Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and an apparatus, applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first device receives first information, wherein the first information indicates a first resource; accordingly, the first device determines a first resource on the basis of the first information; and when the first device is in an inactive state or an idle state, on the basis of the first resource, the first device sends a first sensing signal and / or receives a first echo signal. By means of the method, when a first device is in an inactive state or an idle state, the first device can transmit a sensing signal, and thus can participate in sensing, thereby improving sensing performance and efficiency.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510097174.2, filed on January 21, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] Wireless sensing technology can obtain the characteristics of the signal propagation space by analyzing the changes in wireless signals during propagation, thereby enabling scene perception. Taking radar as an example, its basic principle is: the transmitter emits a specific waveform signal, which is transmitted to the receiver through a wireless channel. By combining the transmitted and received signals, the target of interest in the wireless channel can be extracted, thus achieving wireless sensing.

[0005] Wireless communication can be used to send and receive information between two ends. Its basic principle includes: the transmitter transmits a specific waveform signal, which is received by the receiver after passing through the wireless channel. The receiver processes the signal and demodulates the signal transmitted by the transmitter.

[0006] From the perspective of transmitting, receiving, and transmitting signals, wireless communication and wireless sensing are remarkably similar. Therefore, combining wireless communication and wireless sensing allows for simultaneous communication between the transmitting and receiving ends while simultaneously sensing the surrounding environment. Specifically, sensing signals can be transmitted in the frequency domain, which can be used to carry information exchanged between the transmitting and receiving ends, as well as to sense objects in the surrounding environment.

[0007] Further research is needed on how to transmit signals for sensing. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for transmitting signals for sensing.

[0009] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be applied to a first device or an apparatus for the first device. Optionally, the first device may be a terminal or a roadside unit (RSU); the apparatus for the first device may be a module for the terminal or for the RSU (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or the apparatus for the first device may be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal or RSU functions. For ease of description, the following description uses a first device as an example. It should be understood that when the first device in the following text is used as the execution subject, the first device can be replaced by an apparatus for the first device.

[0010] The method may include: a first device receiving first information, the first information indicating a first resource; accordingly, the first device may determine the first resource based on the first information. When the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device may send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal based on the first resource.

[0011] Alternatively, the first device being in an inactive or idle state can be replaced by the first device being in a disconnected state. A disconnected state includes, for example, an inactive state and an idle state.

[0012] Optionally, the first information is carried in one of the following messages: a connection release message (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) connection release message), an RRC reconfiguration message, or a logged measurement configuration message.

[0013] In some implementations, the first device can receive the first information while it is in a connected state. Optionally, in this implementation, the first information can be carried in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0014] In other implementations, the first device may receive first information when it switches from a connected state to a disconnected state. The disconnected state includes, for example, an inactive state and an idle state. Optionally, in this implementation, the first information may be carried in a connection release message.

[0015] Using this method, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, it can perform sensing based on a first resource indicated by first information. For example, the first device can send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal based on the first resource. In this way, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, it can transmit signals for sensing, thereby participating in sensing and improving sensing performance and efficiency.

[0016] In one possible design, when the first timer expires, the first device may release the first resource, or the first resource may become invalid (or be released). Optionally, the first timer may be started upon receiving the first information.

[0017] Optionally, when the first timer expires, the first device may release the first resource. This can be understood as follows: when the first device is in an inactive or idle state and the first timer has not expired, the first device sends a first sensing signal and / or receives a first echo signal according to the first resource.

[0018] This design sets the validity period of the first resource using a first timer, allowing the network side to reclaim the first resource based on the duration of the first timer, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0019] In one possible design, the method further includes: upon satisfaction of a first condition, the first device sends a random access request. The first condition includes at least one of the following conditions #1 to #4:

[0020] Condition #1: The amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Here, the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signal received by the first device, and the sensing results acquired by the first device are obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device.

[0021] Optionally, the amount of data of the sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device can be replaced by any of the following: the amount of data of the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device; or, the amount of data of information to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device, wherein the information to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) includes at least the sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device.

[0022] When the first condition includes condition #1, if the amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is large, for example, greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and then enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data it acquired, thus releasing the storage space of the first device.

[0023] Condition #2: The number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0024] Optionally, the echo signal received by the first device can be understood as any of the following: the echo signal received by the first device when the first device is in an inactive or idle state; the echo signal received by the first device, and the echo signal corresponds to the sensing result or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported); or the echo signal received by the first device but not reported the sensing result or echo data.

[0025] Optionally, the number of echo signals received by the first device may be replaced by any of the following: the number of echo signals detected (or monitored) by the first device; or the number of times the first device receives (or detects, or monitors) echo signals.

[0026] When the first condition includes condition #2, if the number of echo signals received by the first device is large, for example, greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and then enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals.

[0027] Condition #3: The duration of the echo signal received by the first device is greater than or equal to the third threshold.

[0028] Optionally, the starting time for the first device to receive the echo signal can be: the moment when the first device first receives the echo signal while in an inactive or idle state; the duration for the first device to receive the echo signal can be: the difference between the current time and the starting time. For example, if the first device first receives the echo signal at the 2nd second (s) while in an inactive or idle state, and the current time is the 4th second, then the duration for the first device to receive the echo signal is 2 seconds.

[0029] When the first condition includes condition #3, if the duration of the first device receiving the echo signal is relatively long, for example, greater than or equal to the third threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and thus enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals in a timely manner.

[0030] Condition #4: The first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time within one cycle when it needs to access the network.

[0031] Optionally, the first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time to access the network within a period, which can be replaced by any of the following: the first device periodically reports sensing-related results, and the current time is the time to report sensing-related results within a period; or, the first device periodically reports measurement quantities (or reported quantities), and the current time is the time to report measurement quantities (or reported quantities) within a period.

[0032] When the first condition includes condition #4, if the first device periodically accesses the network and the current time is the time to access the network within a period, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and thus enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals in a timely manner.

[0033] In one possible design, the random access request may indicate the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted; alternatively, the first device sends a first message indicating the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted. In some implementations, the first message may be a message other than the random access request used during the RRC connection establishment process; for example, the first message may be an RRC connection setup complete message or a UE information response message. Optionally, the process for establishing an RRC connection may include at least one of the following: a cell measurement process, a random access process, an RRC connection establishment process, an RRC connection reconstruction process, or an RRC connection recovery process. Optionally, the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted may be acquired by the first device; in other words, the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted may be sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device. With this design, the first device can report the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported). In this way, the network side can schedule resources for the first device based on the amount of data, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0034] In one possible design, upon receiving the first echo signal, the method further includes: after the first device enters a connected state or during the process of the first device entering a connected state, the first device sends a first sensing result or first echo data. The first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data.

[0035] In some examples, after sending a random access request, the first device can access the network through a random access procedure, thereby putting the first device into a connected state. In this way, after entering the connected state, the first device can send the first sensing result or the first echo data.

[0036] In other examples, during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the first device may send a first sensing result or first echo data. For example, the first sensing result or first echo data may be carried in a random access request. Also, for example, the first sensing result or first echo data may be carried in message 3 during the random access process.

[0037] This design allows the first device to send a first sensing result or first echo data after entering the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state. This enables the receiving device to perform sensing based on the first sensing result or first echo data, thereby improving sensing performance. Furthermore, if the first device sends the first sensing result or first echo data during the process of entering the connected state, the receiving device can acquire the first sensing result or first echo data earlier, thus improving sensing efficiency.

[0038] In one possible design, when transmitting the first echo data, the method further includes: the first device transmitting second information indicating that the type of the first echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization and frequency synchronization. Or, for example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment.

[0039] With this design, when the first device transmits first echo data, it can also transmit second information to indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. Thus, the receiving device for the first echo data and the second information can accurately determine the type of the first echo data as the first type based on the second information, and can therefore perform appropriate processing on the first echo data according to this type, improving the performance of the sensing processing. For example, the receiving device can employ different processing methods for echo data obtained from echo signals that have undergone time and frequency synchronization, and for echo data obtained from echo signals that have not undergone time and frequency synchronization, thereby improving the performance of the sensing processing.

[0040] In one possible design, the first information further indicates a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes either a sensing result or echo data. Optionally, the first information further indicating a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes either a sensing result or echo data, can be replaced by: the first information also indicating whether the first reporting quantity related to perception includes a sensing result or echo data. For example, when the value of the first field in the first information is a first value (e.g., 1 or 0), the first reporting quantity includes a sensing result; and / or, when the value of the first field in the first information is a second value (e.g., 0 or 1), the first reporting quantity includes echo data. The first value and the second value are different. With this design, the first device can accurately determine whether to report a sensing result or echo data based on the first information.

[0041] In one possible design, the first information also indicates a first measurement configuration and / or a first reporting configuration. The first measurement configuration may be a perception-related measurement configuration, and the first reporting configuration may be a perception-related reporting configuration. Optionally, the first measurement configuration may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an event that triggers recording, the duration of the recording, a timestamp, or the area being measured. Optionally, the first reporting configuration may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a measurement quantity, a timestamp of the measurement, location information of the measurement, or a reporting action.

[0042] In one possible design, the first information indicates a first resource, including: the first information indicating at least one of the following: a time-domain resource of the first resource; a frequency-domain resource of the first resource; a spatial-domain resource of the first resource; or a code-domain resource of the first resource. With this design, the first information can accurately indicate the first resource.

[0043] In one possible design, the method further includes: a first device receiving sixth information. The sixth information indicates updating a first resource, and / or indicates sensing related measurements.

[0044] Optionally, when the sixth information indicates an update to the first resource, the sixth information may indicate the updated first resource. For example, the sixth information may indicate at least one of the following: the time-domain resource of the updated first resource; the frequency-domain resource of the updated first resource; the spatial-domain resource of the updated first resource; or the code-domain resource of the updated first resource. Alternatively, the sixth information may indicate the amount of change of the updated first resource relative to the first resource before the update. For example, if the time-domain resource of the first resource before the update includes time slots 1 to 3, and the time-domain resource of the updated first resource includes time slots 1 to 2, the sixth information may indicate that the time-domain resource of the updated first resource includes time slots 1 to 2.

[0045] Optionally, the sensing-related measurements may include at least one of the following: a sensing measurement threshold and parameters. Specifically, when the signal quality corresponding to a certain sensing result or echo data is greater than or equal to the sensing measurement threshold, the first device may report the sensing result or echo data; when the signal quality corresponding to a certain sensing result or echo data is less than the sensing measurement threshold, the first device may not report the sensing result or echo data. It should be understood that the sensing measurement threshold may also have other names, such as a fourth threshold or a reporting threshold, etc., without limitation.

[0046] In some examples, the sixth message may be a broadcast message. For instance, when the first device is in an idle or inactive state, the sixth message may be a broadcast message.

[0047] In other examples, the sixth message can be a multicast message or a unicast message. For example, when the first device is inactive, the sixth message can be a unicast message.

[0048] Through this design, the first device can accurately determine the updated first resource and / or perception-related measurements based on the sixth information. Furthermore, in this design, the sixth information can indicate the updated first resource and / or perception-related measurements, thereby improving the configuration flexibility of the first resource and / or perception-related measurements.

[0049] In one possible design, the first device sends a first sensing signal to the second device based on a first resource; and / or, the first device receives a first echo signal based on the first resource, the first echo signal being an echo signal of the second sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0050] Optionally, the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected. A disconnected connection between the first device and the second device can be understood as any of the following: there is no communication connection between the first device and the second device; the connection was established and then broken; the connection state between the first device and the second device is a disconnected state; or, the connection state between the first device and the second device is an inactive or idle state.

[0051] In this design, passive sensing can occur between the first and second devices. In passive sensing, the device transmitting the sensing signal can act as either an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. This eliminates the need for at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment between the first and second devices, thereby increasing the applicability of the sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0052] In one possible design, the method further includes: when the first device and the third device are connected, the first device receives third information from the third device, the third information indicating a second resource. The first device sends a third sensing signal to the second device based on the second resource; and / or, the first device receives a second echo signal based on the second resource, the second echo signal being an echo of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0053] Alternatively, the connection between the first device and the third device can be replaced by the connection state between the first device and the third device being a connected state.

