Communication method and apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. The communication method comprises: a network device sends configuration information to a UE, the configuration information being used for configuring a sensing resource, and a cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource being indicated by a network side; and the UE and / or the network device serving as a sensing node use the sensing resource to perform a sensing service. By means of the solution of the present disclosure, configuration forms of cyclic prefix types can be diversified to adapt to different sensing requirements, thereby reducing interference during sensing service and optimizing sensing performance.

Description

Communication methods and apparatus, computer-readable storage media, computer program products

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411466323.X, filed on October 18, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus, Computer-Readable Storage Medium, Computer Program Product", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically to a communication method and apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Technology

[0003] With the release of the 5G standard, academia and industry have begun to look for the next research hotspot. Considering factors such as the smooth evolution of wireless systems, the adaptation to emerging technology applications, and the future development direction of networks, radar-communication integration, also known as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), has gradually become one of the many hot research topics.

[0004] Practice shows that if the delay of the sensing signal exceeds a single cyclic prefix (CP), meaning the sensing signal emitted by the sensing initiator cannot reach the sensing receiver within a single CP range, inter-symbol interference will occur. This is detrimental to the processing of sensing results by the sensing receiver and affects the accuracy of the sensing results. This impact is particularly significant in long-range sensing services, resulting in poor sensing performance of existing technologies for distant targets. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem addressed by this disclosure is how to reduce interference during sensing operations and optimize sensing performance.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides a communication method, including: using sensing resources to perform sensing services, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0007] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure the sensing resources.

[0008] Optionally, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource; the number of time units included in the sensing resource within the first time length.

[0009] Optionally, the time unit is selected from: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol and orthogonal time-frequency control symbol.

[0010] Optionally, the configuration information includes downlink control information, which is used to indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to at least one sensing resource associated with a first time length.

[0011] Optionally, the cyclic prefix type includes the length of the cyclic prefix; wherein the length of the cyclic prefix is ​​not less than the length of the extended cyclic prefix corresponding to the communication resource; and / or, the length of the cyclic prefix is ​​determined according to the time interval between the transmission time of the sensing signal and the reception time of the echo signal; and / or, the farther away from the sensing target targeted by the sensing service, the longer the length of the cyclic prefix.

[0012] Optionally, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource is selected from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, and the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type is configured in units of any of the following: subcarrier spacing, sensing resource, sensing resource set, carrier, partial bandwidth, and subband; wherein, a single partial bandwidth includes multiple discontinuous subbands, wherein each subband is continuous in the frequency domain.

[0013] Optionally, the sensing resources and communication resources are time-division multiplexed, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is different from the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the communication resources.

[0014] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a communication method, comprising: sending configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used to configure sensing resources, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0015] Optionally, the communication method further includes: using the sensing resources to perform the sensing services.

[0016] Optionally, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource; the number of time units included in the sensing resource within the first time length.

[0017] Optionally, the time unit is selected from: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol and orthogonal time-frequency control symbol.

[0018] Optionally, the configuration information includes downlink control information, which is used to indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to at least one sensing resource associated with a first time length.

[0019] Optionally, the cyclic prefix type includes the length of the cyclic prefix; wherein the length of the cyclic prefix is ​​not less than the length of the extended cyclic prefix corresponding to the communication resource; and / or, the length of the cyclic prefix is ​​determined according to the time interval between the transmission time of the sensing signal and the reception time of the echo signal; and / or, the farther away from the sensing target targeted by the sensing service, the longer the length of the cyclic prefix.

[0020] Optionally, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource is selected from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, and the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type is configured in units of any of the following: subcarrier spacing, sensing resource, sensing resource set, carrier, partial bandwidth, and subband; wherein, a single partial bandwidth includes multiple discontinuous subbands, wherein each subband is continuous in the frequency domain.

[0021] Optionally, the sensing resources and communication resources are time-division multiplexed, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is different from the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the communication resources.

[0022] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a communication device, including: a sensing module for using sensing resources to perform sensing services, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0023] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a communication device, comprising: a transmitting module for transmitting configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used to configure sensing resources, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0024] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile or non-transient storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is run by a processor, it executes the steps of the above-described method.

[0025] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0026] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure also provides a communication device, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the above-described method when running the computer program.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure have the following beneficial effects:

[0028] This disclosure provides a communication method, including: a network device sending configuration information to a UE, the configuration information being used to configure sensing resources, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources being indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE; and a sensing node using the sensing resources to perform sensing services, the sensing node being selected from the UE and the network device.

[0029] In existing communication scenarios, each resource corresponds to a fixed and unique CP length, and typically all resources share the same CP length, which cannot meet the sensing requirements of different sensing services in a sensing scenario. In contrast, this implementation scheme flexibly configures the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource through higher-layer signaling and / or DCI and / or MAC-CE. For example, different cyclic prefix types can be configured to adapt to different sensing services, thereby diversifying the configuration forms of cyclic prefix types to adapt to different sensing needs. Furthermore, when a sensing node uses the configured sensing resources to perform sensing services, the CP of the sensing resource is determined according to the cyclic prefix type associated with the currently performing sensing service, which helps to reduce or even eliminate inter-symbol interference of sensing signals transmitted through the sensing resources. The reduction of interference is conducive to obtaining more accurate sensing results and optimizing the sensing effect.

[0030] Furthermore, the cyclic prefix type associated with the sensing service is determined based on the detection range required by the sensing service. For example, the longer the detection range, the longer the CP length, and the fewer the number of time units (e.g., symbols) included within the first time length (e.g., time slot). Thus, for any type of sensing service, it is possible to more reliably ensure that the sensing signal reaches the sensing receiver within the range of a single CP, thereby eliminating inter-symbol interference.

