Sensing method and apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a sensing method and apparatus. The sensing method comprises: a UE reports sensing capability information to a network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the sensing capability information, wherein the sensing capability information is used for indicating that the UE supports performing a sensing operation in a non-connected state; and then the network device sends sensing instruction information to the UE, and correspondingly, the UE receives the sensing instruction information, wherein the sensing instruction information is used for instructing the UE to perform the sensing operation in the non-connected state.

Description

A sensing method and device

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411618221.5, filed on November 12, 2024, entitled "Sensing Method and Apparatus, 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 in particular to a sensing method and device, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0003] Future communication devices, such as user equipment (UE), may not only be equipped with communication functions but also undertake a portion of sensing functions, i.e., integrated communication and sensing. The sensing principle mentioned here is the same as that of radar; both rely on electromagnetic waves received by the communication device to estimate information such as the shape and motion of objects in the surrounding environment. The electromagnetic waves received by the communication device can be echoes emitted by the device itself or electromagnetic waves actively emitted by other objects.

[0004] The existing communication process mainly includes three states: connected, idle, and inactive (the latter two states can also be collectively referred to as the non-connected state). In the latter two states, the UE generally considers itself to be in a power-saving state and rarely performs complex communication functions. Therefore, UEs in the idle or inactive states may not respond promptly to perceived needs, thus affecting the user experience of perceived services. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One of the objectives of this disclosure is to provide a scheme that allows a UE to perform sensing operations in a disconnected state.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a sensing method, which includes: reporting sensing capability information, the sensing capability information being used to instruct a user equipment (UE) to support performing sensing operations in a disconnected state; and receiving sensing indication information, the sensing indication information being used to instruct the UE to perform sensing operations in a disconnected state.

[0008] Optionally, the sensing indication information is included in the paging downlink control information (DCI) and / or paging message.

[0009] Optionally, the portion of the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information uses a dedicated Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) scrambling code; or, the paging DCI uses a P-RNTI scrambling code and the sensing indication information is carried in the sensing indication information indication field of the paging DCI.

[0010] Optionally, the sensing indication information is carried in a non-connected sensing-dedicated resource and / or sensing-dedicated search space, wherein the sensing-dedicated resource is independent of the paging resource, and the sensing-dedicated search space is independent of the paging search space.

[0011] Optionally, the paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, and the perception indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging frames.

[0012] Optionally, the paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, each paging frame includes multiple paging opportunities, and the sensing indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging opportunities.

[0013] Optionally, the perception indication information includes one or more of the following: perception mode indication information, perception signal indication information, and perception information indication information; wherein, the perception mode indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the UE performs perception operations in the non-connected state, the perception signal indication information is used to indicate the resources of the perception signals transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and the perception information indication information is used to indicate the perception information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state.

[0014] Optionally, the mode indicated by the sensing mode indication information includes one or more of the following: the UE responds to receiving a sensing signal and processing the sensing signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information; the UE sends a sensing signal; the UE responds to sending a sensing signal and receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes: sending sensing information, wherein the sensing information is obtained by the UE processing the received sensing signal.

[0016] Optionally, sending the sensing information includes: in response to the sensing information indicating that a sensing event has occurred, switching from a non-connected state to a connected state and sending the sensing information.

[0017] Optionally, the occurrence of the sensing event includes one or more of the following: a change in the number of sensing targets; a change in sensing parameters.

[0018] Optionally, sending the sensing information includes: in response to the data volume of the sensing information being less than or equal to a first threshold, sending the sensing information based on configured authorized CG resources in a non-connected state; in response to the data volume of the sensing information being greater than the first threshold, sending a portion of the sensing information based on the CG resources in a non-connected state, with the remaining portion of the sensing information being sent in response to switching to a connected state.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving sensing resource indication information, the sensing resource indication information being used to indicate the resources for the UE to transmit sensing signals in a disconnected state.

