal, there is a random error between the transmission phase of the positioning reference signal and the expected phase, resulting in discontinuity of the transmission phase of the positioning reference signal on different frequencies.

[0100] Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram of the change of the phase of a positioning reference signal with the frequency of the positioning reference signal. In Figure 4(a), the line labeled 1 represents the ideal linear relationship between the phase of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the tag and the frequency, the line labeled 2 represents the linear relationship between the phase of the positioning reference signal transmitted by the tag after the frequency f0 and the frequency after a large error occurs, and the line labeled 3 represents the linear relationship between the phase of the positioning reference signal received by the positioning head and the frequency.

[0101] As can be seen from Figure 4(a), since the tag carries varying random phase errors when reflecting carrier signals of different frequencies, the positioning reference signal received by the positioning head will have the problem of phase discontinuity, thereby causing the problem of ToA estimation performance degradation, and ultimately causing the problem of inaccurate positioning accuracy.

[0102] The amplitude-frequency inconsistency refers to that when the tag transmits the positioning reference signal on different frequency carrier signals, the amplitude or power fluctuates, which leads to equivalent introduction of multipath. Because the multipath leads to different responses at different frequencies, it leads to a decrease in ToA estimation performance, and finally leads to inaccurate positioning accuracy.

[0103] Figure 4(b) is a schematic diagram of a change of the amplitude of the positioning reference signal with the frequency of the positioning reference signal. As shown in Figure 4(b), at different frequencies, the transmission amplitude of the positioning reference signal fluctuates differently. The greater the fluctuation, the worse the ToA estimation performance, and the lower the positioning accuracy. For example, it has been tested that the amplitude fluctuation is as high as 30 decibels (dB) within a range of 18 MHz. In the embodiments of the present application, the amplitude can be referred to as the amplitude value.

[0104] To solve the above problems, the present application provides new technical solutions to improve the positioning accuracy of the tag.

[0105] In the technical solutions provided by the present application, an amplitude-phase index is defined for the tag, which includes an amplitude index and / or a phase index. The amplitude index is used to indicate the fluctuation degree of the amplitude values of multiple reflection signals within a certain frequency range, and the phase consistency index is used to indicate the fluctuation degree of the phases of multiple reflection signals within a certain frequency range.

[0106] It can be understood that the multiple reflection signals in the embodiments of the present application are respectively reflection signals of different frequencies; the amplitude value of the reflection signal refers to the amplitude or power of the reflection signal emitted from the tag when the tag reflects the received carrier signal; and the phase of the reflection signal refers to the phase of the reflection signal emitted from the tag when the UE reflects the received carrier signal.

[0107] The amplitude index can include at least one of the following indexes: the variance of the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals, the deviation of the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals, or the absolute value of the difference between the maximum amplitude value and the minimum amplitude value in the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals. The deviation of the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals can also be referred to as the mean square deviation of the multiple amplitude values. The difference between the maximum amplitude value and the minimum amplitude value in the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals can also be referred to as the range of the multiple amplitude values.

[0108] As an example, the deviation of the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals includes the standard deviation of the multiple amplitude values corresponding to the multiple reflection signals.

[0109] Hereinafter, some exemplary calculation methods of the amplitude index are introduced taking the multiple amplitude values including N amplitude values as an example, and N is an integer greater than 1.

[0110] When the amplitude index is the variance of the N amplitudes corresponding to the N reflected signals, an exemplary formula for calculating the amplitude index is as follows:

[0111] wherein A is the amplitude index, in decibel (dB), representing the fluctuation of power; A n is the nth amplitude in the N amplitudes, in volt, representing voltage; A E is the expected amplitude (or reference amplitude), in volt, representing voltage.

[0112] When the amplitude index is the standard deviation of the N amplitudes corresponding to the N reflected signals, an exemplary formula for calculating the amplitude index is as follows:

[0113] wherein A is the amplitude index, in dB, representing the fluctuation of power; A n is the nth amplitude in the N amplitudes, in volt, representing voltage; A E is the expected amplitude (or reference amplitude), in volt, representing voltage.

[0114] When the amplitude index is the absolute value of the range of the N amplitudes corresponding to the N reflected signals, an exemplary formula for calculating the amplitude index is as follows: A = 20log 10 (A max ) - 20log 10 (A min )

[0115] wherein A is the amplitude index, in dB, representing the fluctuation of power; A max is the maximum amplitude in the N amplitudes, in volt, representing voltage; A min is the minimum amplitude in the N amplitudes, in volt, representing voltage.

[0116] The phase index can include at least one of the following indexes: the variance of the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals, the deviation of the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals, or the absolute value of the difference between the maximum phase and the minimum phase in the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals. The deviation of the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals can also be referred to as the mean square deviation of the multiple phases. The difference between the maximum phase and the minimum phase in the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals can also be referred to as the range of the multiple phases.

[0117] As an example, the deviation of the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals includes the standard deviation of the multiple phases corresponding to the multiple reflected signals.

[0118] The following describes some exemplary calculation methods of the amplitude index, taking the multiple phases including M phases as an example, wherein M is an integer greater than 1.

[0119] When the phase indicator is the variance of the M phases corresponding to the M reflected signals, an exemplary calculation formula of the phase indicator is as follows:

[0120] wherein, is the phase indicator, in units of square degrees or square radians, representing the fluctuation of the phase; is the mth phase in the M phases, in units of degrees or radians; is the expected phase (or reference phase), in units of degrees or radians.