[0054] Optionally, the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected. Details can be found in the description above and will not be repeated here. In this way, passive sensing can occur between the first and second devices; in passive sensing, the device sending the sensing signal can act as an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. Thus, at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment is not required between the first and second devices, thereby increasing the applicability of the sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0055] With this design, the first device can transmit signals for sensing according to the second resource indicated by the third device, thereby participating in sensing and improving sensing performance and efficiency.

[0056] In one possible design, when receiving the second echo signal, the method further includes: the first device sending a second sensing result or second echo data to the third device, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0057] With this design, the first device can send a second sensing result or a second echo data so that the receiving device can perform sensing based on the second sensing result or the second echo data, thereby improving sensing performance.

[0058] In one possible design, when transmitting the second echo data, the method further includes: the first device sending fourth information to the third device, the fourth information indicating that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization and frequency synchronization. Or, for example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment.

[0059] With this design, when the first device transmits second echo data, it can also transmit fourth information to indicate that the type of the second echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. Thus, the receiving device for the second echo data and the fourth information can accurately determine the type of the second echo data as the first type based on the fourth information, and can therefore perform appropriate processing on the second echo data according to this type, improving the performance of the sensing processing. For example, the receiving device can employ different processing methods for echo data obtained from echo signals that have undergone time and frequency synchronization, and for echo data obtained from echo signals that have not undergone time and frequency synchronization, thereby improving the performance of the sensing processing.

[0060] In one possible design, the third information further indicates a perception-related second reporting quantity, which includes either the sensing result or echo data. Optionally, the third information further indicating a perception-related second reporting quantity, which includes either the sensing result or echo data, can be replaced by: the third information also indicating whether the perception-related second reporting quantity includes either the sensing result or echo data. With this design, the first device can accurately determine whether to report the sensing result or echo data based on the third information.

[0061] In one possible design, the third information indicates the second resource, including: the third information indicating at least one of the following: a time-domain resource of the second resource; a frequency-domain resource of the second resource; a spatial-domain resource of the second resource; or, a code-domain resource of the second resource. With this design, the third information can accurately indicate the second resource.

[0062] In one possible design, the second device is the RSU (Roadside Unit). Optionally, the first device is a terminal. In this way, the RSU can participate in perception. Currently, traffic monitoring is an important perception scenario. In this scenario, perception relying solely on terminals and access network devices may result in blind spots. The RSU is a key communication component in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and its location is highly relevant to the traffic monitoring scenario. The participation of the RSU in perception can expand the perception range, reduce blind spots, and thus improve perception performance.

[0063] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second device or an apparatus for the second device. Optionally, the second device may be an RSU; the apparatus for the second device may be a module for the RSU (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or the apparatus for the second device may be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RSU functions. For ease of description, the following description uses a second device as an example. It should be understood that when the second device is used as the execution subject in the following text, the second device can be replaced with an apparatus for the second device.

[0064] The method may include: a second device determining and sending first information. The first information indicates a first resource, which is used by the first device to send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal when the first device is in an inactive or idle state.

[0065] Optionally, the first information is carried in one of the following messages: a connection release message (e.g., an RRC connection release message), an RRC reconfiguration message, or a record measurement configuration message.

[0066] In one possible design, the method further includes: upon satisfaction of a first condition, the second device receives a random access request. The first condition includes at least one of the following conditions #1 to #4:

[0067] Condition #1: The amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Here, the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signal received by the first device, and the sensing results acquired by the first device are obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device.

[0068] Condition #2: The number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0069] Condition #3: The duration of the echo signal received by the first device is greater than or equal to the third threshold.

[0070] Condition #4: The first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time within one cycle when it needs to access the network.

[0071] In one possible design, the random access request indicates the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted; alternatively, the second device receives a first message indicating the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted. Optionally, the first message may be a message other than the random access request used during the establishment of an RRC connection.

[0072] In one possible design, where the first resource is used for the first device to receive the first echo signal, the method further includes: after the first device switches from a non-connected state to a connected state, or during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the second device receives a first sensing result or first echo data. The first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data.

[0073] In one possible design, when receiving the first echo data, the method further includes: a second device receiving second information indicating that the type of the first echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0074] In one possible design, the first information also indicates a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data.

[0075] In one possible design, the first information also indicates a first measurement configuration and / or a first reporting configuration. The first measurement configuration may be a perception-related measurement configuration, and the first reporting configuration may be a perception-related reporting configuration.

[0076] In one possible design, the first information indicates the first resource, including: the first information indicates at least one of the following: a time-domain resource of the first resource; a frequency-domain resource of the first resource; a spatial-domain resource of the first resource; or, a code-domain resource of the first resource.

[0077] In one possible design, the method further includes: a second device sending sixth information. The sixth information indicates updating the first resource, and / or indicates sensing related measurements.

[0078] In one possible design, the method further includes: the second device receiving a third echo signal based on the first resource; and / or, the second device transmitting a second sensing signal based on the first resource. Wherein, the third echo signal is an echo signal of the first sensing signal transmitted by the first device, and the first echo signal is an echo signal of the second sensing signal.

[0079] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a third device or an apparatus of the third device. Optionally, the third device may be a first network device or a sensing management function; the apparatus for the third device may be a module for the first network device or for the sensing management function (e.g., a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or may be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the sensing management function or the functions of the first network device. The sensing management function can be used to manage sensing. The apparatus containing the sensing management function may be a terminal or an access network device, or a module for the terminal or for the access network device (e.g., a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal or access network device, or may be an apparatus independent of the terminal or access network device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses a third device as an example. It should be understood that when the third device in the present text is the executing entity, the third device can be replaced with the device used for the third device.

[0080] The method may include: a third device determining and sending first information. The first information indicates a first resource, which is used by the first device to send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal when the first device is in an inactive or idle state.

[0081] Optionally, the first information is carried in one of the following messages: a connection release message (e.g., an RRC connection release message), an RRC reconfiguration message, or a record measurement configuration message.

[0082] In one possible design, the method further includes: upon satisfaction of a first condition, the third device receives a random access request. The first condition includes at least one of the following conditions #1 to #4:

[0083] Condition #1: The amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Here, the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signal received by the first device, and the sensing results acquired by the first device are obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device.

[0084] Condition #2: The number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0085] Condition #3: The duration of the echo signal received by the first device is greater than or equal to the third threshold.

[0086] Condition #4: The first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time within one cycle when it needs to access the network.

[0087] In one possible design, the random access request indicates the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted; alternatively, the third device receives a first message indicating the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted. Optionally, the first message may be a message other than the random access request used during the establishment of an RRC connection.

[0088] In one possible design, where the first resource is used for the first device to receive the first echo signal, the method further includes: after the first device switches from a non-connected state to a connected state, or during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the third device receives the first sensing result or the first echo data. The first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data.

[0089] In one possible design, upon receiving the first echo data, the method further includes: a third device receiving second information indicating that the type of the first echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0090] In one possible design, the first information also indicates a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data.

[0091] In one possible design, the first information also indicates a first measurement configuration and / or a first reporting configuration. The first measurement configuration may be a perception-related measurement configuration, and the first reporting configuration may be a perception-related reporting configuration.

[0092] In one possible design, the first information indicates the first resource, including: the first information indicates at least one of the following: a time-domain resource of the first resource; a frequency-domain resource of the first resource; a spatial-domain resource of the first resource; or, a code-domain resource of the first resource.

[0093] In one possible design, the method further includes: a third device sending a sixth message, the sixth message indicating an update to the first resource, and / or, the sixth message indicating the sensing of a related measurement.

[0094] In one possible design, the method further includes: when the first device and the third device are connected, the third device sends third information, the third information instructing a second resource, the second resource being used by the first device to send a third sensing signal to the second device and / or receive a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0095] In one possible design, where the second resource is used for the first device to receive the second echo signal, the method further includes: a third device receiving a second sensing result or second echo data from the first device, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0096] In one possible design, when receiving second echo data, the method further includes: a third device receiving fourth information from a first device, the fourth information indicating that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0097] In one possible design, the third information also indicates a second reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data.

[0098] In one possible design, the third information indicates the second resource, including: the third information indicates at least one of the following: the time domain resource of the second resource; the frequency domain resource of the second resource; the spatial domain resource of the second resource; or, the code domain resource of the second resource.

[0099] In one possible design, the second device is an RSU.

[0100] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a first device or an apparatus for the first device. Optionally, the first device may be a terminal or an RSU; the apparatus for the first device may be a module for the terminal or for the RSU (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or the apparatus for the first device may be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal or RSU functions. For ease of description, the following description uses a first device as an example. It should be understood that when the first device in the following text is used as the execution subject, the first device can be replaced by an apparatus for the first device.

[0101] The method may include: when a first device and a third device are connected, the first device receives third information from the third device, the third information indicating a second resource; the first device sends a third sensing signal to the second device based on the second resource; and / or, the first device receives a second echo signal based on the second resource, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0102] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a third device or an apparatus of the third device. Optionally, the third device may be a first network device or a sensing management function; the apparatus for the third device may be a module for the first network device or for the sensing management function (e.g., a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or may be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the sensing management function or the functions of the first network device. The sensing management function can be used to manage sensing. The apparatus containing the sensing management function may be a terminal or an access network device, or a module for the terminal or for the access network device (e.g., a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal or access network device, or may be an apparatus independent of the terminal or access network device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses a third device as an example. It should be understood that when the third device in the present text is the executing entity, the third device can be replaced with the device used for the third device.

[0103] The method may include: when the first device and the third device are connected, the third device sends third information, the third information instructing a second resource, the second resource being used by the first device to send a third sensing signal to the second device and / or receive a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0104] Optionally, the third device may determine (or generate, or acquire) the third information before sending it. This application does not limit the specific process by which the third device (or generates, or acquires) the third information.

[0105] Based on the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible design, when the first device receives the second echo signal, the method further includes: the first device sending a second sensing result or second echo data to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receiving the second sensing result or second echo data from the first device. The second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0106] Based on the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible design, when the first device transmits the second echo data, the method further includes: the first device transmitting fourth information to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receiving the third information from the first device. The fourth information indicates that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0107] Based on the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible design, the third information also indicates a second reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data.

[0108] Based on the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible design, the third information indicates the second resource, including: the third information indicates at least one of the following: the time domain resource of the second resource; the frequency domain resource of the second resource; the spatial domain resource of the second resource; or, the code domain resource of the second resource.

[0109] Based on the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible design, the second device is an RSU.

[0110] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device. In some examples, the communication device can be a terminal or an RSU, or a module, communication module, circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., modem chip, or SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal or RSU functions. The communication device has the functionality to implement the first or fourth aspect described above. In other examples, the communication device can be an RSU, or a device applied to an RSU (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, or SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor responsible for communication and / or sensing functions), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RSU functions. The communication device has the functionality to implement the second aspect described above. In other examples, the communication device may be a first network device or a sensing management function, or a module for the first network device or the sensing management function (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the sensing management function or the functions of the first network device. The communication device possesses the functionality to implement the third or fifth aspects described above.

[0111] In one possible embodiment, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in any of the first to fifth aspects described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the communication device includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations involved in any of the first to fifth aspects.

[0112] In one possible embodiment, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is capable of executing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design of any of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0113] In one possible embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in any of the first to fifth aspects described above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design of any of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0114] In one possible embodiment, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and to execute the methods in any possible design of any of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0115] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include a first device and a second device, or the communication system may include a first device and a third device. The first device may execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, the second device may execute the communication method provided in the second aspect, and the third device may execute the communication method provided in the third aspect; or, the first device may execute the communication method provided in the fourth aspect, and the third device may execute the communication method provided in the fifth aspect.

[0116] In some possible designs, the communication system includes a first device and a second device. The first device is a terminal, and the second device is an RSU (Remote Utility Unit).

[0117] In other possible designs, the communication system includes a first device and a third device. The first device is a terminal, and the third device is a first network device or a sensing management function; alternatively, the first device is an RSU, and the third device is a first network device or a sensing management function.

[0118] Optionally, in this design, the communication system also includes an RSU, which can be used to transmit sensing signals and / or receive echo signals.

[0119] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, a method in any possible design of any of the first to fifth aspects described above is implemented.

[0120] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code, wherein when the computer program code is run, any possible design method of any of the first to fifth aspects described above is implemented.

[0121] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any of the possible designs of any of the first to fifth aspects described above.

