Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first apparatus generating a first signal on the basis of a first sequence, wherein the first sequence is mapped to a first resource, and the first sequence consists of H elements, which first resource comprises N time units in a time domain and comprises M sub-carriers in a frequency domain, H being the product of N and M, and the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, both N and M being integers greater than 1; and sending the first signal. In the present application, a first sequence is generated using a plurality of time units as the granularity. Compared with a sequence generated by using a single time unit as the granularity, the cross-correlation between sequences generated by using a plurality of time units can be reduced. In this way, when a plurality of apparatuses simultaneously send sensing signals, the mutual interference between the plurality of sensing signals can be reduced, thereby helping to improve the sensing performance.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411866151.5, filed on December 16, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] Communication sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​communication sensing technology is to add sensing capabilities to mobile communication networks, building capabilities such as target detection, imaging, and identification, thereby integrating communication and sensing capabilities into a single system to achieve harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit. The principle of sensing technology is that the transmitting device sends a sensing signal, and the receiving device receives the echo signal formed by the reflection (or scattering, or diffraction) of this sensing signal by the target, and processes the echo signal to obtain sensing information, such as the target's position, speed, and type.

[0005] Currently, improving sensing performance is a research hotspot in communication sensing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve sensing performance. This communication method and apparatus may also be referred to as a sensing method and apparatus, or an integrated communication and sensing method and apparatus.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applicable to a first device. In one embodiment, the first device may be a first access network device, or a device within the first access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first access network device. In another embodiment, the first device may also be a first terminal device, or a device within the first terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, or an SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first terminal device.

[0008] The method may include: a first device generating a first signal based on a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, N is an integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer; and transmitting the first signal.

[0009] Alternatively, the method may include: a first device generating a first sequence consisting of H elements; generating a first signal based on the first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first resource comprises N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H being the product of N and M, the first signal being used for sensing, or the first signal being used for sensing and communication, N being an integer greater than 1 and M being a positive integer; and transmitting the first signal.

[0010] Alternatively, the method may include: a first device transmitting a first signal, the first signal being generated from a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource comprises N time units in the time domain, the first resource comprises M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H being the product of N and M, the first signal being used for sensing, or the first signal being used for sensing and communication, wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer.

[0011] In the above embodiments of this application, the first device generates a sensing signal (or a synesthetic fusion signal) based on a first sequence. The first sequence is generated at the granularity of multiple time units. Compared with a sequence generated at the granularity of a single time unit, it can reduce the cross-correlation (such as two-dimensional cross-correlation) between sequences generated at multiple time units. Thus, when multiple devices send sensing signals (or synesthetic fusion signals) at the same time, it can reduce the mutual interference between multiple sensing signals, thereby improving sensing performance.

[0012] In one possible implementation, a time unit can be a symbol. For example, a time unit can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first resource is located within a first duration in the time domain, and the first duration is used for sensing, or the first duration is used for sensing and communication. Optionally, the first duration may also be referred to as a frame, sensing frame, time window, sensing time window, sensing period, or sensing processing period, etc., and this application does not limit the naming of the first duration.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first sequence is a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence, or the first sequence can be an evolution of the ZC sequence in a future communication system.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first sequence consists of N sub-sequences, each of which consists of M elements. Mapping the first sequence to a first resource may include: in the time domain, mapping the i-th sub-sequence of the N sub-sequences to the i-th time unit of the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; and in the frequency domain, mapping the k-th element of the i-th sub-sequence to the k-th subcarrier of the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}. For example, the first device may map the i-th sub-sequence of the N sub-sequences to the i-th time unit of the N time units in the time domain, and map the k-th element of the i-th sub-sequence to the k-th subcarrier of the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit in the frequency domain.

[0016] Through the above implementation, the first device can divide the first sequence into N sub-sequences and map them onto the first resource.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence. For example, the first device can obtain N subsequences by equally dividing the first sequence.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first device may also generate a first sequence. For example, the first device may generate the first sequence based on a first resource. For example, the first device may determine the H based on the first resource; and generate the first sequence based on the H and the root value.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence can satisfy the following formula:

[0020] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, and h belongs to {1, ..., H}.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first device generating the first sequence based on H and the root value may include: the first device generating a second sequence based on the root value, the second sequence consisting of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H; and generating the first sequence based on H and the second sequence.

[0022] Through the above implementation, the first device can directly generate a first sequence of length H based on the root value, or it can generate a second sequence of length P based on the root value, and then expand or truncate the second sequence to obtain the first sequence. The implementation method is flexible and can be applied to different communication scenarios.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence can satisfy the following formula:

[0024] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, h belongs to {1, ..., H}, and P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first device may also receive first information, or the first device may also send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value. For example, the first device may receive first information from a third device, which is either the second device or a device other than the first and second devices, the second device being used to receive the first signal, or the second device being used to receive the echo signal of the first signal. For example, the first device may send first information to a second device, the second device being used to receive the first signal, or the second device being used to receive the echo signal of the first signal.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first device may further receive a second signal, which is an echo signal of the first signal; and process the second signal according to the first sequence. For example, the first device employs a single-base sensing mode, and may also receive the echo signal of the first signal.

[0027] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a second device. In one embodiment, the second device may be a second access network device, or a device within the second access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second access network device. In another embodiment, the first device may also be a second terminal device, or a device within the second terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second terminal device.

[0028] The method may include: a second device generating a first sequence, the first sequence consisting of H elements; processing a received second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being a signal corresponding to a first signal, wherein the first signal is generated by the first sequence, the first sequence is mapped onto a first resource, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, and N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0029] Alternatively, the method may include: a second device generating a first sequence, the first sequence consisting of H elements; receiving a second signal, the second signal being a signal corresponding to the first signal, wherein the first signal is generated by the first sequence, the first sequence is mapped onto a first resource, the first resource comprising N time units in the time domain, the first resource comprising M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H being the product of N and M, the first signal being used for sensing, or the first signal being used for sensing and communication, and N and M being integers greater than 1; and processing the second signal according to the first sequence.

[0030] Alternatively, the method may include: a second device receiving a second signal, the second signal being a signal corresponding to a first signal, the first signal being generated by a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource; wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, and N and M are both integers greater than 1; and processing the second signal according to the first sequence.

[0031] Optionally, the second signal is the signal corresponding to the first signal, which can be understood as: the second signal is the first signal; or it can be understood as the second signal being the echo signal of the first signal.

[0032] In one possible implementation, a time unit can be a symbol. For example, a time unit can be an OFDM symbol.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first resource is located in the time domain within a first duration, the first duration being used for sensing, or the first duration being used for both sensing and communication.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first sequence may be a ZC sequence, or the first sequence may be an evolution of the ZC sequence in a future communication system.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first sequence consists of N subsequences, each of the N subsequences consisting of M elements; the mapping of the first sequence to the first resource may include: in the time domain, the i-th subsequence of the N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit of the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; in the frequency domain, the k-th element of the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier of the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the second device generating the first sequence may include: the second device determining the H based on the first resource; and generating the first sequence based on the H and the root value.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence can satisfy the following formula:

[0039] Wherein, the x q(h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, and h belongs to {1, ..., H}.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the second device generating the first sequence based on H and the root value may include: the second device generating a second sequence based on the root value, the second sequence consisting of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H; and generating the first sequence based on H and the second sequence.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula:

[0042] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, h belongs to {1, ..., H}, and P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the second device may also receive first information, or the second device may also send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value.

[0044] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to execute the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device can be a first device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0046] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0047] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to execute the methods described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device can be a second device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0049] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0050] Fifthly, this application provides a communication system that may include at least one of the following: a first device or a second device. The first device is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second device is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0051] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the first or second aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods described in any of the first or second aspects and any possible implementations thereof through logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions.

