Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method, apparatus and system. The communication method comprises: determining a target pulse for transmitting a signal, the shape of the target pulse minimizing the sidelobe energy of an output signal subjected to matched filtering in a positioning area; transmitting shape information of the target pulse to a receiving end, the shape information of the target pulse being used for indicating the shape of the target pulse, and the shape information of the target pulse being used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse; and using the target pulse to transmit a first signal to the receiving end, the target pulse being used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal. The present application can improve, in a scenario of a two-station system, the positioning performance in a positioning area and the positioning accuracy of a weak target to be positioned. The present application is used for target positioning.

Description

Communication methods, devices and systems Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus and system. Background Technology

[0002] Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) technology can be understood as a technology that integrates sensing and communication. ISAC technology can not only support new application scenarios, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), but also provide higher-precision sensing and positioning services. In wireless communication networks, communication data signals occupy most of the network's time-frequency resources. To maximize resource utilization efficiency, a major research direction of ISAC is to simultaneously achieve communication and positioning sensing tasks using communication data signals.

[0003] In related technologies, radar signals are typically used for positioning and sensing. Radar signals are carefully designed deterministic signals, while communication data signals are random signals carrying information. The randomness of communication data signals can affect positioning and sensing performance, leading to target positioning errors. Therefore, how to improve the performance of positioning and sensing under random signal systems has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system that solves the problem in related technologies that the randomness of communication data signals affects positioning perception performance and leads to target positioning errors. It can improve positioning performance within the positioning area and positioning accuracy for weakly positioned targets in scenarios where the transmitting end and the receiving end are not the same device (also known as a dual-station system).

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied at a transmitting end, the method comprising: determining a target pulse for transmitting a signal, the shape of the target pulse being such that the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within a positioning area is minimized; transmitting shape information of the target pulse to a receiving end, the shape information of the target pulse being used to indicate the shape of the target pulse, the shape information of the target pulse being used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse; and transmitting a first signal to the receiving end using the target pulse, the target pulse being used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

[0006] For example, the shape of the target pulse that minimizes the sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area may include: the shape of the target pulse that minimizes the integrated sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area, or the shape of the target pulse that minimizes the maximum sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area.

[0007] Its beneficial effect is that the transmitting end can adjust the shape of the pulse used to transmit the signal according to different positioning areas. Then, the transmitting end sends the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end, so that the receiving end can use the target pulse for matched filtering. Compared with related technologies, it improves the positioning performance within the positioning area and the positioning accuracy of weakly positioned targets in scenarios where the transmitting end and the receiving end are not the same device (also known as a dual-station system).

[0008] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending positioning time information to the receiving end, the positioning time information being used to indicate a positioning time period, and the positioning time information being used to instruct the receiving end to continuously perform matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving positioning time information sent by the receiving end, the positioning time information being used to indicate a positioning time period, and the receiving end continuously performing matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the target pulse changes during the positioning time period, sending the latest target pulse shape information to the receiving end, the latest target pulse shape information being used by the receiving end to determine the new target pulse; and using the latest target pulse to send a second signal to the receiving end, the latest target pulse being used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the second signal.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the target pulse does not change during the positioning time period, sending a third signal to the receiving end using the current target pulse, wherein the current target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the third signal.

[0012] Its beneficial effect is that when the positioning requesting party needs to continuously perform positioning over a period of time, it only needs to send a positioning request once. The positioning requesting party uses positioning time information to indicate that a preset type of data signal transmitted within a certain period of time will be used for positioning, eliminating the need to send a positioning request before each transmission of the preset type of signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving communication transmission efficiency.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending cumulative quantity information to the receiving end, the cumulative quantity information being used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the cumulative quantity information being used by the receiving end to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

[0014] Its beneficial effect is that, during the positioning process, by superimposing the outputs of the matched filter and averaging them, the influence of random data on the autocorrelation performance can be reduced, thereby reducing the autocorrelation sidelobes of the matched filter and thus improving the positioning accuracy of weak targets.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a positioning request to a receiving end, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide a positioning result; and receiving the positioning result sent by the receiving end, the positioning result being obtained by the receiving end through matched filtering of a first signal.

[0016] The receiving end performs positioning based on its own location, and the resulting positioning result is the positioning result of the target relative to the receiving end. Therefore, the sending end needs to obtain the coordinates of the receiving end to convert the positioning result of the target relative to the receiving end into a positioning result relative to the sending end. In one possible implementation, the positioning request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0018] When the receiving end has a positioning requirement, the positioning area is determined by the receiving end, but the transmitting end needs to determine the target pulse based on the positioning area. Therefore, the receiving end needs to indicate the positioning area to the transmitting end. In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a positioning request sent by the receiving end, the positioning request including at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information, wherein the positioning area information is used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end; and determining the positioning area based on the positioning request.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain. For example, the shape information of the target pulse may include the power spectrum corresponding to the frequency index of the positive value in the frequency domain power spectrum of the target pulse.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0021] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied at a receiving end. The method includes: receiving shape information of a target pulse transmitted by a transmitting end, wherein the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse, and the shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area; determining the target pulse based on the shape information of the target pulse; receiving a first signal transmitted by the transmitting end using the determined target pulse; and performing matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse.

[0022] Its beneficial effect is that the transmitting end can adjust the shape of the pulse used to transmit the signal according to different positioning areas. Then, the transmitting end sends the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end, so that the receiving end can use the determined target pulse for matched filtering. Compared with related technologies, it improves the positioning performance within the positioning area and the positioning accuracy of weakly positioned targets in scenarios where the transmitting end and the receiving end are not the same device (also known as a dual-station system).

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving positioning time information sent by the transmitting end, the positioning time information being used to indicate a positioning time period; and continuously performing matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending positioning time information to the sending end, wherein the positioning duration information is used to indicate the positioning time period; and continuously performing matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if shape information of a new target pulse is received during the positioning time period, determining the new target pulse and using the determined latest target pulse to perform matched filtering on the received second signal; if shape information of a new target pulse is not received during the positioning time period, using the determined current target pulse to perform matched filtering on the received third signal.

[0026] Its beneficial effect is that when the positioning requesting party needs to continuously perform positioning over a period of time, it only needs to send a positioning request once. The positioning requesting party uses positioning time information to indicate that a preset type of data signal transmitted within a certain period of time will be used for positioning, eliminating the need to send a positioning request before each transmission of the preset type of signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving communication transmission efficiency.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving cumulative quantity information, the cumulative quantity information being used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the process of performing matched filtering on the first signal using a determined target pulse includes: accumulating the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and taking the average.

