Signal sensing method, apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications. Provided are a signal sensing method, apparatus and system. In the method, an access network device may configure, for a terminal device, configuration information of a sensing signal resource in a certain area. In the area, regardless of whether the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, the terminal device can still send a sensing signal for sensing. In this way, the area range of wireless sensing is expanded, the process of reconfiguring sensing signal resources is reduced, and the continuity of sensing services is improved; in addition, when the terminal device is in a non-connected state, the terminal device can perform wireless sensing, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device, reducing the energy consumption of the terminal device, and improving the endurance capability of the terminal device.

Description

Signal sensing methods, devices and systems

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411917146.2, filed on December 20, 2024, entitled “Signal Sensing Method, Apparatus and System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a signal sensing method, apparatus, and system. Background Technology

[0003] The terminal can support wireless sensing technology. It can send signals to and receive signals reflected from its surroundings. Furthermore, the terminal can compare the correlation between the sent and received signals to analyze relevant information about the surrounding environment, such as whether a target object exists, thus achieving wireless sensing.

[0004] However, when the terminal is in a connected state, the area it can perform wireless sensing is relatively limited, and the continuity of wireless sensing is poor when the terminal switches cells. When the terminal is in a disconnected state, the power consumption of the terminal is relatively high when it performs wireless sensing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a signal sensing method, apparatus, and system, in which an access network device can configure sensing signal resources for a specific area for a terminal device. Within this area, regardless of whether the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, the terminal device can send sensing signals to perform sensing.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a signal sensing method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0007] Receive configuration information of M sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area, where M is a positive integer; when the terminal device is in the first area, send a first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, which is the sensing signal resource among the M sensing signal resources.

[0008] The signal sensing method provided in this application embodiment allows the terminal device to perform signal sensing in a first area when it is in a connected state. This first area can include areas where the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, or areas where the terminal device has not established a communication connection with the access network device. This expands the range of wireless sensing performed by the terminal device, making the first area not limited to the cell where the terminal device is located. In other words, when the terminal device switches cells, it can still use the sensing signal resources configured by the first network device, reducing the process of reconfiguring sensing signal resources and improving the continuity of sensing services. The terminal device can also send the first sensing signal when it is in a disconnected state. Thus, the terminal device can still perform signal sensing even when it has not established a communication connection with the access network device, without needing to maintain a communication connection with the access network device. This reduces the power consumption of the terminal device, improves its battery life, and reduces its overall power consumption.

[0009] In one possible implementation, transmitting a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource when the terminal device is in a first area includes: transmitting a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource when the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state and the terminal device is in a first area.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first sensing signal is transmitted based on a first beam, which is determined based on the location of the sensing target.

[0011] In this embodiment, since the sensing targets differ in different sensing scenarios, the first beam can be determined using different methods for different sensing scenarios. This allows the terminal device to use a beam configuration adapted to the sensing scenario, reasonably adjusting the overhead of sensing signal resources, thereby reducing the impact of the sensing scenario on the overhead of sensing signal resources and the beam configuration.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources includes the location information and / or the identifier of the sensing target. The first network device can configure the location information and / or the identifier of the sensing target in the sensing signal resources. Thus, even if the terminal device moves, it can still determine the beam based on the location information and / or the identifier of the sensing target.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving N broadcast signals from a second access network device, wherein one of the M sensing signal resources is associated with at least one of the N broadcast signals, N is a positive integer, and the second access network device is an access network device in a first area; and determining a first sensing signal resource based on the measurement results and association relationships of the N broadcast signals.

[0014] In one possible implementation, a sensing signal resource is associated with at least one of N broadcast signals to indicate that the receiving beam of the second access network device on the sensing signal resource has beam correlation with the transmitting beam of the second access network device transmitting at least one broadcast signal.

[0015] This application embodiment can transmit the association relationship between sensing signal resources and broadcast signals via broadcast information. Thus, even if the terminal device and the second access network device are not connected, the terminal device can still receive this association relationship during the cell camp process and determine the sensing signal resources based on it. This allows the terminal device to determine sensing signal resources and achieve wireless sensing functionality even when in a disconnected state.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the M sensing signal resources include K sensing signal resources, the first sensing signal resource includes one of the K sensing signal resources, each of the K sensing signal resources is associated with a first signal strength, the first signal strength is determined based on the signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource, and the first sensing signal resource is determined based on the measurement results and association relationships of N broadcast signals, including: determining the first sensing signal resource based on the first signal strength associated with each of the K sensing signal resources, where K is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first signal strength is the signal strength with the largest signal strength among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest first signal strength among K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a first signal strength less than or equal to a first threshold among K sensing signal resources.

[0018] In this embodiment, in the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the access network device may not receive sensing signals. When the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest signal strength among the K first signal strengths associated with K sensing signal resources, or when the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a signal strength less than or equal to a first threshold among the K first signal strengths associated with K sensing signal resources, due to the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels and the correlation between the transmitted and received beams of the access network device indicated by the broadcast information, the energy of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device on the first sensing signal resource will be weaker. This allows the second access network device to simultaneously receive uplink signals from other terminal devices on the first sensing signal resource, thereby achieving resource reuse among multiple devices and improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first signal strength is the signal strength with the largest signal strength among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the largest first signal strength among K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a first signal strength greater than or equal to a second threshold among K sensing signal resources.

[0020] In this embodiment, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device can be the receiver of the sensing signal. To enable the second access network device to receive a sensing signal with a strong signal strength, the first sensing signal resource can be the sensing signal resource with the strongest signal strength among the K first signal strengths associated with the K sensing signal resources; or, the first sensing signal resource can be one of the sensing signal resources with a signal strength greater than or equal to a second threshold among the K first signal strengths associated with the K sensing signal resources. Due to the reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels, and the correlation between the transmitted and received beams of the access network device indicated by the broadcast information, the energy of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device on the first sensing signal resource will be stronger. This allows the second access network device to receive a stronger first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, improving the accuracy of the subsequently obtained sensing information.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the measurement results of N broadcast signals are received by the terminal device based on a second beam, which is a beam determined according to a first beam, and the first beam is the beam that transmits the first sensing signal in the first sensing signal resource.

[0022] In this embodiment, the purpose of the terminal device measuring the broadcast signal is to determine the resources used for subsequent transmission of sensing signals. For example, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving scenario, measuring the strength of the broadcast signal is to estimate the amount of interference to the access network when subsequently transmitting sensing signals. In a self-transmitting and other-receiving scenario, measuring the strength of the broadcast signal is to estimate the strength of the sensing signal received by the access network device. Therefore, setting the receiving beam used to measure the signal strength of the broadcast signal to be the same as or similar to the beam used to transmit the sensing signal can improve the accuracy of interference or sensing signal reception strength, and is more conducive to the terminal determining better sensing signal resources.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, and the third power is determined based on the measurement results of the broadcast signal of a second access network device, wherein the second access network device is an access network device in the first area.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is one of the broadcast signals transmitted by the second access network device, and the first path loss is determined based on a measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the transmit power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, and each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement results of a broadcast signal.

[0026] In this embodiment, under the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can determine the third power based on a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource. For example, the transmission power of the sensing signal can be determined based on the minimum value of the third power. This makes the interference caused by the sensing signal to the access network device controllable, or ensures that the power of the sensing signal received by the access network device is moderate. By selecting resources, the terminal device can increase the signal transmission power available to it.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an echo signal of a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource, the echo signal of the first sensing signal being used to determine a sensing result.

[0028] In this embodiment, the terminal device can perform wireless sensing measurements by comparing the correlation between the first sensing signal and its echo signal, thereby analyzing relevant information about the surrounding environment and obtaining a sensing result. This sensing result may also include some sensing measurements used to determine the sensing result. For example, the terminal device can analyze whether a target to be sensed exists in the environment, the distance between the target and the terminal device, and the target's orientation, angle, and speed of movement relative to the terminal device.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the third power is the maximum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is one of the broadcast signals transmitted by the second access network device, and the first path loss is determined based on a measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0030] In this embodiment of the application, under the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can determine the first sensing signal resource based on the configuration information of the received M sensing signal resources. To ensure that the second access network device can detect the first sensing signal regardless of which receiving beam it uses, the terminal device can use a higher-power transmission signal. For example, the third power can be the maximum value among one or more fourth powers. Thus, through the terminal device's resource selection, it can use a higher-power transmission signal, enabling the second access network device to detect the first sensing signal regardless of which receiving beam it uses.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the transmit power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement results of a broadcast signal.

[0032] In this embodiment, under the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can determine the third power based on a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource. For example, the transmission power of the sensing signal can be determined based on the minimum value of the third power. Thus, based on the association between the first sensing signal resource and the broadcast signal, the terminal device can determine which receiving beam the second access network device will use to receive the first sensing signal. Therefore, even if the terminal device transmits the first sensing signal with a lower power, the second access network device can still detect the first sensing signal.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first sensing signal is used by the second access network device to determine the sensing result.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information from a second access network device, the first information being used to indicate a sensing result, the first information being information scrambled using a first radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), the first RNTI being valid in a first area.

[0035] In this embodiment, a specific first RNTI is used to transmit information. When the terminal device is within the first area, regardless of whether the terminal device is connected to the access network device, the access network device can send data to the terminal device through the first RNTI. In this way, even if the terminal device moves or is in a different cell within the first area, the terminal device can still receive the first information sent by other access network devices within the first area, thus supporting the continuity of wireless sensing.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending second information to a second access network device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending a third message, which is used to request entry into an idle state or an inactive state and to request maintenance of awareness.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the terminal device has a communication need with the first network device, it can establish a communication connection to conduct service communication. While in a connected state, the terminal device can also perform wireless sensing. However, when the terminal device has no communication need with the first network device, it needs to release the communication connection. But the terminal device still needs to continue wireless sensing and wants to retain this need. In this case, the terminal device can send third information to the first network device to request entering an idle or inactive state and to request maintaining sensing. In this way, the terminal device can perform wireless sensing without establishing a communication connection with the access network device, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from a second access network device, the fourth information indicating to stop sensing, or the fourth information indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping a first sensing service, stopping sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stopping sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources; or sending fifth information to the second access network device, the fifth information indicating to stop sensing, or the fifth information indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, releasing the M sensing signal resources.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the terminal device or the second access network device determines that there is no current need for sensing, it can send information to the other party to indicate that sensing should be stopped, thereby ceasing wireless sensing. In this way, the terminal device stopping sensing reduces power consumption, and the second access network device can promptly release sensing signal resources to reallocate resources, thereby optimizing resource utilization and improving communication efficiency.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the indication information for the first area includes one or more of the following: geographic area information, a list of cell identifiers, or a list of cell identifiers and synchronization information identifiers (SSBs).

[0042] Secondly, an embodiment of this application provides a signal sensing method applied to a first network device, the method comprising:

[0043] Determine the configuration information of M sensing signal resources, determine the information of the first area, the M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device for sensing in the first area, M is a positive integer; send the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area to the terminal device.

[0044] In this embodiment, the first network device can configure a first area and configuration information for M sensing signal resources for the terminal device. The terminal device can then determine the sensing signal based on the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources. Thus, when the terminal device is in a connected state, it can perform signal sensing in the first area. This first area can include areas where the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, or areas where the terminal device has not established a communication connection with the access network device. This expands the range of wireless sensing performed by the terminal device, making the first area not limited to the cell where the terminal device is located. In other words, when the terminal device switches cells, it can still use the sensing signal resources configured by the first network device, reducing the process of reconfiguring sensing signal resources and improving the continuity of sensing services. Even when the terminal device does not establish a communication connection with the access network device, it can still send sensing signals for wireless sensing, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a sixth message to a second access network device or a core network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the second access network device to reserve M sensing signal resources.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first network device can send sixth information to at least one second access network device. The at least one second access network device includes access network devices located in the first area. Since the terminal device transmits sensing signals in a disconnected state, the first network device needs to send resource reservation information to other access network devices located in the first area, instructing at least one second access network device to reserve sensing signal resources. This reduces, on the one hand, the possibility of interference to the uplink transmission of the cell caused by the second access network device being unaware that the terminal device has entered the cell. On the other hand, it reduces the possibility of interference to the sensing results of the terminal device caused by the second access network device allocating the time-frequency resources containing the sensing signal resources to other terminal devices. Furthermore, for the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device can also perform sensing signal detection, reception, measurement, and processing.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving seventh information from a second access network device or a core network device, the seventh information being used to indicate the release of sensing signal resources.

[0048] In this embodiment of the application, after sensing is stopped, the reserved sensing signal resources are released in a timely manner. This allows the sensing signal resources to be redistributed to other terminal devices for communication or sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving third information from a terminal device, the third information being used to request entering an idle state or an inactive state, and to request maintaining awareness.

[0050] In this embodiment, after receiving third information from the terminal device, the first network device, based on the request in the third information to maintain sensing, can, on the one hand, determine the configuration information of the first region and M sensing signal resources, and can also send the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first region to the terminal device. This facilitates signal sensing for the terminal device even in a disconnected state, reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. On the other hand, based on the request in the third information to enter an idle or inactive state, the first network device can release the communication connection with the terminal device, thereby making reasonable use of resources.

[0051] Thirdly, an embodiment of this application provides a signal sensing method applied to a second access network device, the method comprising:

[0052] The system receives a sixth message from the first network device or core network device. The sixth message is used to instruct the second access network device to reserve M sensing signal resources. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device to perform sensing in the first area. M is a positive integer.