[0053] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0054] Eighthly, this application also provides a chip system comprising at least one chip and a memory, wherein the at least one chip is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory to implement the method described in any of the first or second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0055] Ninthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method described in any of the first or second aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0056] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in any of the first or second aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0057] The technical effects achievable by the second to tenth aspects and any of their possible implementations are described in the same manner as the technical effects achievable by the first aspect and any of its possible implementations, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a single-base sensing mode;

[0059] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the dual-base sensing mode;

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the first communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a resource mapping provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the second communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the third communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figures 7 to 9 are schematic diagrams of the structures of several communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0066] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0067] I. Sensing, sensing signals, communication signals, echo signals, communication-sensing fusion signals, and targets:

[0068] 1) Sensing: Sensing allows us to detect parameters of targets in the physical environment, such as their location, speed, and type. It can be understood that sensing devices detect targets by emitting electromagnetic waves and analyzing the echo signals reflected (or scattered, diffracted, or diffused) from objects. Optionally, sensing can also be called detection.

[0069] 2) Sensing signal: A signal used to sense (or detect) a target (or target object). Optionally, the sensing signal may also be called a detection signal, linear frequency modulated signal, radar signal, radar sensing signal, radar detection signal, or environmental sensing signal, etc. Optionally, the sensing signal can be a pulse signal or a signal in a wireless communication system.

[0070] For example, the sensing signal can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal obtained by modulating a specific sequence on a subcarrier. This specific sequence can be any of the following sequences: a Zadoff-Chu (ZC) sequence, a pseudo-random sequence, or a predefined sequence. The pseudo-random sequence includes any of the following sequences: the longest linear feedback shift register sequence (m-sequence), or a Gold sequence. The predefined sequence is, for example, random data symbols, such as random data symbols modulated by quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). In this application, the specific sequence is described as a ZC sequence.

[0071] 3) Communication signals can be signals transmitted between communication devices for communication purposes. For example, communication signals may include signals transmitted between network devices and terminal devices. Communication signals are carried, for example, on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), without limitation.

[0072] 4) Echo signal, which can be understood as the signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by the target. The echo signal, or the echo signal and the sensing signal together, can reflect the parameters of the target. For example, the time delay of the echo signal relative to the transmitted sensing signal can reflect the distance of the target relative to the transmitter, and the Doppler shift of the echo signal relative to the sensing signal can reflect the velocity of the target. For example, the time-domain sampling data of the echo signal carries information such as the target's time delay, reflection intensity, and reflection probability in the environment. For example, the range spectrum corresponding to the echo signal can reflect the reflection intensity and / or reflection probability of the scatterer (or target) reflecting the echo signal within each range cell.

[0073] 5) Communication-sensing fusion signals are signals used for both communication and sensing. Optionally, communication-sensing fusion signals can also be called synthetic-sensing fusion signals, synthetic signals, or integrated synthetic-sensing signals, etc. When used for communication, the synthetic-sensing fusion signal can be understood as carrying the communication data or communication reference signal sequence that needs to be transmitted between communication devices. When used for sensing, the synthetic-sensing fusion signal can be understood as being used to sense (or detect) targets.

[0074] 6) The target can be any tangible object in the environment that can reflect electromagnetic waves, such as mountains, forests, or buildings, and can also include mobile objects such as vehicles, drones, pedestrians, and terminal devices. Optionally, the target can also be referred to as a sensed target, a detected target, a sensed object, a sensed device, a sensing target, a detection target, a sensed object, or a detection object, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0075] For electromagnetic sensing, a target can generally be modeled as at least one scattering point (or scattering center, scatterer, etc.). The process of a target reflecting (or scattering, or diffracting, or scattering, etc.) electromagnetic waves can be equivalent to the process of at least one scattering point reflecting (or scattering, or diffracting, or scattering, etc.). For example, for a point-shaped target, the target can be modeled as a single scattering point. For an extended target, the target can be modeled as multiple scattering points. Accordingly, a target can be understood as a single scattering point, or it can be understood as multiple scattering points.

[0076] II. Perception Mode:

[0077] In terms of perception, depending on the sender and receiver of the sensing signal, the sensing mode can be divided into two modes: single-base sensing and dual-base sensing.

[0078] Single-base sensing mode refers to a mode where the device transmitting the sensing signal and the device receiving the echo signal reflected from the target are the same device, as shown in Figure 1A. Both the device transmitting the sensing signal and the device receiving the echo signal are device 1. Optionally, single-base sensing mode can also be called self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, or single-station sensing mode, etc. Figure 1A uses a vehicle as an example, where the target (or scatterer) is the vehicle.

[0079] In Figure 1A, device 1 can be a base station or a terminal device. For example, in Figure 1A, device 1 is a base station. In single-base sensing mode, the base station transmits a sensing signal and receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal from a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 1A) to perform environmental sensing. As another example, in Figure 1A, device 1 is a terminal device. In single-base sensing mode, the terminal device transmits a sensing signal and receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal from a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 1A) to perform environmental sensing.

[0080] Dual-base sensing mode refers to a mode where the device transmitting the sensing signal and the device receiving the echo signal reflected from the target are different devices, as shown in Figure 1B. The device transmitting the sensing signal is device 2, and the device receiving the echo signal is device 3. Optionally, dual-base sensing mode can also be called A-transmit / B-receive mode, self-transmit / other-receive mode, or bi-station sensing mode, etc. Figure 1B uses a vehicle as an example, where the target (or scatterer) is the vehicle.

[0081] In Figure 1B, device 2 can be a base station and device 3 can be a terminal device; or device 2 can be a terminal device and device 3 can be a base station; or both device 2 and device 3 can be base stations; or both device 2 and device 3 can be terminal devices. For example, in Figure 1B, device 2 is a base station and device 3 is a terminal device. In the dual-base sensing mode, the base station sends a sensing signal, and the terminal device receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 1B) to perform environmental sensing. As another example, in Figure 1B, device 2 is a terminal device and device 3 is a base station. In the dual-base sensing mode, the terminal device sends a sensing signal, and the base station receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 1B) to perform environmental sensing. As yet another example, in Figure 1B, device 2 is base station 1 and device 3 is base station 2. In the dual-base sensing mode, base station 1 sends a sensing signal, and base station 2 receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by a scattering object in the environment (such as a vehicle in Figure 1B) to perform environmental sensing. For example, in Figure 1B, device 2 is terminal device 1 and device 3 is terminal device 2. In the dual-base sensing mode, terminal device 1 sends a sensing signal and terminal device 2 receives the echo signal generated by the reflection of the sensing signal by a scatterer in the environment (such as the vehicle in Figure 1B) to perform environmental sensing.

[0082] III. Resources:

[0083] Resources may include at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code-domain resources, or sequence resources. In this application, the description uses time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources as examples. Time-domain resources may include symbols, slots, mini-slots, partial slots, sub-frames, frames, or sensing slots, without limitation. Frequency-domain resources may include resource elements (REs), resource blocks (RBs), RB sets, subchannels, resource pools, bandwidth parts (BWPs), carriers, subcarriers, channels, or interlacing, without limitation.

[0084] IV. Symbols:

[0085] Symbols, also known as OFDM symbols, modulation symbols, symbol groups, modulation symbol sequences, modulation symbol streams, modulation symbol strings, modulation symbol sets, or sequences, are not limited to any particular term. The symbols involved in the embodiments of this application can be represented as complex numbers, including real and imaginary parts, without limitation. In the embodiments of this application, the modulation method of the symbols can be quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), offset quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK), etc.

[0086] V. Terminal Equipment:

[0087] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, as a mobile device, handheld device (such as a mobile phone), wearable device, or vehicle-mounted device; or it can be deployed on water (such as a ship); or it can be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, balloon, or satellite); or it can be a wireless device (such as a communication module, modem, or chip system) built into the above devices.