[0121] When the phase indicator is the standard deviation of the M phases corresponding to the M reflected signals, an exemplary calculation formula of the phase indicator is as follows:

[0122] wherein, is the phase indicator, in units of degrees or radians, representing the fluctuation of the phase; is the mth phase in the M phases, in units of degrees or radians; is the expected phase (or reference phase), in units of degrees or radians.

[0123] When the phase indicator is the absolute value of the range of the M phases corresponding to the M reflected signals, an exemplary calculation formula of the phase indicator is as follows:

[0124] wherein, is the phase indicator, in units of degrees or radians, representing the fluctuation of the phase; is the maximum phase in the M phases, in units of degrees or radians; is the minimum phase in the M phases, in units of degrees or radians.

[0125] In the technical solutions provided in the present application, the amplitude-phase consistency requirement is also defined, which includes the amplitude consistency requirement and / or the phase consistency requirement. The amplitude consistency requirement includes that the amplitude indicator is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and the phase consistency requirement includes that the phase indicator is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0126] It can be understood that the threshold values corresponding to different types of amplitude indicators can be different. For example, when the amplitude indicator is the variance of the multiple amplitudes corresponding to the multiple reflected signals, the first threshold value can be 1 dB, 2 dB, 3 dB or 4 dB; when the amplitude indicator is the standard deviation of the multiple amplitudes corresponding to the multiple reflected signals, the first threshold value can be 2 dB, 3 dB or 4 dB; when the amplitude indicator is the absolute value of the difference between the maximum amplitude and the minimum amplitude in the multiple amplitudes corresponding to the multiple reflected signals, the first threshold value can be 1 dB, 2 dB, 3 dB, 4 dB or 5 dB.

[0127] When the amplitude indicator of the plurality of amplitudes corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range is less than or equal to the first threshold value, it can be considered that the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the amplitude consistency requirement.

[0128] For example, when the amplitude variance corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 2dB, and the first threshold value is 3dB, because the amplitude variance is less than the first threshold value, the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the amplitude consistency requirement.

[0129] For another example, when the amplitude standard deviation corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 3dB, and the first threshold value is 3dB, because the amplitude standard deviation is equal to the first threshold value, the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the amplitude consistency requirement.

[0130] For another example, when the amplitude range absolute value corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 6dB, and the first threshold value is 5dB, because the amplitude range absolute value is greater than the first threshold value, the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range do not satisfy the amplitude consistency requirement.

[0131] It can be understood that the threshold values corresponding to different types of phase indicators can be different. For example, when the phase indicator is the variance of the plurality of phases corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals, the second threshold value can be 1, 2, 3 or 4, with the unit of degree squared or radian squared; when the phase indicator is the standard deviation of the plurality of phases corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals, the second threshold value can be 1, 5 or 10, with the unit of degree or radian; when the phase indicator is the absolute value of the difference between the maximum phase and the minimum phase in the plurality of phases corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals, the value of the second threshold value can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15 or 20, with the unit of angle or radian.

[0132] When the phase indicator of the plurality of phases corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range is less than or equal to the second threshold value, it can be considered that the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the phase consistency requirement.

[0133] For example, when the phase variance corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 2 degrees squared, and the second threshold value is 3 degrees squared, because the phase variance is less than the second threshold value, the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the phase consistency requirement.

[0134] For another example, when the phase standard deviation corresponding to the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 5 degrees, and the second threshold value is 5 degrees, because the phase standard deviation is equal to the second threshold value, the plurality of reflection signals of the tag in the certain frequency range satisfy the phase consistency requirement.

[0135] For another example, the absolute value of the phase difference of the multiple reflection signals of the tag in a certain frequency range is 21 degrees, and the second threshold is 20 degrees. Because the absolute value of the phase difference is greater than the second threshold, the multiple reflection signals of the tag in the frequency range do not meet the phase consistency requirement.

[0136] In the technical solution provided in the present application, the reader sends the carrier signal in the frequency hopping mode in the frequency range in which the tag meets the amplitude and phase consistency index. For the convenience of description, the frequency range in which the tag meets the amplitude and phase consistency index is referred to as the first frequency range corresponding to the tag, and is referred to as the first frequency range for short in the embodiments of the present application.

[0137] In some implementations, the first frequency range corresponding to the tag is indicated by the tag to the reader. Further, the tag indicates the first frequency range to the reader at the request of the reader.

[0138] The technical solution of the present application is applicable to the following wireless communication systems: a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) or new radio (new radio, NR) network, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) network, an LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) network, an LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD) network, a wireless local area network (wireless local area network, WLAN) network, a satellite communication network, a future mobile communication network, or a fusion network of multiple networks, etc.

[0139] The technical solution provided in the present application can be applied to device to device (device to device, D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (vehicle-to-everything, V2X) communication, machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M) communication, machine type communication (machine type communication, MTC), internet of things (internet of things, IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0140] It can be understood that in the technical solution provided in the present application, the signal can include information, signaling or data, etc., and the device can be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a communication device, a network element, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc. The device is described as an example in the embodiments of the present application.

[0141] FIG. 5 is an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication system includes a UE, a radio access network device, an AMF network element, and an LMF network element.

[0142] A location management function (LMF) network element is a device or component deployed in a core network to provide positioning functions for a UE.