[0053] In this embodiment, the second access network device can reserve resources for the terminal device to perform sensing in the first area. This reduces the possibility of interference with the uplink transmission of the cell caused by the second access network device being unaware that the terminal device has entered the cell. It also reduces the possibility of interference with the sensing results of the terminal device caused by the second access network device allocating the time-frequency resources where the sensing signal resources are located to other terminal devices.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: transmitting a broadcast signal, wherein one of the M sensing signal resources is associated with at least one of the broadcast signals.

[0055] In this embodiment, the second access network device transmits the association between sensing signal resources and the broadcast signal via broadcast information. Thus, even if the terminal device and the second access network device are not connected, the terminal device can still receive this association during the cell camp process and determine the sensing signal resources based on it. This allows the terminal device to determine sensing signal resources and achieve wireless sensing functionality even when it is in a disconnected state.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving an echo signal of a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource, the echo signal of the first sensing signal being used to determine a sensing result; or, receiving second information from a terminal device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal; wherein the first sensing signal resource is a sensing signal resource among M sensing signal resources, and the first sensing signal is a sensing signal sent by the terminal device on the first sensing signal resource.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the terminal device and the second access network device are in an idle or inactive state.

[0058] In this embodiment of the application, whether it is a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode or a self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing mode, wireless sensing can be performed when the terminal device and the second access network device have no communication connection, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and improving its battery life.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending first information to a terminal device, the first information including information determined by a second access network device based on a first sensing signal. In this way, the terminal device can determine its surrounding environment based on the first information, thereby performing wireless sensing.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a fourth message to a terminal device, the fourth message indicating to stop sensing, or the fourth message indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping a first sensing service, stopping sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stopping sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources; or receiving a fifth message from the terminal device, the fifth message indicating to stop sensing, or the fifth message indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, releasing the M sensing signal resources.

[0061] In this embodiment, when the terminal device or the second access network device determines that there is no current need for sensing, it can send a message to the other party instructing to stop sensing, thereby ceasing sensing. This reduces power consumption by allowing the terminal device to stop sensing, and enables the second access network device to promptly release sensing signal resources for reallocation, thus optimizing resource utilization and improving communication efficiency.

[0062] In one possible implementation, a seventh message is sent to a first network device or a third access network device, the seventh message being used to instruct the release of sensing signal resources, the third access network device being an access network device within a first area.

[0063] In this embodiment, after stopping sensing, the second access network device promptly releases the reserved sensing signal resources. In this way, the second access network device can redistribute the sensing signal resources to other terminal devices for communication or sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0064] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for executing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects. Specifically, the communication device includes modules for executing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects.

[0065] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processor coupled to a memory, which can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the methods in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processor and a communication interface, with the processor coupled to the communication interface.

[0066] In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device or a network device. When the communication device is a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0067] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip applicable to a terminal device or a network device. When the communication device is a chip applicable to a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0068] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the method in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects.

[0070] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip or chip system, including a processor and a memory. The processor is used to read instructions stored in the memory and can receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute methods in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects. Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor may be separately configured.

[0071] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a first communication device, a second communication device, and a third communication device. The first communication device is used to execute the method executed by a terminal device in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects; the second communication device is used to execute the method executed by a first network device in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects; and the third communication device is used to execute the method executed by a second access network device in any of the possible implementations of the above aspects.

[0072] It should be understood that the fourth to ninth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first, second and third aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0073] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a signal sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a first sensing signal resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the interaction between a terminal device, a first network device, and a second access network device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0078] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first:

[0081] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" may include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, " / " can indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" can be used to describe three relationships between the associated objects. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0083] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more, such as three, four or more. Similar expressions (such as at least one, at least one, etc.) are used in the same way. "At least one of the following," "one or more of the following," or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, which may include only a single item or a combination of multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, or b, or c; a and b; or a and c; or b and c; or a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0084] To facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" may be used for distinction in the embodiments of this application. The terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" are not necessarily different.

[0085] In the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary," "example," or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "example," or "for example" should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. The use of the words "exemplary," "example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0086] In the embodiments of this application, "sending information / data" only indicates the direction of information / data transmission, including direct transmission via the device's communication interface (such as an air interface). "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of a module interface. "Sending" can include indirect transmission by the processing unit through the communication interface, that is, after the processing unit outputs information / data through the module interface, it is transmitted to the device's communication interface and then sent out. "Receiving information / data" only indicates the direction of information / data transmission, including direct reception via the communication interface. "Receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of a module interface. "Receiving information / data" can include indirect reception by the processing unit through the communication interface, that is, after the communication interface receives information / data, it is transmitted to the module interface of the processing unit and then input to the processing unit by the module interface. "Sending information / data to... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. It can include sending information / data directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information / data from... (such as a terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and can include receiving information / data directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information / data may undergo necessary processing, such as format changes, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information / data from the source. Similar statements in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to communication systems, such as: second-generation (2G) communication systems, third-generation (3G) communication systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, satellite communication systems, wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, LTE and 5G hybrid architecture systems, 5G new radio (5G NR) systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communication, etc. This application does not limit these applications.

[0088] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes at least one access network device 101 and at least one terminal device 102. In some scenarios, the communication system may also include core network equipment. The access network device 101 can communicate with the core network equipment.

[0089] Access network device 101 can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to: evolved NodeB (or eNB or e-NodeB), base station (gNodeB or gNB) or transmission receiving point / transmission reception point (TRP) in New Radio (NR), next-generation base station in 6G mobile communication systems, base station in future mobile communication systems, base station in subsequent 3GPP evolutions, access node in WiFi systems, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, etc. Base station can be: macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small cell, relay station, or balloon station, etc. Base station can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located transmission points. Base station can also be a radio controller, centralized unit (CU), and / or distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. In some scenarios, access network device 101 can also be referred to as a wireless access network device.

[0090] Terminal device 102 can communicate with access network device 101, or it can communicate with access network device 101 through a relay station. For example, terminal device 102 can communicate with access network device that supports LTE network, or it can communicate with access network device that supports 5G network, and it can also establish dual connections with access network device that supports both LTE network and 5G network.

[0091] Terminal device 102 can be a terminal device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, etc. Terminal device 102 can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal. In some scenarios, terminal device 102 may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), access terminal device, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE terminal device, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device, etc.

[0092] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and the access network device can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware. Software functions running on general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions, are not limited in the specific form of the terminal device and the access network device in this application.

[0093] With the development of communication, wireless sensing technology has been widely applied. In wireless sensing technology, the transmitting device of a terminal device can send signals to the surrounding environment, and the receiving device can correspondingly receive the echo signal of that signal reflected by the environment. Furthermore, the terminal device can perform wireless sensing measurements by comparing the correlation between the received and transmitted signals, thereby analyzing relevant information about the surrounding environment. For example, the terminal device can analyze whether a target to be sensed exists in the environment, the distance between the target and the terminal device, and the target's orientation, angle, and speed of movement relative to the terminal device.

[0094] For example, in the context of connected vehicles, vehicles can obtain information about their surrounding environment through wireless sensing technology, thereby enabling safe driving. In airports and similar settings, wireless sensing technology can detect flying objects such as birds or drones, improving the safety of passenger aircraft takeoff and landing. In home environments, wireless sensing technology can monitor the environment, enhancing both security and privacy.

[0095] In some implementations, a communication connection needs to be established between the terminal device and the access network device during wireless sensing measurements, such as a connection at the radio resource control (RRC) layer. This allows the access network device to configure resources for signal sensing to the terminal device via RRC messages. After receiving the resources for signal sensing, the terminal device can then perform signal sensing.

[0096] However, the above implementation requires a communication connection between the terminal device and the access network device for the terminal device to perform wireless sensing. Even if there is no communication requirement between the terminal device and the access network device, the terminal device still needs to maintain a communication connection with the access network device to perform wireless sensing, which will result in higher power consumption of the terminal device.

[0097] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a signal sensing method, in which an access network device can configure sensing signal resources for a certain area for a terminal device. Within this area, regardless of whether the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, the terminal device can still send sensing signals for sensing.

[0098] As shown in Figure 2, another communication system provided in this application embodiment may include at least one access network device and at least one terminal device. For example, at least one access network device may include access network device 201, access network device 202 and access network device 203, and at least one terminal device may include terminal device 204.

[0099] For example, in this embodiment of the application, access network device 201 can configure sensing signal resources for terminal device 204 in a first area. Within this first area, terminal device 204 can move arbitrarily. For example, terminal device 204 can move from near access network device 201 to near access network device 202, and then from near access network device 202 to near access network device 203. It is understood that during the movement of terminal device 204, regardless of whether terminal device 204 establishes a communication connection with access network device 201, access network device 202, or access network device 203, terminal device 204 can still send sensing signals for wireless sensing. Furthermore, the communication system may also include at least one core network device 205. Multiple access network devices can communicate with each other through the core network device 205. For example, access network device 201 can communicate with access network device 202 or access network device 203 through the core network device 205.

[0100] Thus, when the terminal device is in a connected state, the configured area is not limited to the cell where the terminal device is located. Therefore, the range of the area where the terminal device can perform wireless sensing is expanded. When the terminal device switches cells, it can still use the sensing signal resources configured by the access network equipment to perform sensing, reducing the process of reconfiguring sensing signal resources and improving the continuity of sensing services.

[0101] Even when the terminal device is in a disconnected state, it can still perform sensing based on the sensing signal resources configured by the access network device, without needing to maintain a communication connection with the access network device. This reduces the terminal device's power consumption and improves its battery life.

[0102] Figure 3 illustrates a signal sensing method according to an embodiment of this application. The method includes:

[0103] S301. The first network device determines the configuration information of M sensing signal resources and the configuration information of the first area. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device to perform sensing in the first area, and M is a positive integer.

[0104] In this embodiment, the first network device may include an access network device or a core network device. It is understood that step S301 can be performed by the access network device and / or the core network device. For example, the configuration information for M sensing signal resources can be configured by the access network device or the core network device. Alternatively, the access network device can configure a portion of the sensing signal resource configuration information, or a part of the configuration information, while the core network device configures another portion of the sensing signal resource configuration information, or another part of the configuration information. This embodiment does not impose such limitations.

[0105] The first region may include a specific geographical area, one or more cells, and / or, one or more sectors corresponding to each cell in one or more cells.

[0106] The configuration information for M sensing signal resources can be understood as having M sensing signal resources, where M indicates the number of sensing signal resources. The configuration information for the M sensing signal resources by the first network device can be interpreted in three ways: Interpretation 1: The first network device configures the M sensing signal resources in one configuration information. Interpretation 2: The first network device configures one configuration information for each sensing signal resource, then the M sensing signal resources can correspond to M configuration information. Interpretation 3: The first network device configures one or more of the M sensing signal resources in one configuration information, then the M sensing signal resources can correspond to one or more configuration information. The specific method by which the first network device configures the M sensing signal resources is not limited in this embodiment.

[0107] The configuration information of the sensing signal resources may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the time domain location of the sensing signal resources, the frequency domain location of the sensing signal resources, the sequence used, the scrambling code, the sensing mode, and the sensing scenario.

[0108] For example, the sensing signal resource can be a periodic resource in the time domain, and its time domain location can be represented by a time domain period plus a time domain offset. For instance, in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, if the period of a sensing signal resource is 10 time slots and the time domain offset is 1 time slot, then the time domain location of the sensing signal resource is time slot 1, time slot 11, time slot 21, etc. Furthermore, in an OFDM system, the time domain location information can also include the symbol location information of the sensing signal resource within a time slot. For example, when an OFDM time slot includes 14 OFDM symbols, it can indicate that the sensing signal resource is located at at least one symbol position among these 14 symbols.

[0109] For example, if the sensed signal resource can be a comb signal in the frequency domain, then the frequency domain position of the sensed signal resource can be represented by the comb offset and the comb size. For instance, in an OFDM system, if the comb size of the sensed signal resource is 4 and the comb offset is 1, then the frequency domain position of the sensed signal resource is subcarrier 1, subcarrier 5, subcarrier 9, etc. Optionally, when the sensed signal resource occupies multiple OFDM symbols, different symbols can have different offsets.

[0110] Perception modes can include spontaneous and self-receiving perception modes and spontaneous and externally received perception modes.

[0111] The self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode can be understood as follows: the terminal device sends a sensing signal on the sensing signal resource, and after the sensing signal is scattered by various scatterers in the surrounding environment, the terminal device receives the echo signal of the sensing signal itself.

[0112] The self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode can be understood as follows: the terminal device transmits a sensing signal on sensing signal resources; after being scattered by various scatterers in the surrounding environment, the echo signal of the sensing signal is received by the access network device (e.g., a base station). Optionally, the signal received by the access network device may also include the direct path signal of the sensing signal (i.e., the signal that has not been scattered by scatterers).

[0113] A sensing scenario can also be understood as a sensing application. A sensing scenario can include the following three scenarios. Each scenario has a different sensing objective, and different scenarios affect the overhead of sensing signal resources and the beam configuration of those resources. Specific sensing scenarios include:

[0114] The first sensing scenario involves the terminal device sensing its own state or the state of its user (e.g., a person). For example, the terminal device might need to send sensing signals to determine if it's in the user's pocket or bag; or it might need to sense certain physiological characteristics of the user, such as breathing and heartbeat. In this scenario, the terminal device may only need to sense a few times in a limited number of beam directions within a single cycle. For instance, it might sense several times in the direction of the user. In some scenarios, the terminal device might only need to sense once in a single beam direction.

[0115] Second perception scenario: The terminal device perceives its surrounding environment, and then reconstructs the environment based on this perception. In this second perception scenario, the terminal device may need to perform periodic beam scanning in multiple beam directions to maintain or improve the accuracy of the environmental reconstruction.