[0088] The terminal devices are used to connect people, objects, and machines, and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following: sensing scenarios, cellular communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine / machine-type (M2M / MTC) communication, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, drones, robots, indoor commercial scenarios (such as mobile phone screen mirroring, file sharing, and mobile phone to VR glasses video transmission), satellite communication, and other scenarios. When the terminal equipment is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, or automobile, self-driving car, or autonomous car, pure electric vehicle (EV), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, or roadside unit (RSU). The terminal equipment can also be a device used in D2D communication, such as an electricity meter or water meter.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important component of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0090] The various terminal devices described above, if located in a vehicle (e.g., placed inside or installed inside a vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices, also known as on-board units (OBUs). The terminal device of this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit.

[0091] The terminal equipment may sometimes be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.

[0092] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the terminal device function can be the terminal device itself, or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the terminal device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment. Furthermore, for ease of description, the terminal device in this application embodiment is described using a UE as an example.

[0093] VI. Network Equipment:

[0094] Network equipment, including access network equipment and / or core network equipment.

[0095] 1) Core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the context of the 5th generation (5G) core network, the evolved 5G core network, or the core network in future communication systems, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, location management function (LMF) entities, etc., which will not be listed here. These core network devices can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions; for example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0096] Optionally, the core network equipment may further include sensing entities (or sensing functional entities). Sensing entities can be used to sense targets, such as determining the target's location or reconstructing the target's environment, and are not limited in this regard. This application does not limit the deployment of sensing entities. For example, sensing entities can be deployed in the core network or in the access network, and are not limited in this respect. For example, sensing entities can also be network management platforms or network management devices, etc. It should be understood that in future communication systems, functional entities used for sensing targets may still be called sensing entities, or may have other names; this application does not limit this.

[0097] It should be noted that an entity can also be called a network element or a functional entity. For example, a sensing entity can also be called a sensing network element, a sensing functional entity, or a sensing functional network element.

[0098] 2) Access network equipment is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, a device that provides wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices in a radio access network (RAN) is called an RAN device or RAN node.

[0099] As an example, the access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, base stations (base transceiver stations, BTS, Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB) / eNB, or next-generation Node B (gNodeB) / gNB), transmission reception points (TRPs), base stations evolved under the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), access nodes in Wi-Fi systems, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. The base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small cell, relay station, etc. Multiple base stations can support networks using the same access technology or networks using different access technologies. A base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission and reception points. Optionally, the base station can be a terrestrial base station or a non-terrestrial base station, such as a satellite or a temporarily deployed drone base station. As another example, the access network device can also be a radio controller, a central unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the central unit can also be called a control unit. As yet another example, the access network device can also be a server, etc. For example, the access network device in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The following description uses a base station as an example to illustrate the access network device. A base station can communicate with a terminal device, or it can communicate with a terminal device through a relay station. A terminal device can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies.

[0100] Optionally, in the CU-DU architecture, the access network equipment may include one or more logical units (or logical network elements) such as CU, DU, or radio unit (RU). This application does not limit the number of CU, DU, and RU. CU and DU may be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). RU may be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH). For example, the CU may perform the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and may also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). For example, the DU may perform the functions of the radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and may also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For a detailed description of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

[0101] Optionally, the CU may include a CU-control plane (CP) and / or a CU-user plane (UP). For example, the CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and the PDCP-control plane (PDCP-C) layer, and can be used to implement the control plane functions of the CU. For instance, the CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be, for example, sensing network elements, AMFs, etc., and are not limited. For example, the CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and the PDCP-user plane (PDCP-U) layer, and can be used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, the CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be, for example, UPFs, etc., and are not limited.

[0102] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and / or CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open-CU (open-CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open-DU (open-DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-CU-CP (open-CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-CU-UP (open-CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open-RU (open-RU, O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0103] Optionally, in various embodiments of this application, if the access network device is a distributed architecture, for example, the access network device includes CU and DU, or includes CU-CP, CU-UP and DU, then the access network device sends information to the UE, specifically the DU included in the access network device sends information to the UE; the access network device receives information from the UE, specifically the DU included in the access network device receives information from the UE; the access network device sends information to the core network device, specifically the CU (or CU-CP, or CU-UP included in the access network device) sends information to the core network device; the access network device receives information from the core network device, which may include the CU (or CU-CP, or CU-UP included in the access network device receiving information from the core network device.

[0104] In this application embodiment, the communication device used to implement the network device function can be a network device or a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system, which can be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment, the network device is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the network device in this application can be understood as an access network device.

[0105] VII. In the embodiments of this application, "multiple" can refer to two or more. Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two, or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two, or more. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then it could include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects. Specifically, there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0106] 8. In the embodiments of this application, the terms "system" and "network" can be used interchangeably, and "according to" and "based on" can be used interchangeably. "[·]" and "{·}" can be used interchangeably to represent multiple elements, which can be understood as a set, group, or sequence, etc., without limitation.

[0107] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are generally used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first device and the second device involved in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different devices, and do not limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of these two devices.

[0108] 9. The terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are expressly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not expressly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product or device.

[0109] 10. In this application, "predefined" may include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Predefined" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including various network elements), and this application does not limit the specific implementation method.

[0110] XI. The arrows or boxes indicated by dashed lines in the schematic diagrams in the accompanying drawings of this application represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0111] 12. In this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0112] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0113] Thirteen, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0114] XIV. In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily," "for example," "for instance," etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a specific manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0115] 15. The embodiments of this application will be presented in the context of a system including multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood that the system may include other unmentioned devices, components, modules, etc., or may only include some of the devices, components, or modules mentioned in the embodiments. Optionally, the terms "component" and "part" in this application can be used interchangeably.

[0116] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to fourth-generation (4G) communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and also to fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, such as 5G New Radio (NR) systems, or to future communication systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to Bluetooth systems, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, Long Range Radio (LoRa) systems, or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems. The method provided in this application can also be applied to satellite communication systems. Optionally, the satellite communication system can be integrated with the above-mentioned communication systems.

[0117] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of integrated communication and sensing. Figure 2 may include at least one access network device, and one access network device is shown as an example in Figure 2. For example, the access network device adopts a single-base sensing mode, wherein the sensing of scatterer 3 and scatterer 5 by the access network device is a single-base sensing mode.

[0118] Optionally, Figure 2 may also include at least one UE, with multiple UEs illustrated in Figure 2. For example, UE1 and the access network device adopt a dual-base sensing mode, where UE1 is the transmitter of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal) and the access network device is the receiver of the echo signal of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal); UE3 and the access network device may also adopt a dual-base sensing mode, where the access network device is the transmitter of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal) and UE3 is the receiver of the echo signal of the sensing signal (or, fusion sensing signal). As another example, the UE may also sample a single-base sensing mode, which is not shown in Figure 2.

[0119] In Figure 2, the access network device and UE2 are communicating and can transmit communication signals. Additionally, the access network device can send communication signals to UE4, and can also send sensing signals or fusion sensing signals. UE4 can receive these communication signals. If the access network device sends a fusion sensing signal, UE4 can also receive that fusion sensing signal. The access network device uses a single-base sensing mode, and can also receive the echo signal reflected by the scatterer 4 from the sensing signal or fusion sensing signal.

[0120] Optionally, Figure 2 may also include core network equipment, which is not shown in Figure 2. For example, access network equipment can send sensing data to core network equipment (e.g., sensing network elements) to achieve functions such as positioning; or, for example, the UE sends sensing data to core network equipment (e.g., sensing network elements) through access network equipment to achieve functions such as positioning.

[0121] Figure 2 uses UE3 as an example, where UE3 is a vehicle and scatterer 3 is a human body. There are no restrictions on the type of other UEs and scatterers.