[0143] An access and mobility management function (AMF) network element is responsible for at least one of access control, mobility management, registration management, connection management, network slice selection, user data management, and positioning services for a UE.

[0144] A radio access network (RAN) device is a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for a UE. The RAN device can be a base station.

[0145] A base station can be broadly covered by various names or replaced by the following names, such as: Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), primary station, secondary station, motor slide retainer (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), Pico Remote Radio Unit (pRRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), positioning node, transmission measurement function (TMF) unit, etc.

[0146] The base station can be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof. The base station can also refer to a communication module, a modem, or a chip for being arranged in the aforementioned devices or apparatuses. The base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device assuming a base station function in D2D, V2X, M2M communication, a network device in a future communication network, a device assuming a base station function in a future communication system, and the like. The base station can support networks of the same or different access technologies. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. For example, the access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the network device.

[0147] In some deployments, the wireless access network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a device including a CU, or a DU, or including a CU and a DU, or a control plane CU node (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and a user plane CU node (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and a DU node. For example, the wireless access network device can include a gNB-CU-CP, a gNB-CU-UP, and a gNB-DU.

[0148] In some deployments, wireless access is assisted by multiple RAN nodes to assist terminals, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the RAN node can be a CU, a DU, a CU-CP, a CU-UP, or an RU, and the like. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can also be included in the same network element, such as a BBU. The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as an RRU, an AAU, or an RRH.

[0149] The RAN node can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, different fronthaul interfaces respectively corresponding to DUs and RUs having different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and the RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more of baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more of radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and the RU is another interface, which, relative to the CPRI, moves one or more of partial baseband functions of the downlink and / or uplink, such as, for the downlink, one or more of precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / add cyclic prefix (CP), from the DU to the RU for implementation, and for the uplink, one or more of digital beamforming (BF), or fast Fourier transform (FFT) / remove cyclic prefix (CP), from the DU to the RU for implementation. In a possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the splitting manner between the DU and the RU is different, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, and F.

[0150] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, with layer mapping as the cut, the DU is configured to implement layer mapping and one or more functions (i.e., one or more of encoding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping) before layer mapping, while other functions (e.g., one or more of resource element (RE) mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding cyclic prefix (CP)) after layer mapping are implemented in the RU. For uplink transmission, with de-RE mapping as the cut, the DU is configured to implement de-mapping and one or more functions (i.e., one or more of decoding, de-rate matching, de-scrambling, de-modulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, de-RE mapping) before de-mapping, while other functions (e.g., one or more of digital BF or fast Fourier transform (FFT) / CP removal) after de-mapping are implemented in the RU. It can be understood that the function description of the DU and the RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can refer to the eCPRI protocol, which is not described here.

[0151] In a possible design, the processing unit in the BBU for implementing baseband functions is referred to as a base band high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH for implementing baseband functions is referred to as a base band low (BBL) unit.

[0152] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0153] In this application, the apparatus for implementing the function of the wireless access network device can be a wireless access network device; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the wireless access network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. The apparatus can be installed in the wireless access network device or used in matching with the wireless access network device. In this application, only the apparatus for implementing the function of the wireless access network device is taken as an example for description, and the scheme of the embodiments of this application is not limited in this way.

[0154] In this communication system, the AMF network element receives a positioning service request initiated by other network elements in the system for a certain UE, sends the received positioning service request to the LMF network element; the LMF network element is responsible for processing the received positioning request and sending a positioning request to the RAN device to initiate a related positioning process; the RAN device is responsible for sending a carrier signal; the UE receives the carrier signal, carries a positioning reference signal sequence on the carrier signal, and sends the positioning reference signal; the RAN device receives the positioning reference signal sent by the UE and obtains related measurement information (such as TOA or TDOA), and the LMF implements positioning of the UE based on the related measurement information.

[0155] For example, the related measurement information can include:

[0156] In other words, the RAN device in this communication system is used to implement the function of the reader and the positioning headend in FIG. 2, and the UE in this communication system is used to implement the function of the tag in FIG. 2.

[0157] FIG. 6 is an example of a system structure of a wireless access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless access network system shown in FIG. 6 can be referred to as an open-RAN (O-RAN) system.

[0158] The system shown in FIG. 6 can include a RAN node, a non-real time RAN intelligent controller (Non-RT RIC), a near-real time RAN intelligent controller (Near-RT RIC), an O-RAN central unit control plane (O-CU-CP), an O-RAN central unit user plane (O-CU-UP), an O-RAN distributed unit (O-DU), and an O-RAN radio unit (O-RU). The O-CU-CP and the O-CU-UP together can be referred to as an O-RAN central unit (O-CU).

[0159] The non-real time RAN intelligent controller is used to implement non-real time intelligent management of RAN functions, can implement AI / ML workflow including model training and model updating, and guide applications / functions in the Near-RT RIC based on policies.

[0160] The near-real time RAN intelligent controller is used to implement near-real time intelligent management of RAN, and can implement near-real time control and optimization of modules and resources of O-RAN through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface.

[0161] The O-RAN central unit is used to implement radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and other control functions.

[0162] The O-RAN central unit control plane belongs to a part of the O-CU, and is used to implement functions of the RRC layer and control plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0163] The O-RAN central unit user plane belongs to a part of the O-CU, and is used to implement functions of the SDAP layer and user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0164] Based on low-layer function split, the O-RAN distribution unit is used to implement a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a higher physical layer (Higher PHY). The higher physical layer functions include one or more of the following: forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling / descrambling, or modulation / demodulation.