[0028] Its beneficial effect is that, during the positioning process, by superimposing the outputs of the matched filter and averaging them, the influence of random data on the autocorrelation performance can be reduced, thereby reducing the autocorrelation sidelobes of the matched filter and thus improving the positioning accuracy of weak targets.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a positioning request sent by a transmitter, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiver to provide a positioning result; and sending to the transmitter a positioning result obtained by performing matched filtering on a first signal.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the location request further includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the feedback receiver. The method also includes sending the coordinates of the receiver to the sender.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a positioning request to the sending end, the positioning request being used by the sending end to determine a positioning area; the positioning request includes at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information, the positioning area information being used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information being used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0035] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device applied at a transmitting end, the device comprising: a processing module for determining a target pulse for transmitting a signal, the shape of the target pulse being such that the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within a positioning area is minimized; a transceiver module for transmitting shape information of the target pulse to a receiving end, the shape information of the target pulse being used to indicate the shape of the target pulse, and the shape information of the target pulse being used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse; the transceiver module is further configured to transmit a first signal to the receiving end using the target pulse, the target pulse being used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to send positioning time information to the receiving end. The positioning time information is used to indicate the positioning time period and to instruct the receiving end to continuously perform matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive positioning time information sent by the receiving end. The positioning time information is used to indicate the positioning time period. The receiving end continuously performs matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: if the target pulse changes during the positioning time period, send the latest target pulse shape information to the receiving end, the latest target pulse shape information being used by the receiving end to determine the new target pulse; and send a second signal to the receiving end using the latest target pulse, the latest target pulse being used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the second signal.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a third signal to the receiver using the current target pulse if the target pulse does not change during the positioning time period. The current target pulse is used by the receiver to perform matched filtering on the third signal.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to send cumulative quantity information to the receiving end. The cumulative quantity information is used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the receiving end uses the cumulative quantity information to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: send a positioning request to the receiving end, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide a positioning result; and receive the positioning result sent by the receiving end, the positioning result being obtained by the receiving end through matched filtering of a first signal.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the location request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the feedback receiver.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a positioning request sent by the receiving end, the positioning request including at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information, the positioning area information being used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information being used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end; and to determine the positioning area based on the positioning request.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0047] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device applied at a receiving end, the device comprising: a transceiver module for receiving shape information of a target pulse transmitted by a transmitting end, the shape information of the target pulse indicating the shape of the target pulse, the shape of the target pulse minimizing the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area; a processing module for determining the target pulse based on the shape information of the target pulse; the transceiver module further for receiving a first signal transmitted by the transmitting end using the determined target pulse; and the processing module further for performing matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive positioning time information sent by the transmitter, the positioning time information being used to indicate the positioning time period; the processing module is further configured to continuously perform matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send positioning time information to the sending end, and the positioning duration information is used to indicate the positioning time period; the processing module is further configured to continuously perform matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine a new target pulse if shape information of a new target pulse is received within the positioning time period, and to perform matched filtering on the received second signal using the determined latest target pulse; the processing module is further configured to perform matched filtering on the received third signal using the determined current target pulse if shape information of a new target pulse is not received within the positioning time period.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is also used to receive cumulative quantity information, which is used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the processing module is specifically used to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive a positioning request sent by the sender, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiver to provide a positioning result; and send to the sender a positioning result obtained by performing matched filtering on a first signal.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the location request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end. The transceiver module is also used to send the coordinates of the receiving end to the sending end.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a positioning request to the sending end, the positioning request being used by the sending end to determine the positioning area; the positioning request includes at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information, the positioning area information being used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information being used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0058] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device comprising: one or more processors; a memory for storing one or more computer programs or instructions; and, when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the method as described in any of the first aspects.

[0059] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device, including a processor for performing the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0060] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication device comprising: one or more processors; a memory for storing one or more computer programs or instructions; and, when the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the method as described in any of the second aspects.

[0061] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, including a processor for performing the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0062] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device, the device comprising: a processing circuit and an interface circuit; wherein the interface circuit is configured to couple with a memory external to the communication device and provide a communication interface for the processing circuit to access the memory; the processing circuit is configured to execute program instructions in the memory to implement the method as described in either the first or second aspect.

[0063] In practical implementation, the communication device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0064] In one implementation, the communication device can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device that supports wireless communication functionality. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a terminal such as a smartphone. The network chip can also be called a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or simply a SoC chip. The communication chip may include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency (RF) processing chip. The baseband processing chip is sometimes also called a modem or baseband chip. The RF processing chip is sometimes called an RF transceiver or RF chip. In physical implementation, some or all of the chips in the communication chip can be integrated within the SoC chip. For example, the baseband processing chip is integrated into the SoC chip, while the RF processing chip is not integrated with the SoC chip. The interface circuit can be the RF processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be the baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0065] In another implementation, the communication device can be a component of a wireless communication device, such as an integrated circuit product like a network chip or communication chip. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip network. The processor can also be represented as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system comprising a transmitter and a receiver; the transmitter is configured to perform the method as described in any one of the first aspects, and the receiver is configured to perform the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0067] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method as described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0068] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a chip comprising: at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to perform the method as described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0069] Optionally, the chip also includes memory. At least one processor is used to execute code in the memory, and when the at least one processor executes the code, it causes the chip to implement the method as described in any one of the first and second aspects.

[0070] Alternatively, the chip described above can also be an integrated circuit.

[0071] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of the first and second aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0072] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a positioning scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the format of a location announcement frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another location announcement frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the format of a location request frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the format of a location report frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the format of a location request frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a frame transmission process in a positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of another location request frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0092] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 22 is a block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0094] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0095] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, embodiments, claims, and drawings of this application are for distinguishing purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such as including a series of steps or units. A method, system, product, or apparatus is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0096] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, and "more than" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0097] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0098] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, embodiments, claims, and drawings of this application are for distinguishing purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such as including a series of steps or units. A method, system, product, or apparatus is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0099] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, and "more than" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0100] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the technologies and terms involved in the embodiments of this application will first be explained:

[0101] A pulse is an electrical signal generated by a signal generator. Electronic switches (such as transistors) can rapidly turn signals on and off at specific moments to generate brief pulses. The shape of a pulse refers to its specific manifestation in the time domain, determining its duration, amplitude variation, and rise or fall time. Furthermore, pulses can be shaped to have specific shapes; common pulse shapes include rectangular pulses and Gaussian pulses. Pulses can carry data, and the receiving end decodes information by recognizing pulses.

[0102] Autocorrelation-based multi-target ranging signal processing technology: used for the effective detection and localization of multiple targets (targets here refer to targets that do not emit any electromagnetic waves, such as the human body). The core of this technology lies in using pulse signals to achieve accurate ranging or localization of targets through autocorrelation operations.

[0103] Autocorrelation: Autocorrelation compares the received signal with the transmitted signal to help understand the similarity of the signals at different points in time. When a signal transmitted by the transmitter encounters a target, it is reflected. The receiver receives the reflected signal (i.e., the echo) and calculates the autocorrelation function of the received signal. The autocorrelation function shows the energy distribution of the signal at different time delays; the greater the reflection intensity of the target, the higher the peak value. Each peak corresponds to a possible target. Through these peak values, the receiver can separate and identify the signals of multiple targets.

[0104] Autocorrelation function: For a signal x(t), its autocorrelation function R(τ) can be defined as follows: Where τ represents the time delay, x * Indicates the conjugate of the signal.

[0105] Matched filtering algorithm: Matched filtering is used to improve the accuracy of target localization. It helps the receiver select the target signal from complex received signals, such as selecting the reflected signal corresponding to a specific transmitted signal. Specifically, the receiver compares the received signal with a known "template" signal, that is, it performs a convolution operation between the received signal and the template signal. The shape of this template signal needs to be the same as the shape of the pulse signal transmitted by the transmitter. If the matched filter detects a significant peak in the output signal y(t), it means that the received signal contains components similar to the template signal. Based on the position of the peak, the distance to the target can be further determined.

[0106] Matched filtering can be represented by convolution as y(t) = x(t) * h(t), where x(t) is the input signal to the matched filter, i.e., the signal received at the receiver, and h(t) is the impulse response of the matched filter. If h(t) is a time-delayed copy of x(t), then this convolution operation is actually the autocorrelation operation of x(t). Matched filtering is implemented by calculating autocorrelation, which calculates the similarity between a signal and itself. Matched filtering, on the other hand, calculates the similarity between a signal and a known template. When this template is the signal itself (or the signal itself after a time delay), then matched filtering can be considered a special case of autocorrelation.

[0107] Matched filtering can be implemented in the time domain or the frequency domain. If implemented in the time domain, the matched filter performs convolution calculations; if implemented in the frequency domain, the matched filter performs dot product calculations.

[0108] This application provides a communication method that can be used to achieve target positioning within a specific positioning area in a communication system. The communication system includes, but is not limited to: 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) related cellular systems, such as 4th generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), 5th generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., New Radio (NR) systems), and future-oriented evolution systems (e.g., 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems). The communication system can also be an open radio access network (OORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. The communication system can also be a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems.

[0109] Among them, the WLAN system can be, for example, a WLAN system that supports the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax next-generation wireless fidelity (WiFi) protocol, a WLAN system that supports the IEEE 802.11be next-generation Wi-Fi protocol, a WLAN system that supports WiFi artificial intelligence (AI), a WLAN system that supports millimeter wave, a WLAN system that supports ultra-wideband (UWB), or a WLAN system that supports sensing.

[0110] The communication system provided in this application embodiment may include network devices and terminal devices. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes at least one network device 101 and at least one terminal device 102.