[0122] For access network equipment, core network equipment, and UE, please refer to the terminology explanation; further details will not be provided here.

[0123] The network architecture and application scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] Communication sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. Currently, improving sensing performance is a research hotspot in communication sensing technology. To this end, embodiments of this application provide various communication methods and apparatuses to improve sensing performance. These various communication methods and apparatuses can also be referred to as various sensing methods and apparatuses, or integrated methods and apparatuses for various communication sensing technologies. The methods and apparatuses described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the methods and apparatuses solve problems are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and methods can be referred to interchangeably, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0125] The following describes various communication methods provided by embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of this application can be applied to the communication scenario shown in Figure 2, and are not limited thereto. Furthermore, embodiments of this application relate to a first device. Optionally, embodiments of this application may also relate to a second device.

[0126] The first and second devices will be introduced below.

[0127] 1) The first device can be a signal transmitting end. For example, the first device can be a transmitting end of a first signal, that is, the first device can be used to transmit a first signal. In one embodiment, the first device can be a first access network device, or a device in the first access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first access network device. In another embodiment, the first device can also be a first terminal device, or a device in the first terminal device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first terminal device.

[0128] In this application, the first signal can be used for sensing, such as a sensing signal. Alternatively, the first signal can be used for both sensing and communication, such as a synesthetic fusion signal.

[0129] In one embodiment, the first device may also be a signal receiver. For example, the first device may be a receiver of the echo signal of the first signal, that is, the first device may also be used to receive the echo signal of the first signal. For example, if the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode, the first device may also be used to receive the echo signal of the first signal.

[0130] In one example, the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode. The first device is a first access network device. The first access network device sends a first signal. The first signal is reflected (or scattered, or diffracted, or diffused, etc.) by a target in the environment to generate an echo signal, which is then transmitted to the first access network device.

[0131] In another example, the first device employs a single-base sensing mode. The first device is a first terminal device. The first terminal device sends a first signal, which is reflected (or scattered, diffracted, or diffused, etc.) by a target in the environment to generate an echo signal, which is then transmitted to the first terminal device.

[0132] 2) The second device can be a signal receiving end. For example, the second device can be a receiver of a second signal, that is, the second device can be used to receive a second signal. In one embodiment, the second device can be a second access network device, or a device within the second access network device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second access network device. In another embodiment, the first device can also be a second terminal device, or a device within the second terminal device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second terminal device.

[0133] In this application, the second signal corresponds to the first signal. Optionally, the second signal can be understood as: the signal that the first signal has been transmitted to the second device; or it can be understood as: the signal that the first signal has been transmitted to the second device via an air interface. For example, the first device sends the first signal; correspondingly, the second device receives the second signal.

[0134] In one example, the second signal can be an echo signal of the first signal. For example, the first device uses a bimodal sensing mode, the first device sends a first signal, the first signal is reflected (or scattered, or diffracted, or diffused, etc.) by a target in the environment to generate an echo signal, and then transmitted to the second device.

[0135] In another example, the second signal can be the first signal. For instance, the first signal is a synergistic signal, and the first device can send the first signal to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the first signal from the first device. As another example, the first signal is a synergistic signal, in which the first device sends the first signal; the second device receives the first signal; and the first device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0136] For example, both the first device and the second device may be access network devices; or both the first device and the second device may be terminal devices; or the first device may be an access network device and the second device may be a terminal device; or the first device may be a terminal device and the second device may be an access network device.

[0137] Optionally, the second device may also be a signal transmitter, which is not limited in this application.

[0138] The terms such as sensing signal, fusion sensing signal, echo signal, single-base sensing mode, dual-base sensing mode, access network equipment, and terminal equipment can all refer to the terms described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the first communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following:

[0140] S301: The first device generates a first signal according to the first sequence.

[0141] The first signal can be used for sensing, such as a sensing signal; or, the first signal can be used for both sensing and communication, such as a fusion signal. In other words, the method provided in this application can be applied to sensing scenarios or scenarios integrating communication and sensing, and this application is not limited thereto. Please refer to the foregoing terminology descriptions for sensing signals and fusion signals; further elaboration is unnecessary.

[0142] The first sequence may include H elements; or, the first sequence may consist of H elements; or, the length of the first sequence is H; or, the sequence length of the first sequence is H. H is a positive integer. Please refer to the aforementioned terminology description for the sequence; it will not be repeated here.

[0143] Optionally, the first sequence can be a ZC sequence, or an evolution sequence of a ZC sequence in a future communication system, etc., without restriction.

[0144] In this application, the first sequence can be mapped to the first resource; or, in other words, the first signal is carried by the first resource. The first resource may include N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain. Both N and M are positive integers. For ease of understanding, unless otherwise specified, the following description will use examples where N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0145] In this context, a time unit can be understood as the minimum length of resource mapping. For example, a time unit can be one or more symbols, one or more slots, one or more mini-slots, one or more sub-frames, one or more frames, or one or more sensing slots, etc., without restriction. Multiple time units can be continuous or discrete in time, without restriction.

[0146] This application describes the scenario where one time unit can be one symbol. For example, one time unit can be one OFDM symbol. Accordingly, the first resource comprising N time units in the time domain can also be expressed as: the first resource comprising N symbols in the time domain; or as: the first resource comprising N OFDM symbols in the time domain. Optionally, the first resource comprising N OFDM symbols in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain can also be expressed as: the first resource comprising N*M resource elements (REs).

[0147] Optionally, the first resource may be predefined, pre-configured, or configured by the access network device (for example, if the first device is a terminal device, the first resource may be configured by the access network device corresponding to the first device), without limitation.

[0148] In one implementation, the first resource may be located within a first duration in the time domain; or, N time units may be located within the first duration. The first duration can be used for sensing, or it can be used for both sensing and communication. Optionally, using the first duration for sensing can be understood as: the first duration being a time-domain resource used for sensing; or it can be understood as: the first duration being a minimum processing duration for sensing; or it can be understood as: the first duration being a processing cycle related to sensing. Optionally, using the first duration for both sensing and communication can be understood as: the first duration being a time-domain resource used for sensing and communication; or it can be understood as: the first duration being a minimum processing duration for sensing and communication; or it can be understood as: the first duration being a processing cycle related to sensing and communication. For example, the first device can perform fusion processing on the echo signals of multiple sensing signals within the first duration to obtain sensing data.

[0149] Optionally, the first duration can be predefined, pre-configured, or configured by the access network device (for example, if the first device is a terminal device, the first duration can be configured by the access network device corresponding to the first device), without limitation.

[0150] Alternatively, the first duration may also be referred to as a frame, a sensing frame, a time window, a sensing time window, a sensing period, or a sensing processing period, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the first duration.

[0151] In this application, the length (i.e., H) of the first sequence can be determined by the first resource; or, the number of elements (i.e., H) contained in the first sequence can be determined by the first resource. For example, H can be the product of N and M, i.e., H = N * M. In other words, the number of elements contained in the first sequence is equal to the number of REs contained in the first resource.

[0152] In one embodiment, the first device can generate (or determine, or acquire, or obtain) a first sequence (not shown in FIG3) and generate a first signal based on the first sequence. Exemplarily, the first device can generate the first sequence based on a first resource. For example, the first device can determine the length of the first sequence based on the first resource and generate the first sequence based on the length of the first sequence; or, the first device can determine the number of elements contained in the first sequence based on the first resource and generate the first sequence based on the number of elements contained in the first sequence. That is, the first device can determine H based on the first resource and generate the first sequence based on H. Here, H is the product of N and M.

[0153] In one example, the first device may determine H based on a first resource and generate a first sequence based on H and a root value. For example, the first device may determine H based on the first resource and generate a first sequence of length H based on the root value; or, the first device may determine H based on the first resource and generate a first sequence containing H elements based on the root value.