[0165] Based on low-layer function split, the O-RAN radio frequency unit is used to implement lower physical layer (Lower PHY) functions and radio frequency functions. The lower physical layer functions include one or more of the following: fast Fourier Transform (FFT) transform / inverse Fast Fourier Transformation (iFFT) transform, digital beamforming, or extraction and filtering of a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0166] The A1 interface is an interface between the Non-RT RIC and the Near-RT RIC, and is used for intelligent and dynamic control of the internal wireless resources of the O-RAN. The Non-RT RIC provides policies, rich information, and ML model updates to the Near-RT RIC through the A1 interface, and the Near-RT RIC provides policy feedback to the Non-RT RIC through the A1 interface.

[0167] The E2 interface is an open interface between two endpoints, and is used to connect the Near-RT RIC and the RAN node. The RAN node includes a CU, a DU, an O-RAN compatible eNB in 4G, an O-CU (O-CU-CP and / or O-CU-UP), or an O-DU, etc. The RIC can obtain data and feedback collected by the RAN node through the E2 node, and the RAN node can obtain control feedback from the Near-RT RIC through the E2 node.

[0168] The O1 interface is an interface between a service management and orchestration (SMO) entity and O-RAN modules, used for operation management, through which fault, configuration, accounting, performance, and security (FCAPS) management, software management, and file management are implemented. The SMO entity is used to provide various management services and network management functions.

[0169] The E1 interface is an interface between a CU-CP and a CU-UP.

[0170] The F1-C interface is an interface between a CU-CP and a DU.

[0171] The F1-U interface is an interface between a CU-UP and a DU.

[0172] In some implementations, the O-DU implements the function of the reader in FIG. 2, and the O-DU and the RT RIC cooperate to implement the function of the positioning headend in FIG. 2. For example, the O-DU completes multipath measurement and reports the measurement result (e.g., TOA) to the RT RIC; the RT RIC has a positioning function and implements measurement on the UE based on the measurement result reported by the O-DU.

[0173] In some implementations, the O-DU and the O-CU cooperate to implement the function of the positioning headend in FIG. 1. For example, the O-DU completes multipath measurement and reports the measurement result to the O-CU; the O-CU has a positioning function and implements measurement on the UE based on the measurement result reported by the O-DU.

[0174] FIG. 7 is an exemplary structural diagram of a radio access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the radio access network device includes a CU, a DU, and an RU.

[0175] The CU performs part of layer 2 (L2) functions and layer 3 (L3) functions, the DU performs part of layer 1 (L1) functions and part of L2 functions, and the RU performs L1 computation and RF digital part functions.

[0176] A midhaul interface is used to carry traffic between the CU and the DU, a backhaul interface is used to carry traffic between the CU and the core network, and a fronthaul interface is used to carry traffic between the RU and the DU. The integrated DU includes the functions of the DU and the RU described above.

[0177] The CU and / or DU includes a processor, which can include an x86 processor or a non-x86 processor, and a hardware accelerator, which can include an FPGA, a GPU, or other accelerator.

[0178] Taking the DU as an example, the DU can be implemented using a multi-core processor and one or more hardware accelerators. Part of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the multi-core processor, and the computationally intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to an FPGA- or GPU-based hardware accelerator; or all L1 functions are offloaded to an FPGA- or GPU-based hardware accelerator, and other protocol stack contents are implemented in software running on the processor; or all the protocol stack is implemented in software running on the processor. The hardware accelerator supports interconnection with an x86 or non-x86 processor, and the accelerator has a multi-channel PCIe interface pointing to the CPU and is externally connected through GbE.

[0179] The RU can include three parts: an O-RAN processing unit (OPU), a digital processing unit (DPU) of the O-RU, and a radio frequency (RF) unit.

[0180] The OPU receives eCPRI frames from the O-RAN fronthaul and performs the fronthaul interface, the lowest layer L1 (encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, beamforming, and resource unit mapping. The OPU can be a CPU, an FPGA, or an ASIC.

[0181] The DPU can perform synchronization, DDC (digital down conversion in UL), DUC (digital up conversion in DL), and improve power amplifier efficiency by reducing PAPR / ACLR of the RF front end; the DPU can be an FPGA or an ASIC.

[0182] The RF processing unit can include a transceiver module, an up / down converter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a Tx / Rx filter. All conversions between the analog domain and the digital domain (DAC and ADC), for example, RF sampling, frequency conversion using RF, IF, and LO mixing in upconversion and downconversion, are performed within the transceiver module. In some implementations, the physical and logical partitions within the RF processing unit do not require specific boundaries.

[0183] The DU can implement the functions of the reader in FIG. 2 and can implement the functions of the positioning headend in FIG. 2.

[0184] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication method includes S815 and S820.

[0185] In this embodiment, the first device, the second device and the third device are taken as examples of the execution subject. In some examples, the third device can be referred to as an LMF network element, the second device can be referred to as a reader-writer, and the first device can be referred to as a tag.

[0186] For example, the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is applied to the system shown in FIG. 5, the third device is an LMF network element, the second device is a wireless access network device, and the first device is a UE.

[0187] For example, the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is applied to the system shown in FIG. 6, in some implementation manners, the third device is an LMF network element, the second device is an O-DU, and the first device is a UE.