[0116] The third sensing scenario: The terminal device senses a specific target. Unlike the first sensing scenario, this target may not have a specific association with the terminal device; for example, the terminal device can sense a car in its vicinity. In the third sensing scenario, the terminal device may only need to sense a few times in a limited number of beam directions within a cycle; for example, the terminal device can sense several times in the direction of the target.

[0117] For any of the aforementioned sensing scenarios, when scanning in multiple beam directions is required within a single cycle, the first network device can configure multiple sensing signal resources for the terminal device. These multiple sensing signal resources can be divided into one or more groups or sets, where sensing signal resources within the same group can share some configuration parameters. For example, they can share time-domain location configuration parameters, frequency-domain location configuration parameters, partial time-domain location configuration parameters, partial frequency-domain location configuration parameters, or beam information, etc.

[0118] The first network device can also determine the configuration information of the first area.

[0119] Optionally, the configuration information of the first region can be represented by a geographic location region. For example, if the geographic location region is a rectangle, the configuration information of the first region can indicate the center, major axis direction, minor axis direction, major axis length, minor axis length, etc., of the rectangle, or it can indicate the position coordinates of the four vertices of the rectangle. Optionally, the geographic location region can also include, but is not limited to, the following region shapes: square, circle, ellipse, cuboid, cube, sphere, ellipsoid, etc. Optionally, the first region can include multiple non-contiguous regions, such as multiple rectangles and / or multiple squares. In this way, when the terminal device detects that its location is within these geographic location regions, it can identify that the terminal device is in the first region.

[0120] Optionally, the configuration information of the first region can be represented by a list of cell identifiers. When the terminal device camps on any cell in the cell identifier list, or when the terminal device detects a synchronization signal from any cell in the cell identifier list (e.g., the strength of the synchronization signal is greater than a threshold), it can be said that the terminal device is in the first region. For example, the cell identifier can be a physical cell identity (PCI), a global cell identity (GCI), or other cell identifiers; this embodiment of the application does not limit the specific cell identifier.

[0121] For example, taking a PCI list as an example, each element in the PCI list can correspond to a PCI, and the PCI list can include identification information corresponding to at least one cell. Thus, when the terminal device camps on any cell in the PCI list, or when the terminal device can detect the synchronization signal of any cell in the PCI list, it indicates that the terminal device is in the first region.

[0122] Optionally, since cells can be further divided according to angle or direction, and different directions can be associated with different SSBs, thus covering different areas within the cell, the configuration information of the first area can also be represented by a combined list of cell identifiers and synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) identifiers. When the terminal device can detect any cell in this combined list of cell identifiers and SSBs, along with a synchronization signal, it can be indicated that the terminal device is in the first area.

[0123] For example, taking the indication information of the first area as a combination list of PCI and SSB, each element in the combination list of PCI and SSB can correspond to one PCI and one or more SSBs. The combination list of PCI and SSB can include identification information corresponding to at least one cell, and at least one sector information corresponding to each cell.

[0124] After the first network device determines the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the configuration information of the first area, the first network device can send the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area to the terminal device.

[0125] S302, The terminal device receives configuration information of M sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area from the first network device.

[0126] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can receive configuration information of M sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area through a single signaling instruction; alternatively, the terminal device can receive configuration information of M sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area through different signaling instructions. For example, the first signaling instruction includes configuration information of the M sensing signal resources, and the second signaling instruction includes indication information of the first area.

[0127] Optionally, the terminal device may receive first and second signaling from the first network device before the first access network device releases the communication connection (e.g., releases the RRC connection). The first network device may include the first access network device and / or a core network device. For example, the first access network device may establish a communication connection with the terminal device, the core network device may send the first signaling to the terminal device, and the first access network device may send the second signaling to the terminal device. Alternatively, the first access network device may send the first signaling to the terminal device, and the core network device may send the second signaling to the terminal device. It is understood that the first access network device or the core network device may configure all or part of the configuration information of the sensing signal resources.

[0128] Optionally, the terminal device may also receive a first signaling from the first network device before the first network device releases the communication connection. And, when the first network device releases the communication connection, the terminal device may receive a second signaling from the first network device.

[0129] Optionally, the terminal device may also receive first signaling and second signaling from the first network device when the first network device releases the communication connection.

[0130] Optionally, the terminal device may first receive the first signaling, and when the first condition is met, the terminal device may also receive the second signaling. The first condition may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the location of the terminal device is about to change, the terminal device requests to release the communication connection, or the first network device sends communication connection release information.

[0131] The specific method by which the terminal device receives the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0132] S303. When the terminal device is in the first area, the terminal device sends a first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, which is a sensing signal resource among M sensing signal resources.

[0133] The situation where the terminal device is in the first area can include the situation where the terminal is in a specific geographical area, the situation where the terminal is in a cell, or the situation where the terminal is in the first sector of a cell, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0134] For example, when the first region is represented by a geographic location region, the terminal device being within the first region indicates that the terminal device is located in a specific geographic area. When the first region is represented by a list of cell identifiers, the terminal device being within the first region indicates that the terminal device is located in a specific cell, meaning that the terminal device can camp on that cell or can detect the synchronization signal of that cell. When the first region is represented by a combined list of PCI and SSB, the terminal device being within the first region indicates that the terminal device is located in an area associated with a specific SSB of a cell (e.g., a specific sector or direction), meaning that the terminal device can camp on that cell through that SSB or can detect that SSB of that cell.

[0135] The first sensing signal resource can be at least one of the M sensing signal resources.

[0136] The terminal device transmits a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource, including: determining the beam to be used, determining the sensing signal resource to be used, and determining the power of the transmitted sensing signal. The specific methods for determining the beam to be used, the sensing signal resource to be used, and the power of the transmitted sensing signal will be described in the following embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0137] The terminal device sends the first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource. This can be done when the terminal device is in a connected state or when the terminal device is in a disconnected state.

[0138] Optionally, when the terminal device moves out of the first area, the terminal device can initiate a random access procedure to re-request the configuration information of the sensing signal resources and the area configuration information.

[0139] Understandably, in some implementations, when a terminal device is in a connected state, it can perform signal sensing in the area where it has established a communication connection with the access network device. However, in this embodiment, when the terminal device is in a connected state, it can perform signal sensing in a first area. This first area can include the area where the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, or it can include the area where the terminal device has not established a communication connection with the access network device. This expands the range of wireless sensing performed by the terminal device, making the first area not limited to the cell where the terminal device is located. In other words, in some implementations, when the terminal device switches cells, the access network device that has established a communication connection with the terminal device needs to reconfigure the sensing signal resources for the terminal device. However, in this embodiment, when the terminal device switches cells, it can still use the sensing signal resources configured by the first network device, reducing the process of reconfiguring sensing signal resources and improving the continuity of sensing services.

[0140] In this embodiment, the terminal device can send a first sensing signal even when it is in a disconnected state. This allows the terminal device to still sense signals without establishing a communication connection with the access network device, thus reducing power consumption and improving battery life.

[0141] In some embodiments, transmitting a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource when the terminal device is in a first region may include: transmitting a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource when the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state and the terminal device is in a first region.

[0142] When a terminal device is in an idle or inactive state, it can be understood as a state where the terminal device and the access network device are not connected.

[0143] In this embodiment, the terminal device can send a first sensing signal when it is in a disconnected state. That is, the terminal device and the access network device can perform signal sensing without establishing a communication connection. Thus, when the terminal device has no communication needs, it does not need to maintain a communication connection with the access network device, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first sensing signal is transmitted based on a first beam.

[0145] It is understandable that the terminal device may determine the first beam in different ways under different sensing scenarios.

[0146] For example, in the first sensing scenario described above, the terminal device can determine the direction to be sensed using any possible implementation method. For instance, the terminal device can determine at least one beam direction using devices such as sensors.

[0147] For the second sensing scenario, the terminal device needs to perceive its surrounding environment; therefore, it can perform scanning with multiple beams. For example, the terminal device can use multiple beams to scan the surrounding environment, and the specific beams used can be determined by the terminal device itself.

[0148] In the third sensing scenario, the terminal device needs to sense a specific target. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the scanning beam based on the location information of the target. That is, the first beam can be determined based on the target, and the specific target can be indicated by the network device. For example, the terminal device can calculate the angle of the target relative to itself based on its own position and the position of the target. Then, the terminal device's beam direction is directed towards that angle, i.e., towards the target, thereby achieving the sensing of the specific target.

[0149] Since the sensing targets differ in different sensing scenarios, embodiments of this application can determine the first beam using different methods for different sensing targets. In this way, the terminal device can use a beam configuration adapted to the sensing scenario, reasonably adjusting the overhead of sensing signal resources, thereby reducing the impact of the sensing scenario on the overhead of sensing signal resources and the beam configuration.

[0150] In some embodiments, the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources includes the location information of the sensing target and / or the identifier of the sensing target.

[0151] Optionally, for the third sensing scenario, the first network device may also configure beam information in the sensing signal resources, which may include the location information of the sensing target and / or the identifier of the sensing target.

[0152] Understandably, in some implementations, when the terminal device and the access network device are in a connected state, the terminal device can use methods such as the transmission configuration indicator (TCI) beam to sense the target. However, when the terminal device and the access network device are in a disconnected state, since the terminal device may move, the access network device cannot continue to update the TCI beam for the terminal device, preventing the terminal device from using the TCI beam to adjust the direction of the sensed target. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first network device can configure the location information and / or the identifier of the sensed target in the sensing signal resources. In this way, even if the terminal device moves, it can still determine the beam based on the location information and / or the identifier of the sensed target.

[0153] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can report information about at least one sensing target to the first network device before the first network device determines the sensing signal resources. The information about a sensing target includes its identifier and corresponding sensing information, such as location information and reflection coefficient. It is understood that, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can sense several scattering points; therefore, the sensing target can also be understood as a first scattering point or a set of first scattering points. Thus, the terminal device can determine the location of the sensing target through its identifier in the beam information, and then determine the scanning beam based on the target's location and other information.

[0154] Optionally, the terminal device can transmit sensing signals on all M sensing signal resources. For example, in the first sensing scenario, the terminal device senses its own state or the user's state; therefore, the terminal device may only need to sense a few times in a limited number of beam directions. In this case, the first network device can configure fewer sensing signal resources for the terminal device, resulting in a smaller value for M. The terminal device can then transmit sensing signals on all sensing signal resources in a specific direction (e.g., the user's direction).

[0155] In the second sensing scenario, the terminal device can reconstruct its surrounding environment through sensing. Therefore, the terminal device may need to perform beam scanning in multiple beam directions. To improve the accuracy of environment reconstruction, the first network device can configure more sensing signal resources for the terminal device, in which case the value of M is larger. The terminal device can transmit sensing signals on all sensing signal resources and in different beam directions.

[0156] In the third sensing scenario, the terminal device senses a specific target. Therefore, the terminal device may only need to sense the target a few times in a limited number of beam directions. In this case, the first network device can allocate fewer sensing signal resources to the terminal device, resulting in a smaller value for M. The terminal device can then transmit sensing signals towards the target on all sensing signal resources.

[0157] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving N broadcast signals or N broadcast signal resources from a second access network device (hereinafter, broadcast signals are mainly used as an example for explanation), wherein one of the M sensing signal resources (or each sensing signal resource) is associated with at least one of the N broadcast signals, N is a positive integer, and the second access network device is an access network device in a first area; and determining a first sensing signal resource based on the measurement results and association relationships of the N broadcast signals.

[0158] The second access network device can be one or more access network devices in the first area. For example, the second access network device can be the first access network device, that is, the access network device that previously had a communication connection with the terminal device, or it can be the access network device to which the terminal device belongs after the terminal device moves and re-enters cell camp, or it can be the access network device to which other cells around the terminal device belong. This application embodiment does not limit the scope.

[0159] In some embodiments, the method may further include: an association between a sensing signal resource and at least one of N broadcast signals for indication, wherein the receiving beam of the second access network device on the sensing signal resource has beam correlation with the transmitting beam of the second access network device transmitting at least one broadcast signal.

[0160] For example, in the implementation of determining the first sensing signal resource based on the association between sensing signal resources and broadcast signals, the association can include the beam association between the sensing signal resources and the broadcast signals. Specifically, this association can be understood as follows: if the x-th sensing signal resource is associated with the x-th broadcast signal, then the receiving beam used by the second access network device on the x-th sensing signal resource and the transmitting beam used by the second access network device to transmit the x-th broadcast signal have beam correlation, for example, the two beams are the same or similar beams. For example, taking the broadcast signal as an SSB, if there is a beam association between the x-th sensing signal resource and the first SSB, it can be understood that the transmitting beam used by the second access network device when transmitting the first SSB and the receiving beam used on the x-th sensing signal resource are the same or similar beams. The association between the sensing signal resources and the broadcast signals can be one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many, and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, when a second access network device has the ability to receive signals simultaneously in multiple beam directions, a sensing signal resource can be associated with multiple SSBs. This association indicates that the multiple receiving beams used by the second access network device on the sensing signal resource and the transmitting beams that transmit these multiple SSBs are the same or similar beams.

[0161] Optionally, the association may also include the association between time-domain location and broadcast signal. Here, time-domain location can be understood as the time-domain location where the sensing signal resource is located. Through the association between time-domain location and broadcast signal, and the time-domain location of the sensing signal resource, the association between the sensing signal resource and the broadcast signal can also be determined. Specifically, this association can be understood as follows: if the x-th time-domain location is associated with the x-th broadcast signal, then the receiving beam used by the second access network device at the x-th time-domain location and the transmitting beam used by the second access network device to transmit the x-th broadcast signal have beam correlation; for example, the two beams are the same or similar beams.