[0031] Taking long-range sensing services and short-range sensing services as examples, the cyclic prefix type associated with long-range sensing services includes a longer CP length (also known as CP duration), while the cyclic prefix type associated with short-range sensing services includes a shorter CP length. For sensing nodes, it can be ensured that the echo time of the sensing signal is less than the corresponding CP length when performing either long-range or short-range sensing services. Furthermore, configuring sensing resources with longer CP lengths for long-range sensing services and shorter CP lengths for short-range sensing services allows network devices to allocate resources more rationally, reducing sensing resource overhead and avoiding resource waste caused by fixing a single CP length in existing technologies (e.g., configuring sensing resources with longer CP lengths for both short-range and long-range sensing services). Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figures 2 to 5 are schematic diagrams of the temporal domain configuration of sensing resources in a typical application scenario of an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figures 6 to 10 are schematic diagrams of the temporal domain configuration of sensing resources in another typical application scenario of the present disclosure embodiments;

[0035] Figure 11 is a time-domain schematic diagram of another typical application scenario of the present disclosure embodiment;

[0036] Figure 12 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method in a variation of an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0037] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0039] As mentioned in the background section, when the echo time of the sensed signal is greater than the CP length, inter-symbol interference will occur, affecting the sensing effect.

[0040] Specifically, in existing communication scenarios, the CP length of resources is designed based on signal coverage. When using a resource for any service, a single CP length is fixed and unique, and typically all resources share the same CP length. However, in sensing scenarios, if the CP length configured for a resource is too short, the sensing signal transmitted using that resource cannot reach the sensing receiver within the range of a single CP. In other words, the echo time of the sensing signal exceeds the CP length, causing inter-symbol interference and preventing the sensing receiver from correctly interpreting the sensing results.

[0041] Although an extended cyclic prefix (ECP) is additionally configured in the 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS), and the length of the ECP is longer than the length of the only normal cyclic prefix (NCP) configured in other subcarrier spacings, the echo time may still exceed the ECP length for long-range sensing services. Therefore, the existing CP configuration of resources cannot meet the sensing requirements of different sensing services in sensing scenarios.

[0042] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides a communication method, comprising: a network device sending configuration information to a UE, the configuration information being used to configure sensing resources, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by the network side through at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE; and a sensing node using the sensing resources to perform sensing services, wherein the sensing node is selected from the UE and the network device.

[0043] This implementation scheme configures different cyclic prefix types to suit different sensing services, thereby diversifying the configuration forms of cyclic prefix types to adapt to different sensing needs. Furthermore, when a sensing node uses the configured sensing resources to perform sensing services, the CP of the sensing resource is determined according to the cyclic prefix type associated with the currently performing sensing service, which helps to reduce or even eliminate inter-symbol interference of sensing signals transmitted through the sensing resources. Reduced interference leads to more accurate sensing results and optimizes the sensing effect.

[0044] The sensing service in this disclosure refers to the service provided by a sensing node (also called a sensing device) with sensing capabilities to sense a sensing target and obtain relevant information about the target. The sensing service can be applied to the Internet of Things (IoT) field. In some embodiments, the sensing service may include speed sensing services for estimating the moving speed of the sensing target. In other embodiments, the sensing service may include distance sensing services for estimating the distance to the sensing target. The sensing service is a service provided by the sensing scenario of a communication-sensing integration (referred to as integrated sensing) system. In the sensing scenario, the sensing node, acting as the sensing initiator, sends sensing signals, and the sensing node, acting as the sensing responder, receives the signals generated after the sensing signals act on the sensing target and processes the received signals using sensing algorithms. The processed sensing results can be reported to the base station or sensing function (SF) through the uplink channel, or used by the sensing node that received the signal, or by other UEs. The sensing function can be a network element of the core network (denoted as an SF network element). The sensing node can be a UE or a network device. The difference between different sensing scenarios lies in the different execution entities of the sensing nodes.

[0045] In single-site sensing mode, the sensing initiator and the sensing receiver are the same sensing node. That is, the sensing node itself sends sensing signals and receives the signals returned after the sensing signals are applied to the sensing target. The signal received by the sensing receiver in single-site sensing mode is denoted as the echo signal. Sensing types using single-site sensing mode can include UE-initiated and network-device-initiated sensing.

[0046] In dual-site sensing mode, the sensing initiator and sensing receiver can be different sensing nodes. That is, sensing node A sends a sensing signal, and sensing node B receives the signal generated after the sensing signal is applied to the sensing target. The signal received by the sensing receiver in dual-site sensing mode is usually called the received signal. In this embodiment, for ease of description, the signals received by the sensing receiver in both single-site and dual-site sensing modes are collectively referred to as echo signals. Sensing types using dual-site sensing mode can include: network device sending and UE receiving, network device a sending and network device b receiving, UE sending and network device receiving, and UEa sending and UEb receiving. For ease of description, in this embodiment, the sensing initiator is referred to as end a, and the sensing receiver is referred to as end b. In some embodiments, for the a-send-b-receive sensing method, end a can also receive the sensing echo signal; that is, in this case, the sensing initiator can perform single-site sensing mode while simultaneously performing dual-site sensing mode.

[0047] In multi-static sensing mode, at least one of the sensing initiator and sensing receiver has a multiple number of sensing nodes. That is, multiple sensing nodes A send sensing signals, and one or more sensing nodes B receive the signals generated after each sensing signal is applied to the sensing target; or, one or more sensing nodes A send sensing signals, and multiple sensing nodes B receive the signals generated after at least one sensing signal is applied to the sensing target. Sensing types using multi-static sensing mode can include: one network device sending and multiple network devices receiving; one network device sending and multiple UEs receiving; one UE sending and multiple UEs receiving; one UE sending and multiple network devices receiving; multiple network devices sending and one network device receiving; multiple UEs sending and one network device receiving; multiple UEs sending and one UEb receiving; and multiple network devices sending and one UE receiving.