[0188] For example, the communication method of the embodiment of the present application is applied to the system shown in FIG. 7, in some implementation manners, the third device is an LMF network element, the second device is a DU, and the first device is a UE.

[0189] S815, the first device sends first information to the second device, the first information indicating that a plurality of reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, wherein the plurality of reflection signals are used to carry a positioning reference signal sequence, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement includes that an amplitude index of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase index of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude index of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of amplitude values of the plurality of reflection signals, and the phase index of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of phases of the plurality of reflection signals. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first information.

[0190] In this embodiment, the plurality of reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meeting the amplitude and phase consistency requirement can be understood as a capability of the first device. Correspondingly, the first information can be understood as capability information of the first device, or the first information can be referred to as first capability information.

[0191] It can be understood that the reflection signal of the first device is a reflection signal of the carrier signal received by the first device.

[0192] The first device indicates to the second device that the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement for the plurality of reflected signals in the first frequency range. Compared with the first frequency range or the second frequency range pre-configured in the second device, the second device can learn the first frequency range supported by the first device based on the first information reported by the first device, so as to accurately transmit the carrier signal in the second frequency range containing the first frequency range through frequency hopping, thereby making the application scenarios of the positioning method more extensive, or improving the positioning accuracy in more application scenarios.

[0193] As an example, the first information contains indication information of the first frequency range, used to indicate which frequency range is the first frequency range.

[0194] As an example, the first information contains information indicating "yes", used to indicate that the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range. For example, when the first frequency range is a frequency range agreed by the first device and the second device, or the first frequency range is a frequency range specified by a protocol, the first device only needs to contain information indicating "yes" in the first information, to inform the second device that the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range. For example, the first information contains a bit, and when the bit takes the value "1", it represents the meaning of "yes".

[0195] As an example, the first information contains indication information of the first frequency range and information indicating "yes".

[0196] S820, the second device transmits a plurality of carrier signals in the first frequency range through frequency hopping. Correspondingly, the first device receives the plurality of carrier signals.

[0197] It can be understood that the plurality of carrier signals are carrier signals on different frequencies in the first frequency range.

[0198] It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the second device transmits a plurality of carrier signals in the first frequency range through frequency hopping, which does not limit the frequency range of the carrier signal transmitted by the second device to be the first frequency range, but emphasizes that the frequency range of the carrier signal should contain the first frequency range.

[0199] For example, when the first frequency range is 800MHz to 900MHz, the frequency range of the carrier signal can be 800MHz to 900MHz, or can be 700MHz to 900MHz, or can be 800MHz to 1000MHz, or can be 700MHz to 1000MHz.

[0200] For the convenience of subsequent description, the frequency range of the carrier signal is referred to as a second frequency range in the embodiments of the present application, and the first frequency range is included in the second frequency range.

[0201] It can be understood that the first device meets the consistency requirement in the first frequency range, and the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is not necessarily equal to the first frequency range, but it is expressed that the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range. For example, the frequency range in which the first device meets the consistency requirement can be the first frequency range, or the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is larger than the first frequency range and includes the first frequency range, or the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is a partial frequency range of the first frequency range.

[0202] The content of the first device in the first frequency range meeting the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the embodiments can refer to the related content of the first device in the first frequency range meeting the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the foregoing tag, which will not be described here.

[0203] It can be understood that in the embodiments, the second device sending the carrier signal can include the second device sending the carrier signal through the pRRU or the RU or the RRU.

[0204] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, after S820, the communication method further includes: S830, the first device sends a plurality of reflected signals based on the plurality of carrier signals, and the plurality of reflected signals carry a positioning reference signal sequence. Accordingly, one or more second devices receive all or part of the plurality of reflected signals.

[0205] For example, the first device modulates the positioning reference signal sequence on the carrier signal to obtain a positioning reference signal, and reflects the positioning reference signal.

[0206] It can be understood that in the embodiments, the second device receiving the reflected signal can include the second device receiving the reflected signal through the pRRU or the RU or the RRU.

[0207] In some implementations, the second device obtains a measurement result based on the reflected signal, and the measurement result includes a distance or a time delay. The time delay includes a transmission time of the reflected signal from the first device to the second device, and / or a transmission time difference between a plurality of transmission times of the reflected signal from the first device to a plurality of second devices; and the distance includes a distance of the reflected signal from the first device to the second device.

[0208] As an example, each second device measures the phase and / or amplitude of the received reflected signal, determines the measurement result based on the measured phase and / or amplitude, or the second device sends the measured phase and / or amplitude to other devices, and other devices determine the measurement result based on the measured phase and / or amplitude.

[0209] For example, when the second device is an O-DU or a DU, the O-DU or the DU measures the phase and / or amplitude of the received reflected signal, and then determines the measurement result based on the measured phase and / or amplitude; or the O-DU or the DU sends the measured phase and / or amplitude to the O-CU or the CU, and the O-CU or the CU determines the measurement result based on the measured phase and / or amplitude.

[0210] The measurement result can be used to determine the position of the first device, and realize positioning of the first device. For example, the device obtaining the measurement result sends the measurement result to a third device, and the third device determines the position of the first device based on the measurement result.

[0211] In some implementations, when the second device sends multiple carrier signals in the first frequency range in a frequency hopping manner, the third device uses a ToA-based positioning method or a TDoA-based positioning method to position the first device based on the measurement result.