[0162] For example, taking a broadcast signal as an SSB, if there is a correlation between the x-th time-domain location and the first SSB, it can be understood that the transmitting beam used by the second access network device when transmitting the first SSB and the receiving beam used at the x-th time-domain location are the same or similar beams. If the x-th sensing signal resource is located at the x-th time-domain location, then a beam correlation can also be obtained between the x-th sensing signal resource and the first SSB. The correlation between the time-domain location and the broadcast signal can be one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many; this application does not limit this. For example, when the second access network device has the ability to receive signals simultaneously in multiple beam directions, a time-domain location can be associated with multiple SSBs. This correlation indicates that the multiple receiving beams used by the second access network device at that time-domain location and the transmitting beams that transmit these multiple SSBs are the same or similar beams.

[0163] Optionally, the terminal device can receive the association relationship between the sensing signal resources and broadcast signals of multiple second access network devices, wherein the broadcast signals of the multiple access network devices are different broadcast signals, the number of broadcast signals can be different, and the association relationship can also be different.

[0164] In this embodiment, the association between sensing signal resources and broadcast signals can be transmitted via broadcast information. Thus, even if the terminal device and the second access network device are not connected, the terminal device can still receive this association during the cell camp process and determine the sensing signal resources based on it. This allows the terminal device to determine sensing signal resources and achieve wireless sensing functionality even when it is in a disconnected state. For example, the broadcast information can be carried in the master information block (MIB) or the system information block (SIB). In specific implementations, the association can be carried through one broadcast message or multiple broadcast messages.

[0165] Optionally, the association between sensing signal resources and broadcast signals can also be configured through the first network device. It is understood that the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources can indicate that each reference signal resource is associated with one or more broadcast signals from one or more access network devices. These multiple broadcast messages can be broadcast messages from a single access network device or broadcast messages from multiple access network devices; this embodiment does not limit the scope. Thus, by configuring the association between sensing signal resources and broadcast signals through the first network device, the second access network device does not need to transmit broadcast signals again. The second access network device can then use the broadcast channel capacity used for transmitting broadcast signals for other communication services, improving communication efficiency.

[0166] In some embodiments, the M sensing signal resources include K sensing signal resources, and the first sensing signal resource includes one of the K sensing signal resources. Each of the K sensing signal resources is associated with a first signal strength, which is determined based on the signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. Determining the first sensing signal resource based on the measurement results and association relationships of N broadcast signals may include: determining the first sensing signal resource based on the first signal strength associated with each of the K sensing signal resources, where K is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

[0167] In a possible implementation, the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources can be divided into one or more groups, and each group can include one or more sensing signal resources. The terminal device can determine a first sensing signal resource from each group, so that the first sensing signal resource can include one or more sensing signal resources from the M sensing signal resources.

[0168] Taking a set of sensing signal resources comprising K sensing signal resources as an example, the terminal device can determine a first sensing signal resource from these K sensing signal resources. The number of sets of sensing signal resources can be equal to the number of beams or the number of sensing signals that the terminal device needs to use in one cycle.

[0169] In K sensing signal resources, each sensing signal resource can be associated with at least one broadcast signal. Based on the association of each sensing signal resource with at least one broadcast signal, the terminal device can determine a first signal strength associated with each sensing signal resource. That is, for K sensing signal resources, the terminal device can determine K first signal strengths. The first signal strength is determined based on the signal strength of the at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource.

[0170] For example, taking a sensing signal resource x among K sensing signal resources, sensing signal resource x can be associated with at least one broadcast signal. Based on the at least one broadcast signal associated with sensing signal resource x, the terminal device can determine the first signal strength associated with sensing signal resource x. The first signal strength associated with sensing signal resource x can be determined based on the signal strength of the at least one broadcast signal associated with sensing signal resource x. The specific methods for determining the first signal strength and the first sensing signal resource can be found in the relevant description below, and will not be repeated here.

[0171] For example, in the first sensing scenario, the terminal device can sense its own state or the user of the terminal device; or, in the third sensing scenario, the terminal device can sense a specific target. Therefore, the terminal device may only need to sense a few times in a limited number of beam directions. The first network device can then configure a small number of M sensing signal resources for the terminal device. The terminal device can select one or more sensing signal resources from the M resources and send a sensing signal in a certain direction (e.g., the user's direction or the target's direction) on the selected resources.

[0172] For example, a terminal device can divide M sensing signal resources into one or more groups, and each group can include K sensing signal resources.

[0173] If M sensing signal resources are grouped together, i.e., M = K, then the terminal device can determine one sensing signal resource from the K sensing signal resources. In this case, the terminal device can send a sensing signal in a certain direction (e.g., the user's direction or the direction of the sensing target) from the determined sensing signal resource.

[0174] If M sensing signal resources are divided into multiple groups, i.e., M > K, then the terminal device can determine one sensing signal resource from the K sensing signal resources, and further determine multiple sensing signal resources from the multiple groups. It is understood that the value of K for each group can be different. In this case, the terminal device can send sensing signals in a certain direction (e.g., the user's direction or the direction of the sensing target) from the determined multiple sensing signal resources.

[0175] In the second sensing scenario, the terminal device can reconstruct its surrounding environment through sensing. Therefore, the terminal device may need to perform beam scanning in multiple beam directions. To improve the accuracy of environment reconstruction, the first network device can configure a relatively large number of M sensing signal resources for the terminal device. The terminal device can select multiple sensing signal resources from the M sensing signal resources and transmit sensing signals in different beam directions on the selected multiple sensing signal resources.

[0176] For example, a terminal device can divide M sensing signal resources into multiple groups, each group including K sensing signal resources, i.e., M > K. The value of K can be different for each group. The terminal device can determine one sensing signal resource (i.e., the first sensing signal resource) from the K sensing signal resources. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine multiple sensing signal resources (i.e., the first sensing signal resources) from multiple groups of sensing signal resources. That is, the first sensing signal resources can include one or more of the M sensing signal resources. In this case, the terminal device can transmit sensing signals in different beam directions on the determined multiple sensing signal resources.

[0177] In some embodiments, in the self-sending and self-receiving sensing mode, the first signal strength is the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, or the average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it, or the weighted average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the first signal strength is the signal strength of the broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource; the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest first signal strength among K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources among K sensing signal resources whose first signal strength is less than or equal to a first threshold.

[0178] The first signal strength can be the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it, or the weighted average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the first signal strength is the signal strength of that broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. Taking the above example, where the K sensing signal resources include sensing signal resource x, and the first signal strength can be the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the terminal device can determine the signal strength of each broadcast signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with sensing signal resource x. For example, the terminal device can measure the reference signal received power (RSRP) corresponding to each broadcast signal and take the maximum value as the broadcast signal strength value associated with sensing signal resource x, i.e., the first signal strength.

[0179] In the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, access network devices may not receive sensing signals. When the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest signal strength among the K first signal strengths associated with K sensing signal resources, or when the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a signal strength less than or equal to a first threshold among the K first signal strengths associated with K sensing signal resources, due to the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels and the correlation between the transmitted and received beams of the access network device indicated by the broadcast information, the energy of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device on the first sensing signal resource will be weaker. This allows the second access network device to simultaneously receive uplink signals from other terminal devices on the first sensing signal resource, thereby achieving resource reuse among multiple devices and improving resource utilization efficiency.

[0180] The first threshold can be set by the terminal device based on empirical values, predefined by a standard, or configured by the first network device. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the first threshold. It is understood that there can be one or more sensing signal resources that satisfy the condition that the signal strength is less than or equal to the first threshold, and the first sensing signal resource can be any one of these one or more sensing signal resources.

[0181] Optionally, the terminal device can combine broadcast information from multiple access network devices and measurement results of broadcast signals to determine the first sensing signal resource. For example, the terminal device can receive broadcast information from multiple access network devices, each broadcast information indicating the correlation between the broadcast signals of the sensing signal resource. By combining the multiple broadcast information, it can be determined that a sensing signal resource can be associated with multiple broadcast signals, and these multiple broadcast signals can be broadcast signals from different access network devices. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0182] Optionally, since signal strength and path loss are strongly correlated (e.g., lower signal strength indicates higher path loss), the above scheme can also be transformed into K sensing signal resources associated with K second path losses. The second path loss is determined based on at least one broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. The second path loss can be the path loss with the smallest path loss among the at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, or the average path loss of the at least one associated broadcast signal, or the weighted average signal path loss of the at least one associated broadcast signal. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the second path loss is the signal strength of that broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. The first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the largest associated second path loss among the K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources among the K sensing signal resources whose associated second path loss is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0183] The third threshold can be set by the terminal device based on empirical values, predefined by a standard, or configured by the first network device. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the third threshold. It is understood that there can be one or more sensing signal resources that satisfy the second path loss being greater than or equal to the third threshold, and the first sensing signal resource can be any one of these one or more sensing signal resources.

[0184] As shown in Figure 4, the following example illustrates how a terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource in a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, using the example of the first network device configuring two sensing signal resources for a terminal device.

[0185] For example, the first network device can configure two sensing signal resources for the terminal device, such as a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource 0 and an SRS resource 1. Here, SRS resource 0 can also be simply referred to as SRS0, and SRS resource 1 can also be simply referred to as SRS1.

[0186] The second access network device can transmit broadcast signals SSB0 and SSB1. SSB0 and SSB1 have different beam directions; for example, SSB0's beam direction is to the right, and SSB1's beam direction is to the left. SRS0 and SSB0 are associated, and SRS1 and SSB1 are associated. It can be understood that the association between SRS0 and SSB0 indicates that the transmit beam used by the second access network device on SSB0 and the receive beam used by the second access network device on SRS0 are correlated, i.e., they are the same or similar beams. Similarly, the association between SRS1 and SSB1 indicates that the transmit beam used by the second access network device on SSB1 and the receive beam used by the second access network device on SRS1 are correlated, i.e., they are the same or similar beams.

[0187] As shown in Figure 4, because the SSB0 beam points to the right, the signal reaches the terminal device after being reflected from the sensing target. However, the SSB1 beam points to the left, meaning there is no signal transmission path to the terminal device, or if a path exists, the signal strength is very weak. Therefore, the terminal device measures a stronger SSB0 signal and a weaker SSB1 signal.

[0188] Specifically, when measuring SSB0 and SSB1, the receiving beam used by the terminal device can be the same as or similar to the beam of the first sensing signal. This can also be understood as the receiving beam used by the terminal device when measuring SSB0 and SSB1 being the same as or similar to the transmitting beam used for subsequent target detection. This ensures a more accurate correlation between the SSB signal strength measured by the terminal device and the subsequent interference to the second access network equipment.

[0189] Based on the measurement results, it can be deduced that when the terminal device sends the first sensing signal on SRS0, the sensing signal strength received by the second access network device on SRS0 is relatively large; when the terminal device sends the first sensing signal on SRS1, the sensing signal strength received by the second access network device on SRS1 is relatively small.

[0190] In the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device receives the echo signal of the first sensing signal. To improve the efficiency of resource reuse, the signal strength of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device needs to be relatively low. The terminal device can then transmit the first sensing signal on SRS1. In this way, the second access network device can receive communication signals from other terminal devices on SRS1, and the interference of the first sensing signal on the communication signals of other terminal devices is also minimal, thereby achieving resource reuse of sensing and communication signals. Furthermore, it can better form a communication network with integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) capabilities, enabling the communication network to provide both communication service coverage and sensing services to consumers.

[0191] In some embodiments, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the first signal strength is the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, or the average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it, or the weighted average signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with it. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the first signal strength is the signal strength of the broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource; the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the largest first signal strength among K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources among K sensing signal resources whose first signal strength is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0192] The first signal strength can be the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the average signal strength of the at least one associated broadcast signal, or the weighted average signal strength of the at least one associated broadcast signal. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the first signal strength is the signal strength of that broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. Taking the above example, where the K sensing signal resources include sensing signal resource x, and the first signal strength is the signal strength of the largest signal among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the terminal device can determine the signal strength of each broadcast signal among the at least one broadcast signal associated with sensing signal resource x. For example, the terminal device can measure the RSRP corresponding to each broadcast signal and take the maximum value as the broadcast signal strength value associated with sensing signal resource x, i.e., the first signal strength.

[0193] In the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device is the receiver of the sensing signal. To ensure that the second access network device can receive a sensing signal with a strong signal strength, the first sensing signal resource can be the sensing signal resource with the strongest signal strength among the K first signal strengths associated with the K sensing signal resources; or, the first sensing signal resource can be one of the sensing signal resources with a signal strength greater than or equal to a second threshold among the K first signal strengths associated with the K sensing signal resources. Due to the reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels, and the correlation between the transmitted and received beams of the access network device indicated by the broadcast information, the energy of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device on the first sensing signal resource will be relatively strong. This allows the second access network device to receive a stronger first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, improving the accuracy of the subsequently obtained sensing information.

[0194] The second threshold can be set by the terminal device based on empirical values, predefined by a standard, or configured by the first network device. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the second threshold. It is understood that there can be one or more sensing signal resources that satisfy the condition that the signal strength is greater than or equal to the second threshold, and the first sensing signal resource can be any one of these one or more sensing signal resources.

[0195] Optionally, the terminal device can combine broadcast information from multiple access network devices and measurement results of broadcast signals to determine the first sensing signal resource.