[0122] The specific content and technical effects of any of the above-mentioned aspects from the second to the tenth can be referred to the description in the above-mentioned aspect 1, and the repeated parts will not be discussed. Attached Figure Description

[0123] Figures 1A and 1B are architectural diagrams of several communication systems provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0124] Figures 1C to 1E are schematic diagrams of several application scenarios provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0125] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an integrated communication and sensing scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams of several sensing scenarios provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0127] Figures 4 to 11 are flowcharts of several communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0128] Figure 12 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 13 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0130] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) systems, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), or future communication systems. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to terrestrial network communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, and may also include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit these aspects.

[0131] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0132] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system (or sensing system) provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1A, the system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the system may also include the Internet 300.

[0133] RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in Figure 1A). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and wireless access network logical functions.

[0134] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (ORAN or O-RAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0135] RAN node 110, sometimes referred to as RAN entity or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1A can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1A can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0136] RAN nodes can also be described in different ways, such as access network equipment. Unless otherwise specified in this application, access network equipment will be used as the term.

[0137] Access network equipment can be devices or modules located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions, as well as the corresponding programs or instructions themselves.

[0138] In one possible scenario, the access network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point or transmit / receive point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110b), a relay node or donor node, a radio controller in a CRAN scenario, a satellite, a drone, a balloon, or an aircraft, etc. Optionally, the access network equipment can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device, etc. All or part of the functions of the access network equipment 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).

[0139] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0140] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP 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 an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0141] For ease of description, the concepts of "access network equipment" and "site" will be used together in this application. Access network equipment can be understood as a collective term for all equipment (including sites) on the access network side; for example, one or more sites can be collectively referred to as access network equipment. A site can refer to a transmission node specifically located in a physical location. In other words, access network equipment conceptually includes sites.

[0142] A terminal is a device or module that connects to the aforementioned communication system and possesses corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, wireless terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. A terminal typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. The terminal may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0143] Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), V2X communication, machine-type communications (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables. Terminals used in vehicles are called in-vehicle terminal devices, which include, for example, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, or on-board units (OBUs).

[0144] For example, a terminal may include a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile device. For instance, a terminal may be a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other similar devices. A terminal may also include restricted devices, such as devices with limited power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, a terminal may be an information sensing device such as a barcode scanner, radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0145] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the case where CN200 is the core network of a future communication system, a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, location management function (LMF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for the access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as the establishment of user sessions; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks; and the LMF entity can be responsible for the location management of the terminal. For example, in the case of CN200 as a 4G core network, some core network devices include: Mobile Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW), etc., which will not be listed here. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or AMF functional entity; similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or SMF functional entity; and similarly, an LMF entity can also be called an LMF network element or LMF functional entity. The above-mentioned core network devices can operate independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0146] Figure 1B illustrates a schematic diagram of another communication system (or sensing system) provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1B, the system includes: a terminal, a first network device, and an RSU. Optionally, the system further includes: a sensing management function (not shown in the figure).

[0147] For details regarding the terminal, please refer to the description of the system shown in Figure 1A above. The description of the terminal will not be repeated here.

[0148] The first network device can be an access network device in the communication system shown in Figure 1A above, or it can be an access point for a network function (NF) used for sensing in the core network, meaning the control plane of the first network device can be connected to the CN. The network function (NF) used for sensing can be referred to as the sensing management function. It can be understood that the first network device can also be referred to as the central node in the communication system, without limitation.

[0149] The RSU can be a key component in V2X communication. Optionally, the RSU can interact with at least one of the following via wireless communication technology: vehicles, pedestrians, or traffic sensors, and connect to a central system (e.g., a traffic control center, a web server, etc.) to perform tasks such as real-time traffic management and / or data collection.

[0150] The functions and roles of an RSU differ from those of traditional access network devices or terminals. However, in certain situations, an RSU can act as a similar role to an access network device or terminal, or have some functions similar to those of an access network device or terminal. This is illustrated below.

[0151] When an RSU acts as an access network device, it may provide communication coverage and / or resource scheduling capabilities. In some examples, an RSU can provide radio access and information exchange for multiple devices (such as vehicles); in other words, it may provide communication coverage. In other examples, an RSU can coordinate and manage resource usage by devices (such as vehicles) within its coverage area; in other words, it may have resource scheduling capabilities. It should be understood that the above examples can be independent or combined.

[0152] Alternatively, when the RSU plays a role similar to that of an access network device, there are differences between the RSU and traditional access network devices, primarily in terms of functionality and / or communication methods. While the RSU can provide similar functionality to access network devices in some aspects, the RSU mainly focuses on vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) direct communication. Therefore, the RSU is a functionally limited access network device. The RSU communicates with terminals such as vehicles via a sidelink (SL); traditional access network devices communicate with terminals via an uplink (UL) and / or a downlink (DL).

[0153] When the RSU acts as a terminal, in certain scenarios (e.g., in V2X-based communication scenarios), the RSU can act as an access point to communicate with access network devices. For example, the RSU can receive network resource configuration information and scheduling signaling from the access network devices. In this case, the RSU, similar to a traditional terminal, can be considered a device accessing the network, possessing a terminal-like device identifier, such as a temporary identity or device identity (device ID), used for communication with the access network devices. Furthermore, the RSU can act as a relay device between the vehicle and the access network devices, carrying and forwarding communication data between them.

[0154] Alternatively, when the RSU plays a role similar to a terminal, the RSU differs from a traditional terminal, primarily in mobility, communication methods, and one or more supported protocols. The RSU is typically stationary, while a traditional terminal is mobile. The RSU typically communicates via broadcast, while a traditional terminal typically communicates via unicast. The RSU typically supports V2X protocols; traditional terminals may or may not support protocols such as LTE and / or NR, and may or may not support V2X protocols.

[0155] The sensing management function can be used to manage sensing. This function can be located in a terminal, access network device, or core network device; alternatively, it can be a network element independent of the terminal or access network device. The sensing management function may also have other names, such as sensing management network element, sensing management device, sensing management entity, sensing function (SF), ISAC management function (ISACMF), ISAC service management function (ISACSMF), or sensing service management function (SSMF), etc., without limitation.

[0156] Figures 1C to 1E exemplarily illustrate several application scenarios provided by embodiments of this application.

[0157] As shown in Figure 1C, there was a communication link between the terminal and the RSU. After the communication link between the terminal and the RSU is broken (in other words, the connection between the terminal and the RSU is broken), that is, when the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the terminal and the RSU perform bi-base sensing.

[0158] As shown in Figure 1D, a communication link exists between the terminal and the third device. The third device can be the first network device or a sensing management function. After the communication link between the terminal and the third device is broken, i.e., when the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the terminal and the RSU perform bi-base sensing.

[0159] As shown in Figure 1E, when a communication link exists between the terminal and the third device, and the connection between the terminal and the RSU is disconnected, the terminal and the RSU perform bi-base sensing. The third device can be a first network device or a sensing management function.

[0160] Optionally, Figures 1D and 1E illustrate the third device as an access network device.

[0161] Optionally, in the scenarios shown in Figures 1C to 1E, when the terminal and RSU perform bi-base sensing, the RSU can transmit a sensing signal and the terminal can receive an echo signal; or, the terminal can transmit a sensing signal and the RSU can receive an echo signal. Figures 1C to 1E illustrate an example where the RSU transmits a sensing signal and the terminal receives an echo signal.

[0162] Optionally, the scenarios shown in Figures 1C to 1E illustrate a vehicle as the perceived target. The perceived target can also be other targets, such as buildings, and is not limited thereto.

[0163] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0164] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0165] I. Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC):

[0166] Integrated communication and sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​this technology is to add sensing capabilities to the mobile communication network, building capabilities such as target detection, tracking, and imaging, thereby integrating communication and sensing capabilities into a single network to achieve harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit. Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of an integrated communication and sensing scenario. In Figure 2, solid lines represent communication, and dashed lines represent sensing, illustrating an example. As shown in Figure 2, access network devices can sense other objects through self-transmission and reception, or they can sense other objects while communicating with the terminal. Figure 2 illustrates an example where the terminal is a smartphone, and the sensed targets are drones, pedestrians, and vehicles.

[0167] Sensing technologies can generally be categorized into two modes: mono-static sensing and bi-static sensing. Mono-static sensing refers to a mode where the transmitting device for the sensing signal and the receiving device for its echo signal are the same device. In other words, in mono-static sensing, the transmitting device both sends the sensing signal and receives the echo signal obtained after the sensing signal has passed through a sensing target (e.g., reflection, diffraction, or scattering). Therefore, mono-static sensing can also be called a self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, without limitation. Bi-static sensing, on the other hand, refers to a mode where the transmitting device for the sensing signal and the receiving device for its echo signal are two different devices. In other words, sensing station A sends a sensing signal, and the echo signal obtained after the sensing signal passes through a sensing target is received by sensing station B.

[0168] Figures 3A and 3B exemplarily illustrate the sensing scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figures 3A and 3B provide twelve sensing scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application, namely: a scenario where access network device A transmits and receives signals independently, i.e., a scenario where access network device A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals, as shown in (1) of Figure 3A; a scenario where terminal A transmits and receives signals independently, i.e., a scenario where terminal A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals, as shown in (2) of Figure 3A; a scenario where access network device A sends sensing signals and access network device B receives echo signals, as shown in (3) of Figure 3A; a scenario where terminal A sends sensing signals and terminal B receives echo signals, as shown in (4) of Figure 3A; a scenario where access network device A sends sensing signals and terminal A receives echo signals, as shown in (5) of Figure 3A; and a scenario where terminal A sends sensing signals and access network device A receives echo signals, as shown in (6) of Figure 3A. As shown in (6); under the control of access network device C, the scenario where access network device A sends a sensing signal and access network device B receives an echo signal is shown in (7) of Figure 3A; under the control of access network device A, the scenario where terminal A sends a sensing signal and terminal B receives an echo signal is shown in (8) of Figure 3A; the scenario where terminal A sends a sensing signal and RSU receives an echo signal is shown in (1) of Figure 3B; the scenario where RSU sends a sensing signal and terminal A receives an echo signal is shown in (2) of Figure 3B; under the control of access network device A, the scenario where terminal A sends a sensing signal and RSU receives an echo signal is shown in (3) of Figure 3B; under the control of access network device A, the scenario where RSU sends a sensing signal and terminal A receives an echo signal is shown in (4) of Figure 3B. Figures 3A and 3B use a vehicle as the sensing target and a smartphone as the terminal as an example.

[0169] Optionally, in the sensing scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application, there may be one or more transmitting devices for transmitting sensing signals, and one or more receiving devices for receiving echo signals of the sensing signals. Figures 3A and 3B are illustrated using one transmitting device and one receiving device as an example, and are not intended to be limiting.

[0170] When there are multiple transmitting devices and one receiving device, the sensing scenario can be called a multi-transmitter-one-receiver scenario. For example, sensing node A and sensing node C each transmit sensing signals, and the echo signal obtained after the sensing signals pass through the sensing target is received by sensing node B. Another example is that sensing node A and sensing node B each transmit sensing signals, and the echo signal obtained after the sensing signals pass through the sensing target is received by sensing node B.

[0171] When there is one transmitting device and multiple receiving devices, this scenario can be called a one-to-many scenario. For example, sensing node A transmits a sensing signal, and the echo signal obtained after the sensing signal passes through a sensing target is received by sensing nodes B and C. Another example is that sensing node A transmits a sensing signal, and the echo signal obtained after the sensing signal passes through a sensing target is received by sensing nodes A and B.

[0172] The sensing target can also be referred to as a target, a detected target, a sensed object, a sensed device, etc., without limitation. The sensing target can be any tangible object in the environment capable of reflecting, diffracting, or scattering electromagnetic waves. For example, the sensing target can be a stationary object such as a mountain, forest, or building. Alternatively, the sensing target can be a mobile object such as a vehicle, drone, pedestrian, or terminal. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific implementation form of the sensing target.

[0173] The sensing result can also be referred to as the sensing measurement result, the detected result, the detected data, or the detected data, etc., without limitation. The sensing result can be the result obtained by processing echo data, and the echo data can be obtained by sampling the echo signal. For example, the sensing result may include at least one of the following: the position of the sensed target, the velocity of the sensed target, the distance from the sensed target to the receiving device, the distance from the sensed target to the transmitting device, the direction of the sensed target, the angle of the sensed target, or the intensity of the echo signal from the sensed target, etc.