[0111] In this embodiment, the communication device has wireless communication capabilities and can be configured with multiple antennas. These multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Additionally, each communication device also includes a transmitter chain and a receiver chain. Those skilled in the art will understand that these chains may include multiple components related to signal transmission and reception (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, or antennas). The communication device can be a network device or a terminal device, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0112] The network device 101 is located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system. It is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access and is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, or a chip or chip system that can be installed in the device. The network device 101 includes, but is not limited to, network devices, radio access network (RAN) nodes, access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes. Multiple network devices 101 in the communication system can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types.

[0113] In one possible scenario, network device 101 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. Network device 101 can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Network device 101 can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, an open radio access network (ORAN), or a radio controller in a centralized radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Network device 101 can also be one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5th generation (5G) base station, or it can be a network node constituting a gNB, TRP, TP, or transmission measurement function (TMF), such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), or a roadside unit (RSU) with base station functionality. CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0114] In different systems, CU (or CU-control plane and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU open CU, DU can also be called O-DU, CU-control plane can also be called O-CU-control plane, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, the embodiments of this application use CU, CU-control plane, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any unit among CU (or CU-control plane, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0115] Optionally, network device 101 can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the network device can be an RSU (Roadside Unit). Optionally, network device can also be a control unit in autonomous driving, a central controller in a smart factory / smart home, or a handheld or automatic control remote sensor for flight equipment. Optionally, network device can also be a control device such as a central control unit or control panel, like a drone controller or a control unit in industrial control. All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions.

[0116] The form of the network device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device that supports the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0117] Terminal equipment 102 is a device, equipment, module, chip, or chip system with transceiver functions. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, station (STA), user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc. Terminal equipment can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart home, smart office, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, and smart cities, etc.

[0118] The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, mice, remote controls, styluses, set-top boxes, routers, cameras, screens, smart screens, wireless data frame cards, personal digital assistant computers (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, smartwatches, smart bracelets, wireless headphones, electronic whiteboards, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, washing machines, rice cookers, table lamps, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in industrial control, and wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles.

[0119] Wireless terminals, including those in remote medical care, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, as well as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle screens, in-vehicle audio systems, car keys, roadside units (RSUs) with terminal functions, and flying equipment (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, and airplanes). The terminal equipment in this application can also be an in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit integrated into a vehicle as one or more components or units. Terminal equipment can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication.

[0120] The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device. The device used to implement the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0121] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0122] It is understood that the structure of the communication system shown in Figure 1 does not constitute a specific limitation on the communication system. In other embodiments of this application, the communication system may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The components shown may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0123] The communication method provided in this application involves a transmitter sending a signal to a receiver. This signal is reflected when it encounters a target in the environment during transmission. The receiver may receive two types of signals: a direct signal without any reflection and a reflected signal from a target in the environment. The receiver can perform matched filtering on the direct and reflected signals to locate the target.

[0124] In this context, the transmitting end refers to the device that sends signals used for positioning, and the receiving end refers to the device that receives signals used for positioning. As shown in Figure 1, the transmitting end can be a network device, and the corresponding receiving end can be a terminal device. Alternatively, the transmitting end can be a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving end can be a network device.

[0125] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of a positioning scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 uses a WLAN system as an example for illustration, showing the AP, non-access point station (Non-AP STA), and positioning target. Taking the AP sending a signal for positioning as an example, the AP sends a WiFi signal (i.e., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal) to the non-AP STA. The non-AP STA receives the WiFi signal reflected by the target and the direct WiFi signal, and performs matched filtering based on these two signals.

[0126] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following processes:

[0127] 201. The transmitting end determines the target pulse for transmitting the signal. The shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area.

[0128] The positioning area refers to the target detection area, which can be determined by the positioning request end. The positioning request end can be a sending end or a receiving end, and this application embodiment does not limit it. For example, the positioning area can be located within a relatively specific range of the receiving end, such as within a range of 20 meters, 30 meters or 40 meters from the receiving end.

[0129] The shape of the target pulse that minimizes the sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area may include: the shape of the target pulse that minimizes the integrated sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area, or the shape of the target pulse that minimizes the maximum sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the transmitting end can determine the shape of the target pulse for transmitting the signal based on a matched filtering algorithm, thereby determining the target pulse.

[0131] As described above, the matched filtering algorithm is implemented through the calculation of the autocorrelation function. When using the matched filtering algorithm for localization, in addition to the main peak (main lobe), the autocorrelation function also generates other smaller peaks (side lobes). When calculating the autocorrelation function R(τ), the various parts of the signal (reflected in the shape of the pulse) will influence each other, resulting in additional fluctuations near the main peak, forming side lobes. Side lobes usually affect signal detection and separation, especially in the presence of multiple targets or noise. The presence of side lobes may lead to misjudgment; for example, side lobes may obscure the real target or be mistakenly identified as the target. In the embodiments of this application, the shape of the target pulse used to transmit the signal minimizes the side lobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the localization area. If the localization target is located in the localization area, the side lobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter has a smaller impact on the energy of the reflected signal of the localization target, thereby reducing the impact of side lobes on the localization result.

[0132] For example, the process of determining the shape of the target pulse is as follows: the output signal of the matched filtering algorithm It can be expressed as the following formula (1), This represents the output result of the matched filter at the i-th frequency domain sampling point. It can be seen that... The autocorrelation function (ACF) of the transmitted signal can be used to determine this. To describe, The value of the autocorrelation function corresponding to the q-th target at the i-th frequency domain sampling point can be expressed by the square of the mean of the ACF. Evaluate the performance of the output signal of the matched filter (i.e., evaluate the autocorrelation performance of the random signal). This can be expressed as Equation (2) below. The first term of Equation (2) is determined by the shape of the pulse, and the second term is determined by the random signal. In order to minimize the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning region, the first term in Equation (2) can be minimized. The process involves minimization within a defined area.

[0133] For the two cases where the sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal in the positioning area is minimized according to the shape of the target pulse mentioned above, the first term in formula (2) is minimized. The methods can include: Method ① minimizing the integrated sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area, that is, minimizing the sum of all sidelobe energies of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area. The sum of all sidelobe energies of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area can be expressed as the following formula (3); Method ② minimizing the maximum sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area. The maximum sidelobe energy of the matched filter output signal within the positioning area can be expressed as the following formula (4). K in formulas (3) and (4) sl Represents any location region, k∈K sl Represents any location region K sl The target k within the range. Methods ① and ② can be expressed as the following formula (5).

[0134] Solve for f ISL Minimum Or make f PSL Minimum The shape of the pulse used to transmit the signal is represented by f, and the solution obtained makes f... ISL Or f PSL Minimum This indicates the shape of the target pulse; the target pulse can be determined by its shape. For example, The frequency domain power spectrum of the pulse used to transmit the signal (i.e., one frequency domain sampling point corresponds to one energy value) can be used to solve for f. ISL Or f PSL Minimum Performing a Fourier transform yields the shape of the target pulse in the time domain. For example... It can be N values ​​(the energy values ​​corresponding to N frequency domain sampling points).

[0135] 202. The transmitting end sends the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse.

[0136] In this embodiment of the application, the target pulse is used by the transmitting end to send a signal. After receiving the signal, the receiving end performs matched filtering in the frequency domain. The shape of the pulse used by the receiving end when performing matched filtering needs to be consistent with the shape of the pulse used by the transmitting end when sending the signal. Therefore, the transmitting end needs to send the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end.

[0137] The shape information of the target pulse can be used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain or the time domain. For example, when the shape information of the target pulse indicates its shape in the frequency domain, the shape information may include at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information (also referred to as frequency domain power spectrum quantity information) and power spectrum information (also referred to as frequency domain power spectrum information). The power spectrum quantity information indicates the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information indicates the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point. The unit of the pulse energy value may be decibel (dB) or decibel isotropic (dBi). For example, referring to the aforementioned process 201, the shape information of the target pulse may be the obtained result of solving f... ISL Or f PSL Minimum In OFDM systems, the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse can be considered as the number of subcarriers used to transmit data.

[0138] In another example, when the shape information of the target pulse indicates the shape of the target pulse in the time domain, the shape information of the target pulse may include at least one of the following: information indicating the number of time-domain sampling points of the target pulse (also known as the number of time-domain power spectra), and information indicating the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each time-domain sampling point (also known as the time-domain power spectrum).