[0196] Optionally, since signal strength and path loss are strongly correlated (e.g., lower signal strength indicates higher path loss), the above scheme can also be transformed into K sensing signal resources associated with K second path losses, where the second path loss is determined based on at least one broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. The second path loss can be the path loss with the smallest path loss among the at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, or the average path loss of the at least one associated broadcast signal, or the weighted average signal path loss of the at least one associated broadcast signal. When only one broadcast signal is associated, the second path loss is the signal strength of that broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. The first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest associated second path loss among the K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources among the K sensing signal resources whose associated second path loss is less than or equal to a fourth threshold.

[0197] The fourth threshold can be set by the terminal device based on empirical values, predefined by a standard, or configured by the first network device. This application embodiment does not limit the specific value of the fourth threshold. It is understood that there can be one or more sensing signal resources that satisfy the condition that the second path loss is less than or equal to the fourth threshold, and the first sensing signal resource can be any one of these one or more sensing signal resources.

[0198] Optionally, the terminal device can combine broadcast information from multiple access network devices and measurement results of the broadcast signals to determine the first sensing signal resource. For example, the multiple broadcast signals associated with each sensing signal resource can be broadcast signals from different access network devices, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0199] As shown in Figure 4, the following example illustrates how a terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource in a self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, using the configuration of two sensing signal resources, SRS0 and SRS1, by the first network device to the terminal device.

[0200] For example, the second access network device can transmit broadcast signals SSB0 and SSB1. SSB0 and SSB1 have different beam directions; for example, SSB0's beam direction is to the right, and SSB1's beam direction is to the left. SSB0 and SSB1 are associated, and SSB1 and SSB1 are associated. The specific explanations of the association between SSB0 and SSB0, and between SSB1 and SSB1, can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0201] Based on the descriptions in the above embodiments, it can be understood that the second access network device receives a stronger sensing signal on SRS0 and a weaker sensing signal on SRS1. This can also be understood as the second access network device being able to perceive more information on SRS0 resources and less information on SRS1 resources.

[0202] In the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device receives the echo signal of the first sensing signal. To ensure a stronger signal strength of the first sensing signal received by the second access network device, the terminal device can transmit the first sensing signal on SRS0. This allows the second access network device to sense more information, thus enabling more accurate wireless sensing of the target.

[0203] In some embodiments, the measurement results of N broadcast signals are received by the terminal device based on a second beam, which is a beam determined according to a first beam, and the first beam is the beam from which the first sensing signal is transmitted on the first sensing signal resource. That is, in the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode or the self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing mode, the receiving beam used by the terminal device when measuring the signal strength of the broadcast signal has beam correlation with the transmitting beam from which the terminal device transmits the first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, that is, they can be the same or similar beams.

[0204] Understandably, for each set of sensing signal resources, the terminal device can determine the transmission beam that needs to be used for that set of sensing signal resources, that is, the beam through which the first sensing signal resource transmits the first sensing signal. Thus, when measuring the broadcast signal strength associated with each sensing signal resource, the terminal device can use a beam that is the same as or similar to the beam of the first sensing signal to receive the broadcast signal.

[0205] In some implementations, the terminal device tunes its receiving beam to the beam with the strongest signal strength to receive the broadcast signal, thereby more accurately estimating the link quality between the terminal device and the access network device corresponding to the broadcast signal. However, in this embodiment, the terminal device measures the broadcast signal to determine the resources used for subsequent transmission of sensing signals. For example, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving scenario, measuring the broadcast signal strength is to estimate the amount of interference to the access network when subsequently transmitting sensing signals. In a self-transmitting and other-receiving scenario, measuring the broadcast signal strength is to estimate the strength of the sensing signal received by the access network device. Therefore, setting the receiving beam used to measure the signal strength of the broadcast signal to the same or similar beam as the beam used for subsequent transmission of sensing signals can improve the accuracy of interference or sensing signal reception strength, making it easier for the terminal to determine better sensing signal resources.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the first sensing signal is a sensing signal for self-transmission and self-reception, the transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on the first sensing service, and the third power is determined based on the measurement results of the broadcast signal of the second access network device (e.g., which can be used as a path loss reference signal), wherein the second access network device is an access network device in the first area.

[0207] Optionally, the first power can also be determined based on other parameters, such as the maximum transmission power of the terminal device or the maximum transmission power limited by regulations.

[0208] In a possible implementation, the transmission power of the sensing signal can be determined based on the minimum of the second and third powers. This allows the interference caused by the sensing signal to the access network equipment to be controllable, or to ensure that the power of the sensing signal received by the access network equipment is moderate. The specific method for determining the third power can be found in the descriptions of the two implementation methods below, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0209] The determination of the second power based on the first sensing service may include: the second power being determined based on the scenario of the sensing service, the type of the sensing service, the priority of the sensing service, and / or the expected distance of the target to be sensed, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0210] In some embodiments, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is one of the broadcast signals transmitted by the second access network device, and the first path loss is determined based on a measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0211] The first power threshold can be predefined by a standard, configured by the first network device, or transmitted by one or more access network devices via broadcast information; this embodiment does not limit this. It should be noted that the first power threshold can be a fixed value, meaning different broadcast signals from different access network devices can be associated with the same first power threshold. Alternatively, the first power threshold can be a value associated with an access network device; in this case, broadcast signals from different access network devices can be associated with different first power thresholds, while multiple broadcast signals from the same access network device can be associated with the same first power threshold. Alternatively, the first power threshold can be a value associated with a broadcast signal; in this case, different broadcast signals (e.g., different broadcast signal identifiers) can be associated with different first power thresholds, while the same broadcast signal from different access network devices (e.g., the same broadcast signal identifier) ​​can be associated with the same first power threshold. Alternatively, the first power threshold can be a value associated with both an access network device and a broadcast signal; in this case, each broadcast signal from each access network device can be associated with a first power threshold, and different broadcast signals from different access network devices can be associated with different first power thresholds. Understandably, for all the above situations, the terminal device can determine a corresponding first power threshold based on a broadcast signal from an access network device.

[0212] In a self-sending and self-receiving sensing mode, embodiments of this application may provide a possible implementation for determining the third power. If the terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource based on the configuration information of the received M sensing signal resources, then the third power can be the minimum value among one or more fourth powers.

[0213] Optionally, when all the first power thresholds are the same, the above method can also be replaced by: the third power being determined based on the first power threshold and the first path loss, where the first path loss is the minimum value among the path losses corresponding to one or more broadcast signals.

[0214] Optionally, when measuring the first path loss corresponding to each signal, the terminal device may use the same or similar receiving beam as the beam used to subsequently transmit the first sensing signal.

[0215] For example, the terminal device can detect one or more broadcast signals. These broadcast signals can be broadcast signals from one or more cells in which the terminal device is currently camped, or broadcast signals from one or more cells that the terminal device can detect (e.g., from multiple second access network devices), where these cells are located within a first area. Thus, the terminal device can determine a first power threshold and a first path loss for each broadcast signal. That is, for one or more broadcast signals from the second access network devices, one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses can be determined accordingly. Based on these one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses, the terminal device can determine one or more fourth powers. The third power can be the minimum value among these one or more fourth powers. For example, the terminal device can determine the corresponding first path loss based on the strength of the received broadcast signal and the transmission power of the broadcast signal.

[0216] Optionally, the fourth power can also be determined based on other items, such as a quantity related to the bandwidth of the first sensing signal.

[0217] For example, as shown in Figure 4, taking the detection of SSB0 and SSB1 by the terminal device as an example, the terminal device can determine the first power threshold corresponding to the second access network device as I1, and determine the first path loss PL0 corresponding to SSB0 and the first path loss PL1 corresponding to SSB1. Optionally, the units of PL0 and PL1 can be expressed in decibels (dB), and the unit of the first power threshold can be expressed in decibel milliwatts (dBm). Then, one of the fourth powers can be the sum of the first path loss PL0 and the first power threshold I1, i.e., PL0 + I1. The other fourth power can be the sum of the first path loss PL1 and the first power threshold I1, i.e., PL1 + I1. Optionally, when determining the fourth power, the path loss can also be multiplied by an additional scaling factor. This scaling factor can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the first network device, or indicated by broadcast information from the second access network device.

[0218] Understandably, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device may be unable to determine which receiving beam the second access network device will use. To avoid significant interference to the access network device, the terminal device needs to consider the worst-case scenario. Since the second access network device receives a stronger sensing signal on SRS0 and a weaker sensing signal on SRS1, the first path loss PL0 corresponding to SSB0 is less than the first path loss PL1 corresponding to SSB1. Furthermore, the third power is the minimum among multiple fourth powers, thus the terminal device can determine the third power as PL0 + I1.

[0219] In some embodiments, when the first sensing signal is a sensing signal for self-transmission and self-reception, the transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on a third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, and each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0220] In a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, embodiments of this application can provide another possible implementation for determining the third power. If the terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource based on the correlation between the sensing signal resource and the broadcast signal, the third power can still be the minimum value among one or more fourth powers. However, unlike the implementation for determining the third power provided above, the terminal device will determine the third power based on the first path loss corresponding to the broadcast signal that is correlated with the first sensing signal resource.

[0221] For example, the terminal device can detect one or more broadcast signals associated with a first sensing signal resource. The terminal device can determine a first power threshold and a first path loss for each broadcast signal. That is, for one or more broadcast signals associated with the first sensing signal resource, one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses can be determined accordingly. Based on the one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses, the terminal device can determine one or more fourth powers. The third power can be the minimum value among the one or more fourth powers. For example, the terminal device can determine the corresponding first path loss based on the strength of the received broadcast signal and the transmission power of the broadcast signal.

[0222] Optionally, the fourth power can also be determined based on other items, such as a quantity related to the bandwidth of the first sensing signal.

[0223] Understandably, if the first sensing signal resource has only one associated broadcast signal, then the third power is the fourth power corresponding to that broadcast signal. In this scenario, there are no multiple fourth powers, so there is no need to find the minimum value.

[0224] For example, as shown in Figure 4, taking the case where the terminal device can detect SSB0 and SSB1, since the terminal device has already determined that the first sensing signal resource is SRS1, and SRS1 is associated with SSB1, when the terminal device sends the first sensing signal on SRS1, the second access network device will use the beam corresponding to SSB1 for reception, instead of the beam corresponding to SSB0. Therefore, the fourth power is the sum of the first path loss PL1 and the first power threshold I1 corresponding to SSB1, i.e., PL1 + I1. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the third power as PL1 + I1. Optionally, when determining the fourth power, the path loss can also be multiplied by an additional scaling factor. This scaling factor can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the first network device, or indicated by broadcast information from the second access network device.

[0225] Understandably, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can determine the third power based on broadcast signals related to the first sensing signal resources. In this way, by selecting resources, the terminal device increases the signal transmission power it can use.

[0226] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving an echo signal of a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource, the echo signal of the first sensing signal being used to determine a sensing result.

[0227] The terminal device can transmit a first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource. After being scattered by various scatterers in the surrounding environment, the terminal device can receive the echo signal of the first sensing signal. This sensing method can be described as the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode mentioned above.

[0228] Terminal devices can perform wireless sensing measurements by comparing the correlation between the first sensing signal and its echo signal, thereby analyzing relevant information about the surrounding environment and obtaining sensing results. These sensing results may also include sensing measurements used to determine the outcome. For example, the terminal device can analyze whether a target exists in the environment, the distance between the target and the terminal device, and the target's orientation, angle, and speed relative to the terminal device.

[0229] In some embodiments, when the first sensing signal is a sensing signal for self-transmission and self-reception, the transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined according to a third power, the third power being the maximum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined according to a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is a broadcast signal in a broadcast signal transmitted by a second access network device, and the first path loss is determined according to the measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0230] In this embodiment, the first power threshold can be understood as the power value of the received sensing signal that the second access network device expects to receive. This first power threshold can be a fixed value, a value related to the access network device, a value related to a broadcast signal, a value related to both the access network device and the broadcast signal, or a value related to the sensing service type; this application embodiment does not limit this. The first power threshold determined for different sensing service types can be different. Furthermore, the first power threshold can also be different for self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing modes and self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing modules. For example, in a self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing module, the first power threshold can be understood as the interference threshold that the second access network device can tolerate. In a self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing module, the first power threshold can be understood as the power value of the received sensing signal that the second access network device expects to receive.

[0231] Optionally, the first power can also be determined based on other parameters, such as the maximum transmission power of the terminal device, the type of sensing service, and the maximum transmission power restricted by regulations.

[0232] Optionally, the fourth power can also be determined based on other items, such as a quantity related to the bandwidth of the first sensing signal.

[0233] In the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, embodiments of this application can provide another possible implementation for determining the third power. If the terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource based on the configuration information of the received M sensing signal resources, then the third power can be the maximum value among one or more fourth powers.

[0234] Optionally, when all the first power thresholds are the same, the above method can also be replaced by: the third power being determined based on the first power threshold and the first path loss, where the first path loss is the maximum value among the path losses corresponding to one or more broadcast signals.

[0235] For example, the terminal device can detect one or more broadcast signals, which may be broadcast signals from one or more cells currently camped by the terminal device, or broadcast signals from one or more cells that the terminal device can detect (e.g., from multiple second access network devices), wherein these one or more cells are located within a first area. Thus, the terminal device can determine a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to each broadcast signal. That is, for one or more broadcast signals, one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses can be determined accordingly. Based on the one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses, the terminal device can determine one or more fourth powers. The third power can be the maximum value among the one or more fourth powers. For example, the terminal device can determine the corresponding first path loss based on the strength of the received broadcast signal and the transmission power of the broadcast signal.