[0174] II. Sensing Signals:

[0175] In this application, the sensing signal may include a reference signal and / or a communication signal other than a reference signal.

[0176] The reference signal, also known as the pilot signal, is essential in communication systems for transmitting and receiving data, obtaining system synchronization and feedback channel information, and estimating the uplink or downlink channel. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing or recovering the received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise fading. It uses known reference signals from the transmitter and receiver to determine the time and frequency domain variations of the channel. These reference signals, also called reference signals, are distributed across one or more resource elements (REs) in the time-frequency two-dimensional space within orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and have known amplitude and phase.

[0177] For example, the reference signal may include an uplink reference signal and a downlink reference signal. The uplink reference signal may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a sounding reference signal (SRS), an uplink demodulation reference signal (DMRS), an uplink phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), or an uplink positioning signal (CRS). The downlink reference signal may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a positioning reference signal (PRS), a downlink DMRS, a PTRS, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or a cell reference signal (CRS).

[0178] It should be understood that the reference signals listed above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other reference signals in future agreements to achieve the same or similar functions.

[0179] In one implementation, the sensing signal can be a signal dedicated to sensing. In some examples, the sensing signal can be a reference signal dedicated to sensing, for example, a sensing reference signal (SeRS). In still other examples, the sensing signal is a signal carrying sensing data, for example, the sensing signal is sensing data itself.

[0180] In other implementations, the sensing signal can also be used for communication; that is, the sensing signal can be used for both sensing and communication, thus satisfying both sensing and communication requirements. For example, a sensing signal can be understood as a signal used to carry both sensing and communication data, or it can be understood as a signal used to carry communication data and for sensing (e.g., sensing measurements). Optionally, when the sensing signal is used for both communication and sensing, it may have other names, without limitation.

[0181] It is understood that the name of the sensing signal may vary in different communication systems, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the naming of the sensing signal.

[0182] III. RRC Connection Status:

[0183] In a communication system, a terminal's RRC connection state includes three types: RRC connected state (RRC_connected, or simply connected state), RRC idle state (RRC_idle, or simply idle state), and RRC inactive state (RRC_inactive, or simply inactive state). Among these, the idle state and the inactive state can be collectively referred to as the RRC disconnected state (or simply disconnected state).

[0184] When the terminal is in an idle state, the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device is released. The access network device and the terminal no longer save the terminal's context. The terminal can receive broadcast information (such as system information) and paging messages sent by the access network device.

[0185] When the terminal is in an inactive state, the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device is suspended. However, the access network device and the terminal continue to save the terminal's context, and the connection between the access network device and the core network device remains. When the terminal enters the connected state from the inactive state, the access network device and the terminal can quickly restore the RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device based on the saved terminal context, enabling the terminal to quickly return to the connected state.

[0186] When the terminal is in the connected state, there is an RRC connection between the terminal and the access network device, and the two can communicate based on the RRC connection.

[0187] IV. Time and Frequency Units:

[0188] A time unit can be a unit of time-domain resources. Exemplarily, a time unit may include at least one of the following: a system frame, a subframe, a slot, or a symbol. A symbol can also be called a modulation symbol, a symbol group, a modulation symbol sequence, a modulation symbol stream, a modulation symbol string, or a modulation symbol set, etc., without limitation. This application does not limit the modulation method of the symbols. For example, a symbol can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol.

[0189] A frequency unit can be a unit of frequency domain resources. For example, a frequency unit may include at least one of the following: a subcarrier, a resource block (RB), a resource element (RE), a resource block group (RBG), etc.

[0190] V. Beam:

[0191] Mobile communication systems (such as 5G mobile communication systems) can employ high-frequency communication, meaning they use high-frequency signals to transmit data. A major problem with high-frequency communication is that signal energy decreases sharply with transmission distance, resulting in short transmission ranges. To overcome this problem, high-frequency communication uses analog beamforming technology. By weighting the antenna array, the signal energy is concentrated within a small angular range, forming a beam-like signal (called an analog beam, or simply a beam), thereby increasing the transmission distance. Access network equipment and terminals can both use beamforming for transmission.

[0192] In protocols (e.g., NR protocol), beams can be referred to as spatial domain filters, spatial filters, spatial domain parameters, spatial parameters, spatial domain settings, spatial settings, quasi-co-location (QCL) information, QCL assumptions, or QCL indications, etc. Beams can also be represented by transmission configuration indicator state parameters or spatial relation parameters. The English terms for transmission configuration indicator state include transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state), and transmission configuration index state (TCI-state), etc. Therefore, in this application, "beam" can be replaced by spatial filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (e.g., downlink TCI-state, DL TCI-state, and / or uplink TCI-state, UL TCI-state), or spatial relationship, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. "Beam" can also be replaced with other beam-related terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0193] The beam used to transmit signals can be called a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting, or a spatial transmission setting.

[0194] The beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting, or a spatial reception setting.

[0195] The transmitting beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receiving beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0196] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Beamforming technology can be, for example, digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid beamforming technology.

[0197] Beams generally correspond to resources. For example, during beam measurement, access network equipment measures different beams using different resources. The terminal provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the access network equipment to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beams can also be indicated by their corresponding resources. For instance, a beam can be indicated by at least one of the following resources, or a beam can be replaced by at least one of the following: SSB resource, CSI-RS resource, SRS resource, DMRS resource, or PTRS resource, etc. Specifically, an SSB resource can be used for transmitting SSB; a CSI-RS resource can be used for transmitting CSI-RS; an SRS resource can be used for transmitting SRS; a DMRS resource can be used for transmitting DMRS; and a PTRS resource can be used for transmitting PTRS. Optionally, different beams can be used to transmit the same or different information. The full name of SSB can be Synchronization Signal Block or Synchronization Signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Block (SS / PBCH block).

[0198] In some implementations, access network devices can indicate the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) beam information of the terminal through the transmission configuration indicator (TCI) field in the downlink control information (DCI). The English terms for transmission configuration indicator (TCI), transmission configuration indication (TCI), or transmission configuration index (TCI) may include these.

[0199] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam may correspond to one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0200] VI. Antenna Port:

[0201] An antenna port, often simply called a port, is a logical concept. It can be understood as a virtual transmitting antenna (or antenna array) identified by the receiver, or a spatially distinguishable virtual transmitting antenna (or antenna array). An antenna port generally corresponds to a physical antenna. Each antenna port represents a channel model, which can be derived from a reference signal on the antenna port. Therefore, an antenna port is usually associated with a reference signal, and its meaning can be understood as a transmit / receive interface on the channel through which the reference signal passes. Because antenna ports can be associated with reference signals, each antenna port can be called a port for a reference signal, such as a CSI-RS port, DMRS port, or SRS port. For low frequencies, an antenna port may correspond to one or more antenna elements that jointly transmit the reference signal; the receiver can treat them as a whole without distinguishing between individual elements. For high-frequency systems, an antenna port may correspond to a beam; similarly, the receiver only needs to treat this beam as an interface without distinguishing between individual elements.

[0202] In protocols, antenna ports are typically identified by "antenna port" or "port," but they can also be identified by resources (such as CSI-RS resources, SRS resources, DMRS resources, PTRS resources, or CRS resources) or resource groups. In other words, the identifier for an antenna port can be replaced with the identifiers mentioned above; for example, an antenna port can be replaced with an identifier for a resource, a pilot resource, or a reference signal resource.

[0203] VII. In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" may include explicit instruction (or direct instruction) and implicit instruction (or indirect instruction). When describing information for instructing A, it may include whether the information explicitly instructs A or implicitly instructs A, but does not necessarily mean that the information carries A.

[0204] The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0205] In the embodiments of this application, "information" can be an explicit indication, that is, a direct indication through signaling, or obtained by combining other rules or parameters with parameters indicated by signaling, or by deduction. It can also be an implicit indication, that is, obtained based on rules or relationships, or based on other parameters, or by deduction. No limitation is imposed.

[0206] 8. In this application, communication between different devices can refer to direct communication between different devices (i.e., without the need for relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between different devices through other devices (i.e., requiring relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between a functional unit within a device and other devices through another functional unit. For example, "sending information to…(terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, and may include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information from…(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and may include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0207] IX. In this application, the words "exemplarily," "for example," "for instance," and "example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. It should be understood that the examples in this application may also be implemented in other ways. In this application, "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that when their distinction is not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0208] 10. In this application, any two of the programs, instructions, and code may be substituted for one another.

[0209] XI. In this application, "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" are interchangeable. For example, "A is greater than threshold 1" and "A is greater than or equal to threshold 1" are interchangeable. "Less than or equal to" and "less than" are interchangeable. For example, "A is less than threshold 1" and "A is less than or equal to threshold 1" are interchangeable.

[0210] 12. In this application, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, and “if…” can have the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

[0211] Currently, when a terminal is in a connected state, it can perform sensing based on the resources configured in the access network equipment. Specifically, when in a connected state, the terminal can send sensing signals and / or receive echo signals, depending on the resources configured in the access network equipment. However, when the terminal is in a disconnected state, such as an inactive or idle state, it may also need to participate in sensing. How to enable the terminal to transmit signals for sensing when in a disconnected state, thereby allowing it to participate in sensing, requires further research.

[0212] In addition, traffic monitoring is an important sensing scenario. Currently, sensing in this scenario can be achieved through terminals and access network devices. However, sensing solely through terminals and access network devices may have blind spots. Further research is needed to expand the sensing range and reduce these blind spots.

[0213] The various communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These methods can be applied to the communication systems shown in FIG1A or FIG1B, but are not limited thereto. The execution subject of the embodiments of this application may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a first device, a second device, and a third device. These will be described separately below.

[0214] The first device can be used to transmit sensing signals and / or receive echo signals. Optionally, the first device can be a terminal or an RSU. For details on the terminal, please refer to the description of the terminal in the description of the system shown in Figure 1A; for details on the RSU, please refer to the description of the RSU in the description of the system shown in Figure 1B, and will not be repeated here.

[0215] The second device can be used to transmit sensing signals and / or receive echo signals. Optionally, the second device can be an RSU. For details on the RSU, please refer to the description of the system shown in Figure 1B, which will not be repeated here.

[0216] The third device can be used to manage sensing; in other words, the third device can be a node that manages sensing. Optionally, the third device can be a first network device or a sensing management function. The specific details of the first network device and the sensing management function can be found in the description of the system shown in Figure 1B, and will not be repeated here.

[0217] In some examples, the first device may send a sensing signal and receive an echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A as shown in (2) of Figure 3A.

[0218] In other examples, the first device may transmit a sensing signal, and an access network device or a terminal other than the first device may receive the echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A as shown in (4) of FIG3A; or, the first device may be terminal A as shown in (6) of FIG3A; or, the first device may be terminal A as shown in (8) of FIG3A.

[0219] In other examples, the access network device or a terminal other than the first device may transmit a sensing signal, and the first device may receive the echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal B shown in (4) of Figure 3A; or, the first device may be terminal A shown in (5) of Figure 3A; or, the first device may be terminal B shown in (8) of Figure 3A.

[0220] In some other examples, the first device may transmit a sensing signal; and the second device may receive the echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A in (1) of Figure 3B, and the second device may be RSU in (1) of Figure 3B.

[0221] In other examples, the first device may transmit a sensing signal; the second device may receive the echo signal of the sensing signal; and the third device may be used to manage the sensing. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A in (3) of Figure 3B, the second device may be RSU in (3) of Figure 3B, and the third device may be access network device A in (3) of Figure 3B.

[0222] In some other examples, the second device may transmit a sensing signal; the first device receives the echo signal of the sensing signal. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A in (2) of Figure 3B, and the second device may be RSU in (2) of Figure 3B.

[0223] In other examples, the second device may send a sensing signal; the first device may receive the echo signal of the sensing signal; and the third device may be used to manage the sensing. Optionally, in this example, the first device may be terminal A in (4) of Figure 3B, the second device may be RSU in (4) of Figure 3B, and the third device may be access network device A in (4) of Figure 3B.