[0139] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse may include the power spectrum corresponding to the index of the positive sampling point (time domain sampling point or frequency domain sampling point) in the power spectrum (time domain power spectrum or frequency domain power spectrum) of the target pulse.

[0140] In one possible implementation, the shape information of the target pulse can be implemented in the form of a positioning announcement (also known as a matched filtering ranging announcement) frame. The power spectrum quantity information and the power spectrum information can be carried in a field respectively, or they can be carried in a single field. This application does not limit this.

[0141] The location notification frame can be in the format of a control frame or a management frame. For example, please refer to Figures 4 and 5, which are schematic diagrams of a location notification frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 shows a location notification frame in the control frame format, and Figure 5 shows a location notification frame in the management frame format. Figures 4 and 5 are illustrated using the shape information of the target pulse, including power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, as an example.

[0142] As shown in Figure 4, the location announcement frame includes a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Transmitter Address (TA) field, a Pulse Shape Information (also known as Matched Filter Information) field, and a Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field. As shown in Figure 5, the location announcement frame includes a Category field, a Public Action / Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) Action field, and a Pulse Shape Information (also known as Matched Filter Information) field. Figures 4 and 5 also show the length of each field, in octets, where an octet represents eight bits.

[0143] The pulse shape information field can include a "Number of power spectrum values" field and a "Matched filter power spectrum info" field. The "Number of power spectrum values" field carries the number of power spectrum values, and the "Matched filter power spectrum info" field carries the power spectrum information. For example, the "Number of power spectrum values" field can be 8 bits long, indicating the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse. The "Matched filter power spectrum info" field has a variable length, which can be customized. For example, this field can include N power spectrum information subfields corresponding to N frequency domain sampling points: a subfield for pulse energy value at frequency sampling point 1 (Power at frequency index 1), ..., a subfield for "Power at frequency index N". Each subfield indicates the pulse energy value of the target pulse at the corresponding frequency domain sampling point. For example, the "Power at frequency index n" (1 ≤ n ≤ N) subfield indicates the pulse energy value of the target pulse at frequency sampling point n. N is the value of the "Number of power spectrum values" field.

[0144] 203. The receiving end determines the target pulse based on the shape information of the target pulse.

[0145] If the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain, for example, when the subsequent matched filtering process at the receiver uses a target pulse represented in the time domain, the receiver can perform a Fourier transform on the shape information of the target pulse to obtain the target pulse represented in the time domain. For another example, when the subsequent matched filtering process at the receiver uses a target pulse represented in the frequency domain, the receiver does not need to perform a Fourier transform on the shape information of the target pulse, but can directly obtain the target pulse represented in the frequency domain based on the shape information.

[0146] 204. The transmitting end sends the first signal to the receiving end using the target pulse.

[0147] In one possible implementation, the transmitting end can perform a dot product between a first signal of a preset type and the target pulse in the frequency domain and then transmit it. This application embodiment performs positioning based on a signal of a preset type; when there is a need to transmit a signal of the preset type, the positioning process of this application embodiment is executed. That is, the signaling interaction process involved in the communication method of this application embodiment is nested within the signal transmission flow of the preset type.

[0148] For example, embodiments of this application can be applied to a sensor-integrated scenario, where the preset type of signal is a data signal (e.g., an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal).

[0149] Accordingly, the receiving end receives the first signal based on a determined target pulse (determined through the aforementioned process 203). In one possible implementation, the receiving end performs an inverse dot product operation between the received signal and the determined target pulse to obtain the original first signal.

[0150] 205. The receiving end uses a defined target pulse to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

[0151] Referring to the aforementioned description of the matched filtering algorithm, the receiver compares the first signal with the determined target pulse to obtain the output result of the matched filter. Further, the receiver can obtain the positioning result of the positioning target corresponding to the positioning area through matched filtering. For example, the receiver can calculate the distance spectrum based on the output result of the matched filter, detect peak values, and then determine the position of the positioning target based on the position of the peak values.

[0152] In this embodiment, the transmitting end determines the target pulse that minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area. The target pulse is used to transmit the signal. The transmitting end can adjust the shape of the pulse used to transmit the signal according to different positioning areas. Then, the transmitting end sends the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end so that the receiving end can use the determined target pulse for matched filtering, thereby achieving high-precision positioning within the positioning area.

[0153] The order of the aforementioned processes 201 to 205 can be adjusted appropriately, and the processes can also be added or removed as needed. For example, process 204 can be executed before process 203. Any variations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the protection scope of this application, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0154] In this embodiment of the application, the device requiring positioning can be either the sending end or the receiving end.

[0155] When the sending end has a positioning requirement, the receiving end needs to send the positioning result back to the sending end since the matched filtering operation is performed by the receiving end. Please refer to Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Based on Figure 3, this method may further include the following processes 206 and 207, where process 206 is executed before process 204, and process 207 is executed after process 205:

[0156] 206. The sending end sends a location request to the receiving end. The location request includes a location report request information, which is used to instruct the receiving end to provide the location result.

[0157] In process 205, the receiving end performs positioning based on its own position, obtaining a positioning result relative to the receiving end. Therefore, the sending end needs to obtain the coordinates of the receiving end to convert the positioning result relative to the receiving end into a positioning result relative to the sending end. In one possible implementation, the positioning request may also include coordinate request information, which indicates the coordinates of the receiving end to be fed back. The receiving end sends its coordinates to the sending end.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the positioning request is implemented in the form of a positioning request frame (also known as a matched filtering ranging request frame). The positioning report request information and the coordinate request information can be carried in a field respectively, or they can be carried in a single field. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0159] The location request frame can be in the format of a control frame or a management frame. For example, please refer to Figures 7 and 8, which are schematic diagrams illustrating the format of a location request frame according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 shows a location request frame in the control frame format, and Figure 8 shows a location request frame in the management frame format. Figures 7 and 8 are illustrated using the example of a location request including location report request information and coordinate request information.

[0160] As shown in Figure 7, the location request frame includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receive address field, a send address field, a location parameter (also known as matched filtering ranging parameters) field, and a frame check sequence field. As shown in Figure 8, the location request frame includes a category field, a common action / ultra-high reliability action field, and a location parameter field.

[0161] The positioning parameter field may include a positioning report request (also known as a ranging report request) field, which carries positioning report request information. For example, this field can be 1 bit long, with a value of 1 indicating that the receiver should provide positioning results, and a value of 0 indicating that the receiver does not need to provide positioning results.

[0162] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the positioning parameter field may also include a coordinates request (also known as receiver coordinates requested) field, which carries coordinate request information. For example, this field can be 1 bit long, with a value of 1 indicating that the receiver sends its own coordinates to the sender, and a value of 0 indicating that the receiver does not need to send its own coordinates to the sender.

[0163] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the positioning parameter field may also include a reserved field for carrying other information later. For example, this field may be 6 bits long.

[0164] 207. The receiving end sends the location result to the sending end.

[0165] The positioning result may include at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information. The timestamp information indicates the moment the receiver receives the first signal. The moment of the first signal can be the moment the physical layer preamble (PHY preamble) of the first signal arrives at the receiving antenna, or the moment the medium access control (MAC) layer receives PHY-RXSTART.indication, etc. PHY-RXSTART.indication is a primitive sent from the PHY layer to the MAC layer. Since the positioning target may be in a moving state, the timestamp information allows for a one-to-one correspondence between the positioning result and the positioning time. The quantity information indicates the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information indicates the positioning result for each positioning target.

[0166] For example, the positioning result of the target may include the index of the target, the distance of the target relative to the receiver, and the echo energy detected by the receiver for the target (the unit may be dB or dBi). In one implementation, the positioning result of the target may further include the angle information of the target, including but not limited to: azimuth angle relative to the receiver, elevation angle relative to the receiver, and velocity information relative to the receiver. The velocity information indicates the speed of movement of the target relative to the receiver at various angles, such as including but not limited to: radial velocity, azimuth velocity, and elevation velocity.

[0167] Since the matched filtering process is performed by the receiving end, the positioning result obtained is relative to the receiving end. Therefore, the receiving end also needs to feed back its own position to the sending end. The sending end converts the position of the positioning target relative to the receiving end in the positioning result into the position of the positioning target relative to the sending end based on the position of the receiving end.