[0236] Optionally, the fourth power can also be determined based on other items, such as a quantity related to the bandwidth of the first sensing signal.

[0237] For example, as shown in Figure 4, taking the case where the terminal device can detect SSB0 and SSB1, the terminal device can determine that the first power threshold corresponding to the second access network device is I2, and determine the first path loss PL0 corresponding to SSB0 and the first path loss PL1 corresponding to SSB1. Then, one of the fourth powers can be the sum of the first path loss PL0 and the first power threshold I2, i.e., PL0 + I2. The other fourth power can be the sum of the first path loss PL1 and the first power threshold I2, i.e., PL1 + I2. Optionally, when determining the fourth power, the path loss can be multiplied by an additional scaling factor. This scaling factor can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the first network device, or indicated by broadcast information from the second access network device.

[0238] Understandably, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, to ensure that the second access network device can detect the first sensing signal regardless of which receiving beam it uses, the terminal device can use a higher power transmission signal. Since the second access network device receives a stronger sensing signal on SRS0 and a weaker sensing signal on SRS1, the first path loss PL0 corresponding to SSB0 is less than the first path loss PL1 corresponding to SSB1. Furthermore, the third power is the maximum value among multiple fourth powers, thus the terminal device can determine the third power as PL1 + I2.

[0239] In some embodiments, when the first sensing signal is a sensing signal for self-transmission and self-reception, the transmit power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on a third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, and each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; wherein, a broadcast signal is a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement result of a broadcast signal.

[0240] In the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, embodiments of this application can provide another implementation for determining the third power. If the terminal device determines the first sensing signal resource based on the correlation between the sensing signal resource and the broadcast signal, the third power can be the minimum value among one or more fourth powers. Furthermore, unlike the implementation for determining the third power provided above, the terminal device will not calculate the fourth power based on all broadcast signals, but rather based on broadcast signals that are correlated with the first sensing signal resource.

[0241] For example, the terminal device can detect one or more broadcast signals, which are broadcast signals associated with a first sensing signal resource. The terminal device can determine a first power threshold and a first path loss for each broadcast signal. That is, for one or more broadcast signals associated with the first sensing signal resource, one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses can be determined accordingly. Based on the one or more first power thresholds and one or more first path losses, the terminal device can determine one or more fourth powers. The third power can be the minimum value among the one or more fourth powers. For example, the terminal device can determine the corresponding first path loss based on the strength of the received broadcast signal and the transmission power of the broadcast signal.

[0242] Optionally, the fourth power can also be determined based on other items, such as a quantity related to the bandwidth of the first sensing signal.

[0243] It is understandable that if the first sensing signal resource has only one associated broadcast signal, then the third power is the fourth power corresponding to that broadcast signal. In this scenario, there are no multiple fourth powers, so there is no need to find the maximum value.

[0244] For example, as shown in Figure 4, taking the second access network device's ability to detect SSB0 and SSB1 as an example, since the terminal device has already determined that the first sensing signal resource is SRS0, and SRS0 is associated with SSB0, when the terminal device sends the first sensing signal on SRS0, the second access network device will use the beam corresponding to SSB0 for reception, rather than the beam corresponding to SSB1. Therefore, the fourth power is the sum of the first path loss PL0 and the first power threshold I2 corresponding to SSB0, i.e., PL0 + I2. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the third power as PL0 + I2. Optionally, when determining the fourth power, the path loss can also be multiplied by an additional scaling factor. This scaling factor can be predefined by the protocol, configured by the first network device, or indicated by broadcast information from the second access network device.

[0245] Understandably, in a self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can determine the third power based on a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource. For example, the transmission power of the sensing signal can be determined based on the minimum value of the third power. Thus, based on the association between the first sensing signal resource and the broadcast signal, the terminal device can determine which receiving beam the second access network device will use to receive the first sensing signal. Therefore, even if the terminal device transmits the first sensing signal with a lower power, the second access network device can still detect the first sensing signal.

[0246] In some embodiments, the method may further include: using a first sensing signal to determine the sensing result for a second access network device.

[0247] The terminal device can transmit a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource. After being scattered by various scatterers in the surrounding environment, the second access network device can receive the echo signal of the first sensing signal. The second access network device can obtain the sensing result based on the first sensing signal and its echo signal. This sensing method corresponds to the self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing mode described above.

[0248] Optionally, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can also send sensing assistance information to the second access network device. For example, the terminal device can send its location and other information to the second access network device to assist the second access network device in determining the sensing result. In a possible implementation, the terminal device can send the sensing assistance information to the second access network device via small packet transmission. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0249] The second access network device can also send sensing results to the terminal device through the first information, wherein the first information can be understood as the sensing results obtained by the second access network device based on the first sensing signal. In this way, the terminal device can determine the surrounding environment based on the first information, thereby performing wireless sensing.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first information is information scrambled using a first wireless network temporary identifier (RNTI), which is associated with a first region.

[0251] Understandably, in some implementations, when the terminal device and the access network device are in a connected state, the access network device configures a specific radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) for the terminal device to communicate with it. For example, this RNTI can be used to scramble control information, and then the scrambled control information can be used to schedule data transmission to the terminal device. Understandably, these RNTIs are only valid within the same cell and when the terminal device has a communication connection with the access network device. This results in the inability to send data to the terminal device when it is in a disconnected state (e.g., RRC Inactive or RRC Idle) and / or when it moves to another cell. Therefore, this embodiment of the application requires the use of a specific first RNTI to send information. When the terminal device is in the first area, regardless of whether the terminal device is connected to the access network device, the access network device can send data to the terminal device through the first RNTI. In this way, when the terminal device moves or is in a different cell within the first area, the terminal device can still receive the first information sent by other access network devices within the first area to support the continuity of wireless sensing.

[0252] For example, the first RNTI can be configured in advance by the first network device.

[0253] Optionally, the first RNTI is only valid within the first region.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the second access network device can transmit the first information by sending downlink control information through the common control channel area. Optionally, the downlink control information or the first information can be scrambled using a first RNTI.

[0255] Optionally, the second access network device may also transmit the first information via broadcast. For example, the first information may include an identifier of the sensing signal resource and the corresponding sensing measurement or sensing result; or, for example, the first information may include an identifier of the terminal device and the corresponding sensing measurement or sensing result. Optionally, this first information may be carried in the MIB or SIB. Optionally, the identifier of the terminal device may be represented by the aforementioned first RNTI.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the first sensing signal is a sensing signal for self-transmission and self-reception, the method may further include: sending second information to a second access network device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal.

[0257] In the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, after obtaining the sensing result based on the first sensing signal and the echo signal of the first sensing signal, the terminal device can send second information to the second access network device to indicate the sensing result.

[0258] Optionally, the terminal device can send the second information via packet transmission. For example, the terminal device can initiate a random access procedure to the second access network device and send the second information during this procedure. For instance, the terminal device can send the second information in msg3 during a 4-step random access procedure, or in msgA during a 2-step random access procedure.

[0259] Alternatively, the terminal device can also send second information through a configured uplink authorization, which can also be associated with a valid area. This valid area can be the same as or different from the first area. In this way, even when the terminal device is not connected to the second access network device, it can send the second information and report the sensing results when it is within the valid area.

[0260] Optionally, in some scenarios, if the perception result is used for the terminal device itself, the terminal device may not send the second information to the second access network device.

[0261] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending third information, the third information being used to request entering an idle state or an inactive state, and to request maintaining awareness.

[0262] The terminal device can send third information to the first access network device. This third information can be used to request entering an idle or inactive state, or it can be understood as requesting to release the communication connection with the first access network device, such as releasing an RRC connection. Furthermore, the third information can also be used to indicate that the terminal device has a need for sensing signal resources.

[0263] For example, when a terminal device needs to communicate with a first network device, it can establish a communication connection to conduct business communication. While in a connected state, the terminal device can also perform wireless sensing. However, when the terminal device no longer needs to communicate with the first network device, it may want to release the communication connection. But the terminal device still needs to continue wireless sensing and wants to retain this sensing capability. In this case, the terminal device can send a third message to the first network device to request entering an idle or inactive state and to request maintaining sensing. In this way, the terminal device can perform wireless sensing without establishing a communication connection with the access network device, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0264] Optionally, the terminal device may also send information requesting to enter an idle or inactive state, and information requesting to maintain awareness, separately via different signaling methods. The specific method of sending this information is not limited in this embodiment.

[0265] Optionally, the third information may include information about the requested sensing mode. The sensing mode may include a self-initiated sensing mode and a self-initiated external sensing mode. Specific sensing modes can be referred to the relevant description in step S301 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0266] Optionally, the third information also includes configuration information for some recommended sensing signal resources, which can also be understood as configuration information for the sensing signal resources that the terminal device wants to receive. The first network device can determine the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources actually sent to the terminal device based on the actual situation and the configuration information of the sensing signal resources recommended by the terminal device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving fourth information from a second access network device, the fourth information being used to indicate stopping sensing, or the fourth information being used to indicate one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping a first sensing service, stopping sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stopping sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources; or sending fifth information to the second access network device, the fifth information being used to indicate stopping sensing, or the fifth information being used to indicate one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, releasing the M sensing signal resources.

[0268] Stopping sensing can be understood as the terminal device ceasing to send sensing signals on sensing signal resources.

[0269] In possible implementations, the terminal device may stop sensing based on the indication of the fourth information, or the terminal device may actively stop sensing on its own. This application does not limit the implementation.

[0270] Optionally, the second access network device can broadcast a fourth message to indicate that sensing should be stopped. In this way, once the terminal device enters the cell and receives the fourth message, it will no longer send sensing signals.

[0271] For example, taking the second sensing scenario, when a terminal device senses its surrounding environment, it can send the sensing results to the second access network device. The second access network device can reconstruct the physical environment of the current cell based on the sensing results, thereby assisting in the optimization of the communication system. After the second access network device has collected sufficient information, if the current cell has no sensing requirement, the second access network device can stop the terminal device from sensing. Then, the second access network device can send a fourth message to indicate that sensing has stopped. This indication to stop sensing can also be understood as indicating that the current cell has no sensing requirement. In this case, when the terminal device moves to a new cell, if it does not receive the corresponding fourth message, the terminal device can restart using the first sensing signal resources for sensing.

[0272] Optionally, the fourth information can also be used to instruct one or more terminal devices to stop sensing, stop sensing in a first area, stop the first sensing service, or stop sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0273] For example, the fourth information can be used to indicate a specific terminal device and / or a specific sensing signal resource. The specific terminal device may include a terminal device using the sensing signal resource. When the fourth information is used to indicate a specific terminal device, that specific terminal device may stop using the sensing signal resource for sensing. When the fourth information is used to indicate a specific sensing signal resource, the terminal device may stop using that specific sensing signal resource for sensing. When the fourth information is used to indicate both a specific terminal device and a specific sensing signal resource, that specific terminal device may stop using that specific sensing signal resource for sensing. In this scenario, the fourth information may include identification information (e.g., a first RNTI) of the terminal device and / or the sensing signal resource.

[0274] Optionally, when the terminal device no longer uses the sensing signal resources, it can proactively send a fifth message to the second access network device to indicate that sensing should cease. Instructing to cease sensing can also be understood as indicating that the sensing signal resources should no longer be used. It is understood that the terminal device ceasing to use the sensing signal resources may include situations where the terminal device has no need for sensing or cannot sense the target. For example, the terminal device may stop monitoring a person's vital signs, or the terminal device may find that it cannot sense previously sensed targets.

[0275] The fifth information can also be used to instruct the cessation of sensing in the first area, the cessation of the first sensing service, the cessation of sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, and the release of M sensing signal resources, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application. Optionally, the terminal device may send the fifth information to the second access network device to instruct the release of M sensing signal resources when requesting Radio Resource Control Resume (RRC resume) or Small Data Transmission (SDT).

[0276] Understandably, when a terminal device or a second access network device determines that there is no current need for sensing, it can send a message to the other party instructing it to stop sensing, thereby ceasing wireless sensing. In this way, the terminal device stopping sensing reduces power consumption, and the second access network device can promptly release sensing signal resources for reallocation, thus optimizing resource utilization and improving communication efficiency.

[0277] The above describes the signal sensing method of this application embodiment from the perspective of the terminal device side. This application embodiment can also describe the signal sensing method from the perspective of the network device side. The network device side may include a first network device and a second access network device. The signal sensing method of this application embodiment will be described below from the perspective of the first network device side.

[0278] Another signal sensing method according to an embodiment of this application is applied to a first network device. The method includes:

[0279] The first network device determines the configuration information of the first area and the configuration information of M sensing signal resources. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device for sensing in the first area, and M is a positive integer. The first network device sends the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area to the terminal device.

[0280] In this embodiment, the first network device may include an access network device or a core network device. It is understood that the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources can be configured by the access network device and / or the core network device. For example, the access network device may configure the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources, or the core network device may configure the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources. Alternatively, the access network device may configure a portion of the sensing signal resources' configuration information, or a part of the configuration information of the sensing signal resources, while the core network device configures another portion of the sensing signal resources' configuration information, or another part of the configuration information of the sensing signal resources. This embodiment does not impose such limitations.

[0281] It is understood that the implementation process of this method corresponds to steps S301 and S302 of the embodiment corresponding to Figure 3. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in steps S301 and S302, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] The first network device can configure the terminal device with configuration information for a first area and M sensing signal resources. The terminal device can then determine the sensing signal based on the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources. In this way, the terminal device can still send sensing signals for wireless sensing without establishing a communication connection with the access network device, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0283] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending a sixth message to a second access network device or a core network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the second access network device to reserve sensing signal resources.