[0224] Optionally, the method executed by the first device in this application can also be executed by a module for the first device (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device, or by a combination of hardware and software. Similarly, the method executed by the second device in this application can also be executed by a module for the second device (e.g., a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (e.g., a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device, or by a combination of hardware and software. The method performed by the third device in this application can also be performed by a module for the third device (e.g., a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the third device, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0225] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, at least one of the first device, the second device, or the third device may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0226] This application provides a communication method. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application. In this method, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device can send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal according to a first resource indicated by first information. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes:

[0227] S401: The first device (e.g., a terminal or RSU) receives the first information.

[0228] The first information may indicate a first resource; correspondingly, the first device may determine the first resource based on the first information. Optionally, the first resource may be used to carry a sensing signal and / or an echo signal of the sensing signal. The specific content of the sensing signal can be referred to the foregoing explanation of the terminology, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] Optionally, the first information may indicate at least one of the following, and correspondingly, the first device may determine the first resource based on at least one of the following: the time domain resource of the first resource; the frequency domain resource of the first resource; the spatial domain resource of the first resource; or, the code domain resource of the first resource. These are described below.

[0230] 1. Temporal Resources of the First Resource: Optionally, the temporal resources of the first resource may include at least one time unit; in other words, the first resource may occupy at least one time unit in the temporal domain. This at least one time unit may be continuous or discontinuous in the temporal domain. For details regarding the specific content of a time unit, please refer to the explanation of the aforementioned terms; further elaboration is unnecessary.

[0231] In some examples, the first information may indicate the start and end times of the time-domain resources of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the start time of the time-domain resources of the first resource is time slot 1 and the end time of the time-domain resources of the first resource is time slot 3, then the time-domain resources of the first resource include time slots 1 to 3.

[0232] In other examples, the first information may indicate: the start time of the time-domain resource of the first resource, and the duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource. The duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource can be understood as at least one of the following: the duration of the time-domain resource of the first resource; or, the duration corresponding to the continuous time units occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the start time of the time-domain resource of the first resource is time slot 1, and the duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource is 3 time slots, then the time-domain resource of the first resource includes time slots 1 to 3.

[0233] In other examples, the first information may indicate the end time of the time-domain resource of the first resource, and the duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource. The specific details of the duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource can be found above and will not be repeated here. For example, if the first information indicates that the end time of the time-domain resource of the first resource is time slot 3, and the duration occupied by the time-domain resource of the first resource is 3 time slots, then the time-domain resource of the first resource includes time slots 1 to 3.

[0234] In other examples, the first information may indicate each time unit within the at least one time unit. For example, if the first information indicates symbol 1, symbol 2, and symbol 5, then the time-domain resources of the first resource include the resources on symbol 1, symbol 2, and symbol 5.

[0235] Optionally, the time-domain resource of the first resource can be a periodic resource or an aperiodic resource. When the time-domain resource of the first resource is a periodic resource, the first information can also indicate the period of the time-domain resource of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the start time of the time-domain resource of the first resource is time slot 1, the end time of the time-domain resource of the first resource is time slot 3, and the period of the time-domain resource of the first resource is 20 time slots, then the time-domain resource of the first resource includes time slots 1+20n to 3+20n, where n is a non-negative integer.

[0236] 2. Frequency Domain Resources of the First Resource: Optionally, the frequency domain resources of the first resource may include at least one frequency unit; in other words, the first resource may occupy at least one frequency unit in the frequency domain. This at least one frequency unit may be continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain. For details regarding the specific content of a frequency unit, please refer to the explanation of the aforementioned terms; further elaboration is unnecessary.

[0237] In some examples, the first information may indicate the start and end frequency units of the frequency domain resources of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the start subcarrier of the frequency domain resources of the first resource is subcarrier 1 and the end subcarrier of the frequency domain resources of the first resource is subcarrier 10, then the frequency domain resources of the first resource include subcarriers 1 to 10.

[0238] In other examples, the first information may indicate: the starting frequency unit of the frequency domain resource of the first resource, and the number of frequency units occupied by the frequency domain resource of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the starting frequency unit of the frequency domain resource of the first resource is subcarrier 1, and the number of subcarriers occupied by the frequency domain resource of the first resource is 10, then the frequency domain resource of the first resource includes subcarrier 1 to subcarrier 10.

[0239] In other examples, the first information may indicate the ending frequency unit of the frequency domain resource of the first resource, and the number of frequency units occupied by the frequency domain resource of the first resource. For example, if the first information indicates that the ending frequency unit of the frequency domain resource of the first resource is subcarrier 10, and the number of subcarriers occupied by the frequency domain resource of the first resource is 10, then the frequency domain resource of the first resource includes subcarriers 1 to 10.

[0240] In other examples, the first information may indicate each frequency element in the at least one frequency element. For example, if the first information indicates subcarrier 1, subcarrier 2, and subcarrier 5, then the frequency domain resources of the first resource include the resources on subcarrier 1, subcarrier 2, and subcarrier 5.

[0241] 3. Airspace resources of the first resource: Optionally, the airspace resources of the first resource may include at least one port and / or at least one beam. For details regarding ports and beams, please refer to the explanations of the aforementioned terms; further elaboration is not required hereafter.

[0242] In some examples, the first information may indicate the at least one port. For example, the first information may include the index or identifier of the at least one port.

[0243] In other examples, the first information may indicate the at least one beam. For example, the first information may include the index or identifier of the at least one beam.

[0244] In other examples, the first information may indicate the at least one port and the at least one beam. For example, the first information may include the index or identifier of the at least one port and the index or identifier of the at least one beam.

[0245] 4. Code domain resources of the first resource: Optionally, the code domain resources of the first resource may include the orthogonal coverage code (OCC) corresponding to the first resource.

[0246] Optionally, the first information may indicate the OCC. For example, the first information may include the index or identifier of the OCC.

[0247] In some examples, the first information may indicate the time-domain resources and the frequency-domain resources of the first resource. Thus, the first device can determine the time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources of the first resource based on the first information, thereby determining the first resource.

[0248] In other examples, the first information may indicate the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and spatial resources of the first resource. Thus, the first device can determine the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and spatial resources of the first resource based on the first information, thereby determining the first resource.

[0249] In other examples, the first information may indicate the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and code-domain resources of the first resource. Thus, the first device can determine the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and code-domain resources of the first resource based on the first information, thereby determining the first resource.

[0250] In other examples, the first information may indicate the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, spatial-domain resources, and code-domain resources of the first resource. Thus, the first device can determine the time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, spatial-domain resources, and code-domain resources of the first resource based on the first information, thereby identifying the first resource.

[0251] In this way, the first device can accurately determine the first resource based on the first information.

[0252] In some possible embodiments, the first information further indicates a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data. Optionally, the first information further indicating a first reporting quantity related to perception, which includes perception results or echo data, can be replaced by: the first information may also indicate whether the first reporting quantity related to perception includes perception results or echo data. Here, echo data is obtained by sampling an echo signal; perception results are obtained by processing echo data. For example, echo data is obtained by the first device sampling an echo signal; perception results are obtained by the first device processing the echo data. For instance, if the first device receives a first echo signal, the first device can sample the first echo signal to obtain echo data corresponding to the first echo signal; if the first device processes the echo data, it can obtain the perception result corresponding to the first echo signal. This application does not limit the specific method of processing.

[0253] Optionally, since echo data is obtained by sampling echo signals and sensing results are obtained by processing echo data, the first information also indicates a sensing-related first reporting quantity, which includes sensing results or echo data, and can be understood as either: the first information indicates whether the first device processes the echo data; or, the first information indicates whether the first device performs local processing on the echo data.

[0254] There are several ways to indicate the first reported quantity in the first information. For example, when the value of the first field in the first information is a first value (e.g., 1 or 0), the first reported quantity includes the sensing result; and / or, when the value of the first field in the first information is a second value (e.g., 0 or 1), the first reported quantity includes echo data. The first value and the second value are different.

[0255] In this way, the first device can accurately determine whether to report the sensing result or the echo data based on the first information.

[0256] In some possible embodiments, the first information may also indicate a first measurement configuration (or first measurement configuration information) and / or a first reporting configuration (or first reporting configuration information). The first measurement configuration may be a perception-related measurement configuration, and the first reporting configuration may be a perception-related reporting configuration. These will be explained separately below.

[0257] Optionally, the first measurement configuration may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: an event that triggers the recording, the duration of the recording, a timestamp, or the area being measured. These will be described in detail below.

[0258] 1. Event that triggers recording: This can also be referred to as a measurement-triggered recording event. Optionally, when the event that triggers recording occurs, the first device may record sensing-related results, such as sensing results or echo data.

[0259] Optionally, the event that triggers recording can be a periodically triggered event or an event-driven event. In some examples, the event that triggers recording can be the period (or time interval) of the recording, which is, for example, an integer multiple of the period of discontinuous reception (DRX). In other examples, the event that triggers recording can be a recording threshold. For example, the recording event occurs when the signal quality corresponding to a certain sensing result or echo data is greater than or equal to the recording threshold; the recording event does not occur when the signal quality corresponding to a certain sensing result or echo data is less than the recording threshold. It should be understood that the recording threshold can also have other names, such as the fourth threshold, the sensing measurement threshold, or the trigger threshold, etc., without limitation.

[0260] 2. Recording Duration: This can also be referred to as the duration of the measurement record. Optionally, after the event triggering the recording occurs, within the duration of the recording, the first device may record perception-related results, such as perception results or echo data. For example, the duration of the second timer is the recording duration. When the event triggering the recording occurs, the first device may start the second timer; when the second timer expires, the first device may stop recording perception-related results.

[0261] 3. Timestamp: Also known as an absolute timestamp. Optionally, this timestamp can be a reference timestamp for the measurement record; in other words, this timestamp can be used as a reference for the measurement record.

[0262] 4. Measurement Area: Also referred to as the recording area or the area where measurement records are made. Optionally, the first device can perform sensing measurements within this area. Optionally, the measurement area can be indicated by its corresponding cell identifier (ID). For example, if the first measurement configuration includes the ID of cell #1 and the ID of cell #2, then the measurement area may include cell #1 and cell #2.

[0263] In this way, after receiving the first information, the first device can record the perception-related results according to the first measurement configuration.

[0264] Optionally, the first reporting configuration may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: measurement quantity, measurement timestamp, measurement location information, or reporting behavior. These will be explained below.

[0265] 1. Measurement Quantity: Also known as perception-related measurement quantity. Optionally, the measurement quantity may include at least one of the following: signal quality corresponding to the first resource, measurement result corresponding to the echo signal, power delay profile (PDP), channel impulse response (CIR), or range-angle-velocity (RAV) spectrum. The signal quality corresponding to the first resource may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), or received signal strength indication (RSSI).

[0266] 2. Measurement timestamp: Optionally, the measurement timestamp can be used to indicate the time when a perception-related result was measured or recorded. For example, the measurement timestamp can indicate the difference between the time when a perception-related result was measured or recorded and the absolute timestamp.

[0267] 3. Measured Location Information: Optionally, the measured location information may indicate the location (hereinafter referred to as the first location) where the first device measured or recorded the sensing-related results. In some examples, the measured location information may be the ID of the cell where the first device measured or recorded the sensing-related results. In other examples, the measured location information may be the longitude and latitude of the first location. In still other examples, the measured location information may be the longitude, latitude, and altitude of the first location. In yet another example, the measured location information may be spatial location information acquired by the first device through sensors, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) information.

[0268] 4. Reporting behavior: also known as reporting method. Optionally, the reporting behavior can be periodic or non-periodic.

[0269] In this way, after receiving the first information, the first device can report the sensing-related reporting volume according to the first reporting configuration.

[0270] The first information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, without limitation. Optionally, the first information can be carried in a DCI, a medium access control-control element (MAC CE), or an RRC message. For example, the first information can be carried in one of the following messages: a connection release message (e.g., an RRC connection release message), an RRC reconfiguration message, or a record measurement configuration message.

[0271] The first information may have other names, such as recorded measurement configuration information, perception configuration information, resource configuration information, or reported configuration information, without restriction.

[0272] In some possible ways, the first device can receive the first information while it is in a connected state. Optionally, in this way, the first information can be carried in an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0273] In other possible approaches, the first device may receive first information when it switches from a connected state to a disconnected state. The disconnected state includes, for example, an inactive state and an idle state. Optionally, in this approach, the first information may be carried in a connection release message.