[0048] For cooperative perception mode, it can be a combination of any two or more of the aforementioned perception scenarios. In autonomous driving applications, cooperative perception enables vehicles to share information to perceive the environment beyond their line of sight and field of view. For example, vehicles within the same area share collective perception information to collaboratively perceive the environment; this is called cooperative perception or collaborative sensing. Perception types using cooperative perception mode can include: multiple UEs or network devices performing mono-station perception, multiple pairs of perception nodes performing bi-station perception, a single UE or network device performing mono-station perception and a pair of perception nodes performing bi-station perception, and a single perception node performing mono-station or bi-station perception on multiple sub-bands.

[0049] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and beneficial effects of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Figure 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] In a specific implementation, in the communication method provided in the following steps S101 to S102, the steps implemented by the UE can be executed by a chip with communication functions in the UE or by the baseband chip in the UE; the steps implemented by the network device can be executed by a chip with communication functions in the network device or by the baseband chip in the network device.

[0052] This implementation scheme is preferably applicable to the distance sensing service. The distance sensing service can be further divided into a variety of more specific sensing services according to the required detection distance, such as a short-distance sensing service, a long-distance sensing service, etc. The "short-distance sensing service" and "long-distance sensing service" described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are relative concepts. Assuming that the short-distance sensing service needs to detect a sensing target within x kilometers and the long-distance sensing service needs to detect a sensing target within y kilometers, then preferably x < y is satisfied, and the specific values of x and y are not specifically limited in this implementation scheme.

[0053] This implementation scheme can be applicable to sensing scenarios in single-station sensing mode, dual-station sensing mode, cooperative sensing mode, and multi-station sensing mode. According to different sensing scenarios, the number of sensing initiating ends can be one or more, and the number of sensing receiving ends can also be one or more. Further, for any sensing initiating end and sensing receiving end in the current sensing scenario, this implementation scheme can be executed to use a more suitable cyclic prefix configuration for the sensing service. Next, the interaction process between a single sensing initiating end, a single sensing receiving end, and the network device is used as an example to specifically describe this implementation scheme.

[0054] Specifically, referring to FIG. 1, the communication method described in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0055] S101, the network device sends configuration information to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the configuration information. The configuration information is used to configure sensing resources; the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by the network side. For example, the network device can indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources according to the sensing service. In other words, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources can be associated with the sensing service. Compared with the protocol that stipulates the cyclic prefix type in the prior art, this implementation scheme allows the network device to indicate the cyclic prefix type as needed, so as to realize that different sensing resources can correspond to different cyclic prefix types.

[0056] More specifically, the cyclic prefix type can include the length of the cyclic prefix (i.e., the CP length), and different cyclic prefix types can correspond to different CP lengths. Thus, changes to the CP can be made to adapt to different sensing service requirements. Alternatively, different CP lengths correspond to different frame structures. For example, different CP lengths affect the number of symbols contained in a single time slot. In this case, the configuration information can also configure the frame structure type information.

[0057] Furthermore, the same sensing resource can correspond to at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, where different candidate cyclic prefix types are associated with different sensing services. In S101, the network device can select a suitable cyclic prefix type from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type and configure (or indicate) it to the UE based on the sensing service currently in progress (or to be in progress).

[0058] Furthermore, the configuration information may include at least one of the following: the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource; and the number of time units included in the sensing resource within the first time length. A time unit can be the smallest communication granularity between the UE and the network device in the time domain. For example, a time unit can be a time slot, a mini-slot (i.e., a shorter duration unit than a time slot), a subframe, a symbol, or a frame. The first time length can be the next higher level of communication granularity than the time unit. Assuming the time unit is a symbol, the first time length can be a time slot.

[0059] In some embodiments, configuration information can be used to configure the time-domain location (including the time-domain start position and / or time-domain end position), frequency-domain location (including the frequency-domain start position and / or frequency-domain end position), and the number of time units included within a first time length of the sensing resources. Based on the configured number of symbols included in a time slot, the UE can determine the time interval between adjacent symbols (i.e., the CP length). The fewer the number of symbols included in a time slot, the larger the CP length. For example, the number of symbols included in a time slot can be modified to 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, etc.

[0060] Furthermore, the length of a single time unit can be configured through protocol predefined or configuration information.

[0061] Furthermore, when determining the CP length based on the first time length, the length of a single time unit, and the number of time units included within the first time length, a remainder may occur. That is, the result of CP total length ÷ the number of time units included within the first time length is not an integer, where CP total length = first time length - length of a single time unit × number of time units included within the first time length. Correspondingly, the configuration information can also indicate the location of one or more CPs used to place the CP remainder.

[0062] For example, referring to Figure 2, assuming the first time length (e.g., the length of a time slot) = 30720 KTc, comprising 11 time units (e.g., symbols), and the length of a single time unit = 2048 KTc, with the CP remainder placed in the first CP, the length of the first CP can be determined to be 744 KTc + 8 KTc. The length of the remaining 10 CPs is 744 KTc each, where 8 KTc is the remainder. K takes the value Ts / Tc, where Ts = 1 / (15k × 2048), Tc = 1 / (Δf × N), Δf = subcarrier spacing, such as 15kHz, 30kHz, and N = FFT (Fast Fourier Transform, which can only take integer powers of 2, with a maximum value of 4096).