[0168] The receiving end may obtain the positioning results of multiple positioning targets, and the receiving end can send all or part of the positioning results of the positioning targets it obtained to the sending end.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the positioning result is implemented in the form of a positioning report frame (also known as a matched filtering ranging report frame). The timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information can each be carried in a field, or any two pieces of information can be carried in a field, or all of them can be carried in a field. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0170] The location report frame can adopt the format of a management frame. For example, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a location report frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. The location report frame includes a category field, a common action / ultra-high reliability field, and a location result field (also known as matched filtering ranging measurements). Figure 9 illustrates this using the example of a location result including timestamp information, quantity information, and location target information.

[0171] The location result fields may include a timestamp field, a number of targets field, and a target info field. The timestamp field contains timestamp information, the number of targets field contains quantity information, and the target info field contains location target information.

[0172] For example, the timestamp field can be 32 bits long, and its value indicates the time when the receiver received the first signal. The target quantity field can be 8 bits long, and its value indicates the number of targets corresponding to the positioning results carried in the positioning report frame.

[0173] The length of the target information field can be customized. For example, this field can include P target info subfields corresponding to P positioning targets: (Target Information 1) Target info 1 subfield, ..., (Target Information P) Target info P subfield. Each target information subfield indicates the positioning result of the corresponding positioning target. For example, the Target info n (1≤n≤P) subfield indicates the positioning result for positioning target n. P is the value of the target quantity field. Referring to the aforementioned positioning result content, the Target info n subfield can include the index of Target n, the distance (range) of Target n relative to the receiver, and the echo energy (power) detected by the receiver for Target n. In one implementation, the Target info n subfield can also include the angle information of Target n relative to the receiver. Figure 9 shows the content of the Target info 1 subfield; other target information subfields can refer to the Target info 1 subfield.

[0174] As shown in Figure 9, the positioning result field can also include a coordinates field, which carries information to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0175] In the foregoing embodiments, when sending a location request, target pulse shape information, or location result, it can be carried in a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) in a frame aggregation manner with other frames (e.g., acknowledgment frames, ACK frames), or it can be sent separately through a single PPDU. This application does not limit the method of sending the location request, target pulse shape information, or location result.

[0176] When the receiving end has a positioning requirement, the positioning area is determined by the receiving end. However, the transmitting end needs to determine the target pulse based on the positioning area. Therefore, the receiving end needs to indicate the positioning area to the transmitting end. Please refer to Figure 10, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Based on Figure 3, the method may further include the following processes 208 and 209, which are executed before process 201:

[0177] 208. The receiving end sends a positioning request to the sending end. The positioning request includes at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information. The positioning area information is used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0178] Similar to the positioning request in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, in one possible implementation, the positioning request is implemented in the form of a positioning request frame (also known as a matched filtering ranging request frame). The positioning area information and coordinate information can be carried by a field respectively, or they can be carried by a single field. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0179] The location request frame can be in the format of a control frame or a management frame. For example, please refer to Figures 11 and 12, which are schematic diagrams of the format of a location request frame provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11 shows a location request frame in the control frame format, and Figure 12 shows a location request frame in the management frame format. Figures 11 and 12 are illustrated using the example of a location request including location area information and coordinate information. As shown in Figure 11, the location request frame includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receive address field, a send address field, a location parameter (also known as matched filtering ranging parameters) field, and a frame check sequence field. As shown in Figure 12, the location request frame includes a category field, a common action / ultra-high reliability action field, and a location parameter field.

[0180] The positioning parameter field can include a positioning region (also known as a requested delay region) field and a coordinates (also known as the coordinates of the requester) field. The positioning region field carries positioning region information, and the coordinates field carries coordinate information.

[0181] For example, the location area field can be 16 bits long, and it can include a starting point subfield and an end point subfield. The units of the values ​​in the starting point subfield and the end point subfield can be time units (e.g., milliseconds, microseconds), distance units (e.g., meters), or custom indexes, as long as these two subfields can represent the distance range of the location area relative to the receiving end. This application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the values ​​of the starting point subfield and the end point subfield can be 20 and 30 respectively, with the unit being distance units of meters, indicating that the area within the range of 20 meters to 30 meters from the receiving end is the location area.

[0182] The location parameter field may also include a reserved field for carrying other information later. For example, this field can be 1 bit long.

[0183] 209. The sending end determines the location area based on the location request.

[0184] The process by which the sending end determines the location area based on the location request refers to the sending end determining the distance range of the location area relative to itself based on the location request. For example, the sending end obtains the distance range of the location area relative to the origin based on the values ​​of the start point subfield, the end point subfield, and the coordinates of the receiving end. Then, the sending end obtains the distance range of the location area relative to itself based on its own coordinates and the distance range of the location area relative to the origin.

[0185] For example, assuming the positioning area is located between the transmitter and receiver, the starting point subfield represents 20 meters, and the terminal subfield represents 30 meters. The transmitter can obtain its distance D from the receiver based on the receiver's coordinates. The area within the range of D-30 meters to D-20 meters from the transmitter is then defined as the positioning area.

[0186] The embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 10 above will be further described below using network devices and terminal devices as examples. The network devices and terminal devices use data signals for positioning.

[0187] Option 1: The network device has a positioning requirement and acts as the transmitter, utilizing downlink data transmission for positioning. Corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the network device determines the positioning area and identifies the target pulse. The terminal device performs matched filtering, and the network device requests the positioning result from the terminal device.

[0188] For example, please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in a positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application. The downlink data transmission process shown in Figure 13 includes: the network device sending a beacon frame to the terminal device, and the terminal device determining through the beacon frame that the network device has buffered data that needs to be sent to it. The terminal device sends a power save polling (PS Poll) frame to the network device to instruct the network device to send the terminal device's data, and the network device sends an ACK frame to the terminal device to indicate that the PS Poll frame has been received. The network device sends downlink data (DL data) to the terminal device, and after receiving the downlink data, the terminal device replies to the network device with a block acknowledgement (BA) frame.

[0189] Downlink data is equivalent to the aforementioned first signal. Before sending DL data, the network device first sends a location request frame to the terminal device. The location request frame is used to indicate to the terminal device that the network device has a location requirement and instruct the terminal device to provide the location result. The location request frame can be referred to in the relevant description of process 206 above. In this scheme, the coordinate request field in Figures 7 and 8 above can also be called the coordinates of receiving STA requested field of the STA receiving data signal and performing matched filtering. This embodiment of the application will not be described in detail here.

[0190] The network device then determines the location area and the target pulse based on the location area. Before sending DL data, it carries the shape information of the target pulse in a location announcement frame and transmits it to the terminal device. The terminal device determines the target pulse based on the location announcement frame. The location announcement frame can be referred to the relevant description of the aforementioned process 202, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0191] The terminal device performs matched filtering on the DL data using a defined target pulse to obtain the positioning result, and then sends the positioning result back to the network device in a positioning report frame. The positioning report frame can be referred to in the relevant description of process 207 above; it will not be repeated here in this embodiment.

[0192] Figure 13 illustrates an example where a terminal device replies to a network device with a location report frame along with a BA frame. In another possible implementation, the terminal device may not include a location report frame in its BA frame reply. After sending DL data and receiving the BA frame, the network device can request a location report frame from the terminal device. For example, the network device can send a trigger frame to the terminal device to request a location report, and the terminal device uses the resource information indicated in the trigger frame to send a location report frame back to the network device.

[0193] Option 2: The network device has a positioning requirement, and the terminal device acts as the transmitter, utilizing the uplink data transmission process for positioning. Corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the network device determines the positioning area, and the terminal device determines the target pulse. Since the terminal device needs to determine the target pulse based on the positioning area, the network device needs to inform the terminal device of the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the network device, so that the terminal device can convert the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the network device into the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the terminal device. Furthermore, since the network device performs matched filtering to obtain the positioning result, the terminal device does not need to provide the positioning result back.