[0212] In the communication method, the carrier signals sent in the frequency hopping manner are located in the first frequency range, and the reflected signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, which helps to increase the probability that the reflected signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range when the first device carries the positioning reference signal sequence on the reflected signals of the carrier signals; thereby helping to increase the probability that the reflected signals carrying the positioning reference signal sequence received by the positioning device from the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range; further helping to improve the accuracy of the transmission time or the transmission time difference when the positioning device determines the transmission time or the transmission time difference based on the phase and / or amplitude of the reflected signals received from the first device; and finally helping to improve the positioning accuracy of the first device when the positioning device positions the first device based on the transmission time or the transmission time difference.

[0213] In some implementations of the embodiments of the present application, the first frequency range corresponding to the first device can be determined in advance, and the first frequency range or the second frequency range is configured in the second device, and the second device sends the carrier signals in the second frequency range containing the first frequency range in a frequency hopping manner.

[0214] The second device is pre-configured with the first frequency range or the second frequency range, and compared with the indication of the first device to the second device that the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range, the signaling overhead can be saved because the second device knows in advance the first frequency range supported by the first device.

[0215] In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 9, before S820, it can further include: S810, the third device sends positioning request information, and the positioning request information requests to position the first device. Accordingly, one or more second devices receive the positioning request information. The second device transmits the carrier signal in the first frequency range in the frequency hopping manner based on the positioning request information.

[0216] As an example, the positioning request message carries the identification of the first device.

[0217] In some implementations, before the second device transmits the carrier signal in the first frequency range in the frequency hopping manner, the second device determines whether the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement. If the second device determines that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the second device performs S820.

[0218] In some implementations of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, before S815, it further includes: S812-1, the second device sends second information to the first device, and the second information indicates whether the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement. Accordingly, the first device receives the second information.

[0219] When the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the first device performs S815. When the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, it can be understood that the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement contains, is located in, or is equal to the first frequency range.

[0220] When the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, in some implementations, the first device sends fourth information, and the fourth information indicates that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0221] In some implementations, when the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, it can be understood that the first device is not configured with the information related to the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, or the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is located outside the first frequency range, for example, does not overlap with the first frequency range.

[0222] In some implementations, when the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the first device does not send the first information, and the second device does not receive the first information, the first device is determined to not satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range by default.

[0223] Optionally, when the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement and the multiple reflection signals of the first device in other frequency ranges satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the first device can carry all or part of the frequency ranges in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the fourth information. In this way, the second device can also send the carrier signal in the all or part of the frequency ranges in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement by frequency hopping, so as to ensure the positioning accuracy.

[0224] In some implementations, when the second device determines that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range do not satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement or the first device does not have a frequency range in which the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is satisfied, the second device sends the carrier signal through multiple antennas and measures the reflection signal after the carrier signal is received by the first device to obtain a measurement result, which can include the angle of the reflection signal arriving at the second device.

[0225] Further optionally, the second device uses an AoA-based positioning method to position the first device according to the measurement result containing the angle.

[0226] In the implementation shown in FIG. 10, the first device reports the first information at the request of the second device, which can avoid the waste of signaling overhead.

[0227] In some implementations of the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, before S815, there is also S812-2: the second device sends third information, and the third information indicates the frequency range in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, that is, the second device indicates the first device to report the frequency range in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement. Correspondingly, the first device receives the third information, and sends the first information based on the trigger of the third information, that is, performs S815 based on the trigger of the third information.

[0228] In this case, S815 is S815-1, that is, the first device sends the first information to the second device, and the first information indicates at least one frequency range in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and the at least one frequency range includes the first frequency range.

[0229] In this implementation, the first frequency range can be understood as all or part of the frequency range in which the first device satisfies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0230] In the implementation, after the second device receives the first information, the second device can determine the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement based on the third information, and take all or part of the frequency range as the first frequency range.

[0231] In the implementation of FIG. 11, the first device reports one or more frequency ranges in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement to the second device, and the second device determines the first frequency range based on the frequency range reported by the first device. Compared with the case in FIG. 10 in which the second device specifies whether the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the specified first frequency range, the implementation can improve the probability of the second device determining the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, thereby helping to ensure the improvement of the positioning accuracy.

[0232] The implementation in which the first device determines the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement is described below.

[0233] In some implementations, a protocol specifies the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and the first device is configured with a frequency range that meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement specified by the protocol. The first device can determine the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement based on the configuration information.

[0234] For example, the protocol specifies that the amplitude indicator is less than 3 dB to meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the first device is tested, and the frequency range in which the amplitude indicator is less than 3 dB is measured as the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0235] For another example, the protocol specifies that the phase indicator is less than 4 degrees to meet the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the first device is tested, and the frequency range in which the phase indicator is less than 4 degrees is measured as the frequency range in which the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0236] In some implementations, the first device is configured with the amplitude indicator and / or the phase indicator of the first device in each of one or more frequency ranges. The second device sends the first threshold and / or the second threshold to the first device. The first device compares the amplitude indicator of the locally configured frequency range with the first threshold, and / or compares the phase indicator of the locally configured frequency range with the second threshold; and determines the frequency range in which the amplitude indicator is less than or equal to the first threshold and / or the phase indicator is less than or equal to the second threshold as the frequency range that meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

[0237] In some implementations, the second device sends the first threshold and / or the second threshold based on the accuracy requirement. The higher the accuracy requirement, the smaller the first threshold and / or the smaller the second threshold; the lower the accuracy requirement, the larger the first threshold and / or the larger the second threshold. In this way, the positioning accuracy requirement can be better matched.