[0063] For example, referring to Figure 3, assuming the first time length (e.g., the length of a time slot) = 30720 KTc, which includes 10 time units (e.g., symbols), and the length of a single time unit = 2048 KTc, since 30720 KTc - 10 × 2048 KTc is divisible by 10, it can be determined that the length of each of the 10 CPs is 1024 KTc.

[0064] For example, referring to Figure 4, assuming the first time length (e.g., the length of a time slot) = 30720 KTc, which includes 9 time units (e.g., symbols), and the length of a single time unit = 2048 KTc, and the CP remainder is placed in the first CP, then the length of the first CP can be determined to be 1365 KTc + 3 KTc, and the length of the remaining 8 CPs is 1365 KTc, where 3 KTc is the remainder.

[0065] For example, referring to Figure 5, assuming the first time length (e.g., the length of a time slot) = 30720 KTc, which includes 8 time units (e.g., symbols), and the length of a single time unit = 2048 KTc, since 30720 KTc - 8 × 2048 KTc is divisible by 8, it can be determined that the length of each of the 8 CPs is 1792 KTc.

[0066] In some embodiments, configuration information can be used to configure the time-domain location (including the time-domain start position and / or time-domain end position), frequency-domain location (including the frequency-domain start position and / or frequency-domain end position), and CP length of sensing resources. Based on the configured CP length, the UE can determine the number of symbols included in a time slot. A first time length can include multiple time units, each preceded by a CP. The configuration information can then configure the CP length of each CP. Taking the time-domain configuration shown in Figure 2 as an example, the configuration information can configure the CP length of the first CP to be 744KTc + 8KTc, and the CP lengths of the second to eleventh CPs to be 744KTc. Alternatively, the configuration information can configure a baseline CP length shared by all CPs. The configuration information also configures the CP used to carry the remainder and the size of the remainder. Taking the time-domain configuration shown in Figure 4 as an example, the configuration information can configure the baseline CP length to be 1365KTc, and the first CP to carry the remainder with a remainder of 3KTc.

[0067] In response to receiving configuration information, the UE can determine the temporal pattern of the sensing resources, as shown in Figures 2 to 5.

[0068] In one specific implementation, the length of the cyclic prefix configured in the configuration information can be no less than the length of the extended cyclic prefix corresponding to the communication resource. Specifically, existing protocols configure NCP = 4.7 microseconds (μs) and ECP = 16.67 μs for communication scenarios with SCS = 60 kHz. In this specific implementation, for any candidate cyclic prefix type among at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, the CP length included in the candidate cyclic prefix type is no less than the ECP length (i.e., greater than or equal to 16.67 μs). Therefore, when performing any type of sensing service, ensuring that the transmission distance of the sensing signal is no less than the maximum coverage area that the signal can reach during communication services helps avoid inter-symbol interference of the sensing signal and improves the sensing accuracy of distant targets.

[0069] In one variation, among m candidate cyclic prefix types, n candidate cyclic prefix types may each have a CP length shorter than the ECP length, while the remaining mn candidate cyclic prefix types may each have a CP length greater than or equal to the ECP length, where m and n are positive integers and m ≥ n. The network device can flexibly select a suitable cyclic prefix type from the n or mn candidate cyclic prefix types based on the detection range requirements of the sensing service and indicate this to the UE via configuration information.

[0070] In a specific implementation, the CP length can be determined based on the time interval between the transmission time of the sensing signal and the reception time of the echo signal. Specifically, the larger the time interval, the longer the CP length. For example, referring to Figure 2, the value of the CP length is suitable to ensure that the reception time of the echo signal generated after the sensing signal carried by symbol 1 acts on the sensing target is no later than the time domain end position of the CP in the echo signal generated after the sensing signal carried by symbol 2 acts on the sensing target.

[0071] In one specific implementation, the cyclic prefix type associated with the sensing service can be determined based on the detection distance required by the sensing service. Specifically, the farther away the sensing target is (i.e., the longer the detection distance), the longer the CP length, and the fewer time units (e.g., symbols) included in the first time length (e.g., time slot). Thus, for any type of sensing service, it is possible to more reliably ensure that the sensing signal reaches the sensing receiver within a single CP range, thereby eliminating inter-symbol interference.

[0072] Taking long-range sensing services and short-range sensing services as examples, the cyclic prefix type associated with long-range sensing services includes a longer CP length (also known as CP duration), while the cyclic prefix type associated with short-range sensing services includes a shorter CP length. For sensing nodes, it can be ensured that the echo time of the sensing signal is less than the corresponding CP length when performing either long-range or short-range sensing services. Furthermore, configuring sensing resources with longer CP lengths for long-range sensing services and shorter CP lengths for short-range sensing services allows network devices to allocate resources more rationally, reducing sensing resource overhead and avoiding resource waste caused by fixing a single CP length in existing technologies (e.g., configuring sensing resources with longer CP lengths for both short-range and long-range sensing services).

[0073] In one specific implementation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured on a per-SCS basis. Specifically, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured for each SCS, and the network device selects an appropriate cyclic prefix type from the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to the configured SCS and configures it for the UE based on the perceived service.

[0074] For example, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type for each SCS can be configured through protocol predefinition, network device preconfiguration, etc., as shown in Table 1:

[0075] Table 1

[0076] Furthermore, the sensing services corresponding to each candidate cyclic prefix type can also be configured. In some embodiments, the same sensing service can correspond to different candidate cyclic prefix types with different SCS. For example, candidate cyclic prefix type 1 with SCS = 15kHz and candidate cyclic prefix type 2 with SCS = 30kHz can correspond to the same sensing service.