[0154] For example, suppose the first sequence is denoted as [x q (h)], the [x] q element x in (h)] q (h) can satisfy the following formula (1).

[0155] Where q is the root value. e is the natural constant. π is pi. j is the imaginary unit. h belongs to {1, ..., H}, that is, h∈{1, ..., H}. The “…” in {1, ..., H} represents a positive integer between 1 and H. For example, when H equals 5, h∈{1, 2, 3, 4, 5}. The [x] q The H elements of (h) can be: x q (1) x q (2) x q (3) x q (4) and x q (5). In other words, the [x] q The h-th element in [(h)] can be x q (h). Where “…” can be replaced with “…”.

[0156] It is understood that this application uses a numbering method with a starting number (or starting index) of 1 and incrementing by a step size of 1 as an example, but this application is not limited to this. For example, the numbering method can also be: a starting number of 0 and incrementing by a step size of 1, such that h can belong to {0, ..., H-1}. As another example, the numbering method can also be: a starting number of X and decrementing by a step size of 1, where X is an integer greater than 1, such that h can belong to {H, ..., 1} or h can belong to {H-1, ..., 0}.

[0157] In the above example, the first device can directly generate a first sequence of length H based on the root value. In another example, the first device can also generate a second sequence of length P based on the root value, and then generate the first sequence based on the second sequence. Exemplarily, the first device can determine H based on the first resource, generate the second sequence based on the root value, and generate the first sequence based on H and the second sequence. The second sequence includes P elements; or, the second sequence consists of P elements; or, the length of the second sequence is P; or, the sequence length of the second sequence is P. P is a positive integer not equal to H. Optionally, P can be the largest prime number less than H; or, P can also be the smallest prime number greater than H; or, P can also be other positive integers not equal to H, which is not limited in this application. It should be understood that this application does not limit the execution order of determining H based on the first resource and generating the second sequence based on the root value.

[0158] The first sequence can be a sequence obtained by expanding (or extending, or amplifying) the second sequence. For example, the first sequence can be a sequence obtained by cyclically expanding the second sequence. For example, the first device can cyclically expand the second sequence according to H to obtain the first sequence. For example, if P is less than H, the first device can cyclically expand the second sequence according to H to obtain the first sequence. As an example, if H is 1000 and P is 997, the first device can cyclically expand the second sequence of length 997 to obtain the first sequence of length 1000. As another example, if H is 5, P is 3, and the second sequence is denoted as x(1), x(2), x(3), the first device can cyclically expand the second sequence to obtain the first sequence, which is x(1), x(2), x(3), x(1), x(2). It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of cyclic expansion.

[0159] Alternatively, the first sequence can also be a sequence obtained by truncating the second sequence. For example, the first device truncates the second sequence according to H to obtain the first sequence. For example, if P is greater than H, the first device can truncate the second sequence according to H to obtain the first sequence. As an example, if H is 1000 and P is 1009, the first device can truncate the second sequence of length 1009 to obtain the first sequence of length 1000. As another example, if H is 5 and P is 7, and the second sequence is denoted as x(1), x(2), x(3), x(4), x(5), x(6), x(7), the first device truncates the second sequence to obtain the first sequence, which is x(1), x(2), x(3), x(4), x(5). It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of truncating.

[0160] For example, suppose the first sequence is denoted as [x q (h)], the [x] q element x in (h)] q (h) can satisfy the following formula (2).

[0161] Where q is the root value, e is the natural constant, π is pi, j is the imaginary unit, and h belongs to {1, ..., H}. Please refer to the description of formula (2) above for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0162] The root value can also be called the sequence root value. Optionally, the root value can be predefined, pre-configured, or determined by a third device, without limitation. For example, the third device can determine the root value. For instance, the third device can determine the root value based on cell parameters (such as cell identifiers). It should be understood that this application does not limit the method of determining the root value. The third device can be the first device, the second device, or other devices besides the first and second devices, without limitation.

[0163] In one example, the third device is the first device, which can also send first information that can be used to indicate a root value. For example, the first device can send the first information to a second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the first information from the first device. For example, the first device employs a bipolar sensing mode, and the first device can send the first information to the second device, which is used to receive the echo signal of the first signal. For example, the first device is an access network device, and the second device is a terminal device; or, both the first device and the second device are terminal devices; or, both the first device and the second device are access network devices, without limitation.

[0164] In another example, the third device is the second device, and the first device can also receive first information from the second device, which can be used to indicate the root value. For example, the second device sends the root value to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the second device. As another example, the first device employs a bi-base sensing mode, and the second device can send the first information to the first device, which is used to receive the echo signal of the first signal. For example, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is an access network device; or, both the first device and the second device are terminal devices; or, both the first device and the second device are access network devices, without limitation.

[0165] In another example, the third device is a device other than the first and second devices. The first device can also receive first information from the third device, which can be used for root values. For example, the third device can send the first information to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the first information from the third device. For example, the first device is a terminal device, and the third device can be an access network device corresponding to the first terminal device, which can send the first information to the first device. Optionally, the third device can also send the first information to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the first information from the third device. For example, both the first and second devices are terminal devices, and the third device can be a master terminal device or an access network device.

[0166] As mentioned above, the first device generates a first signal based on a first sequence, which can be mapped onto a first resource. In one embodiment, the first device can generate the first signal by mapping the first sequence onto the first resource. Exemplarily, the first device can map the first sequence onto the first resource and obtain the first signal through at least one of the following processes: inverse fast Fourier transform, adding a cyclic prefix, precoding, or layer mapping. The first device can perform resource mapping on multiple time units or N time units together, or it can perform resource mapping one by one at the time unit granularity; this application does not limit this. For example, the first device can map the first sequence onto the first resource, and after the resource mapping is completed, obtain the first signal through at least one of the following processes: inverse fast Fourier transform, adding a cyclic prefix, precoding, or layer mapping. For example, the first device performs resource mapping at the time unit level. After completing the resource mapping of one time unit, it performs at least one of the following processes: inverse fast Fourier transform, adding a cyclic prefix, precoding, or layer mapping. This process is repeated until the resource mapping of the Nth time unit is completed, at least one of the following processes is performed: inverse fast Fourier transform, adding a cyclic prefix, precoding, or layer mapping, in order to obtain the first signal.

[0167] In this application, the length of the first sequence is H, where H is the product of N and M. In one embodiment, the first sequence may consist of N sub-sequences, which can be mapped onto a first resource. For example, a first device may generate a first signal based on the N sub-sequences. For example, the first device may generate the first signal by mapping the Nth sub-sequence onto the first resource. Each of the N sub-sequences includes M elements; or, each of the N sub-sequences may consist of M elements; or, the length of each of the N sub-sequences is M; or, the sequence length of each of the N sub-sequences is M.

[0168] For example, the first device can divide the first sequence to obtain N subsequences. Optionally, the N subsequences can be sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence, or sequences obtained by equally spaced division of the first sequence. For example, the first device divides the first sequence of length H equally to obtain N subsequences. For example, the first device divides the first sequence of length H equally according to N to obtain N subsequences. For example, H is 300, and the first sequence can be denoted as {x(1), x(2), ..., x(299), x(300)}. Assuming N is 3, the first device can divide the first sequence equally to obtain three subsequences, which can be {x(1), x(2), ..., x(100)}, {x(101), x(102), ..., x(200)}, and {x(201), x(202), ..., x(300)}, respectively.

[0169] In this system, there is a one-to-one correspondence between N subsequences and N time units. That is, one subsequence among the N sequences corresponds to one time unit among the N time units, and one time unit among the N time units corresponds to one subsequence among the N sequences. For example, the N subsequences can be mapped to the N time units respectively. That is, one subsequence among the N subsequences can be mapped to one time unit among the N time units, and one time unit among the N time units is mapped by one subsequence among the N subsequences. Each subsequence contains M elements that correspond one-to-one with M subcarriers. For example, the first device can map the M elements of a subsequence to the M subcarriers corresponding to the time unit mapped by that subsequence.