[0284] In possible scenarios, when the terminal device is in a disconnected state and / or the terminal device moves out of the current cell, the first network device can send sixth information to the second access network device. This sixth information can be understood as resource reservation information.

[0285] Optionally, the first network device may send sixth information to at least one second access network device. The at least one second access network device includes access network devices located in the first area. Since the terminal device transmits sensing signals in a disconnected state, the first network device needs to send resource reservation information to other access network devices located in the first area, instructing at least one second access network device to reserve sensing signal resources. This reduces, on the one hand, the possibility of interference to the uplink transmission of the cell caused by the second access network device being unaware that the terminal device has entered the cell. On the other hand, it reduces the possibility of interference to the sensing results of the terminal device caused by the second access network device allocating the time-frequency resources containing the sensing signal resources to other terminal devices. Furthermore, for the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device can also perform sensing signal detection, reception, measurement, and processing.

[0286] Optionally, when the first network device is an access network device, it can also send the sixth information to the core network device, which then forwards the resource reservation information to at least one second access network device. The specific method of sending the sixth information is not limited in this embodiment.

[0287] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving seventh information from a second access network device or a core network device, the seventh information being used to indicate the release of sensing signal resources.

[0288] Optionally, after stopping sensing, the second access network device may send a seventh message to the first network device. This seventh message can also be understood as release information for reserved sensing signal resources, indicating that the sensing signal resources are no longer used by the terminal devices and can be reassigned to other terminal devices for communication or sensing.

[0289] Optionally, after stopping sensing, the second access network device may also send release information for reserved sensing signal resources to the core network device, and then the core network device sends the seventh information to the first network device. The specific method of sending the seventh information is not limited in this embodiment.

[0290] It is understandable that after stopping sensing, the reserved sensing signal resources should be released in a timely manner so that the sensing signal resources can be redistributed to other terminal devices for communication or sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0291] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving third information from a terminal device, the third information being used to request entering an idle state or an inactive state, and to request maintaining awareness.

[0292] After receiving the third information from the terminal device, the first network device, based on the request in the third information to maintain sensing, can, on the one hand, determine the configuration information of the first area and M sensing signal resources, and can also send the configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area to the terminal device. This facilitates signal sensing for the terminal device even in a disconnected state, reducing the terminal device's power consumption. On the other hand, based on the request in the third information to enter an idle or inactive state, the first network device can release the communication connection with the terminal device, thereby making reasonable use of resources. A detailed explanation of the third information can be found in the description of sending the third information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0293] The above describes the signal sensing method of this application embodiment from the perspective of the first network device. The following describes the signal sensing method of this application embodiment from the perspective of the second access network device.

[0294] Another signal sensing method according to an embodiment of this application is applied to a second access network device. The method includes:

[0295] The system receives a sixth message from the first network device or core network device. The sixth message is used to instruct the second access network device to reserve M sensing signal resources. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device to perform sensing in the first area. M is a positive integer.

[0296] In this embodiment, the second access network device can be an access network device in the first area. For example, the second access network device can be the first access network device, i.e., the access network device that previously had a communication connection with the terminal device; it can also be the access network device belonging to the cell to which the terminal device belongs after its location has moved and it has re-entered cell registration; or it can be the access network device belonging to other cells surrounding the terminal device. This embodiment does not impose any limitations. The explanation of the M sensing signal resources corresponding to the first area can be found in the relevant descriptions in steps S301 and S302 of the corresponding embodiment in Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0297] It is understandable that if the second access network device does not reserve the sensing signal resources of the first area, but instead allocates the time-frequency resources where the sensing signal resources are located to other terminal devices, then when a terminal device in a non-connected state enters this cell, the second access network device will not detect the terminal device entering this cell, which may cause interference to the uplink transmission of this cell, and the sensing results obtained by the terminal device may also be inaccurate.

[0298] Therefore, the second access network device can reserve resources for terminal devices to perform sensing in the first area. This reduces the possibility of interference with the uplink transmission of the cell caused by the second access network device being unaware that a terminal device has entered the cell. It also reduces the possibility of interference with the sensing results of terminal devices caused by the second access network device allocating the time-frequency resources where the sensing signal resources are located to other terminal devices.

[0299] In some embodiments, the method may further include: transmitting a broadcast signal or a broadcast signal resource, wherein one of the M sensing signal resources is associated with at least one broadcast signal in the broadcast signal.

[0300] The specific relationship between the sensing signal resources and the broadcast signals can be referred to in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, which describes the terminal device receiving N broadcast signals from the second access network device, and will not be repeated here.

[0301] In this embodiment, the second access network device transmits the association between sensing signal resources and the broadcast signal via broadcast information. Thus, even if the terminal device and the second access network device are not connected, the terminal device can still receive this association during the cell camp process and determine the sensing signal resources based on it. This allows the terminal device to determine sensing signal resources and achieve wireless sensing functionality even when it is in a disconnected state.

[0302] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving an echo signal of a first sensing signal on a first sensing signal resource, the echo signal of the first sensing signal being used to determine a sensing result; or, receiving second information from a terminal device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal; wherein the first sensing signal resource is a sensing signal resource among M sensing signal resources, the first sensing signal is a sensing signal sent by the terminal device on the first sensing signal resource, and the terminal device and the second access network device are in an idle state or an inactive state.

[0303] Optionally, the terminal device can transmit a first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource, and the second access network device can receive the echo signal of the first sensing signal. Furthermore, the second access network device can obtain the sensing result based on the first sensing signal and its echo signal. This sensing method corresponds to the self-transmitting and other-receiving sensing mode described above.

[0304] Optionally, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can also send sensing auxiliary information to the second access network device. For example, the terminal device can send its own location and other information to the second access network device to assist the second access network device in determining the sensing results.

[0305] Understandably, both the self-sensing and self-receiving sensing modes and the self-sensing and other-receiving sensing modes enable wireless sensing when there is no communication connection between the terminal device and the second access network device, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device and improving its battery life.

[0306] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending first information to a terminal device, the first information including information determined by a second access network device based on a first sensing signal.

[0307] The second access network device can send sensing results to the terminal device through the first information, which can be understood as the sensing results obtained by the second access network device based on the first sensing signal and the echo signal of the first sensing signal. In this way, the terminal device can determine the surrounding environment based on the first information, thereby performing wireless sensing.

[0308] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending fourth information to a terminal device, the fourth information indicating to stop sensing, or the fourth information indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping a first sensing service, stopping sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stopping sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources; or receiving fifth information from the terminal device, the fifth information indicating to stop sensing, or the fifth information indicating one or more of the following: stopping sensing in a first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, releasing the M sensing signal resources.

[0309] Stopping sensing can be understood as the terminal device ceasing to send sensing signals on sensing signal resources.

[0310] In possible implementations, the second access network device may actively stop sensing, or the second access network device may stop sensing based on the indication of the fifth information. This application embodiment does not limit the scope of the implementation.

[0311] Optionally, the second access network device can broadcast a fourth message to indicate the cessation of sensing. Thus, when a terminal device enters the cell and receives the fourth message, it will no longer send sensing signals. The fourth message can also be used to indicate the cessation of sensing by one or more terminal devices, the cessation of sensing in a first area, the cessation of a first sensing service, or the cessation of sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of M sensing signal resources, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0312] Optionally, the second access network device can stop sensing based on the instruction of the fifth information. The fifth information can also be used to instruct stopping sensing in the first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, releasing M sensing signal resources, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. For details of the fourth and fifth information, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the fourth and fifth information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] Understandably, when a terminal device or a second access network device determines that there is no current need for sensing, it can send a message to the other party instructing it to stop sensing, thereby ceasing sensing. In this way, the terminal device stopping sensing reduces power consumption, and the second access network device can promptly release sensing signal resources for reallocation, thus optimizing resource utilization and improving communication efficiency.

[0314] In some embodiments, the method may further include: sending a seventh message to a first network device or a third access network device, the seventh message being used to indicate the release of sensing signal resources, wherein the third access network device is an access network device within a first area.

[0315] The second access network device sends a seventh message to the first network device or the third access network device. The first network device may include the first access network device and / or a core network device, and the third access network device may include the first access network device, or an access network device that has reserved sensing signal resources for terminal devices and needs to release those reserved resources. It is understood that after stopping sensing, the second access network device promptly releases the reserved sensing signal resources. This allows the second access network device to reallocate the sensing signal resources to other terminal devices for communication or sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0316] The signal sensing method of this application embodiment has been described above from the perspectives of the terminal device side, the first network device side, and the second access network device side. The signal sensing method of this application embodiment will now be described from the perspective of the interactive implementation of the communication system.

[0317] Figure 5 illustrates the interaction between the terminal device, the first network device, and the second access network device in the signal sensing method provided in this application embodiment.

[0318] S501, The terminal device sends information to the first network device to request to enter the disconnected state and to request to maintain awareness.

[0319] Entering a non-connected state can include entering an idle state or an inactive state.

[0320] Optionally, the terminal device may send third information to the first network device when there is no communication service requirement, to request entering a connectionless state and to request maintaining awareness. The specific timing of sending the third information is not limited in this embodiment. The process of the terminal device sending the third information to the first network device can be referred to the relevant description of the third information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] The terminal device sends information to the first network device requesting to enter a connectionless state and to maintain sensing. This allows the terminal device to perform wireless sensing without establishing a communication connection with the access network device, thereby reducing the terminal device's power consumption and improving its battery life.

[0322] It is understood that step S501 is an optional step. The first network device can configure the configuration information of the first area and sensing signal resources to the terminal device without receiving the third information. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0323] S502, The first network device sends the configuration information of the sensing signal resources to the terminal device.

[0324] Before the first network device sends the configuration information of the sensing signal resources to the terminal device, the first network device may first determine the configuration information of the sensing signal resources. The specific process by which the first network device determines the configuration information of the first area and the sensing signal resources can be referred to the relevant description in step S301 of the corresponding embodiment in Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0325] Optionally, the first network device may determine to trigger the configuration information of the first area and sensing signal resources upon receiving third information or determining that the terminal device has no communication needs. The specific timing for triggering the configuration information of the sensing signal resources is not limited in this embodiment.

[0326] S503, the first network device sends an indication message for the first area to the terminal device and releases resources.

[0327] The first network device can also determine indication information for the first area. The specific indication information for the first area can be found in the relevant description in step S302 of the corresponding embodiment in Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0328] Optionally, the first network device may send configuration information of the sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area to the terminal device via a single signaling signal. Alternatively, the first network device may send configuration information of the sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area to the terminal device via different signaling signals. For example, the first signaling signal may be used to send configuration information of the sensing signal resources, and the second signaling signal may be used to send indication information of the first area.

[0329] Optionally, the first network device may send first signaling and second signaling to the terminal device before releasing the communication connection (e.g., releasing the RRC connection).

[0330] Optionally, the first network device may also send a first signaling message to the terminal device before releasing the communication connection. And, the first network device may send a second signaling message to the terminal device when releasing the communication connection.

[0331] Optionally, the first network device may also send a first signaling and a second signaling to the terminal device when releasing the communication connection.

[0332] Optionally, the first network device may first send a first signaling message to the terminal device, and when the first condition is met, the first network device may also send a second signaling message to the terminal device. The first condition includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the location of the terminal device is about to change, the terminal device requests to release the communication connection, or the first network device sends communication connection release information.

[0333] The specific method by which the first network device sends configuration information of sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0334] In this embodiment, the first network device can configure the terminal device with the configuration information of the sensing signal resources in the first area. Thus, within the first area, regardless of whether the terminal device has established a communication connection with the access network device, the terminal device can send sensing signals for sensing. This reduces the power consumption of the terminal device, decreases its power consumption, and improves its battery life.

[0335] S504. The first network device sends resource reservation information to the second access network device.

[0336] The process of the first network device sending resource reservation information to the second access network device can be referred to the relevant description in the above embodiment of the first network device sending the sixth information to the second access network device or core network device, and will not be repeated here.

[0337] It is understandable that the process of the first network device sending configuration information of sensing signal resources and indication information of the first area to the terminal device, and the process of the first network device sending resource reservation information to the second access network device, can be executed in any order. That is to say, the execution of steps S502 and S503, and the execution of step S504, do not have a specific order.

[0338] Sending resource reservation information from the first network device to the second access network device can reduce the occurrence of uplink transmission interference in the cell caused by the second access network device being unaware that a terminal device has entered the cell. It can also reduce the occurrence of interference with the sensing results of terminal devices caused by the second access network device allocating time-frequency resources containing sensing signal resources to other terminal devices.

[0339] S505, the second access network device sends a broadcast signal to indicate the correlation between the sensing signal resources and the broadcast signal.

[0340] The process of the second access network device sending a broadcast signal can be referred to the relevant description of the broadcast signal in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, or to the relevant description of the second access network device sending a broadcast signal in the embodiment on the second access network device side above, which will not be repeated here.

[0341] The second access network device broadcasts the association between sensing signal resources and the broadcast signal. Thus, even if the terminal device is not connected to the second access network device, it can still receive this association during cell camp and determine the sensing signal resources based on it. This allows the terminal device to determine sensing signal resources and achieve wireless sensing functionality even when it is in a disconnected state.

[0342] It is understood that step S505 is an optional step, and the second access network device may also choose not to send a broadcast signal indicating the association between the sensed signal resources and the broadcast signal. In this case, the terminal device can determine the sensed signal resources based on the M sensed signal resources.

[0343] S506, The terminal device sends the first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource.