[0077] The experiment shows that the detection distance (in meters) of different candidate cyclic prefix types under different SCS is statistically shown in Table 2:

[0078] Table 2

[0079] In one specific implementation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can also be configured on a per-sense resource basis. Specifically, each sense resource can correspond to at least one candidate cyclic prefix type based on different sense services, and the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to different sense resources is at least partially different. In this example, different sense resources can be resources allocated to different UEs for sense services, or resources allocated to the same UE for different sense services.

[0080] In one variation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can also be configured on a perceptual resource set basis. Specifically, a perceptual resource set includes at least one perceptual resource, and all perceptual resources belonging to the same perceptual resource set collectively correspond to at least one candidate cyclic prefix type. When the network device allocates perceptual resources from the perceptual resource set to the UE, it selects a cyclic prefix type from the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to the perceptual resource set and configures it for the UE. In this example, multiple perceptual resources belonging to the same perceptual resource set can be configured with the same cyclic prefix type.

[0081] In one specific implementation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured on a unit of bandwidth part (BWP). Specifically, each BWP is configured with at least one candidate cyclic prefix type (corresponding to at least one sensed service). Further, in S101, the network device can select a suitable cyclic prefix type from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to the active BWP currently used by the UE and configure it for the UE according to the sensed service.

[0082] In some embodiments, a single BWP may include multiple discontinuous subbands, wherein each subband is continuous in the frequency domain. Furthermore, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured on a subband basis; that is, the subbands included in the BWP each correspond to at least one candidate cyclic prefix type. Different subbands can be used for different sensing services.

[0083] In one implementation, a network device can indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to a perceived resource through at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, downlink control information (DCI), and medium access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0084] Specifically, the network device can configure sensing resources in S101 and indicate the corresponding cyclic prefix type of the sensing resources. Alternatively, the network device can pre-indicate the cyclic prefix type via messages such as higher-layer signaling, and then all sensing resources configured by the network device (e.g., via S101) will correspond to the cyclic prefix type.

[0085] In one embodiment, the network device can configure the CP type for the BWP, CC, or sensing resource via higher-layer signaling. Optionally, the CP type of the BWP, CC, or sensing resource can be changed subsequently via MAC-CE or DCI. In S102, the sensing node determines the timeslot format of the sensing resource based on the latest indicated cyclic prefix type, and then uses the sensing resource for sensing services.

[0086] The detection range required by the sensing service can be adapted to the CP length within a certain numerical range. Accordingly, for the sub-band corresponding to the sensing service, the CP length of each of the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sub-band can be taken from the numerical range.

[0087] Furthermore, in S101, the network device determines the corresponding sub-band based on the currently performing sensing service, and selects a suitable cyclic prefix type from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sub-band based on the power consumption of the sensing node (e.g., UE) and the latency requirements of the sensing service. The sub-band and the selected cyclic prefix type are then indicated to the UE through configuration information. For example, in response to the UE being in a low-power mode and the sensing service having high latency requirements, the candidate cyclic prefix type with the shorter CP length among the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be selected as the cyclic prefix type actually configured for the UE. Since the CP length of at least one candidate cyclic prefix type meets the distance detection requirements of the sensing service corresponding to the sub-band, inter-symbol interference can still be reliably avoided even if a shorter CP length is selected.

[0088] In one specific implementation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured on a carrier (also known as a carrier component, or CC) basis. All BWPs within the same CC collectively correspond to at least one candidate cyclic prefix type.

[0089] In one specific implementation, the time unit can be an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. Figures 2 to 5 illustrate exemplary configurations of OFDM symbols.

[0090] In one variation, the time unit can be an Orthogonal Time Frequency Space (OTFS) symbol. Figures 6 to 10 illustrate exemplary configurations of OTFS symbols.

[0091] Compared to traditional OFDM, OTFS preferably adds data preprocessing (e.g., Inverse Symplectic Finite Fourier Transform (ISFFT)) and post-processing (e.g., Symplectic Finite Fourier Transform (SFFT)) processes, transforming the observation domain of the input-output symbols from the time-frequency domain to the time-delay-Doppler domain. Unlike traditional OFDM where each symbol has one CP, OTFS allows multiple OFDM symbols to share the same CP. In this example, different OTFS patterns can be obtained depending on the number of OFDM symbols included in a single OTFS symbol, as shown in Figures 6 to 10.

[0092] For example, referring to Figure 6, OTFS pattern 1 can specifically be defined as follows: one OTFS symbol includes two OFDM symbols, and a first time length includes seven OTFS symbols, with each OTFS symbol preceded by a CP. The length of each of the seven CPs is 292 KTc.

[0093] For example, referring to Figure 7, OTFS pattern 2 can specifically consist of one OTFS symbol comprising two OFDM symbols, and one first time length comprising six OTFS symbols, with each OTFS symbol preceded by a CP. The length of each of the six CPs is 1024 KTc.

[0094] For example, referring to Figure 8, OTFS pattern 3 can specifically be defined as follows: one OTFS symbol includes two OFDM symbols, and one first time length includes five OTFS symbols, with each OTFS symbol preceded by a CP. The length of each of the five CPs is 2048 KTc.

[0095] For example, referring to Figure 9, OTFS pattern 4 can specifically be defined as follows: one OTFS symbol includes four OFDM symbols, and one first time length includes three OTFS symbols. Each OTFS symbol is preceded by a CP. The length of each of the three CPs is 2048 KTc.

[0096] For example, referring to Figure 10, OTFS pattern 5 can specifically be defined as follows: one OTFS symbol includes 6 OFDM symbols, one first time length includes 2 OTFS symbols, and each OTFS symbol is preceded by a CP. The length of each of the two CPs is 3072 KTc.