[0274] In some implementations, the second device (e.g., RSU) can send the first information; correspondingly, the first device can receive the first information, as shown in S401a. Optionally, when the second device can perform the function of an access network device, the second device can send the first information; correspondingly, the first device can receive the first information. For example, when the second device can perform the function of an access network device, the first device can access the network through the second device. When the connection state between the first device and the second device is connected, the second device can send the first information, and correspondingly, the first device can receive the first information; or, when the first device switches from a connected state to a disconnected state, for example, when the connection between the first device and the second device is about to be disconnected, the second device can send the first information, and correspondingly, the first device can receive the first information.

[0275] In other implementations, a third device (e.g., a first network device or a sensing management function) may send the first information; correspondingly, the first device may receive the first information, as shown in S401b. Optionally, in this implementation, the first device may access the network through the third device. When the connection state between the first device and the third device is connected, the third device may send the first information, and correspondingly, the first device may receive the first information; or, when the first device switches from a connected state to a disconnected state, for example, when the connection between the first device and the third device is about to be disconnected, the third device may send the first information, and correspondingly, the first device may receive the first information.

[0276] S402: Second device receives information #1.

[0277] Information #1 can indicate resource #1; correspondingly, the second device can determine resource #1 based on information #1. Optionally, resource #1 can be used to carry sensing signals and / or echo signals of sensing signals. The specific content of sensing signals can be found in the foregoing explanation of terminology, and will not be repeated here.

[0278] For details of S402, please refer to S401, except that the first device is replaced with the second device, the first information is replaced with information #1, and the first resource is replaced with resource #1. The repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0279] In some implementations, resource #1 may include a first resource. Optionally, resource #1 may include a first resource when resource #1 is used for the second device to transmit a sensing signal and the first resource is used for the first device to receive an echo signal. For example, resource #1 may be the first resource. Also, for example, a portion of the resources in resource #1 may be the first resource.

[0280] In other implementations, the first resource may include resource #1. Optionally, where the first resource is used for the first device to transmit a sensing signal and resource #1 is used for the second device to receive an echo signal, the first resource may include resource #1. For example, the first resource may be resource #1. Also, for example, a portion of the first resource may be resource #1.

[0281] Message #1 can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, without restriction. Optionally, message #1 can be carried in a DCI, MAC CE, or RRC message.

[0282] Information #1 may have other names, such as perception configuration information, resource configuration information, or reporting configuration information, without restriction.

[0283] S402 is an optional step. For example, when the second device performs the functions of an access network device, the second device may configure resource #1. In this case, the method shown in FIG4 may not include S402. As another example, the third device may send information #1; correspondingly, the second device receives information #1. In this case, the method shown in FIG4 may include S402. Yet another example, when the first device performs single-base sensing, the method shown in FIG4 may not include S402.

[0284] When the method shown in Figure 4 includes S401 and S402, the execution order of S401 and S402 is not limited. For example, when the first device receives the first information from the third device and the second device receives the information #1 from the third device, the third device can send the first information and information #1 simultaneously, or it can send the first information first and then send information #1, or it can send information #1 first and then send the first information.

[0285] S403: When the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device sends a first sensing signal and / or receives a first echo signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource.

[0286] Alternatively, the first device being in an inactive or idle state can be replaced by the first device being in a disconnected state. A disconnected state includes, for example, an inactive state and an idle state.

[0287] Optionally, the function of the first resource can be understood as follows: the first resource is used by the first device to send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal when the first device is in an inactive or idle state.

[0288] Optionally, the first device transmitting a first sensing signal and / or receiving a first echo signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource may be replaced by at least one of the following: the first device transmitting the first sensing signal and / or receiving the first echo signal on the first resource; or, the first device transmitting the first sensing signal and / or receiving the first echo signal, wherein the first sensing signal and / or the first echo signal is carried by the first resource.

[0289] In some possible ways, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device may, based on (or using, or through) a first resource, send a first sensing signal and receive a first echo signal, the first echo signal being an echo of the first sensing signal. For example, the first device may send a first sensing signal based on a first resource; this first sensing signal first reaches the sensing target via wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a first echo signal is obtained, which then reaches the first device via wireless transmission; that is, the first device can receive the first echo signal.

[0290] In other possible approaches, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device may send a first sensing signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource; correspondingly, device #1 receives an echo signal #1, which is an echo of the first sensing signal. Optionally, the first device is a terminal, and device #1 may be a terminal other than the first device, or it may be an access network device. For example, the first device may send a first sensing signal based on the first resource; the first sensing signal first reaches the sensing target through wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), an echo signal #1 is obtained, which reaches device #1 through wireless transmission, i.e., device #1 can receive the echo signal #1.

[0291] In other possible ways, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, device #1 can send a sensing signal #1 according to (or using, or through) the first resource; correspondingly, the first device can receive a first echo signal according to (or using, or through) the first resource, the first echo signal being the echo signal of sensing signal #1. Optionally, device #1 can be a terminal other than the first device, or it can be an access network device. For example, device #1 can send a sensing signal #1 according to resource #1; the sensing signal #1 first reaches the sensing target through wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a first echo signal is obtained, which reaches the first device through wireless transmission, that is, the first device can receive the first echo signal according to the first resource.

[0292] In other possible ways, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device can send a first sensing signal to the second device according to (or using, or through) a first resource; correspondingly, the second device can receive a third echo signal according to (or using, or through) resource #1, the third echo signal being the echo signal of the first sensing signal. For example, the first device can send the first sensing signal according to the first resource; the first sensing signal first reaches the sensing target via wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a third echo signal is obtained, which then reaches the second device via wireless transmission; that is, the second device can receive the third echo signal according to resource #1.

[0293] Optionally, the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected. A disconnected connection between the first device and the second device can be understood as any of the following: there is no communication connection between the first device and the second device; the connection was established and then broken; the connection state between the first device and the second device is a disconnected state; or, the connection state between the first device and the second device is an inactive or idle state.

[0294] In this approach, passive sensing can occur between the first and second devices. In passive sensing, the device transmitting the sensing signal can act as either an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. This eliminates the need for at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment between the first and second devices, thereby increasing the applicability of the sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0295] In other possible ways, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the second device can send a second sensing signal according to (or using, or through) resource #1; correspondingly, the first device can receive a first echo signal according to (or using, or through) the first resource, wherein the first echo signal is the echo signal of the second sensing signal. For example, the second device can send a second sensing signal according to resource #1; this second sensing signal first reaches the sensing target via wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a first echo signal is obtained. The first echo signal reaches the first device via wireless transmission, meaning the first device can receive the first echo signal according to the first resource.

[0296] Optionally, the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected; for details, please refer to the description above, which will not be repeated here.

[0297] In this approach, passive sensing can occur between the first and second devices. In passive sensing, the device transmitting the sensing signal can act as either an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. This eliminates the need for at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment between the first and second devices, thereby increasing the applicability of the sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0298] It should be understood that the above methods can be independent or combined with each other.

[0299] In one possible approach, when the first timer expires, the first device may release the first resource, or the first resource may become invalid (or be released). Optionally, the first timer may be started upon receiving first information. The duration of the first timer may be preset, such as as specified by a protocol; or it may be determined by the first device; or it may be notified to the first device by another device (e.g., a second or third device).

[0300] Optionally, when the first timer expires, the first device may release the first resource. This can be understood as follows: when the first device is in an inactive or idle state and the first timer has not expired, the first device sends a first sensing signal and / or receives a first echo signal according to the first resource.

[0301] In another possible approach, after receiving the first information, if the first device is powered off, the first device may release the first resource, or the first resource may become invalid (or be released). Optionally, in this case, the first device may also release the measurement information acquired based on the first resource stored internally.

[0302] In some other possible approaches, after receiving a first message (which may be referred to as first message #1), if the first device receives a next first message (which may be referred to as first message #2), the first device may release the first resource indicated by first message #1, or the first resource indicated by first message #1 may become invalid (or be released). The specific contents of first message #1 and first message #2 can be found in the description of the first message in S401; the first resource indicated by first message #1 and the first resource indicated by first message #2 may be the same or different.

[0303] It should be understood that the method shown in Figure 4 is illustrated using the example of a first device sending a first sensing signal and / or receiving a first echo signal according to a first resource, but is not limited thereto. When the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device may send one or more sensing signals and / or receive one or more echo signals according to the first resource. The method of sending each sensing signal can refer to the method of sending the first sensing signal, and the method of receiving each echo signal can refer to the method of receiving the first echo signal.

[0304] Using the method shown in Figure 4, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the first device can perform sensing based on a first resource indicated by first information. For example, the first device can send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal based on the first resource. In this way, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, it can transmit signals for sensing, thereby participating in sensing and improving sensing performance and efficiency.

[0305] Among some possible approaches, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes S404:

[0306] S404: If the first condition is met, the first device may send a random access request.

[0307] The first condition includes at least one of the following conditions #1 to #4:

[0308] Condition #1: The amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Here, the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signal received by the first device; the sensing results acquired by the first device are obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device.

[0309] Optionally, the amount of data of the sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device can be replaced by any of the following: the amount of data of the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device; or, the amount of data of information to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device, wherein the information to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) includes at least the sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device.

[0310] The following example illustrates condition #1.

[0311] For example, if the first threshold is 5 megabytes (MB) and the amount of data of the perception result obtained by the first device is 6MB, then condition #1 is satisfied.

[0312] For example, if the first threshold is 5MB and the amount of echo data acquired by the first device is 6MB, then condition #1 is satisfied.

[0313] When the first condition includes condition #1, if the amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is large, for example, greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and then enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data it acquired, thus releasing the storage space of the first device.

[0314] Condition #2: The number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to the second threshold: For example, if the second threshold is 5 and the number of echo signals received by the first device is 5, then condition #2 is satisfied.

[0315] Optionally, the echo signal received by the first device can be understood as any of the following: the echo signal received by the first device when the first device is in an inactive or idle state; the echo signal received by the first device, and the echo signal corresponds to the sensing result or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported); or the echo signal received by the first device but not reported the sensing result or echo data.

[0316] Optionally, the number of echo signals received by the first device may be replaced by any of the following: the number of echo signals detected (or monitored) by the first device; or the number of times the first device receives (or detects, or monitors) echo signals.

[0317] When the first condition includes condition #2, if the number of echo signals received by the first device is large, for example, greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and then enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals.

[0318] Condition #3: The duration (or duration of time) for the first device to receive the echo signal is greater than or equal to the third threshold: For example, if the third threshold is 2s and the duration for the first device to receive the echo signal is 2s, then condition #3 is satisfied.

[0319] Optionally, the starting time for the first device to receive the echo signal can be: the moment when the first device first receives the echo signal when it is in an inactive or idle state; the duration for the first device to receive the echo signal can be: the difference between the current time and the starting time. For example, if the first device first receives the echo signal at the 2nd second when it is in an inactive or idle state, and the current time is the 4th second, then the duration for the first device to receive the echo signal is 2 seconds.

[0320] When the first condition includes condition #3, if the duration of the first device receiving the echo signal is relatively long, for example, greater than or equal to the third threshold, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and thus enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals in a timely manner.

[0321] Condition #4: The first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time within one cycle when it needs to access the network.

[0322] Optionally, the first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time to access the network within a period, which can be replaced by any of the following: the first device periodically reports sensing-related results, and the current time is the time to report sensing-related results within a period; or, the first device periodically reports measurement quantities (or reported quantities), and the current time is the time to report measurement quantities (or reported quantities) within a period.

[0323] For example, the first device periodically accesses the network starting from the first second, with a period of 5 seconds. Thus, if the current time is 1 + 5m seconds, where m is an integer greater than or equal to 0, then condition #4 is satisfied.

[0324] When the first condition includes condition #4, if the first device periodically accesses the network and the current time is the time to access the network within a period, the first device can send a random access request, thereby enabling the first device to enter the connected state, and thus enabling the first device to send the sensing results or echo data corresponding to these echo signals in a timely manner.

[0325] In the first condition, at least one of the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold may be pre-set, such as as specified in the protocol; or it may be determined by the first device; or it may be notified to the first device by other devices (e.g., at least one of the second device, the third device, or the core network device), without limitation. The methods for obtaining different thresholds among the first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold may be the same or different, without limitation.