[0194] For example, please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application. The uplink data transmission process shown in Figure 14 includes: the network device sending a Buffer Status Report Protocol (BSRP) frame to the terminal device to instruct the terminal device to send a BSR frame. The BSR frame is used to indicate the status of the data to be transmitted in the terminal device's buffer. The network device determines that there is uplink data (UL data) to be transmitted in the terminal device's buffer based on the BSR frame, and sends a trigger frame to the terminal device. The trigger frame is used to allocate channel resources for transmitting UL data to the terminal device. The terminal device uses the channel resources allocated by the trigger frame to transmit UL data to the network device.

[0195] The uplink data is equivalent to the first signal mentioned above. The network device first sends a location request frame to the terminal device. The location request frame is used to indicate to the terminal device that the network device has a location requirement and to inform the terminal device of the determined location area. The location request frame can be referred to in the relevant description of the aforementioned process 208. In this scheme, the coordinate fields in the aforementioned Figures 11 and 12 can also be called the coordinates of the AP sending the location request (Coordinates of requesting AP) field. This embodiment of the application will not be elaborated here.

[0196] The terminal device then determines the spatial range of the positioning area relative to itself based on the positioning request frame, and determines the target pulse based on the spatial range of the positioning area relative to itself. Before the network device sends the trigger frame, the terminal device carries the shape information of the target pulse in the positioning announcement frame and transmits it to the network device. The network device determines the target pulse based on the positioning announcement frame. The positioning announcement frame can be referred to the relevant description of the aforementioned process 202, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0197] After the terminal device sends UL data to the network device in response to the trigger frame, the network device performs matched filtering on the UL data using a determined target pulse to obtain the positioning result.

[0198] Option 3: The terminal device has a positioning requirement, and the network device acts as the transmitter, utilizing downlink data transmission for positioning. Corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the terminal device determines the positioning area, and the network device determines the target pulse. Since the network device needs to determine the target pulse based on the positioning area, the terminal device needs to inform the network device of the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the terminal device, so that the network device can convert the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the terminal device into the spatial range of the positioning area relative to the network device. Furthermore, since the terminal device performs matched filtering to obtain the positioning result, there is no need for the network device to provide the positioning result back.

[0199] For example, please refer to Figure 15, which is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application. The downlink data transmission process shown in Figure 15 can be referred to the downlink data transmission process shown in Figure 13, and will not be described again here in this embodiment of the application.

[0200] The downlink data is equivalent to the aforementioned first signal. The terminal device first sends a location request frame to the network device. The location request frame is used to indicate to the network device that the terminal device has a location requirement and to inform the network device of the determined location area. The location request frame can be referred to in the relevant description of the aforementioned process 208. In this scheme, the coordinate fields in the aforementioned Figures 11 and 12 can also be called the coordinates of the STA sending the location request (Coordinates of requesting STA) field. This embodiment of the application will not be elaborated here.

[0201] The network device then determines the spatial range of the positioning area relative to itself based on the positioning request frame, and determines the target pulse based on the spatial range of the positioning area relative to itself. Before sending DL data, the network device carries the shape information of the target pulse in the positioning announcement frame and transmits it to the terminal device. The terminal device determines the target pulse based on the positioning announcement frame. The positioning announcement frame can be referred to the relevant description of the aforementioned process 202, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0202] The terminal device uses a defined target pulse to perform matched filtering on the DL data to obtain the positioning result.

[0203] Option 4: The terminal device has a positioning requirement. The terminal device acts as the transmitter, utilizing the uplink data transmission process for positioning. Corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 above, the terminal device determines the positioning area and identifies the target pulse. The network device performs matched filtering, and the terminal device requests the network device to return the positioning result.

[0204] For example, please refer to Figure 16, which is a schematic diagram of the frame transmission process in another positioning process provided by an embodiment of this application. The uplink data transmission process shown in Figure 16 can be referred to the uplink data transmission process shown in Figure 14, and will not be described again in this embodiment of the application.

[0205] The uplink data is equivalent to the first signal mentioned above. The terminal device first sends a location request frame to the network device. The location request frame is used to indicate to the network device that the terminal device has a location requirement and to instruct the network device to provide the location result. The location request frame can be referred to in the relevant description of process 206 above. In this scheme, the coordinate request field in Figures 7 and 8 above can also be called the coordinates of receiving AP requested field. This will not be elaborated on in this embodiment.

[0206] The terminal device then determines the location area and the target pulse based on the location area. Before sending UL data, it carries the shape information of the target pulse in a location notification frame and transmits it to the network device. The network device determines the target pulse based on the location notification frame. The location notification frame can be referred to the relevant description of the aforementioned process 202, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0207] After the terminal device sends UL data to the network device in response to the trigger frame, the network device performs matched filtering on the UL data using a determined target pulse to obtain the positioning result and sends the positioning result back to the terminal device in a positioning report frame. The positioning report frame can be referred to in the relevant description of process 207 above, and will not be repeated here in this embodiment.

[0208] The downlink and uplink data transmission processes described in the aforementioned schemes are merely illustrative examples. Alternatively, the network device could directly send DL data to the terminal device, and the terminal device could directly send UL data to the network device. This application's embodiments do not limit the downlink and uplink data transmission processes.

[0209] In one possible implementation, the location-demanding end needs to continuously perform location tracking for a period of time. The location-demanding end can send location time information to non-location-demanding ends. This location time information indicates the location time period. The receiving end will continuously perform matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the location time period. The preset type of signal can be a data signal.

[0210] For example, if the sending end has a positioning requirement, it sends positioning time information to the receiving end. This positioning time information instructs the receiving end to continuously perform matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period. If the receiving end has a positioning requirement, it will continuously use signals of the preset type received within the positioning time period for positioning and inform the sending end accordingly.

[0211] Referring to the aforementioned process 206 or 208, the positioning time information can be carried in the positioning request. For example, please refer to Figures 17 to 20, which are schematic diagrams illustrating the format of a positioning request frame provided in an embodiment of this application. Figures 17 to 20 respectively show the positioning time period (also referred to as matched filtering based ranging duration) field included in the positioning parameter field of the positioning request shown in Figures 7, 8, 11, or 12.

[0212] This field carries location time information. For example, the location time period field can be 8 bits long, and its value can be in units including but not limited to: seconds, milliseconds, or time units (TU) specified in the communication protocol, such as 1024 microseconds in 802.11.

[0213] If the target pulse changes during the positioning time period, the transmitting end sends the latest target pulse shape information to the receiving end. The receiving end determines the new target pulse based on the received new target pulse shape information. Then, the transmitting end sends a second signal to the receiving end using the latest target pulse. The receiving end performs matched filtering on the second signal using the determined latest target pulse to obtain the positioning result of the positioning target corresponding to the positioning area. The second signal is a preset type of signal. If the transmitting end has ranging requirements, the receiving end needs to feed back the positioning result obtained by matched filtering the second signal to the transmitting end. This process can be referred to the aforementioned process 207, and will not be elaborated upon here in this embodiment.

[0214] If the target pulse does not change during the positioning time period, the current target pulse is used to send a third signal to the receiving end. The receiving end uses the determined current target pulse to perform matched filtering on the third signal to obtain the positioning result of the positioning target corresponding to the positioning area. The third signal is a preset type of signal. If the transmitting end has ranging requirements, the receiving end needs to feed back the positioning result obtained by matched filtering the third signal to the transmitting end. This process can refer to the aforementioned process 207, and will not be described in detail here.

[0215] The process by which the transmitting end determines a new target pulse and sends the latest target pulse shape information to the receiving end can refer to processes 201 and 202. The process by which the receiving end determines a new target pulse based on the new target pulse shape information can refer to process 203. The process by which the transmitting end sends a second signal or a third signal can refer to the aforementioned process 204. The process by which the receiving end performs matched filtering using the determined latest target pulse and the second signal, or performs matched filtering using the determined current target pulse and the third signal, can both refer to the aforementioned process 205. Throughout the process, depending on whether the positioning request end is a transmitting end or a receiving end, the embodiments shown in Figure 8 or Figure 12 can be executed accordingly. The embodiments of this application will not be elaborated here.

[0216] A change in the target pulse means that the shape of the target pulse determined by the transmitter changes. The reasons for a change in the target pulse include, but are not limited to: a change in the spatial range of the positioning area determined by the positioning demand end, and a change in the transmission parameters of the preset type of signal (such as bandwidth, number of subcarriers, etc.).