[0020] Optionally, receiving the sensing resource indication information includes: receiving the sensing resource indication information via higher-layer signaling in a connected state.

[0021] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a sensing method, which includes: receiving sensing capability information, the sensing capability information being used to instruct a UE to support sensing operations in a non-connected state; and sending sensing indication information, the sensing indication information being used to instruct the UE to perform sensing operations in a non-connected state.

[0022] Optionally, the sensing indication information is included in the paging downlink control information (DCI) and / or paging message.

[0023] Optionally, the portion of the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information uses a dedicated Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) scrambling code; or, the paging DCI uses a P-RNTI scrambling code and the sensing indication information is carried in the sensing indication information indication field of the paging DCI.

[0024] Optionally, the sensing indication information is carried in a non-connected sensing-dedicated resource and / or sensing-dedicated search space, wherein the sensing-dedicated resource is independent of the paging resource, and the sensing-dedicated search space is independent of the paging search space.

[0025] Optionally, the paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, and the perception indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging frames.

[0026] Optionally, the paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, each paging frame includes multiple paging opportunities, and the sensing indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging opportunities.

[0027] Optionally, the perception indication information includes one or more of the following: perception mode indication information, perception signal indication information, and perception information indication information; wherein, the perception mode indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the UE performs perception operations in the non-connected state, the perception signal indication information is used to indicate the resources of the perception signals transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and the perception information indication information is used to indicate the perception information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state.

[0028] Optionally, the mode indicated by the sensing mode indication information includes one or more of the following: the UE responds to receiving a sensing signal and processing the sensing signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information; the UE sends a sensing signal; the UE responds to sending a sensing signal and receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information.

[0029] Optionally, the method further includes: receiving sensing information, wherein the sensing information is obtained by the UE processing the received sensing signal.

[0030] Optionally, the method further includes: sending sensing resource indication information, the sensing resource indication information being used to indicate the resources for the UE to transmit sensing signals in a disconnected state.

[0031] Optionally, sending the sensing resource indication information includes: sending the sensing resource indication information via higher-layer signaling in the connected state.

[0032] Thirdly, this disclosure also discloses a sensing device, which includes: a capability information reporting module for reporting sensing capability information, wherein the sensing capability information is used to instruct a user equipment (UE) to support performing sensing operations in a disconnected state; and a sensing instruction information receiving module for receiving sensing instruction information, wherein the sensing instruction information is used to instruct the UE to perform sensing operations in a disconnected state.

[0033] Fourthly, this disclosure also discloses a sensing device, comprising: a capability information receiving module for receiving sensing capability information, the sensing capability information being used to instruct a user equipment (UE) to support performing sensing operations in a disconnected state; and a sensing indication information sending module for sending sensing indication information, the sensing indication information being used to instruct the UE to perform sensing operations in a disconnected state.

[0034] Fifthly, this disclosure provides a storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program being executed by a processor to perform any of the sensing methods provided in the first or second aspect.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, a sensing device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the computer program to perform any of the sensing methods provided in the first aspect.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, a sensing device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, and the processor executes the computer program to perform any of the sensing methods provided in the second aspect.

[0037] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, on which a computer program is stored, the computer program being executed by a processor to perform any of the sensing methods provided in the first or second aspect.

[0038] A ninth aspect provides a communication system, including a communication device for performing any of the sensing methods provided in the first aspect and a communication device for performing any of the sensing methods provided in the second aspect.

[0039] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a chip storing a computer program, which, when executed by the chip, implements the steps of any of the sensing methods provided in the first or second aspect.

[0040] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a chip system, the chip system including at least one processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit and the at least one processor being interconnected via a line, the at least one processor being configured to execute instructions to perform any of the sensing methods provided in the first or second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a sensing method in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0042] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of carrying sensing indication information through a paging frame in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of carrying sensing indication information through paging timing in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 4 is a signaling interaction diagram of another sensing method in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sensing device according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another sensing device in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a sensing device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this disclosure include, but are not limited to, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, Non-terrestrial networks (NTN), satellite communication networks, and Future Evolution systems or multiple converged communication systems. The 5G system can be a non-standalone (NSA) 5G system or a standalone (SA) 5G system. The technical solutions of this disclosure are also applicable to different network architectures, including but not limited to relay network architectures, dual-connectivity architectures, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication architectures.