[0326] Optionally, after sending a random access request, the first device can access the network through a random access procedure, thereby putting the first device into a connected state. This application does not limit the specific process of the random access procedure; for example, it can be implemented using a method specified in a protocol.

[0327] In some implementations, upon meeting the first condition, the first device sends a random access request; correspondingly, the second device (e.g., RSU) can receive the random access request, as shown in S404a. Optionally, when the second device can perform the functions of an access network device, upon meeting the first condition, the first device sends a random access request; correspondingly, the second device receives the random access request. In this way, the first device and the second device can connect the first device to the network through a random access procedure, thereby enabling the first device to enter a connected state.

[0328] In other implementations, if the first condition is met, the first device sends a random access request; correspondingly, the third device receives the random access request, as shown in S404b. In this way, the first device and the third device can connect the first device to the network through a random access procedure, thereby putting the first device into a connected state.

[0329] Alternatively, in S404, the random access request can be replaced with a preamble.

[0330] Optionally, S404 follows S403.

[0331] In some implementations, the random access request also indicates the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported). Optionally, the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted can be acquired by the first device; in other words, the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted can be the sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) in the first device. Through this implementation, the first device can report the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported), so that the network side can schedule resources for the first device based on the data amount, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0332] In some other implementations, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes S405:

[0333] S405: The first device sends a first message, which may indicate the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported).

[0334] Optionally, the first message may be a message other than a random access request used during the establishment of an RRC connection. For example, the first message may be an RRC connection establishment completion message or a user equipment information response message. The process for establishing an RRC connection may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: cell measurement process, random access process, RRC connection establishment process, RRC connection reconstruction process, or RRC connection recovery process.

[0335] In some implementations, the first device sends a first message; correspondingly, the second device (e.g., RSU) can receive the first message, as shown in S405a. Optionally, when the second device can perform the functions of an access network device, the first device sends the first message; correspondingly, the second device receives the first message.

[0336] In other implementations, the first device sends a first message; correspondingly, the third device receives the first message, as shown in S405b.

[0337] Optionally, S405 can be after S403, and the order of S405 and S404 is not limited.

[0338] Through this implementation, the first device can report the amount of sensing results or echo data to be transmitted (or sent, or reported) during the process of establishing an RRC connection. In this way, the network side can schedule resources for the first device based on the amount of data, thereby improving resource utilization.

[0339] In some possible ways, when the first device receives the first echo signal, the method shown in Figure 4 further includes S406:

[0340] S406: After the first device enters the connected state or during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the first device may send the first sensing result or the first echo data.

[0341] The first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data. Optionally, the first echo data can be obtained by sampling the first echo signal using a first device, and the first sensing result can be obtained by processing the first echo data using a first device.

[0342] In some examples, after the first device enters the connected state, it can send the first sensing result or the first echo data. For example, after sending a random access request, the first device can access the network through a random access procedure, thereby entering the connected state. Thus, after entering the connected state, the first device can send the first sensing result or the first echo data. This random access request can be the random access request in S404, or it can be a random access request triggered by conditions other than the first condition. This application does not limit the specific content of these other conditions; for example, they can be conditions for triggering a random access request as specified in the protocol.

[0343] In other examples, during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the first device may send a first sensing result or first echo data. For example, the first sensing result or first echo data may be carried in a random access request. This random access request may be the random access request in S404, or it may be a random access request triggered by conditions other than the first condition. As another example, the first sensing result or first echo data may be carried in message 3 during the random access process.

[0344] In some implementations, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state, the first device sends a first sensing result or first echo data; correspondingly, the second device receives the first sensing result or first echo data, as shown in S406a. Optionally, if the second device can perform the functions of an access network device, and the first device sends a random access request to the second device, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state, the first device sends a first sensing result or first echo data; correspondingly, the second device receives the first sensing result or first echo data.

[0345] In other implementations, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state, the first device sends a first sensing result or first echo data; correspondingly, the third device receives the first sensing result or first echo data, as shown in S406b. Optionally, when the first device sends a random access request to the third device, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state, the first device sends a first sensing result or first echo data; correspondingly, the third device receives the first sensing result or first echo data.

[0346] Optionally, if the first reported amount indicated by the first information includes a sensing result, the first device may send the first sensing result in S406; and / or, if the first reported amount indicated by the first information includes echo data, the first device may send the first echo data in S406.

[0347] Alternatively, in S406, the random access request can be replaced with a preamble.

[0348] Optionally, S406 follows S404.

[0349] In this way, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of entering the connected state, the first device can send the first sensing result or the first echo data, so that the receiving device can perform sensing based on the first sensing result or the first echo data, thereby improving sensing performance. Furthermore, if the first device sends the first sensing result or the first echo data during the process of entering the connected state, the receiving device can obtain the first sensing result or the first echo data as early as possible, thereby improving sensing efficiency.

[0350] In some possible ways, when the first device sends the first echo data, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes S407:

[0351] S407: The first device also sends a second message.

[0352] The second information may indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization and frequency synchronization. Another example is that the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment.

[0353] Optionally, when the first device receives a first echo signal, which is an echo signal of a second sensing signal from the second device, and the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected, the first echo signal is not time-synchronized, frequency-synchronized, or phase-aligned, and the type of echo data obtained based on the first echo signal is the first type. The specific content of "the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected" can be found in the explanation of "the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected" in S403, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] In some examples, the second information may be included in the first echo data. For example, the second information may be indicated by a second field in the first echo data. If the value of the second field in the first echo data is a third value (e.g., 1 or 0), then the type of the first echo data is the first type. Optionally, in this example, S406 and S407 may be combined as follows: after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of the first device entering the connected state, the first device may send a first sensing result or first echo data, the first echo data including the second information.

[0355] In other examples, the first device may send the second information and the first echo data separately. In this example, the transmission order of the second information and the first echo data is not limited, that is, the order of S406 and S407 is not limited. The second information and the first echo data may be carried in the same or different messages. Optionally, in this example, the second information may indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type through at least one field. The at least one field may include one or more of a time synchronization field, a frequency synchronization field, and a phase alignment field. The time synchronization field may indicate whether the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data is time-synchronized. If the value of the time synchronization field is true, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has been time-synchronized; if the value of the time synchronization field is false, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has not been time-synchronized. The frequency synchronization field may indicate whether the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data is frequency-synchronized. If the frequency synchronization field is true, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has been frequency synchronized; if the frequency synchronization field is false, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has not been frequency synchronized. The phase alignment field indicates whether the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has been phase aligned. If the phase alignment field is true, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has been phase aligned; if the phase alignment field is false, the echo signal corresponding to the first echo data has not been phase aligned. It should be understood that any of the time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment fields may have other names, without restriction. This example uses the time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment fields being true or false as an illustration; the values ​​of the time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment fields may also be other values, without restriction.

[0356] In some implementations, the first device sends the second information; correspondingly, the second device receives the second information, as shown in S407a. Optionally, if the second device can perform the functions of an access network device, and the first device sends the first echo data to the second device, the first device sends the second information; correspondingly, the second device receives the second information.

[0357] In other implementations, the first device sends the second information; correspondingly, the third device receives the second information, as shown in S407b. Optionally, when the first device sends the first echo data to the third device, the first device sends the second information; correspondingly, the third device receives the second information.

[0358] In this manner, when the first device sends the first echo data, it can also send second information to indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. Thus, the device receiving the first echo data and the second information can accurately determine the type of the first echo data as the first type based on the second information, and can then perform appropriate processing on the first echo data according to this type, improving the performance of the sensing processing. For example, the network side can employ different processing methods for echo data obtained from echo signals that have undergone time and frequency synchronization, and for echo data obtained from echo signals that have not undergone time and frequency synchronization, thereby improving the performance of the sensing processing.

[0359] Among some possible approaches, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes S408:

[0360] S408: The first device receives the sixth message.

[0361] The sixth piece of information may indicate sensing-related parameters. For example, the sixth piece of information may indicate updating the first resource, and / or, the sixth piece of information may indicate sensing-related measurements. These will be explained below.

[0362] 1. The sixth piece of information can instruct the updating of the first resource:

[0363] In some implementations, the sixth information may indicate the updated first resource. For example, the sixth information may indicate at least one of the following: the time-domain resource of the updated first resource; the frequency-domain resource of the updated first resource; the spatial-domain resource of the updated first resource; or the code-domain resource of the updated first resource. The specific content of the sixth information indicating the updated first resource can be found in "The first information may indicate the first resource" in S401, except that the sixth information is replaced by the first information and the first resource is replaced by the updated first resource; further details are omitted here.

[0364] In other implementations, the sixth information may indicate the amount of change in the updated first resource relative to the first resource before the update. For example, before the update, the time-domain resources of the first resource included time slots 1 to 3; after the update, the time-domain resources of the first resource include time slots 1 to 2. The sixth information may indicate that the updated time-domain resources of the first resource include time slots 1 to 2. As another example, before the update, the frequency-domain resources of the first resource included subcarriers 1 to 10; after the update, the frequency-domain resources of the first resource included subcarriers 1 to 5. The sixth information may indicate that the updated frequency-domain resources of the first resource include time slots 1 to 2.

[0365] In this way, the first device can accurately determine the updated first resource based on the sixth information.

[0366] 2. The sixth piece of information can indicate the measurement quantities related to perception:

[0367] For details regarding the specific content of the measurement quantities related to perception, please refer to the description of the measurement quantities in S401, which will not be repeated here.

[0368] In this way, the first device can accurately determine the sensing-related measurement quantities based on the sixth information.

[0369] In some examples, the sixth message may be a broadcast message. For instance, when the first device is in an idle or inactive state, the sixth message may be a broadcast message.

[0370] In other examples, the sixth message can be a multicast message or a unicast message. For example, when the first device is inactive, the sixth message can be a unicast message.

[0371] In some implementations, the second device may send a sixth message; correspondingly, the first device receives the sixth message (as shown in S408a). Optionally, the second device may send the sixth message according to (or using, or through) resource #1; correspondingly, the first device may receive the sixth message according to (or using, or through) the first resource. The specific content of resource #1 can be found in the description of resource #1 in S402; the specific content of the first resource can be found in the description of the first resource in S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0372] In other implementations, the third device may send the sixth information; correspondingly, the first device receives the sixth information (as shown in S408b). Optionally, the third device may send the sixth information according to (or using, or through) the first resource; correspondingly, the first device may receive the sixth information according to (or using, or through) the first resource.

[0373] The sixth message can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, without restriction. For example, the sixth message can be carried in system information block (SIB) 1 or SIB 3.

[0374] The sixth piece of information may have other names, such as system information, and there are no restrictions.

[0375] Optionally, S408 follows S401. If the method shown in Figure 4 includes S402, then S408 may follow S402. This application does not restrict the execution order of steps S408 and any of S403 to S407.

[0376] Among some possible approaches, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes steps S409 to S411:

[0377] S409: When the first device and the third device are connected, the third device sends third information to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the third information from the third device.

[0378] Alternatively, the connection between the first device and the third device can be replaced by the connection state between the first device and the third device being a connected state.

[0379] The third information indicates the second resource; correspondingly, the first device can determine the second resource based on the third information. Optionally, the second resource can be used to carry the sensing signal and / or the echo signal of the sensing signal. The specific content of the sensing signal can be referred to the foregoing explanation of the terminology, and will not be repeated here.

[0380] Optionally, the third information indicates at least one of the following; accordingly, the first device can determine the second resource based on at least one of the following: the time domain resource of the second resource; the frequency domain resource of the second resource; the spatial domain resource of the second resource; or, the code domain resource of the second resource.

[0381] The specific content of the third information indicating the second resource can be found in the explanation of "the first information can indicate the first resource" in S401, except that the first information is replaced with the third information and the first resource is replaced with the second resource. This will not be repeated here. In this way, the first device can accurately determine the second resource based on the third information.

[0382] In some possible embodiments, the third information further indicates a perception-related second reporting quantity, which includes a sensing result or echo data. Optionally, the third information further indicating a perception-related second reporting quantity, which includes a sensing result or echo data, can be replaced by: the third information also indicating whether the perception-related second reporting quantity includes a sensing result or echo data. Here, echo data is obtained by sampling an echo signal; the sensing result is obtained by processing the echo data. For example, the echo data is obtained by the first device sampling the echo signal; the sensing result is obtained by the first device processing the echo data. For instance, if the first device receives a second echo signal, the first device can sample the second echo signal to obtain echo data corresponding to the second echo signal; if the first device processes the echo data, it can obtain the sensing result corresponding to the second echo signal. This application does not limit the specific method of processing.