[0170] For example, in the time domain, the i-th subsequence among N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit among N time units, and in the frequency domain, the k-th element of the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier among the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit. For instance, the first device can map the i-th subsequence among N subsequences to the i-th time unit among N time units in the time domain, and map the k-th element of the i-th subsequence to the k-th subcarrier among the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit in the frequency domain. In other words, the first device sequentially maps N subsequences to N time units in the time domain, and for any given time unit, sequentially maps the M elements contained in the subsequence corresponding to that time unit to the M subcarriers corresponding to that time unit in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the first sequence is denoted as {x(1), x(2), ..., x(MN)}, the first subsequence of the N subsequences is denoted as {x(1), x(2), ..., x(M)}, the second subsequence is denoted as {x(M+1), x(M+2), ..., x(2M)}, and so on, with the Nth subsequence denoted as {x(M(N-1)+1), x(M(N-1)+2), ..., x(MN)}. Figure 4 uses a subcarrier spacing of 2 as an example. It should be understood that the subcarrier spacing can also be 1, 4, or other values, and this application does not limit this.

[0171] Where i belongs to {1, ..., N}, that is, i∈{1, ..., N}, the implementation of which can be referred to the description of h, and will not be repeated here. k belongs to {1, ..., M}, that is, k∈{1, ..., M}, the implementation of which can be referred to the description of h, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] S302: The first device sends a first signal.

[0173] For example, the first device may transmit the first signal via the air interface, without limitation.

[0174] As mentioned above, the first signal is used for sensing, or for both sensing and communication. Accordingly, the first device may employ a single-base sensing mode or a dual-base sensing mode. For details on single-base and dual-base sensing modes, please refer to the terminology introduction; further explanation is omitted here.

[0175] Optionally, if the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode and the first signal is used for sensing, then the first communication method described above may further include: the first device receiving the echo signal of the first signal, and processing the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence, that is, executing the contents of S303 and S304.

[0176] S303: The first device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0177] Alternatively, S303 can also be described as: the first device receives a second signal, which is the echo signal of the first signal.

[0178] S303 is an optional step, indicated by a dashed line in Figure 3. For example, the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode, where the first signal sent by the first device is reflected by the target to form an echo signal, which is then transmitted to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0179] S304: The first device processes the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence.

[0180] Alternatively, S304 can also be described as: The first device processes the second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being the echo signal of the first signal.

[0181] Step S304 is optional and is represented by a dashed line in Figure 3. For example, the first device may perform desequencing, sensing spectrum generation, and other processing on the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the first device processing the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence.

[0182] Optionally, the first device may adopt a single-base sensing mode, and the first signal is used for sensing and communication. Then the first communication method described above may further include: the second device generating a first sequence, receiving the first signal from the first device, and processing the first signal according to the first sequence, as shown in Figure 5.

[0183] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the second communication method provided in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first device adopts a bipolar sensing mode, and the first signal is used for sensing and communication. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include the following:

[0184] S501: The first device generates a first signal according to the first sequence.

[0185] In this example, the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode, and the first signal is used for sensing and communication, such as a synergistic sensing fusion signal.

[0186] For example, the first device may generate a first sequence and generate a first signal based on the first sequence. This first sequence is mapped to a first resource. For instance, the first device may generate the first sequence based on the first resource and generate the first signal based on the first sequence. The first sequence consists of H elements. The first resource may include N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain. H is the product of N and M.

[0187] The implementation process of S501 can be referred to the description of S301, and will not be repeated here.

[0188] S502: The second device generates the first sequence.

[0189] Step S502 is optional and is represented by a dashed line in Figure 5. For example, the first device may also instruct the second device to generate the first sequence, without limitation. In addition, the implementation process of the second device generating the first sequence can be referred to the description of the first device generating the first sequence, which will not be repeated here.

[0190] It should be understood that the execution order of S501 and S502 is as an example and this application is not limited thereto.

[0191] S503: The first device sends a first signal.

[0192] For example, the first device can send a first signal to the second device. In this embodiment, the first device adopts a single-base sensing mode, and the first signal is used for sensing and communication. On the one hand, the first signal is transmitted to the second device, and the second device receives the first signal, as shown in S503b. On the other hand, the first signal can be transmitted to a target and reflected by the target to form an echo signal, which is received by the first device, as shown in S503a and S504. Accordingly, the first device sending the first signal may include S503a and S503b. S503a and S503b are shown as examples in Figure 5. It should be understood that this application does not limit the time order in which the first signal arrives at the second device and the echo signal of the first signal arrives at the first device.

[0193] S504: The first device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0194] S505: The second device processes the first signal according to the first sequence.

[0195] Alternatively, S505 can also be described as: the second device processes the second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being the first signal.

[0196] For example, the second device can perform desequencing, sensing spectrum generation, and other processing on the first signal according to the first sequence, without limitation.

[0197] S506: The first device processes the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence.

[0198] For example, the first device can perform desequencing, sensing spectrum generation, and other processing on the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence, without limitation.

[0199] It should be understood that the execution order of S505 and S506 is as an example and this application is not limited thereto.

[0200] Optionally, the first device may adopt a bi-base sensing mode, then the first communication method described above may further include: the second device generating a first sequence, receiving the echo signal of the first signal, and processing the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence, as shown in Figure 6.

[0201] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the third communication method provided in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first device adopts a bi-base sensing mode. As shown in Figure 6, the method may include the following:

[0202] S601: The first device generates a first signal according to the first sequence.

[0203] In this example, the first device employs a bimodal sensing mode. The first signal can be used for sensing, such as a sensing signal; or, the first signal can be used for both sensing and communication, such as a synesthetic fusion signal.

[0204] For example, the first device may generate a first sequence and generate a first signal based on the first sequence. This first sequence is mapped to a first resource. For instance, the first device may generate the first sequence based on the first resource and generate the first signal based on the first sequence. The first sequence consists of H elements. The first resource may include N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain. H is the product of N and M.

[0205] The implementation process of S601 can be referred to the description of S301, and will not be repeated here.

[0206] S602: The second device generates the first sequence.

[0207] Step S602 is optional and is shown as a dashed line in Figure 6. For example, the first device may also instruct the second device to generate the first sequence, without limitation. In addition, the implementation process of the second device generating the first sequence can be referred to the description of the first device generating the first sequence, which will not be repeated here.

[0208] It should be understood that the execution order of S601 and S602 is as an example and this application is not limited thereto.

[0209] S603: The first device sends a first signal.

[0210] In this embodiment, the first device adopts a bi-base sensing mode. The first signal sent by the first device can be transmitted to the target and reflected by the target to form an echo signal, which is received by the second device, as shown in S604.

[0211] S604: The second device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0212] Alternatively, S604 can also be expressed as: the second device receives a second signal, which is the echo signal of the first signal.

[0213] S605: The second device processes the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence.

[0214] Alternatively, S605 can also be described as: the second device processes the second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being the echo signal of the first signal.

[0215] For example, the second device can perform desequencing, sensing spectrum generation, and other processing on the echo signal of the first signal according to the first sequence, without limitation.

[0216] In any of the first to third communication methods described above, the first device generates a sensing signal (or a synesthetic fusion signal) based on a first sequence. The first sequence is generated at the granularity of multiple time units. Compared with a sequence based on a single time unit, it can reduce the cross-correlation (such as two-dimensional cross-correlation) between sequences generated at multiple time units. Thus, when multiple devices send sensing signals (or synesthetic fusion signals) simultaneously, it can reduce the mutual interference between multiple sensing signals, thereby improving sensing performance.