[0049] This disclosure primarily relates to communication between network devices and UEs. Specifically:

[0050] The network device in this embodiment can also be called an access network device, for example, a base station (BS) (also called a base station device). A network device is a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions. For example, in second-generation (2G) networks, the equipment providing base station functionality includes base transceiver stations (BTS); in third-generation (3G) networks, it includes NodeBs; in fourth-generation (4G) networks, it includes evolved NodeBs (eNBs); in wireless local area networks (WLANs), the equipment providing base station functionality is the access point (AP); and in NR, the equipment providing base station functionality includes next-generation node base stations (gNBs) and further evolved NodeBs (ng-eNBs). gNBs and UEs communicate using NR technology, while ng-eNBs and terminal devices communicate using evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) technology. Both gNBs and ng-eNBs can connect to the 5G core network. The network device in this disclosure also includes devices that provide base station functionality in future new communication systems.

[0051] The UE in this disclosure can also be referred to as terminal equipment or user equipment, and can refer to various forms of access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations (MS), remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, wireless communication equipment, user agents, or user devices. User equipment can also be 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, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal equipment in future 5G networks, or terminal equipment in future evolved Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs), etc., and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0052] This disclosure provides a sensing method in which a UE first reports sensing capability information to a network device, the sensing capability information indicating that the UE supports performing sensing operations in a disconnected state; then, the network device sends sensing indication information to the UE, the sensing indication information indicating that the UE performs sensing operations in a disconnected state. In some embodiments, in response to receiving the sensing indication information, the UE can determine the mode of performing sensing operations in the disconnected state, and / or the sensing signals transmitted in the disconnected state, and / or the sensing information transmitted in the disconnected state, etc. Thus, it is possible to enable a UE in a disconnected state to participate in sensing services or perform sensing operations in a timely manner, meeting the sensing needs in the disconnected state.

[0053] The sensing operation (or sensing service) in this disclosure refers to the operation (or service) by a sensing node (also called a sensing device) with sensing capabilities to sense a sensing target and obtain relevant information about the sensing target. The sensing service can be applied in the Internet of Things (IoT) field. In some embodiments, the sensing service may include speed sensing for estimating the moving speed of the sensing target. In other embodiments, the sensing service may include distance sensing for estimating the distance to the sensing target. The sensing service is a service provided by the sensing scenario of a communication-sensing integrated (hereinafter referred to as integrated sensing) system. In the sensing scenario, the sensing node, acting as the sensing initiator, sends a sensing signal, and the sensing node, acting as the sensing responder, receives the signal generated after the sensing signal acts on the sensing target (which may be called the sensing echo signal or echo signal) and processes the received signal using a sensing algorithm to obtain the sensing result (or sensing information). (In this disclosure, the sensing signal sent by the sensing initiator and the echo signal generated after the sensing signal acts on the sensing target are collectively referred to as the sensing signal.) The processed sensing results can be reported to the base station or sensing function (SF) via the uplink channel, used by the sensing node receiving the signal, or by other user equipment (UE). The sensing function can be a core network element, denoted as an SF element. The sensing node can be a UE or a network device. The difference between different sensing scenarios lies in the executing entity of the sensing node.

[0054] In mono-static 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 mono-static sensing mode can be called the sensing echo signal. Sensing types using mono-static sensing mode can include UE-initiated and network-device-initiated sensing.

[0055] In bi-static 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 bi-static sensing mode is usually called the received signal. For ease of description in some embodiments of this disclosure, the signals received by the sensing receiver in both mono-static and bi-static sensing modes are collectively referred to as echo signals. Sensing types using bi-static 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. 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 mono-static sensing mode while simultaneously performing bi-static sensing mode.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The specific embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a signaling interaction diagram of a sensing method according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The sensing method may specifically include steps S101 and S102.