[0097] In the examples shown in Figures 6 to 10, the length of the OFDM symbol in different patterns can be the same (e.g., all are 2048 KTc) or different; similarly, the specific value of the first time length in different patterns can be the same or different.

[0098] The experiment shows that the detection distance (unit: meters) of the OTFS patterns shown in Figures 6 to 10 under different SCS is statistically presented in Table 3:

[0099] Table 3

[0100] In one specific implementation, the configuration information may include downlink control information (DCI), which indicates the cyclic prefix type corresponding to at least one sensing resource associated with a first time length.

[0101] Specifically, the format of the next few first time lengths (i.e., the temporal pattern of the sensing resources) can be dynamically changed through DCI. For example, referring to Figure 11, assuming the first time length is a time slot, the DCI indicates that the next first time slot includes 10 OFDM symbols and the second time slot includes 8 OFDM symbols. In response to receiving the DCI (e.g., in time slot 0), the UE determines that the time slot format of time slot 1 is 10 OFDM symbols and the time slot format of time slot 2 is 8 OFDM symbols. In the example of Figure 11, the CP length of each symbol in time slot 2 is greater than the CP length of each symbol in time slot 1. Thus, the associated cyclic prefix type can be configured independently for each first time length. In the example shown in Figure 11, the time slot format of time slot 0 can follow the existing time slot configuration in communication scenarios, for example, including 14 OFDM symbols, where the CP of each symbol is NCP.

[0102] Therefore, the cyclic prefix type associated with sensing resources can be flexibly configured by the network side (e.g., network devices or SF network elements) to adapt to different sensing needs.

[0103] In a specific implementation, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be determined through pre-configuration, protocol definition, or other methods. Furthermore, in S101, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to this sensing service can be indicated through pre-configuration, dynamic, or semi-static methods.

[0104] In one specific implementation, it is assumed that the UE is the sensing initiator and the network device is the sensing receiver, or vice versa. Referring to Figure 1, the communication method described in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0105] S102, the UE and network equipment use sensing resources to perform sensing services. For example, the UE uses sensing resources to transmit sensing signals, and the network equipment receives the echo signals. As another example, the network equipment uses sensing resources to transmit sensing signals, and the UE receives the echo signals.

[0106] In a dual-station sensing mode with A transmitting and B receiving, the longer the CP length and the longer the spatial transmission time of the sensing signal, the better. As long as the echo signal can reach the sensing receiver within a single CP range, the sensing receiver can obtain a relatively pure sensing result by shifting the CP. Conversely, if the echo signal arrives at the sensing receiver after exceeding the CP delay, it will cause inter-symbol interference, affecting the resolution accuracy of the echo signal.

[0107] By adopting this implementation scheme, since the CP of the sensing resource is determined according to the cyclic prefix type associated with the currently performing sensing service, it is beneficial to reduce or even eliminate inter-symbol interference of the sensing signal transmitted through the sensing resource, and ensure that the echo signal reaches the sensing receiver (e.g., network device or UE) within the CP length.

[0108] In a variation, assuming the UE is both the sensing initiator and the sensing receiver, referring to Figure 1, S102 can be replaced by the following steps:

[0109] S103, the UE uses sensing resources to perform sensing services. Specifically, in this example, the UE uses sensing resources to send sensing signals and receive echo signals.

[0110] In the self-transmitting and self-receiving single-site sensing mode, if the echo signal exceeds the CP length, there will be inter-symbol interference between transmission and reception. Therefore, by reasonably configuring the cyclic prefix type associated with sensing resources, it is ensured that the transmission of sensing signals and the reception of echo signals are preferably completed within one CP range, so as to make it easier for the UE to operate and eliminate interference.

[0111] In this variation, the network device is not a sensing node (i.e., it is a third-party device independent of the sensing node), and its main purpose is to configure sensing resources of appropriate CP length for the sensing node (e.g., UE).

[0112] In a common variation of the above embodiments, assuming the sensing scenario is self-transmitting and self-receiving by the network device, S101 in Figure 1 can be omitted, and S102 can be replaced by the step: the network device uses sensing resources to perform sensing services. Specifically, in this example, the network device uses sensing resources to transmit sensing signals and receive echo signals.

[0113] Therefore, this implementation scheme configures different cyclic prefix types to suit different sensing services, thus diversifying the configuration forms of cyclic prefix types to adapt to different sensing needs. Furthermore, when a sensing node uses the configured sensing resources to perform sensing services, the CP of the sensing resource is determined according to the cyclic prefix type associated with the currently performing sensing service, which helps to reduce or even eliminate inter-symbol interference in sensing signals transmitted through the sensing resources. Reduced interference leads to more accurate sensing results and optimizes the sensing effect.

[0114] In a specific implementation, sensing resources and communication resources can be time-division multiplexed. Communication resources can be resources used for communication, such as time-domain resources for transmitting data, time-domain resources for transmitting the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and time-domain resources for transmitting the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH). Sensing resources can be resources used for sensing, such as time-domain resources used for actual sensing (also called sensing reference signal resources), and can also include service time-domain resources (e.g., service symbols) for establishing links between the UE and network equipment.

[0115] Taking a time slot as an example, one time slot includes 10 OTFS symbols. n (n>0) of these OTFS symbols are allocated to sensing resources, and the remaining OTFS symbols are allocated to communication resources. Another example: if the total resources are tens of milliseconds (ms), n (n>0) time slots are allocated to sensing resources, and the rest to communication resources. Yet another example: taking an OTFS symbol as an example, one OTFS symbol includes three OFDM symbols. One is allocated to sensing resources, and the remaining two to communication resources. Taking an OFDM symbol as an example, the first half of an OFDM symbol is allocated to communication resources, and the second half to sensing resources.