[0344] The process of the terminal device sending the first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource can be referred to the relevant description in step S303 of the corresponding embodiment in Figure 3, and will not be repeated here. The terminal device can send the first sensing signal when it is in a disconnected state. In this way, the terminal device can still perform signal sensing even when it does not establish a communication connection with the access network device, and it does not need to maintain a communication connection with the access network device. This reduces the power consumption of the terminal device and improves its battery life.

[0345] S507, the terminal device or the second access network device sends the sensing results.

[0346] Optionally, in the self-transmitting and self-receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can receive the echo signal of the first sensing signal and determine the sensing result based on the first sensing signal and its echo signal. Optionally, the terminal device can also send the sensing result to the second access network device. The specific implementation of the terminal device sending the sensing result can be referred to the description related to the second information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0347] It is understandable that in the self-sensing and self-receiving mode, if the sensing result is used for the terminal device itself, the terminal device may not need to send the sensing result to the second access network device. That is to say, step S507 is an optional step.

[0348] Optionally, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the second access network device can receive the echo signal of the first sensing signal and determine the sensing result based on the first sensing signal and the echo signal of the first sensing signal.

[0349] Optionally, in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, the terminal device can also send sensing auxiliary information to the second access network device. For example, the terminal device can send its own location and other information to the second access network device to assist the second access network device in determining the sensing results.

[0350] Optionally, the second access network device can also send the sensing results to the terminal device. In this way, the terminal device can determine the surrounding environment based on the sensing results, thereby performing wireless sensing. The specific implementation of the second access network device sending the sensing results can be found in the description related to the first information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, and will not be repeated here.

[0351] It is understandable that in the self-transmitting and receiving sensing mode, if the sensing result is used for the second access network device itself, the second access network device may not send the sensing result to the terminal device. That is to say, step S507 is an optional step.

[0352] S508, the terminal device or the second access network device sends information to indicate the cessation of sensing.

[0353] Optionally, the second access network device can indicate to stop sensing by sending a broadcast message. For specific implementation details, please refer to the description related to the fourth information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0354] Optionally, the terminal device may send information to the second access network device to indicate that sensing should be stopped. For specific implementation details, please refer to the description related to the fifth information in the corresponding embodiment of Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0355] Understandably, when a terminal device or a second access network device determines that there is no current need for sensing, it can send a message to the other party instructing it to stop sensing, thereby ceasing sensing. In this way, the terminal device stopping sensing reduces power consumption, and the second access network device can promptly release sensing signal resources for reallocation, thus optimizing resource utilization and improving communication efficiency.

[0356] S509. The second access network device sends the release information of the reserved sensing signal resources to the third access network device or the core network device.

[0357] The process by which the third access network device sends the release information of reserved sensing signal resources to the first network device can be referred to the description related to the seventh information in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here. It is understood that after sensing stops, timely release of reserved sensing signal resources can redistribute the sensing signal resources to other terminal devices for communication or sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0358] 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 does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0359] 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.

[0360] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device or access network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps described in conjunction with the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0361] Figures 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or access network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be the access network device 101 shown in Figure 1, or the terminal device 102 shown in Figure 1, or a module (such as a chip) applied to the access network device 101 or the terminal device 102.

[0362] As shown in Figure 6, the communication device 600 includes a processing unit 601 and a transceiver unit 602. The communication device 600 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or access network device in the above embodiments.

[0363] It should be understood that the communication device 600 can be embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. The communication device 600 can also be a chip, such as a system-on-chip (SOC). Those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device 600 can specifically be the terminal device or access network device in the above embodiments, and the communication device 600 can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device or access network device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0364] As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 700 may include a processor 701, a transceiver 702, and a memory 703. The processor 701, transceiver 702, and memory 703 communicate with each other through an internal connection path. The memory 703 is used to store instructions, and the processor 701 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 703 to control the transceiver 702 to send and / or receive signals.

[0365] It should be understood that the communication device 700 may specifically be the terminal device in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 703 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information. The processor 701 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory, and when the processor 701 executes instructions stored in the memory, the processor 701 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 702 may include a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. The transmitter may be used to implement the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the transceiver for performing the transmission action. For example, the transmitter may be used to send information to another device via the antenna. The receiver may be used to implement the various steps and / or processes corresponding to the transceiver for performing the reception action. For example, the receiver may be used to receive information from another device via the antenna.

[0366] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0367] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0368] This application also provides a chip system for a terminal device. This chip system can execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0369] This application also provides a chip system for an access network device. This chip system can execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the access network device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0370] This application also provides a processor. This processor can execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0371] This application also provides another processor. This processor can execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the access network device in the above method embodiments, which will not be described again here to avoid repetition.

[0372] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that implements the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0373] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer can execute the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0374] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules 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 implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0375] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0376] It should be understood that the systems, apparatuses, and methods described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in other ways. The apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0377] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0378] In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0379] If this functional module is implemented as a software module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application embodiment, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This 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.) to execute all or part of the steps of the 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.

[0380] 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.

Claims

1. A signal sensing method, characterized by, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive configuration information for M sensing signal resources and indication information for the first region, where M is a positive integer; When the terminal device is in the first area, a first sensing signal is transmitted on a first sensing signal resource, wherein the first sensing signal resource is a sensing signal resource among the M sensing signal resources.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, When the terminal device is in the first area, transmitting the first sensing signal on the first sensing signal resource includes: When the terminal device is in an idle or inactive state and is located in the first area, the first sensing signal is transmitted on the first sensing signal resource.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first sensing signal is transmitted based on a first beam, which is determined based on the position of the sensing target.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The configuration information of the M sensing signal resources includes the location information of the sensing target and / or the identifier of the sensing target.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive N broadcast signals from a second access network device, wherein one of the M sensing signal resources is associated with at least one of the N broadcast signals, N is a positive integer, and the second access network device is an access network device in the first area; The first sensing signal resource is determined based on the measurement results of the N broadcast signals and the correlation relationship.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The association between the one sensing signal resource and at least one of the N broadcast signals is used to indicate that the receiving beam of the second access network device on the one sensing signal resource has beam correlation with the transmitting beam of the second access network device transmitting the at least one broadcast signal.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein, The M sensing signal resources include K sensing signal resources, and the first sensing signal resource includes one of the K sensing signal resources. Each of the K sensing signal resources is associated with a first signal strength, which is determined based on the signal strength of at least one broadcast signal associated with the sensing signal resource. Determining the first sensing signal resource based on the measurement results of N broadcast signals and the association relationship includes: The first sensing signal resource is determined based on the first signal strength associated with each of the K sensing signal resources, where K is a positive integer less than or equal to M.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first signal strength is the signal strength with the largest signal strength among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the smallest first signal strength associated among the K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a first signal strength less than or equal to a first threshold associated among the K sensing signal resources.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first signal strength is the signal strength with the largest signal strength among at least one broadcast signal associated with a sensing signal resource, the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource with the largest first signal strength associated among the K sensing signal resources, or the first sensing signal resource is one of the sensing signal resources with a first signal strength greater than or equal to a second threshold associated among the K sensing signal resources.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein, The measurement results of the N broadcast signals are received by the terminal device based on the second beam, which is a beam determined according to the first beam, and the first beam is the beam that transmits the first sensing signal in the first sensing signal resource.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, and the third power is determined based on the measurement results of the broadcast signal of a second access network device, wherein the second access network device is an access network device in the first area.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; Wherein, the broadcast signal is one of the broadcast signals sent by the second access network device, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement result of the broadcast signal.

13. The method of any one of claims 5-8, wherein, The transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on the third power, the second power is determined based on a first sensing service, the third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, and each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; Wherein, the broadcast signal is a broadcast signal that is associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement results of the broadcast signal.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein, The method further includes: The echo signal of the first sensing signal is received on the first sensing signal resource, and the echo signal of the first sensing signal is used to determine the sensing result.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein, The third power is the maximum power among one or more fourth powers, each of the one or more fourth powers being determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal; Wherein, the broadcast signal is one of the broadcast signals sent by the second access network device, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement result of the broadcast signal.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein, The transmission power of the sensing signal is a first power, which is determined based on a second power and a third power, or the first power is determined based on a third power and the second power is determined based on a first sensing service. The third power is the minimum power among one or more fourth powers, and each of the one or more fourth powers is determined based on a first power threshold and a first path loss corresponding to a broadcast signal. Wherein, the broadcast signal is a broadcast signal associated with the first sensing signal resource, and the first path loss is determined based on the measurement results of the broadcast signal.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, wherein, The first sensing signal is used by the second access network device to determine the sensing result.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives first information from the second access network device. The first information is used to indicate the sensing result. The first information is information scrambled using a first radio network temporary identifier (RNTI). The first RNTI is valid in the first area.

19. The method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein, The method further includes: Send second information to the second access network device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal.

20. The method of any one of claims 1-19, wherein, The method further includes: Send a third message, which is used to request to enter an idle state or an inactive state, and to request to maintain perception.

21. The method of any one of claims 1-20, wherein, The method further includes: Receive fourth information from the second access network device, the fourth information being used to indicate stopping sensing, or the fourth information being used to indicate one or more of the following: stopping sensing in the first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stopping sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of the M sensing signal resources; Alternatively, a fifth message may be sent to the second access network device, the fifth message being used to indicate the cessation of sensing, or the fifth message being used to indicate one or more of the following: cessation of sensing in the first area, cessation of the first sensing service, cessation of sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, and release of the M sensing signal resources.

22. The method of any one of claims 1-21, wherein, The indication information for the first area includes one or more of the following: geographic area information, a list of cell identifiers, or a list of cell identifiers and synchronization information identifiers (SSBs).

23. A signal sensing method, comprising: Applied to a first network device, the method includes: The configuration information of M sensing signal resources is determined, and the information of the first region is determined. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device to perform sensing in the first region, where M is a positive integer. The configuration information of the M sensing signal resources and the indication information of the first area are sent to the terminal device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The method further includes: Send a sixth message to the second access network device or the core network device, the sixth message being used to instruct the second access network device to reserve the M sensing signal resources.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a seventh message from the second access network device or the core network device, the seventh message being used to instruct the release of sensing signal resources.

26. The method of any one of claims 23-25, wherein, The method further includes: The device receives third information from the terminal device, which is used to request to enter an idle state or an inactive state and to request to maintain awareness.

27. A signal sensing method, comprising: Applied to a second access network device, the method includes: The device receives a sixth message from a first network device or a core network device. The sixth message is used to instruct the second access network device to reserve M sensing signal resources. The M sensing signal resources are used by the terminal device to perform sensing in the first area, where M is a positive integer.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein, The method further includes: A broadcast signal is transmitted, wherein one of the M sensing signal resources is associated with at least one of the broadcast signals.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, wherein, The method further includes: The echo signal of the first sensing signal is received on the first sensing signal resource, and the echo signal of the first sensing signal is used to determine the sensing result. Alternatively, receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information including information determined by the terminal device based on the first sensing signal; Wherein, the first sensing signal resource is the sensing signal resource among the M sensing signal resources, and the first sensing signal is the sensing signal sent by the terminal device on the first sensing signal resource.

30. The method of any one of claims 27-29, wherein, The terminal device and the second access network device are in an idle or inactive state.

31. The method of claim 29 or 30, wherein, The method further includes: Send first information to the terminal device, the first information including information determined by the second access network device based on the first sensing signal.

32. The method of any one of claims 27-31, wherein, The method further includes: Send a fourth message to the terminal device, the fourth message being used to indicate to stop sensing, or the fourth message being used to indicate one or more of the following: stop sensing in the first area, stop the first sensing service, stop sensing by one or more terminal devices, or stop sensing based on some or all of the sensing signal resources of the M sensing signal resources. Alternatively, the terminal device may receive a fifth message, which indicates that sensing should be stopped, or the fifth message indicates one or more of the following: stopping sensing in the first area, stopping the first sensing service, stopping sensing based on the first sensing signal resources, or releasing the M sensing signal resources.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein, The method further includes: A seventh message is sent to the first network device or the third access network device, the seventh message being used to instruct the release of sensing signal resources, the third access network device being an access network device within the first area.

34. A communications device, characterized by The device includes a processor coupled to a memory for storing a computer program, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22; or, perform the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 26; or, perform the method as described in any one of claims 27 to 33.

35. A communications device, characterized by The device includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor being configured to control the communication interface to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22; or, to perform the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 26; or, to perform the method as described in any one of claims 27 to 33.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer stores instructions that, when executed on the computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22, or the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 26, or the method as described in any one of claims 27 to 33.

37. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program that, when run, causes a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 22, or the method of any one of claims 23 to 26, or the method of any one of claims 27 to 33.

38. A chip system, characterized by The chip system is applied to an electronic device, the chip system including one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to invoke computer instructions to cause the electronic device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 22, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 23 to 26, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 27 to 33.

39. A communication system, characterized by It includes a first communication device, a second communication device, and a third communication device. The first communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the terminal device in any one of claims 1 to 22; the second communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the first network device in any one of claims 1 to 22; and the third communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the second access network device in any one of claims 1 to 22; or, The first communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the terminal device in any one of claims 23 to 26; the second communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the first network device in any one of claims 23 to 26; and the third communication device is configured to execute the method performed by the second access network device in any one of claims 23 to 26; or, The first communication device is used to execute the method executed by the terminal device in any one of claims 27 to 33, the second communication device is used to execute the method executed by the first network device in any one of claims 27 to 33, and the third communication device is used to execute the method executed by the second access network device in any one of claims 27 to 33.

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