[0060] S101: The UE reports sensing capability information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sensing capability information. The sensing capability information is used to indicate that the UE supports sensing operations in a connected state.

[0061] S102: The network device sends a sensing indication message to the UE. Correspondingly, the UE receives the sensing indication message. The sensing indication message is used to instruct the UE to perform a sensing operation in a disconnected state.

[0062] In specific implementation, in the sensing methods provided by S101 to S102, the steps implemented by the UE can be executed by a chip with sensing function in the UE or by a baseband chip in the UE; the steps implemented by the network device can be executed by a chip with sensing function in the network device or by a baseband chip in the network device.

[0063] It is understood that, in specific implementations, the sensing method can be implemented using software programs, which run within a processor integrated into the chip or chip module. The method can also be implemented using a combination of software and hardware; this disclosure does not impose any limitations.

[0064] In specific implementations, the sensing indication information may be included in downlink control information (DCI) and / or paging messages. Specifically, in disconnected mode, when the network device requires the UE to participate in sensing services, it can call the UE through paging DCI and / or paging messages, that is, by carrying the sensing indication information in paging DCI and / or paging messages and sending it to the UE.

[0065] In practice, the UE can report its sensing capabilities to the network device through higher-layer signaling, such as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0066] In one specific implementation, the portion of the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information employs a dedicated Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) scrambling code. That is, the RNTI is specifically used to scramble the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) code of the paging DCI. Optionally, the value of the RNTI can be determined in a predefined manner by the communication protocol, or configured via higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

[0067] In another specific implementation, the paging DCI uses a Physical Radio Network Temporary Identifier (P-RNTI) scrambling code, and the sensing indication information is carried in the sensing indication information indication field of the paging DCI. The sensing indication information indication field can be a number of newly added bits in the paging DCI.

[0068] In specific implementations, the sensing indication information may include one or more of the following: sensing mode indication information, sensing signal indication information, sensing information indication information, and TCI indication information of the sensing signal; wherein, the sensing mode indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the UE performs sensing operations in the non-connected state; the sensing signal indication information is used to indicate the resources (i.e., the specific resources or resource set used to carry the sensing signal) of the sensing signal transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state; the sensing information indication information is used to indicate the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, more specifically, the sensing information indication information is used to indicate the bearer channel information of the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and / or, the specific content of the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and / or, the time interval between the feedback time of the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state and the time when the UE receives the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information; the TCI indication information of the sensing signal is used to indicate the quasi-colocation (QCL) type of the sensing signal transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state and / or information of its associated reference signal.

[0069] In some embodiments, the sensing mode indication information indicates one or more of the following modes: Mode 1, the UE responds to receiving a sensing signal and processing the sensing signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information; Mode 2, the UE sends a sensing signal; Mode 3, the UE responds to sending a sensing signal and receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal, processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information; Mode 4, the UE receives a sensing signal.

[0070] In Mode 1 and Mode 4, the sensing signal received by the UE can be an echo signal generated after the sensing signal emitted by the UE itself, the network device, or another UE acts on the sensing target, or it can be a sensing signal actively emitted by the sensing target.

[0071] In one specific implementation, a disconnected sensing-dedicated resource and / or a sensing-dedicated search space can be used as the resource to carry sensing indication information. The sensing-dedicated resource is independent of the paging resource, and the sensing-dedicated search space is independent of the paging search space.

[0072] In the embodiments of this disclosure, by using resources and / or search space independent of paging resources and / or paging search space to carry sensing indication information, paging for sensing operations and paging for communication operations can be made independent in the non-connected state, which helps to improve the efficiency of sensing.