[0116] Furthermore, the cyclic prefix type for sensing resources differs from that for communication resources. In other words, within a time span that is either continuous or discontinuous in the time domain, two cyclic prefixes (CPs) of different lengths can be configured, one for the transmission of sensing resources and the other for the transmission of communication resources.

[0117] In some embodiments, the CP length of each time unit allocated to sensing resources is greater than the CP length of each time unit allocated to communication resources. For example, if a time slot includes 8 OFDM symbols, with the first and last 2 OFDM symbols allocated to communication resources and the middle 4 OFDM symbols allocated to sensing resources, then the CP length of the first and last 2 OFDM symbols is less than the CP length of the middle 4 OFDM symbols. Therefore, the transmission distance of sensing signals transmitted using sensing resources is longer.

[0118] In some embodiments, all time units allocated to communication resources can be configured with the same cyclic prefix type, for example, according to existing protocol specifications, configuring a corresponding, unique CP length based on the SCS. Furthermore, each time unit allocated to sensing resources can be configured with a different cyclic prefix type according to the sensing distance requirements.

[0119] For example, within a certain duration (e.g., 20ms), the first n (n>0) time slots are allocated to communication resources, and the CP length of all symbols in these n time slots is NCP; the remaining m (m>0) time slots of the 20ms are allocated to sensing resources. A portion of these m time slots are used for near-range sensing services, and the remaining time slots are used for long-range sensing services. The portion of time slots is configured with Cyclic Prefix Type 1, and the remaining time slots are configured with Cyclic Prefix Type 2. The CP length of Cyclic Prefix Type 1 is less than the CP length of Cyclic Prefix Type 2.

[0120] In a common variation of the above embodiments, at least one candidate cyclic prefix type can be configured by the SF network element. For example, referring to FIG12, before S101, the communication method of this embodiment may further include the step: S100, the SF network element sends first information to the UE, and correspondingly, the UE receives the first information. The first information is used to configure at least one candidate cyclic prefix type.

[0121] Specifically, the first information can be sent directly to the UE by the SF network element. Alternatively, the first information can be relayed through network equipment.

[0122] Furthermore, the first information can also be used to configure the association between each candidate cyclic prefix type and the sensing service.

[0123] In response to receiving the first information, the UE can store the relevant configuration of at least one candidate cyclic prefix type. Further, when sensing services are required, the network device executes S101 to allocate sensing resources to the UE, select a suitable cyclic prefix type from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type according to the sensing service, and indicate the sensing resources and their associated cyclic prefix types to the UE together through configuration information.

[0124] Therefore, by pre-configuring at least one candidate cyclic prefix type through core network elements, and by dynamically, statically, or semi-statically configuring the cyclic prefix type used by the current sensing service through network devices, the most suitable CP can be configured in a timely and flexible manner according to the sensing service's requirements for detection distance.

[0125] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 20 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device 20 described in this embodiment can be used to implement the technical solutions described in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 12.

[0126] Specifically, referring to FIG13, the communication device 20 may include: a sensing module 201 for using sensing resources to perform sensing services, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0127] Furthermore, the communication device 20 may also include a receiving module (not shown) for receiving configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure the sensing resources.

[0128] For more details on the working principle and operation mode of the communication device 20, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Figures 1 to 12 above, which will not be repeated here. In specific implementations, the communication device 20 may correspond to a chip with communication function in the UE, or a chip with data processing function, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), baseband chip, etc.; or a chip module in the UE that includes a chip with communication function; or a chip module with a chip with data processing function; or the UE itself.

[0129] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 30 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device 30 described in this embodiment can be used to implement the technical solutions described in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 12.

[0130] Specifically, referring to Figure 14, the communication device 30 may include: a sending module 301, used to send configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure sensing resources, the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources being indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, DCI, and MAC-CE.

[0131] Furthermore, the communication device 30 may also include: a sensing module (not shown) for using the sensing resources to perform the sensing service.

[0132] For more details regarding the working principle and operation mode of the communication device 30, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Figures 1 to 12 above, which will not be repeated here. In specific implementations, the communication device 20 described above may correspond to a chip with communication function in a network device, or to a chip with data processing function, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC), baseband chip, etc.; or to a chip module in a network device that includes a chip with communication function; or to a chip module with a chip with data processing function, or to a network device.

[0133] In specific implementation, the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both.

[0134] For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The components can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into the terminal, each of its components / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components within the terminal. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the terminal, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0135] This invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium storing a computer program. When a processor executes the computer program, it performs the steps of the communication method provided in any of the above embodiments. Preferably, the storage medium may include a computer-readable storage medium such as non-volatile or non-transitory memory. The storage medium may include ROM, RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc.

[0136] This invention also provides another communication device, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor. When the processor runs the computer program, it executes the steps of the communication method provided in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 1 to 12. The communication device can be integrated into a UE or a network device, or the communication device can be, for example, a UE or a network device.

[0137] This invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instruction, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the communication method provided in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 1 to 12.

[0138] The UE in this application embodiment is a device with wireless communication capabilities, and may be referred to as a terminal, user, user terminal, terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal equipment, industrial control terminal equipment, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The user terminal can be fixed or mobile. It should be noted that the user terminal can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or New Radio (NR). For example, user terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, in-vehicle terminals, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in future mobile communication networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc. In some embodiments of this application, the user terminal may also be a device with transceiver functions, such as a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, and may also include other discrete components.