[0217] In one implementation, it is assumed that two-dimensional cross-correlation is defined as: max(·) is the maximum value operator. It can satisfy the following formula (3).

[0218] in, For sequence S m and sequence S l Correlation values ​​at time offset τ and Doppler offset v. S m The sequence used by transmitting device #1. l The sequence used by transmitter #2. ω(τ) is the phase offset due to time delay. τ is the time offset. v is the Doppler offset. M is the number of subcarriers. N is the number of symbols. l can be the sequence number used by transmitter #2. m is the sequence number used by transmitter #1. n is the symbol index. This is the sequence used by transmitting device #1 on symbol n. l,n This is the sequence used by transmitting device #2 on symbol n. Transmitting devices #1 and #2 transmit signals simultaneously, and the two-dimensional cross-correlation of the sequences used by both can be obtained through... Sure.

[0219] Compared to the Gold sequence and the ZC sequence generated at a single time unit granularity, the first sequence generated in this application at a multiple time unit granularity exhibits a lower two-dimensional cross-correlation. For example, with N=32 and M=1632, the two-dimensional cross-correlation of the Gold sequence and the ZC sequence generated at a single time unit granularity is approximately -36 dB, while the two-dimensional cross-correlation of the sequence generated in this application is approximately -41 dB, demonstrating a significantly lower two-dimensional cross-correlation.

[0220] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-described method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or access network device, or a device within the terminal or access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal or functions.

[0221] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 700 can implement the functions or steps performed by the first device or the second device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0222] For example, when the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the first device in the above method embodiments, the communication device 700 may be an access network device or a component in the access network device, or a terminal device or a component in the terminal device, etc.

[0223] For example, when the communication device 700 is used to implement the functions or steps implemented by the second device in the above method embodiments, the communication device 700 may be an access network device or a component in the access network device, or a terminal device or a component in the terminal device, etc.

[0224] In one embodiment, the communication device 700 may include a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702; or it may include a processing module 701 but not a transceiver module 702; or it may include a transceiver module 702 but not a processing module 701. Wherein:

[0225] The processing module 701 can be used to support the communication device 700 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing module 701 can be implemented using one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microcontroller units (MCUs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0226] In this application, the processing module 701 may also be referred to as a processing unit, etc., without limitation.

[0227] Transceiver module 702 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, transceiver module 702 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 700, or to other units within communication device 700. In some embodiments, transceiver module 702 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, transceiver module 702 can be implemented through interface circuitry, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

[0228] Optionally, the transceiver module 702 may include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. It should be noted that the communication device 700 may include a sending module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 700 may include a receiving module but not a sending module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above scheme performed by the communication device 700 includes both sending and receiving actions.

[0229] In this application, the transceiver module 702 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a communication module, a transceiver unit, an interface module, an interface unit, or a communication unit, etc., without limitation.

[0230] It should be noted that the communication device 700 may include a processing module 701, but not a transceiver module 702. Alternatively, the communication device 700 may include a transceiver module 702, but not a processing module 701. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 700 includes processing and transceiver actions.

[0231] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a storage module, not shown in FIG7. The storage module may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 701 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the communication device 700 to implement the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0232] Optionally, the communication device 700 may be a chip system, the transceiver module 702 may be the input / output interface of the chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing module 701 may be the processor of the chip system.

[0233] In one possible design, when the communication device 700 is a communication equipment or a communication module within a communication equipment, the functionality of the processing module 701 can be implemented by one or more processors. Exemplarily, the processor may include a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry. Optionally, the communication equipment may be a terminal device or an access network device.

[0234] In one possible design, when the communication device 700 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 701 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the transceiver module 702 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip. Optionally, the communication device can be a terminal device or an access network device.

[0235] In the first implementation, the communication device 700 can perform the functions of the first device, executing the following: a processing module 701, used to generate a first signal according to a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, N is an integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer; a transceiver module 702, used to transmit the first signal.

[0236] In one possible implementation, a time unit can be a symbol.

[0237] In one possible implementation, the first resource is located in the time domain within a first duration, the first duration being used for sensing, or the first duration being used for both sensing and communication.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the first sequence is a ZC sequence.

[0239] In one possible implementation, the first sequence consists of N subsequences, each of the N subsequences consisting of M elements; the mapping of the first sequence to a first resource includes: in the time domain, the i-th subsequence of the N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit of the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; in the frequency domain, the k-th element of the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier of the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the processing module 701 is further configured to determine the H based on the first resource; and generate the first sequence based on the H and the root value.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula:

[0243] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, and h belongs to {1, ..., H}.

[0244] In one possible implementation, when generating the first sequence based on H and the root value, the processing module 701 is used to generate a second sequence based on the root value, the second sequence consisting of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H; and the first sequence is generated based on H and the second sequence.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula:

[0246] Wherein, the x q(h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, h belongs to {1, ..., H}, and P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to receive first information, or the transceiver module 702 is further configured to send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to receive a second signal, the second signal being an echo signal of the first signal; the processing module 701 is further configured to process the second signal according to the first sequence.

[0249] In the second implementation, the communication device 700 can perform the functions of the second device, executing the following: a processing module 701 is used to generate a first sequence, the first sequence consisting of H elements; and to process a received second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being the signal corresponding to the first signal, wherein the first signal is generated by the first sequence, the first sequence is mapped to a first resource, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, and N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0250] In one possible implementation, a time unit is a symbol.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the first resource is located in the time domain within a first duration, the first duration being used for sensing, or the first duration being used for both sensing and communication.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the first sequence is a ZC sequence.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the first sequence consists of N subsequences, each of the N subsequences consisting of M elements; the mapping of the first sequence to a first resource includes: in the time domain, the i-th subsequence of the N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit of the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; in the frequency domain, the k-th element of the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier of the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence.

[0255] In one possible implementation, when generating the first sequence, the processing module 701 is configured to determine the H based on the first resource; and generate the first sequence based on the H and the root value.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula:

[0257] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, and h belongs to {1, ..., H}.

[0258] In one possible implementation, when generating the first sequence based on H and the root value, the processing module 701 is used to generate a second sequence based on the root value, the second sequence consisting of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H; and the first sequence is generated based on H and the second sequence.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula:

[0260] Wherein, the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, q is the root value, h belongs to {1, ..., H}, and P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 702 is further configured to receive first information, or the transceiver module 702 is further configured to send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value.

[0262] Detailed descriptions of the above-mentioned processing module 701 and transceiver module 702 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of another communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 may include a processor 802, used to implement or support the communication device 800 in implementing the functions of the first or second device in the foregoing method embodiments. For details, please refer to the detailed descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. For example, the processor 802 is used to read and execute program instructions through the communication interface 801, so that the communication device 800 implements the corresponding method. The processor 802 may include one or more processors, without limitation.

[0264] It should be noted that the aforementioned functional modules can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, without limitation. Furthermore, when the communication device 800 includes only the processor 802, the communication device 800 can be a chip or a chip system.

[0265] For example, the communication device 800 can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components, without limitation.

[0266] For example, when the communication device 800 is a chip, the communication interface 801 can be the chip's input / output interface, where input corresponds to receiving operations and output corresponds to sending operations.

[0267] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a memory 803 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 803 is coupled to the processor 802. This coupling can be understood as an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 802 may operate in conjunction with the memory 803; the processor 802 and the memory 803 may be integrated together or disposed separately.

[0268] Furthermore, the processor 802 is used to execute program instructions stored in the memory 803 so that the communication device 800 implements the corresponding method.

[0269] One or more of the memories in memory 803 may be included in the processor, or memory 803 may exist independently, such as off-chip memory, and be connected to processor 802 via a communication bus (represented by thick line 804 in Figure 8). Memory 803 and processor 802 may also be integrated together.