[0073] In another specific implementation, a portion of the paging time-domain resources can be used as resources to carry perception indication information. Specifically, the paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames (PF), each paging frame including multiple paging occasions (PO). For example, perception indication information can be carried in a portion of the multiple paging frames. In some embodiments, the network device can indicate which portion of the multiple paging frames to carry the perception indication information in via higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) in the form of a bitmap; wherein each bit of the bitmap can correspond to one paging frame, and the network device can indicate whether the paging frame can be used to carry perception indication information by setting its value to 0 or 1.

[0074] For example, the perception indication information can be carried in a portion of the multiple paging opportunities. In some embodiments, the network device can indicate, via higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) in the form of a bitmap, which portion of the multiple paging opportunities will carry the perception indication information; wherein each bit of the bitmap can correspond to one paging opportunity, and the network device can indicate whether the paging opportunity can be used to carry the perception indication information by setting its value to 0 or 1.

[0075] The following description, in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3, illustrates an implementation scheme that uses a portion of the paging time-domain resources to carry sensing indication information. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the carrying of sensing indication information through paging frames in an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the carrying of sensing indication information through paging timing in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0076] In Figure 2, the upper part represents the traditional paging time-domain resource, which contains multiple paging frames (PF). The paging frames marked with shaded fill in the lower part of Figure 2 are selected from the multiple paging frames (corresponding to Leagcy Paging in the figure) contained in the traditional paging time-domain resource and are used to carry sensing indication information (corresponding to Paging for sensing in the figure).

[0077] The upper part of Figure 3 shows the multiple paging occupancy (PO) included in a traditional single paging frame. The paging occupancy indicated by the shaded area at the bottom of Figure 3 is a selection of the multiple paging occupancy included in a traditional single paging frame (corresponding to Leagcy Paging in the figure) used to carry sensing indication information (corresponding to Paging for sensing in the figure).

[0078] It should be noted that the number of paging frames included in the time-domain resources of paging, and the number of paging opportunities included in each paging frame, are not limited to those shown in Figures 2 and 3. Furthermore, in specific implementations, the number and location of paging frames selected from the plurality of paging frames to carry perception indication information, and the number and location of paging opportunities selected from the plurality of paging opportunities to carry perception indication information, are not limited to those shown in Figures 2 and 3, and can be appropriately selected based on the needs of the actual application scenario.

[0079] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a portion of the paging time-domain resources (e.g., a portion of the multiple paging frames included in the paging time-domain resources, and / or a portion of the multiple paging times included in each paging frame) can be used as the resource to carry sensing indication information. Therefore, by selecting a portion of the available idle time-domain resources from the paging time-domain resources for paging to implement sensing operations, resource overhead can be saved.

[0080] Referring to Figure 4, which is a signaling interaction diagram of another sensing method in an embodiment of this disclosure. The other sensing method may include steps s101 to s102 in Figure 1, and may also include step 401 below. The differences from those in Figure 1 are described below.

[0081] In step S401, the UE sends sensing information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sensing information. The sensing information is obtained by the UE processing the received sensing signals.

[0082] Specifically, the sensing signal received by the UE can be an echo signal generated after the sensing signal emitted by the UE itself, the network device, or another UE acts on the sensing target, or it can be a sensing signal actively emitted by the sensing target.

[0083] In some embodiments, in response to the sensing information indicating that a sensing event has occurred, the UE switches from a disconnected state to a connected state. Optionally, the UE then transmits the sensing information in the connected state.

[0084] Without limitation, the occurrence of the sensing event may include one or more of the following: a change in the number of sensing targets; a change in the number of sensing targets exceeding a first preset threshold or a first preset ratio; a change in one or more sensing parameters; a change in sensing parameters exceeding a second preset threshold or a second preset ratio; or the occurrence or termination of a specific target sensing event.