[0139] In this application embodiment, the network equipment includes devices that provide wireless communication functions for user terminals, and may also be referred to as access network equipment, radio access network (RAN) equipment, or access network elements. The network equipment can support at least one wireless communication technology, such as LTE or NR. For example, the network equipment includes, but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (gNBs), evolved node Bs (eNBs), radio network controllers (RNCs), node Bs (NBs), base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node Bs or home node Bs (HNBs)), baseband units (BBUs), transmitting and receiving points (TRPs), transmitting points (TPs), and mobile switching centers in a 5th-generation (5G) mobile communication system. Network devices can also be radio controllers, centralized units (CUs), and / or distributed units (DUs) in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios, or access network devices can be relay stations, access points, vehicle-mounted devices, terminal devices, wearable devices, and network devices in future mobile communications or future evolved PLMNs. In some embodiments, network devices can also be apparatuses that provide wireless communication capabilities to user terminals, such as chip systems. For example, a chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete devices.

[0140] The core network elements in this embodiment can also be referred to as core network equipment, which are network elements deployed in the core network, such as core network control plane network elements or core network user plane network elements. The core network in this embodiment can be an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network, or a new type of core network in future communication systems. For example, a 5G core network consists of a group of network elements that implement functions such as access and mobility management (AMF), user plane functions such as packet routing and forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) management, and session management functions such as session management, IP address allocation and management. The EPC can consist of a mobility management entity (MME) that provides mobility management and gateway selection, a serving gateway (S-GW) that provides packet forwarding, and a PDNGateway (P-GW) that provides terminal address allocation and rate control. For Multicast Broadcast Service (MBS), the core network can include several new network elements to implement functions such as packet forwarding, MBS conference management, QoS management, and transmission mode switching (switching between unicast and multicast / broadcast transmission modes). Alternatively, these functions can be implemented by existing core network elements.

[0141] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the various methods of the above embodiments can be performed by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which may include ROM, RAM, disk, or optical disk, etc.

[0142] The embodiments described in this application are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (devices), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart illustrations and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0143] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0144] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0145] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, the simultaneous existence of A and B, or the existence of B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0146] In this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0147] This application can be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, that are executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. This application can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices connected via a communication network. In distributed computing environments, program modules can reside in local and remote computer storage media, including storage devices.

[0148] The various embodiments in this application are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the device embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0149] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0150] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the devices, apparatuses, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0151] While the above disclosure is provided, it is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art may make various alterations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure; therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Sensing services are performed using sensing resources, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, downlink control information (DCI), and media access control layer control unit (MAC-CE).

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized by, Also includes: Receive configuration information, which is used to configure the sensing resources.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein, The configuration information includes at least one of the following: the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource; the number of time units included in the sensing resource within the first time length.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized by, The time unit is selected from: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol and orthogonal time-frequency control symbol.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by, The configuration information includes downlink control information, which is used to indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to at least one sensing resource associated with a first time length.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by, The cyclic prefix type includes the length of the cyclic prefix; wherein... The length of the cyclic prefix is ​​not less than the length of the extended cyclic prefix corresponding to the communication resource; and / or The length of the cyclic prefix is ​​determined based on the time interval between the transmission time of the sensed signal and the reception time of the echo signal; and / or The farther away from the sensing target targeted by the sensing service, the longer the length of the cyclic prefix.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, The cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource is selected from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, and the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type is configured in one of the following ways: Subcarrier spacing, sensing resources, sensing resource set, carrier, partial bandwidth, and subband; A single portion of the bandwidth comprises multiple discontinuous subbands, each of which is continuous in the frequency domain.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, The sensing resources and communication resources are time-division multiplexed, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is different from the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the communication resources.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: Send configuration information, which is used to configure sensing resources. The cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, downlink control information (DCI), and media access control layer control unit (MAC-CE).

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein, Also includes: Use the aforementioned sensing resources to perform sensing services.

11. The communication method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by, The configuration information includes at least one of the following: the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource; the number of time units included in the sensing resource within the first time length.

12. The communication method according to claim 11, wherein, The time unit is selected from: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbol and orthogonal time-frequency control symbol.

13. The communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by, The configuration information includes downlink control information, which is used to indicate the cyclic prefix type corresponding to at least one sensing resource associated with a first time length.

14. The communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by, The cyclic prefix type includes the length of the cyclic prefix; wherein... The length of the cyclic prefix is ​​not less than the length of the extended cyclic prefix corresponding to the communication resource; and / or The length of the cyclic prefix is ​​determined based on the time interval between the transmission time of the sensed signal and the reception time of the echo signal; and / or The farther away the sensing target is from the distance sensing service, the longer the length of the cyclic prefix.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized by, The cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resource is selected from at least one candidate cyclic prefix type, and the at least one candidate cyclic prefix type is configured in one of the following ways: Subcarrier spacing, sensing resources, sensing resource set, carrier, partial bandwidth, and subband; A single portion of the bandwidth comprises multiple discontinuous subbands, each of which is continuous in the frequency domain.

16. The communication method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized by, The sensing resources and communication resources are time-division multiplexed, and the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is different from the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the communication resources.

17. A communications device, characterized by include: The sensing module is used to perform sensing services using sensing resources, wherein the cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, downlink control information (DCI), and media access control layer control unit (MAC-CE).

18. A communications device, characterized by include: The sending module is used to send configuration information, which is used to configure sensing resources. The cyclic prefix type corresponding to the sensing resources is indicated by at least one of the following messages: higher-layer signaling, downlink control information (DCI), and media access control layer control unit (MAC-CE).

19. A computer-readable storage medium, which is a non-volatile storage medium or a non-transitory storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized by The computer program is executed by a processor to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A computer program product comprising computer programs / instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program / instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A communication device comprising a memory and a processor, said memory having stored thereon a computer program that is operable to run on said processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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