[0238] In some implementations of the embodiment, the first device sends the second device the amplitude indicator and / or the phase indicator of the first device in each of the one or more frequency ranges, and the second device determines in which frequency range the first device meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement based on the information reported by the first device. Compared with the first device determining in which frequency range it meets the amplitude and phase consistency requirement based on the information, this manner can reduce the complexity of the first device and save the power consumption of the first device.

[0239] Any of the frequency ranges in the foregoing of the embodiment can be represented by at least one of the following information: an upper boundary frequency, a lower boundary frequency, an offset of a center frequency, an identifier, or a bandwidth.

[0240] In some implementations, the position of each frequency range is agreed in advance, and each frequency range is assigned an identifier, so that the position of the frequency range can be known through the identifier. For example, for the 900MHz frequency band (890-915MHz), 890-895MHz, 895MHz-900MHz, 900MHz-905MHz, 905MHz-910MHz, 910MHz-915MHz, and the like are defined as sub-bands, and an identifier is defined for each sub-band, so that the corresponding sub-band containing the frequency range can be represented through the identifier.

[0241] In some implementations, the upper boundary frequency or the lower boundary frequency is agreed in advance, and the position of the frequency range can be determined through the bandwidth.

[0242] In some implementations, one of the upper boundary frequency and the lower boundary frequency is agreed in advance, and the position of the frequency range can be determined through the other.

[0243] In some implementations, the center frequency is agreed in advance, and the position of the frequency range can be determined through the offset of the center frequency. For example, the center frequency is 900MHz, and the offset is -2MHz and 3MHz, so the frequency range is 898MHz to 903MHz.

[0244] In some implementations, the position of the frequency range can be determined through the upper boundary frequency and the lower boundary frequency, for example, the upper boundary frequency and the lower boundary frequency of the frequency range are 901MHz and 905MHz respectively.

[0245] It can be understood that in the foregoing method of the application, the first information reported by the first device to the second device is finally applied to the positioning scenario, which is only an example, and the first information can also be used in other scenarios.

[0246] It can be understood that, in some implementations, the second device that transmits the carrier signal and the second device that receives the reflected signal are not the same device, and / or the second device that receives the reflected signal and the second device that obtains the measurement result of the reflected signal are not the same device.

[0247] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus 1200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, the communication apparatus 1200 includes a processing module 1201 and a communication module 1202.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the steps performed by the first device in the method shown in any of FIGS. 8 to 11. For example, the processing module 1201 is configured to implement the determination, generation, obtaining, and the like performed by the first device, and the communication module 1202 is configured to implement the receiving and transmitting, and the like performed by the first device.

[0249] For example, the processing module 1201 is configured to generate first information, the first information indicating whether the first device satisfies an amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement including that an amplitude index is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase index is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude index being used to indicate a fluctuation degree of a plurality of signal transmission amplitudes corresponding to a plurality of frequencies one by one, and the phase index being used to indicate a fluctuation degree of a plurality of signal transmission phases corresponding to the plurality of frequencies one by one. The communication module 1202 is configured to transmit the first information.

[0250] In another possible implementation, the communication apparatus 1200 is configured to implement the steps performed by the second device in the method shown in any of FIGS. 8 to 11. For example, the processing module 1201 is configured to implement the determination, generation, obtaining, and the like performed by the second device, and the communication module 1202 is configured to implement the receiving and transmitting, and the like performed by the second device.

[0251] For example, the communication module 1202 is configured to: receive positioning request information, the positioning request information requesting to position the first device; and transmit, in a frequency hopping manner, a carrier signal of a positioning reference signal sequence to the first device in the first frequency range, the first device satisfying an amplitude and phase consistency requirement in the first frequency range, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement including that an amplitude index is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase index is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude index being used to indicate a fluctuation degree of a plurality of signal transmission amplitudes corresponding to a plurality of frequencies one by one, and the phase index being used to indicate a fluctuation degree of a plurality of signal transmission phases corresponding to the plurality of frequencies one by one.

[0252] It should be understood that the term "module" used herein can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In one optional example, those skilled in the art will understand that the communication apparatus 1200 can be specifically a first device or a second device in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the communication apparatus 1200 can be used to execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the first device or the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. To avoid repetition, details are not described here.

[0253] FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1301 and a communication circuit 1302. The processor 1301 and the communication circuit 1302 are coupled with each other. It should be understood that the communication circuit 1302 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1300 can further include a memory 1303 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1301 or store input data required by the processor 1301 to execute instructions or store data generated after the processor 1301 executes instructions. It should be understood that the memory 1303 can be located outside the processor 1301 or inside the processor 1301.

[0254] As an example, the processor 1301 is configured to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing module 1201, and the communication circuit 1302 is configured to implement the functions of the above-mentioned communication module 1202.

[0255] The communication apparatus 1300 can be a wireless access network device, or a chip applied to a wireless access network device, for example, a DU, a CU, an O-DU or an O-CU.

[0256] It should be understood that when the communication apparatus 1300 is a wireless access network device, the communication circuit 1302 can be a transceiver. When the communication apparatus 1300 is a chip, the communication circuit 1302 can be an input / output interface.

[0257] The communication apparatus 1300 can be a UE, or a chip applied to a UE.