[0085] The change in the number of sensed targets can refer to a change in the number of vehicles and / or pedestrians and / or obstacles, for example, from zero to one, or from a first number to a second number (e.g., from 10 to 15, exceeding a first preset proportion (e.g., 20%)). Changes in sensed parameters can refer to changes in parameters such as the speed and / or distance and / or angle of the sensed targets, or changes exceeding a certain threshold or proportion (e.g., the speed of the sensed target was originally 30 km / h, and it changes to 60 km / h, exceeding a second preset proportion (e.g., 20%)). The specific target sensed event can be, for example, special weather (such as wind, rain, etc.), or other appropriate sensed events; this disclosure does not limit this.

[0086] The first preset threshold, the first preset ratio, the second preset threshold, and the second preset ratio can be pre-configured by the network device through higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

[0087] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when a sensing event occurs (e.g., the number of sensing targets changes and / or the sensing parameters change), the UE switches from a non-connected state to a connected state and sends sensing information. This helps to send the sensing information to the network device more timely and reliably, so that the network device can quickly detect some new or abnormal situations that occur in the sensing scenario and respond accordingly.

[0088] As a variation, when a UE is in a disconnected state, if it receives a paging DCI or paging message carrying sensing indication information sent by a network device, it can first switch from the disconnected state to the connected state and then perform sensing operations (e.g., sending sensing signals and / or receiving sensing signals and / or sending sensing information).

[0089] In some embodiments, the UE sending perception information may specifically include: in response to the data volume of the perception information being less than or equal to a first threshold, sending the perception information in a non-connected state based on configured authorized CG resources; in response to the data volume of the perception information being greater than the first threshold, sending a portion of the perception information in a non-connected state based on the CG resources, with the remaining portion of the perception information being sent in response to switching to a connected state.

[0090] The first threshold can be specified by the protocol or pre-configured by the network device according to actual needs.

[0091] It is understood that the amount of data that can be transmitted between the UE and the network device in the disconnected state is limited. For example, the Small Data Transmission (SDT) mechanism is usually used to transmit a limited amount of data. Therefore, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, before sending the sensing information, the UE first determines the size of the sensing information to be sent. If the data size is small (i.e., less than or equal to the first threshold), the sensing information can be sent directly in the disconnected state using the Configured Grant (CG) resource. If the data size is large (i.e., greater than the first threshold), a portion of the sensing information can be sent in the disconnected state based on the CG resource, and the remaining portion of the sensing information is sent in response to switching to the connected state. Thus, the existing resources in the disconnected state can be fully utilized while ensuring the integrity and reliability of the sensing information transmission. The first threshold can be pre-configured by the network device through higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling) or determined by a predefined method of the communication protocol.

[0092] In some embodiments, the method further includes: a network device sending sensing resource indication information. Correspondingly, a UE receives the sensing resource indication information. The sensing resource indication information is used to indicate resources for the UE to transmit sensing signals in a connectionless state. In some embodiments, the network device may configure multiple resources to carry sensing signals transmitted by the UE in a connectionless state.

[0093] In practical implementation, the perceived resource indication information can be carried via higher-layer signaling in connected mode. In other words, in connected mode, the network device can send the perceived resource indication information via higher-layer signaling. Correspondingly, in connected mode, the UE can receive the perceived resource indication information via higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling).

[0094] Referring to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sensing device 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensing device 50 may include:

[0095] The capability information reporting module 501 is used to report perception capability information, which is used to indicate that the UE supports perception operation in the non-connected state.

[0096] The perception indication information receiving module 502 is used to receive perception indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform a perception operation in a non-connected state.

[0097] For more details on the working principle and operation mode of the sensing device 50, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Figures 1 to 4 above, which will not be repeated here. In specific implementations, the sensing device 50 may correspond to a chip with sensing 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 sensing function; or a chip module with a chip with data processing function; or the UE itself.

[0098] Referring to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of another sensing device 60 in an embodiment of this disclosure, the sensing device 60 may include:

[0099] The capability information receiving module 601 is used to receive sensing capability information, which is used to instruct the UE to support performing sensing operations in a non-connected state.

[0100] The perception indication information sending module 602 is used to send perception indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform a perception operation in a non-connected state.