[0217] With this implementation, when the positioning requesting end needs to continuously perform positioning over a period of time, it only needs to send a positioning request once. The positioning requesting end uses positioning time information to indicate that a preset type of data signal transmitted within a certain period of time will be used for positioning, eliminating the need to send a positioning request before each transmission of the preset type of signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead and improving communication transmission efficiency.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the transmitter can also send accumulated quantity information to the receiver, which indicates the accumulated quantity. When the receiver performs matched filtering using a determined target pulse and a first signal, it can accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the accumulated quantity and take the average to obtain the positioning result. For example, this process can be represented by the following formula (6), where in formula (6)... This represents the output of the matched filter. This represents the m-th output out of the M outputs of the matched filter, where M represents the cumulative quantity indicated by the cumulative quantity information.

[0219] The cumulative quantity can be determined by the demand side. The demand side can determine the cumulative quantity based on coherence time, or it can determine the cumulative quantity based on historical measurement results. The cumulative quantity can also be manually customized.

[0220] Referring to procedures 206 or 208 above, the cumulative quantity information can be carried in the location request. For example, as shown in Figures 17 to 22, based on the location parameter field in the location request described in the preceding embodiments, the location parameter field may further include a cumulative quantity (also called the number of integrated symbols) field, which carries the cumulative quantity information. For example, the length of the cumulative quantity field can be 8 bits.

[0221] During the localization process, averaging the outputs of matched filters reduces the impact of random data on autocorrelation performance, thereby reducing the autocorrelation sidelobes of the matched filters and improving the localization accuracy for weak targets. Generally, the larger the accumulated data, the smaller the impact of random data on autocorrelation performance and the smaller the sidelobes of the autocorrelation equation after averaging the outputs of matched filters.

[0222] It should be noted that the positioning parameter fields in Figures 17 to 20 include both the matched filtering based ranging duration field and the number of integrated symbols field. In practical applications, the positioning parameter fields may include the matched filtering based ranging duration field and / or the number of integrated symbols field.

[0223] In this embodiment, the transmitting end and the receiving end can also transmit capability indication information. This capability indication information indicates whether the transmitting end and the receiving end support dynamically determining the target pulse based on the positioning area. When the capability indication information indicates that both the transmitting end and the receiving end support dynamically determining the target pulse based on the positioning area, the aforementioned embodiments can be executed. For example, the capability indication information can be carried in a capability information element with a length of 1 bit. The transmitting end and the receiving end can exchange their respective capability indication information during the association process.

[0224] The structures of various frames and the names of fields described in the embodiments of this application are merely illustrative examples, and the embodiments of this application do not limit them, as long as each frame can achieve the corresponding function.

[0225] In summary, the communication method provided in this application involves the transmitting end determining a target pulse that minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area. This target pulse is used to transmit the signal. The transmitting end can adjust the shape of the pulse used for transmitting the signal according to different positioning areas. Then, the transmitting end sends the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end, enabling the receiving end to perform matched filtering using the determined target pulse. Compared to related technologies, this method improves positioning performance and positioning accuracy for weakly positioned targets within the positioning area, even in scenarios where the transmitting and receiving ends are not the same device (also known as a dual-station system).

[0226] The order of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be adjusted appropriately, and the process can also be added or removed as appropriate. Any variations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the protection scope of this application, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0227] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device 300 can be a transmitter or a chip or functional module in a transmitter, or a receiver or a network of chips or functional modules in a receiver. As shown in Figure 21, the electronic device 300 includes a processor 301, a transceiver 302, and a communication line 303.

[0228] The processor 301 is used to execute any step in the aforementioned method embodiments, and when performing processes such as sending the shape information of the target pulse and receiving the shape information of the target pulse, it can selectively call the transceiver 302 and the communication line 303 to complete the corresponding operations.

[0229] Furthermore, the electronic device 300 may also include a memory 304. The processor 301, memory 304, and transceiver 302 can be connected via a communication line 303.

[0230] Transceiver 302 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 302 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0231] The transceiver 302 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving information and signals, and may include a transmitter and a receiver to send and receive information and signals respectively. Operations other than transmitting and receiving information and signals are implemented by the processor, such as determining the target pulse and performing matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse.

[0232] Communication line 303 is used to transmit information between the various components included in electronic device 300.

[0233] In one design, the processor can be viewed as a logic circuit, and the transceiver as an interface circuit.

[0234] Memory 304 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0235] It should be noted that the memory 304 can exist independently of the processor 301, or it can be integrated with the processor 301. The memory 304 can be used to store instructions, program code, or data frames, etc. The memory 304 can be located inside or outside the electronic device 300, without limitation. The processor 301 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 304 to implement the methods provided in the above embodiments of this application.

[0236] In one example, processor 301 may include one or more processors, such as processor 0 and processor 1 in Figure 21.

[0237] As an alternative implementation, the electronic device 300 may include multiple processors, for example, in addition to the processor 301 in FIG21, it may also include a processor 307.

[0238] As an optional implementation, the electronic device 300 also includes an output device 305 and an input device 306. For example, the input device 306 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, and the output device 305 is a device such as a display screen or speaker.

[0239] It should be noted that the electronic device 300 can be a chip system or a device with a similar structure to that shown in Figure 21. The chip system can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete components. Actions, terms, etc., involved in the various embodiments of this application can be referred to mutually without limitation. The message names or parameter names in the messages used for interaction between devices in the embodiments of this application are merely examples; other names can be used in specific implementations without limitation. Furthermore, the composition structure shown in Figure 21 does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device 300. In addition to the components shown in Figure 21, the electronic device 300 may include more or fewer components than shown in Figure 21, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0240] The processor and transceiver described in this application can be implemented on integrated circuits (ICs), analog ICs, radio frequency integrated circuits, mixed-signal ICs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs), electronic devices, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), n-metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), p-type metal oxide semiconductors (PMOS), bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0241] The foregoing primarily describes the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the device. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the device includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0242] This application embodiment can divide the device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one terminal device. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0243] Figure 22 is a block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. When each functional module is divided according to its corresponding function, the communication device 400 may include a processing module 401 and a transceiver module 402. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a transmitter or a receiver, or a chip or other combined device or component having the aforementioned communication device functions within the transmitter or receiver. The processing module 401 may be a processor, such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more central processing units (CPUs). The transceiver module 402 may be a transceiver, such as an integrated transceiver, or may include a transmitter and receiver with separate transmission and reception components. The processing module 401 may also be a processing circuit (or a processor in a chip system), which may include one or more CPUs. The transceiver module 402 may be an input / output circuit, such as an integrated transceiver input / output circuit, or may include input and output circuits with separate transmission and reception components.

[0244] When the communication device is a transmitter, or a chip in the transmitter, or other combined devices or components having the functions of the aforementioned communication device:

[0245] Processing module 401 is used to determine the target pulse for transmitting the signal. The shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area. Transceiver module 402 is used to send the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse and is used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse. Transceiver module 402 is also used to send a first signal to the receiving end using the target pulse. The target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

[0246] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to send positioning time information to the receiving end. The positioning time information is used to indicate the positioning time period and to instruct the receiving end to continuously perform matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0247] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to receive positioning time information sent by the receiving end. The positioning time information is used to indicate the positioning time period. The receiving end continuously performs matching filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0248] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to: if the target pulse changes during the positioning time period, send the latest target pulse shape information to the receiving end, the latest target pulse shape information is used by the receiving end to determine the new target pulse; and send a second signal to the receiving end using the latest target pulse, the latest target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the second signal.

[0249] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to send a third signal to the receiving end using the current target pulse if the target pulse does not change during the positioning time period. The current target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the third signal.

[0250] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to send cumulative quantity information to the receiving end. The cumulative quantity information is used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the receiving end uses the cumulative quantity information to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

[0251] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to: send a positioning request to the receiving end, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide a positioning result; and receive the positioning result sent by the receiving end, the positioning result being obtained by the receiving end through matched filtering of the first signal.

[0252] In conjunction with the above scheme, the location request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the feedback receiving end.

[0253] Based on the above scheme, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0254] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to receive a positioning request sent by the receiving end. The positioning request includes at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information. The positioning area information is used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end. The positioning area is determined according to the positioning request.