[0270] Optionally, the communication device 800 also includes a communication interface 801 (shown as dashed lines in FIG8) for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, so that the device in the communication device 800 can communicate with other devices.

[0271] For example, when the communication device 800 is the second device, other devices can be the first device, or the second device, etc. The processor 802 can use the communication interface 801 to send and receive data. For example, the processor 802 can be used to control the communication interface 801 to receive and / or send signals.

[0272] Specifically, the communication interface 801 can be a transceiver. In terms of hardware implementation, the transceiver can be used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 702 mentioned above, and the transceiver is integrated into the communication device 800 to form the communication interface 801.

[0273] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and / or a receiver to respectively implement the sending and receiving operations in the method embodiment; other operations besides sending and receiving may be implemented by the processor 802.

[0274] It should be noted that the communication interface 801 may have both sending and receiving functions, enabling the transmission and reception of signals; or it may have a sending function but no receiving function, used to transmit signals; or it may have a receiving function but no sending function, used to receive signals.

[0275] It should be noted that the specific connection medium between the communication interface 801, processor 802, and memory 803 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Figure 8 shows the memory 803, processor 802, and communication interface 801 connected via a communication bus 804. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 804 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 8, but this does not indicate that there is only one communication bus or one type of communication bus.

[0276] In the embodiments of this application, the processor 802 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The methods disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of this application may be executed by the hardware in the processor, or by a combination of hardware and software in the processor.

[0277] In this embodiment, the memory 803 can be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer; or it can be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0278] In a first possible implementation, the communication device 800 may be a first device used to implement the relevant methods corresponding to the first device in the above embodiments. For specific functions, please refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments.

[0279] For example, the methods corresponding to the first device in the above embodiments include: generating a first signal according to a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, N is an integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer; and transmitting the first signal.

[0280] In a second possible implementation, the communication device 800 may be a second device used to implement the methods corresponding to the second device in the above embodiments. For specific functions, please refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments.

[0281] For example, the methods corresponding to the second device in the above embodiments include: generating a first sequence, the first sequence consisting of H elements; processing a received second signal according to the first sequence, the second signal being a signal corresponding to a first signal, wherein the first signal is generated by the first sequence, the first sequence is mapped to a first resource, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, and N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0282] For the specific implementation process, please refer to the relevant content in the aforementioned embodiments; it will not be repeated here.

[0283] Figure 9 illustrates an alternative communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application, including: an input / output interface 901 and a logic circuit 902; the input / output interface 901 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 902; the logic circuit 902 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method executed by the first device or the second device in any of the above embodiments.

[0284] In the first implementation, the communication device 900 can be a first device that executes the method described above, specifically, for example, the method executed by the first device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For instance, the communication device 900 can generate a first signal based on a first sequence mapped to a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, and the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, where H is the product of N and M. The first signal is used for sensing, or for sensing and communication, where N is an integer greater than 1, and M is a positive integer; and the first signal is then transmitted.

[0285] In the second implementation, the communication device 900 can be a second device that executes the method described above, specifically, for example, the method executed by the second device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For instance, the communication device 900 can generate a first sequence consisting of H elements; process a received second signal based on the first sequence, where the second signal is the signal corresponding to the first signal. The first signal is generated from the first sequence, which is mapped to a first resource. The first resource includes N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain. H is the product of N and M. The first signal is used for sensing, or for both sensing and communication, where N and M are both integers greater than 1.

[0286] For the specific implementation process, please refer to the aforementioned method implementation examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical units, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware, as software functional units, or in a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed 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.

[0288] For example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0289] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0290] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions, which, when run, enable the methods or steps executed by the first or second device in the foregoing embodiments to be implemented.

[0291] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when run on a computer, causes the methods or steps executed by the first or second device in the foregoing embodiments to be implemented.

[0292] This application also provides a communication system. This communication system may also be called a sensing system, or an integrated communication and sensing system, etc., without limitation. The communication system may include at least one of the following: a first device, or a second device.

[0293] The first device or the second device can be referred to in the descriptions of the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0294] This application provides a chip system including a processor for implementing the functions of the first or second device in the aforementioned method (e.g., executing corresponding methods or steps). The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0295] Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions that the processor can read and execute to implement the corresponding method.

[0296] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and 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.

[0297] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0298] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0299] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should 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 blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0300] 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.

[0301] 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.

[0302] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0303] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: A first signal is generated based on a first sequence, the first sequence being mapped onto a first resource, wherein the first sequence consists of H elements, the first resource includes N time units in the time domain, the first resource includes M subcarriers in the frequency domain, H is the product of N and M, the first signal is used for sensing, or the first signal is used for sensing and communication, and N and M are both integers greater than 1. Send the first signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first sequence consists of N subsequences, and each of the N subsequences consists of M elements; The first sequence is mapped to the first resource, including: In the time domain, the i-th subsequence among the N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit among the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; In the frequency domain, the kth element in the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier among the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first resource is located in the time domain within a first duration, which is used for sensing, or the first duration is used for both sensing and communication.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first sequence is the Zadov-Zhu ZC sequence.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The H is determined based on the first resource; The first sequence is generated based on the H and the root value.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elements in the first sequence satisfy the following equation: wherein said x q (h) is an element of said first sequence, said q is said root value, and said h belongs to {1,..., H}.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The step of generating the first sequence based on H and the root value includes: A second sequence is generated based on the root value. The second sequence consists of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H. The first sequence is generated based on the H and the second sequence.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 8, characterized in that, The elements in the first sequence satisfy the following equation: wherein the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, the q is the root value, the h belongs to {1,..., H}, the P is a largest prime number less than the H, or the P is a smallest prime number greater than the H.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, or send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second signal, which is the echo signal of the first signal; The second signal is processed according to the first sequence.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, One time unit is one symbol.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Generate a first sequence, which consists of H elements; The received second signal is processed according to the first sequence. The second signal is the signal corresponding to the first signal. The first signal is generated by the first sequence, which is mapped to a first resource. The first resource includes N time units in the time domain and M subcarriers in the frequency domain. H is the product of N and M. The first signal is used for sensing or for sensing and communication. N and M are both integers greater than 1.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first sequence consists of N subsequences, and each of the N subsequences consists of M elements; The first sequence is mapped to the first resource, including: In the time domain, the i-th subsequence among the N subsequences is mapped to the i-th time unit among the N time units, where i belongs to {1, ..., N}; In the frequency domain, the kth element in the i-th subsequence is mapped to the k-th subcarrier among the M subcarriers corresponding to the i-th time unit, where k belongs to {1, ..., M}.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The N subsequences are sequences obtained by equally dividing the first sequence.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The first resource is located in the time domain within a first duration, which is used for sensing, or the first duration is used for both sensing and communication.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The first sequence is the Zadov-Zhu ZC sequence.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that, The generation of the first sequence includes: The H is determined based on the first resource; The first sequence is generated based on the H and the root value.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula: wherein said x q (h) is an element of said first sequence, said q is said root value, and said h belongs to {1,..., H}.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The step of generating the first sequence based on H and the root value includes: A second sequence is generated based on the root value. The second sequence consists of P elements, where P is the largest prime number less than H, or P is the smallest prime number greater than H. The first sequence is generated based on the H and the second sequence.

21. The method according to claim 18 or 20, characterized in that, The elements in the first sequence satisfy the following formula: wherein the x q (h) is an element in the first sequence, the q is the root value, the h belongs to {1,..., H}, the P is a largest prime number less than the H, or the P is a smallest prime number greater than the H.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, or send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the root value.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that, One time unit is one symbol.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, said at least one processor being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

26. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first device and / or a second device, wherein the first device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the second device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23 to be implemented.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23 to be implemented.

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