[0101] For more details on the working principle and operation mode of the sensing device 60, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Figures 1 to 4 above, which will not be repeated here. In specific implementations, the aforementioned sensing device 50 may correspond to a chip with sensing 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 sensing function; or to a chip module with a chip with data processing function, or to a network device.

[0102] Regarding the modules / units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules / 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 different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of their modules / 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 different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0103] This disclosure also discloses a storage medium, such as a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed, it can perform the steps of the sensing method provided in any of the foregoing embodiments. The storage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc. The storage medium may also include non-volatile memory or non-transitory memory, etc.

[0104] Referring to Figure 7, this disclosure also provides a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a sensing device. The device includes a processor 701, a memory 702, and a transceiver 703.

[0105] Processor 701 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of programs according to the present disclosure. Processor 701 may also include multiple CPUs, and processor 701 can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0106] The memory 702 can be a ROM or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, RAM or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or it can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer. This disclosure does not impose any limitations on this. The memory 702 can exist independently (in which case, the memory 702 can be located outside or inside the device) or it can be integrated with the processor 701. The memory 702 may contain computer program code. The processor 701 is used to execute the computer program code stored in the memory 702 to implement the method provided in this disclosure.

[0107] The processor 701, memory 702, and transceiver 703 are connected via a bus. The transceiver 703 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks. Optionally, the transceiver 703 may include a transmitter and a receiver. The device in the transceiver 703 that implements the receiving function can be considered as a receiver, and the receiver is used to perform the receiving steps in the embodiments of this disclosure. The device in the transceiver 703 that implements the transmitting function can be considered as a transmitter, and the transmitter is used to perform the transmitting steps in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0108] When the structural diagram shown in Figure 7 is used to illustrate the structure of the terminal device involved in the above embodiments, the processor 701 is used to control and manage the actions of the terminal device. For example, the processor 701 is used to support the terminal device in performing actions performed by the terminal device in the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 701 can communicate with other network entities through the transceiver 703, for example, with the aforementioned network device. The memory 702 is used to store the program code and data of the terminal device.

[0109] When the structural diagram shown in Figure 7 is used to illustrate the structure of the network device involved in the above embodiments, the processor 701 is used to control and manage the actions of the network device. For example, the processor 701 is used to support the network device in performing the actions performed by the network device in the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure. The processor 701 can communicate with other network entities through the transceiver 703, for example, with the aforementioned terminal device. The memory 702 is used to store the program code and data of the network device.

[0110] This invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the sensing method provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0111] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0112] In the embodiments of this disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0113] The descriptions of "first," "second," etc., appearing in the embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes and to distinguish the objects being described. They have no order and do not indicate any particular limitation on the number of devices in the embodiments of this disclosure, nor do they constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0114] The term "connection" in this disclosure refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices. This disclosure does not limit the scope of the term.

[0115] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means.

[0116] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this disclosure, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0117] In the several embodiments provided in this disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is merely a logical functional division, and other division methods may exist in actual implementation; for example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0118] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the objectives of some embodiments of this disclosure, depending on actual needs.