[0255] Combining the above scheme, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

[0256] In combination with the above scheme, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information. The power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0257] When the communication device is a receiver, or a chip in the receiver, or other combined devices or components having the functions of the aforementioned communication device:

[0258] The transceiver module 402 is used to receive the shape information of the target pulse sent by the transmitter. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse. The shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter in the positioning area. The processing module 401 is used to determine the target pulse based on the shape information of the target pulse. The transceiver module 402 is also used to receive the first signal sent by the transmitter with the determined target pulse. The processing module 401 is also used to perform matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse.

[0259] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to receive positioning time information sent by the sending end, which is used to indicate the positioning time period; the processing module 401 is also used to continuously perform matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0260] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to send positioning time information to the sending end, and the positioning continuity information is used to indicate the positioning time period; the processing module 401 is also used to continuously perform matched filtering on the preset type of signals received within the positioning time period.

[0261] In conjunction with the above scheme, the processing module 401 is further configured to determine the new target pulse if the shape information of the new target pulse is received within the positioning time period, and to perform matched filtering on the received second signal using the determined latest target pulse; the processing module 401 is further configured to perform matched filtering on the received third signal using the determined current target pulse if the shape information of the new target pulse is not received within the positioning time period.

[0262] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to receive cumulative quantity information, which is used to indicate the cumulative quantity. The processing module is specifically used to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

[0263] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to: receive a positioning request sent by the sending end, the positioning request including positioning report request information, the positioning report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide feedback on the positioning result; and send the positioning result obtained by matching filtering the first signal to the sending end.

[0264] In conjunction with the above scheme, the positioning request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end. The transceiver module 402 is also used to send the coordinates of the receiving end to the sending end.

[0265] Based on the above scheme, the positioning result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and positioning target information; the timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiver receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

[0266] In conjunction with the above scheme, the transceiver module 402 is also used to send a positioning request to the sending end. The positioning request is used by the sending end to determine the positioning area. The positioning request includes at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information. The positioning area information is used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

[0267] Combining the above scheme, the shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

[0268] In combination with the above scheme, the shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information. The power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

[0269] Optionally, the communication device provided in FIG22 may further include a storage module 403, mainly used for storing software programs. The processing module 401 can call the software programs stored in the storage module 403 to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of this application. The storage module 403 includes media with storage functions such as hard disk, RAM, and ROM.

[0270] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute any of the methods described in the embodiments of this application.

[0271] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be executed by a computer or a device with positioning capabilities, using computer programs or instructions to control related hardware. The computer program or set of instructions can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the computer program or set of instructions can include the processes described in the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the transmitting or receiving end in any of the foregoing embodiments, such as a hard disk or memory of the transmitting or receiving end. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the transmitting or receiving end, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both internal storage units and external storage devices of the transmitting or receiving end. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program or instructions, as well as other programs and data frames required by the transmitting or receiving end. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data frames that have been output or will be output.

[0272] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0273] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the device described above can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0274] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0275] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0276] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0277] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0278] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the sending end, the method includes: Determine the target pulse for transmitting the signal, the shape of which minimizes the sidelobe energy of the matched-filtered output signal within the positioning area; The shape information of the target pulse is sent to the receiving end. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse, and the shape information of the target pulse is used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse. The target pulse is used to send a first signal to the receiving end, and the target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiver sends positioning time information to the receiving end. The positioning time information is used to indicate a positioning time period and to instruct the receiving end to continuously perform matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiver receives positioning time information sent by the receiving end, which is used to indicate a positioning time period. The receiving end continuously performs matched filtering on signals of a preset type received within the positioning time period.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the target pulse changes during the positioning time period, the latest shape information of the target pulse is sent to the receiving end. The latest shape information of the target pulse is used by the receiving end to determine the new target pulse. The latest target pulse is used to send a second signal to the receiving end, and the latest target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the second signal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the target pulse does not change during the positioning time period, the current target pulse is used to send a third signal to the receiving end, and the current target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the third signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiver sends cumulative quantity information to the receiving end. The cumulative quantity information is used to indicate the cumulative quantity, and the receiving end uses the cumulative quantity information to accumulate the output of the matched filter according to the cumulative quantity and take the average.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a location request to the receiving end, the location request including location report request information, the location report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide a location result; The receiver receives the positioning result sent by the receiving end, wherein the positioning result is obtained by the receiving end through matched filtering of the first signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The positioning request also includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The location result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and location target information; The timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiving end receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiver receives a positioning request sent by the receiving end, the positioning request including at least one of the following: positioning area information and coordinate information, the positioning area information being used to indicate the distance range of the positioning area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information being used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end; The location area is determined based on the location request.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the receiving end, the method includes: The receiver receives the shape information of the target pulse sent by the transmitter. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse. The shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter within the positioning area. The target pulse is determined based on the shape information of the target pulse; The first signal transmitted by the transmitting end is received with the determined target pulse; The first signal is subjected to matched filtering using the determined target pulse.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive positioning time information sent by the sending end, wherein the positioning time information is used to indicate a positioning time period; The preset type of signals received within the positioning time period are continuously matched and filtered.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The location time information is sent to the sending end, and the location duration information is used to indicate the location time period; The preset type of signals received within the positioning time period are continuously matched and filtered.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: If new target pulse shape information is received within the positioning time period, the new target pulse is determined, and the received second signal is matched and filtered using the determined latest target pulse. If no new shape information of the target pulse is received within the positioning time period, the received third signal is matched and filtered using the determined current target pulse.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving accumulated quantity information, the accumulated quantity information being used to indicate the accumulated quantity, and performing matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse, includes: The output of the matched filter is accumulated according to the stated accumulation amount and then averaged.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: The receiver receives a location request sent by the sending end, the location request including location report request information, the location report request information being used to instruct the receiving end to provide location results; The positioning result obtained by matching filtering the first signal is sent to the transmitting end.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The positioning request further includes coordinate request information, which is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end. The method further includes: The coordinates of the receiving end are sent to the sending end.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The location result includes at least one of the following: timestamp information, quantity information, and location target information; The timestamp information is used to indicate the time when the receiving end receives the first signal, the quantity information is used to indicate the number of positioning targets corresponding to the positioning result, and the positioning target information is used to indicate the positioning result of each positioning target.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a location request to the sending end, the location request being used by the sending end to determine the location area; The location request includes at least one of the following: location area information and coordinate information, wherein the location area information is used to indicate the distance range of the location area relative to the receiving end, and the coordinate information is used to indicate the coordinates of the receiving end.

22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, characterized in that, The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse in the frequency domain.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The shape information of the target pulse includes at least one of the following: power spectrum quantity information and power spectrum information, wherein the power spectrum quantity information is used to indicate the number of frequency domain sampling points of the target pulse, and the power spectrum information is used to indicate the pulse energy value of the target pulse at each frequency domain sampling point.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to the transmitting end, the device includes: The processing module is used to determine the target pulse for transmitting the signal, the shape of which minimizes the sidelobe energy of the matched-filtered output signal within the positioning area; The transceiver module is used to send the shape information of the target pulse to the receiving end. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse, and the shape information of the target pulse is used by the receiving end to determine the target pulse. The transceiver module is further configured to send a first signal to the receiving end using the target pulse, wherein the target pulse is used by the receiving end to perform matched filtering on the first signal.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Applied to the receiving end, the device includes: The transceiver module is used to receive the shape information of the target pulse sent by the transmitter. The shape information of the target pulse is used to indicate the shape of the target pulse. The shape of the target pulse minimizes the sidelobe energy of the output signal of the matched filter in the positioning area. The processing module is used to determine the target pulse based on the shape information of the target pulse; The transceiver module is further configured to receive the first signal sent by the transmitting end with the determined target pulse; The processing module is further configured to perform matched filtering on the first signal using the determined target pulse.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: One or more processors; Memory, used to store one or more computer programs or instructions; When the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: One or more processors; Memory, used to store one or more computer programs or instructions; When the one or more computer programs or instructions are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a transmitter and a receiver; The transmitting end is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, and the receiving end is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

29. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed by the computing device, the computing device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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