[0258] It should be understood that when the communication apparatus 1300 is a UE, the communication circuit 1302 can be a transceiver. When the communication apparatus 1300 is a chip, the communication circuit 1302 can be an input / output interface.

[0259] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the first device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0260] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the second device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0261] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which contains computer instructions, which, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the first device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0262] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which contains computer instructions, which, when executed on a processor, can implement the method implemented by the second device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0263] Some embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which can implement the method implemented by the first device and the second device in any of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0264] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be all or part of the circuit of the following devices or the following devices for processing functions: central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0265] The steps of the methods or the functions in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of software and the processor. The software instructions can be stored in a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. The ASIC can be located in a network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be located in a network device or a terminal device as discrete components.

[0266] The steps or the functions in the above embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, the steps or the functions can be implemented by one or more computer program products. When loaded and executed by a computer, the computer program instructions or the program modules can perform the steps or the functions described in the embodiments of the present application. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable apparatus. The computer program instructions or the program modules can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer program instructions or the program modules can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center through a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, or the like, which integrates one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state disk.

[0267] In the various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and no logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0268] It can be understood that various digital numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

[0269] The technical solutions of the present application are applicable to wireless communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, future mobile communication systems, or fusion systems of multiple systems, etc.

[0270] The technical solutions provided by the present application can also be applied to device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (M2M) communication, machine type communication (MTC), and internet of things (IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

[0271] A network element in a communication system can send a signal to another network element or receive a signal from another network element. The signal can include information, signaling, or data, etc. The network element can also be replaced by an entity, a network entity, a device, a communication device, a communication module, a node, a communication node, etc. The present application describes the device as an example. For example, the communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send a downlink signal to the terminal device, and / or the terminal device can send an uplink signal to the network device.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first information, the first information indicating that a plurality of reflection signals of a first device in a first frequency range satisfy an amplitude and phase consistency requirement, wherein the plurality of reflection signals are used to carry a positioning reference signal sequence, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement comprises that an amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase indicator of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of amplitudes of the plurality of reflection signals, and the phase indicator of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of phases of the plurality of reflection signals; transmitting a plurality of carrier signals to the first device in the first frequency range in a frequency hopping manner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the receiving first information, further comprising: transmitting second information, the second information indicating whether the plurality of reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information indicating that the plurality of reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement comprises: The first information indicates at least one frequency range in which the plurality of reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, and the at least one frequency range comprises the first frequency range.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, Before the receiving first information, further comprising: transmitting third information, the third information indicating a frequency range in which the plurality of reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first frequency range is characterized by at least one of the following: an upper boundary frequency, a lower boundary frequency, an offset of a center frequency, an identifier, or a bandwidth.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The amplitude indicator comprises at least one of the following: a variance of amplitudes of the plurality of reflection signals, a deviation of amplitudes of the plurality of reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the plurality of reflection signals; and / or the phase indicator comprises at least one of the following: a variance of phases of the plurality of reflection signals, a deviation of phases of the plurality of reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum phase and a minimum phase of the phases of the plurality of reflection signals.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, After the transmitting a plurality of carrier signals to the first device in the first frequency range in a frequency hopping manner, further comprising: receiving a plurality of reflection signals corresponding to the plurality of carrier signals; obtaining a measurement result according to the plurality of reflection signals corresponding to the plurality of carrier signals, the measurement result comprising a distance or a time delay.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: generating first information, the first information indicating that a plurality of reflection signals of a first device in a first frequency range satisfy an amplitude and phase consistency requirement, wherein the plurality of reflection signals are used to carry a positioning reference signal sequence, the amplitude and phase consistency requirement comprises that an amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a phase indicator of the plurality of reflection signals is less than or equal to a second threshold value, the amplitude indicator of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of amplitudes of the plurality of reflection signals, and the phase indicator of the plurality of reflection signals represents a fluctuation degree of phases of the plurality of reflection signals; transmitting the first information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, Before the transmitting the first information, further comprising: receiving second information, the second information indicating whether the multiple reflection signals reported by the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first information indicating that the multiple reflection signals of the first device in the first frequency range satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement comprises: The first information indicating at least one frequency range in which the multiple reflection signals of the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement, the at least one frequency range comprising the first frequency range.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, Before the sending the first information, the method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information indicating a frequency range in which the multiple reflection signals reported by the first device satisfy the amplitude and phase consistency requirement.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The first frequency range is indicated by at least one of the following information: an upper boundary frequency, a lower boundary frequency, an offset of a center frequency, an identifier, or a bandwidth.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The amplitude indicator comprises at least one of the following indicators: a variance of amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum amplitude and a minimum amplitude of the amplitudes of the multiple reflection signals; and / or, the phase indicator comprises at least one of the following indicators: a variance of phases of the multiple reflection signals, a deviation of phases of the multiple reflection signals, or an absolute value of a difference between a maximum phase and a minimum phase of the phases of the multiple reflection signals.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that, After the sending the first information, the method further comprises: receiving multiple carrier signals in the first frequency range; sending multiple reflection signals corresponding to the multiple carrier signals.

15. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a module for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being configured to store a computer program, the computer program causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or causing the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 14, when the processor invokes the computer program.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, a computer program product comprising instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or comprising instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

18. A computer program product comprising instructions therein, the computer program product comprising instructions therein, characterized in that, the instructions, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or cause the computer to implement the method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

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