[0119] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can be physically comprised separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0120] The integrated unit implemented as a software functional unit described above can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. This software functional unit, stored in a storage medium, includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute some steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0121] 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 sensing method, characterized in that, include: Reporting perception capability information, wherein the perception capability information is used to instruct the user equipment (UE) to support performing perception operations in a disconnected state; The UE receives sensing indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform sensing operations in a disconnected state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The perception indication information is included in the paging downlink control information (DCI) and / or paging message.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The portion of the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information uses a dedicated Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) scrambling code, or the paging DCI uses a P-RNTI scrambling code and the sensing indication information is carried in the sensing indication information indication field of the paging DCI.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing indication information is carried in a non-connected sensing-dedicated resource and / or sensing-dedicated search space. The sensing-dedicated resource is independent of the paging resource, and the sensing-dedicated search space is independent of the paging search space.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, and the sensing indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging frames.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, each paging frame includes multiple paging opportunities, and the perception indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging opportunities.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensing indication information includes one or more of the following: Sensing mode indication information, sensing signal indication information, and sensing information indication information; The sensing mode indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the UE performs sensing operations in the non-connected state, the sensing signal indication information is used to indicate the resources of the sensing signals transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and the sensing information indication information is used to indicate the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mode indicated by the sensing mode indication information includes one or more of the following: The UE responds by receiving a sensing signal and processing the sensing signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information. UE sends sensing signals; The UE responds by sending a sensing signal and receiving an echo signal of the sensing signal, processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, and sends the sensing information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending sensing information, which is obtained by the UE processing the received sensing signals.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transmission of sensing information includes: In response to the sensing information indicating that a sensing event has occurred, the system switches from a non-connected state to a connected state and sends the sensing information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The occurrence of the sensing event includes one or more of the following: The number of perceived targets has changed; The sensing parameters changed.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transmission of sensing information includes: In response to the fact that the amount of data of the perceived information is less than or equal to a first threshold, the perceived information is sent in the non-connected state based on the configured authorized CG resources; In response to the data volume of the perceived information being greater than the first threshold, a portion of the perceived information is sent based on the CG resource in the non-connected state, and the remaining portion of the perceived information is sent in response to switching to the connected state.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The UE receives sensing resource indication information, which is used to indicate the resources on which the UE transmits sensing signals in a disconnected state.

14. A sensing method, characterized in that, include: Receive sensing capability information, which is used to instruct the UE to support sensing operations in a non-connected state; Send perception indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform perception operation in the non-connected state.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The perception indication information is included in the paging downlink control information (DCI) and / or paging message.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The portion of the paging DCI carrying the sensing indication information uses a dedicated Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) scrambling code, or the paging DCI uses a P-RNTI scrambling code and the sensing indication information is carried in the sensing indication information indication field of the paging DCI.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sensing indication information is carried in a non-connected sensing-dedicated resource and / or sensing-dedicated search space. The sensing-dedicated resource is independent of the paging resource, and the sensing-dedicated search space is independent of the paging search space.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, and the sensing indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging frames.

19. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The paging time-domain resources include multiple paging frames, each paging frame includes multiple paging opportunities, and the perception indication information is carried in a portion of the multiple paging opportunities.

20. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The sensing indication information includes one or more of the following: Sensing mode indication information, sensing signal indication information, and sensing information indication information; The sensing mode indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the UE performs sensing operations in the non-connected state, the sensing signal indication information is used to indicate the resources of the sensing signals transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state, and the sensing information indication information is used to indicate the sensing information transmitted by the UE in the non-connected state.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The mode indicated by the sensing mode indication information includes one or more of the following: The UE responds by receiving a sensing signal and processing the sensing signal to obtain sensing information, and then sends the sensing information. UE sends sensing signals; The UE responds by sending a sensing signal and receiving an echo signal of the sensing signal, processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, and sends the sensing information.

22. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving sensing information, wherein the sensing information is obtained by the UE processing the received sensing signal.

23. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send sensing resource indication information, which is used to indicate the resources on which the UE transmits sensing signals in the disconnected state.

24. A sensing device, characterized in that, include: The capability information reporting module is used to report perception capability information, which is used to indicate that the user equipment (UE) supports performing perception operations in a non-connected state. A perception indication information receiving module is used to receive perception indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform a perception operation in a disconnected state.

25. A sensing device, characterized in that, include: A capability information receiving module is used to receive sensing capability information, which is used to instruct the user equipment (UE) to support performing sensing operations in a non-connected state. A perception indication information sending module is used to send perception indication information, which is used to instruct the UE to perform a perception operation in a non-connected state.

26. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The computer program, when run by a processor, performs the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or performs the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 14 to 23.

27. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program / instruction implements the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or performs the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 14 to 23.

28. A sensing device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

29. A sensing device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the sensing method according to any one of claims 14 to 23.

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