[0383] Optionally, since echo data is obtained by sampling echo signals and sensing results are obtained by processing echo data, the third information also indicates a sensing-related second reporting quantity, which includes sensing results or echo data, and can be understood as either: the third information indicates whether the first device processes the echo data; or, the third information indicates whether the first device performs local processing on the echo data.

[0384] Optionally, the method by which the third information indicates the second reporting quantity can refer to the description of "the method by which the first information indicates the first reporting quantity" in S401, except that the first information is replaced with the third information and the first reporting quantity is replaced with the second reporting quantity, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] In this way, the first device can accurately determine whether to report the sensing results or the echo data based on the third information.

[0386] Optionally, the third information may also indicate the second reported configuration information. The specific content of the second reported configuration information can be found in the description of the first reported configuration information in S401, and will not be repeated here. It should be understood that the first reported configuration information and the second reported configuration information may be the same or different.

[0387] The third information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, without limitation. For example, the third information can be carried in a DCI, MAC CE, or RRC message.

[0388] The third information may have other names, such as perception configuration information, resource configuration information, or reporting configuration information, without restriction.

[0389] S410: The third device sends information #2 to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives information #2 from the third device.

[0390] Information #2 can indicate resource #2; correspondingly, the second device can determine resource #2 based on information #2. Optionally, resource #2 can be used to carry sensing signals and / or echo signals of sensing signals. The specific content of sensing signals can be found in the foregoing explanation of terminology, and will not be repeated here.

[0391] For details of S410, please refer to S409, except that the first device is replaced with the second device, the third information is replaced with information #2, and the second resource is replaced with resource #2. The repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0392] In some implementations, resource #2 may include a second resource. Optionally, resource #2 may include a second resource when resource #2 is used for the second device to transmit a sensing signal and the second resource is used for the second device to receive an echo signal. For example, resource #2 may be a second resource. Also, for example, a portion of the resources in resource #2 may be a second resource.

[0393] In other implementations, the second resource may include resource #2. Optionally, where the second resource is used for the first device to transmit a sensing signal and resource #2 is used for the second device to receive an echo signal, the second resource may include resource #2. For example, the second resource may be resource #2. Also, for example, a portion of the second resource may be resource #2.

[0394] Message #2 can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, without restriction. Optionally, message #2 can be carried in a DCI, MAC CE, or RRC message.

[0395] Information #2 may have other names, such as perception configuration information, resource configuration information, or reporting configuration information, without restriction.

[0396] S410 is an optional step.

[0397] When the method shown in Figure 4 includes S409 and S410, the execution order of S409 and S410 is not limited.

[0398] S411: The first device sends a third sensing signal to the second device based on (or using, or through) the second resource, and / or receives a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0399] Optionally, the function of the second resource can be understood as follows: the second resource is used by the first device to send a third sensing signal and / or receive a second echo signal.

[0400] Optionally, the first device sending a third sensing signal to the second device based on (or using, or through) the second resource, and / or receiving a second echo signal, can be replaced by at least one of the following: the first device sending the third sensing signal and / or receiving the second echo signal on the second resource; or, the first device sending the third sensing signal and / or receiving the second echo signal, wherein the third sensing signal and / or the second echo signal are carried by the second resource.

[0401] Optionally, the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected. For details, please refer to the explanation of "the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected" in S403, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] In some possible ways, the first device may send a third sensing signal to the second device based on (or using, or through) a second resource; correspondingly, the second device may receive a fourth echo signal based on (or using, or through) resource #2, the fourth echo signal being an echo of the third sensing signal. For example, the first device may send the third sensing signal based on the second resource; this third sensing signal first reaches the sensing target via wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a fourth echo signal is obtained, which then reaches the second device via wireless transmission; that is, the second device may receive the fourth echo signal based on resource #2.

[0403] In other possible embodiments, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, the second device may transmit a fourth sensing signal according to (or using, or through) resource #2; correspondingly, the first device may receive a second echo signal according to (or using, or through) the second resource, wherein the second echo signal is an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal. For example, the second device may transmit a fourth sensing signal according to resource #2; this fourth sensing signal first reaches the sensing target via wireless transmission, and then, after being acted upon by the sensing target (e.g., reflection, scattering, or diffraction), a second echo signal is obtained. The second echo signal then reaches the first device via wireless transmission, meaning the first device may receive the second echo signal according to the second resource.

[0404] In this manner, the first device can transmit signals for sensing according to the second resource indicated by the third device, thereby participating in sensing and improving sensing performance and efficiency. Furthermore, when the connection between the first and second devices is disconnected, passive sensing can occur between them; in passive sensing, the device transmitting the sensing signal can act as an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. Thus, at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment is not required between the first and second devices, thereby increasing the applicability of sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0405] Optionally, steps S409 to S411 can be performed before or after steps S401 to S403. For example, if the first device and the third device establish a connection before the first device enters an inactive or idle state, then steps S409 to S411 can be performed before steps S401 to S403. Alternatively, if the first device and the third device establish a connection after step S403, then steps S409 to S411 can be performed after steps S401 to S403.

[0406] In some possible ways, when the first device receives the second echo signal, the method shown in Figure 4 further includes S412:

[0407] S412: The first device sends a second sensing result or second echo data to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the second sensing result or second echo data from the first device.

[0408] The second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data. Optionally, the second echo data can be obtained by sampling the second echo signal using the first device, and the second sensing result can be obtained by processing the second echo data using the first device.

[0409] Optionally, if the second reporting quantity indicated by the third information includes a sensing result, the first device may send the second sensing result in S412; and / or, if the second reporting quantity indicated by the third information includes echo data, the first device may send the second echo data in S412.

[0410] Optionally, S412 follows S411.

[0411] In this way, the first device can send a second sensing result or a second echo data so that the receiving device can perform sensing based on the second sensing result or the second echo data, thereby improving sensing performance.

[0412] In some possible ways, when the first device sends the second echo data, the method shown in Figure 4 also includes S413:

[0413] S413: The first device sends the fourth information to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the fourth information from the first device.

[0414] The fourth piece of information indicates that the type of the second echo data is the first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For example, the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization and frequency synchronization. Another example is that the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment.

[0415] Optionally, when the first device receives the second echo signal, which is an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal from the second device, and the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected, the second echo signal is not time-synchronized, frequency-synchronized, or phase-aligned, and the type of echo data obtained from the second echo signal is the first type. The specific content of "the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected" can be found in the explanation of "the connection between the first device and the second device is disconnected" in S403, and will not be repeated here.

[0416] In some examples, the fourth information may be included in the second echo data. For example, the fourth information may be indicated by a second field in the second echo data. If the value of the third field in the second echo data is a fourth value (e.g., 1 or 0), then the type of the second echo data is the first type. Optionally, in this example, S412 and S413 may be combined as follows: the first device sends a second sensing result or second echo data to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the second sensing result or second echo data from the first device, the second echo data including the fourth information.

[0417] In other examples, the first device may send the fourth information and the second echo data separately. In this example, the transmission order of the fourth information and the second echo data is not limited, that is, the order of S412 and S413 is not limited. The fourth information and the second echo data may be carried in the same or different messages. Optionally, in this example, the fourth information may indicate that the type of the second echo data is the first type through one or more fields. The specific content of these one or more fields can be referred to the description of at least one field in S407, except that the first echo data is replaced with the second echo data, and will not be repeated here.

[0418] In this manner, when the first device transmits second echo data, it can also transmit fourth information to indicate that the type of the second echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. Thus, the receiving device of the second echo data and the fourth information can accurately determine the type of the second echo data as the first type based on the fourth information, and can therefore perform appropriate processing on the second echo data according to this type, improving the performance of the sensing processing. For example, the receiving device can employ different processing methods for echo data obtained from echo signals that have undergone time and frequency synchronization, and for echo data obtained from echo signals that have not undergone time and frequency synchronization, thereby improving the performance of the sensing processing.

[0419] In some possible approaches, as shown in Figure 4, the second device is the RSU. Optionally, the first device is a terminal. In this way, the RSU can participate in sensing. Currently, traffic monitoring is an important sensing scenario. In this scenario, sensing solely through terminals and access network devices may result in blind spots. The RSU is a key communication component in V2X, and its location is highly relevant to the traffic monitoring scenario. The participation of the RSU in sensing can expand the sensing range, reduce blind spots, and thus improve sensing performance.

[0420] This application provides another communication method. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application. In this method, when a first device and a third device are connected, the first device can interact with the second device using a sensing signal based on a second resource indicated by the third device. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes:

[0421] S501: When the first device and the third device are connected, the third device sends third information to the first device; correspondingly, the first device receives the third information from the third device.

[0422] The third information indicates the second resource; correspondingly, the first device can determine the second resource based on the third information.

[0423] S502: The third device sends information #2 to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives information #2 from the third device.

[0424] Information #2 can indicate resource #2; correspondingly, the second device can determine resource #2 based on information #2.

[0425] Optionally, the second device is an RSU.

[0426] S503: The first device sends a third sensing signal to the second device based on (or using, or through) the second resource, and / or receives a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0427] For details on S501 to S503, please refer to S409 to S411 in the method shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] Using the method shown in Figure 5, the first device can transmit signals for sensing according to the second resource indicated by the third device, thereby participating in sensing and improving sensing performance and efficiency. Furthermore, when the connection between the first and second devices is disconnected, passive sensing can occur between them; in passive sensing, the device transmitting the sensing signal can act as an illumination source or a source of the sensing signal. Thus, the first and second devices do not need to perform at least one of time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and phase alignment, thereby increasing the applicability of sensing, expanding the sensing range, reducing blind spots, and improving sensing performance.

[0429] In some possible ways, when the first device receives the second echo signal, the method shown in Figure 5 further includes S504:

[0430] S504: The first device sends a second sensing result or second echo data to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the second sensing result or second echo data from the first device.

[0431] For details on S504, please refer to S412 in the method shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] In some possible ways, when the first device sends the second echo data, the method shown in Figure 5 also includes S505:

[0433] S505: The first device sends fourth information to the third device; correspondingly, the third device receives the fourth information from the first device.

[0434] The fourth piece of information indicates that the type of the second echo data is the first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0435] For details on S505, please refer to S413 in the method shown in Figure 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0436] The methods shown in Figures 6 to 11 are possible examples of the method shown in Figure 4. The methods shown in Figures 10 and 11 can also be possible examples of the method shown in Figure 5.

[0437] The method shown in Figure 6 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal and the second device as the RSU. When the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the RSU can send a sensing signal, and the terminal can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal according to the first resource configured in the RSU.

[0438] The method shown in Figure 7 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal and the second device as the RSU. When the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the terminal can send a sensing signal according to the first resource configured in the RSU, and the RSU can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal.

[0439] Alternatively, the methods shown in Figures 6 and 7 can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 1C.

[0440] The method shown in Figure 8 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal, the second device as the RSU, and the third device as the access network device as an example. When the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the RSU can send a sensing signal, and the terminal can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal according to the first resource configured in the access network device.

[0441] The method shown in Figure 9 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal, the second device as the RSU, and the third device as the access network device as an example. When the terminal is in an inactive or idle state, the terminal can send a sensing signal according to the first resource configured by the access network device, and the RSU can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal.

[0442] Alternatively, the methods shown in Figures 8 and 9 can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 1D.

[0443] The method shown in Figure 10 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal, the second device as the RSU, and the third device as the access network device as an example. When the terminal and the access network device are connected, the RSU can send a sensing signal, and the terminal can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal according to the second resource configured on the access network device.

[0444] The method shown in Figure 11 is illustrated using the first device as the terminal, the second device as the RSU, and the third device as the access network device as an example. When the terminal and the access network device are connected, the terminal can send a sensing signal according to the second resource configured by the access network device, and the RSU can receive the echo signal of the sensing signal.

[0445] Alternatively, the methods shown in Figures 10 and 11 can be applied to the scenario shown in Figure 1E.

[0446] Optionally, in the methods shown in Figures 8 to 11, the access network device can be replaced by a first network device or a sensing management function.

[0447] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes:

[0448] S601: The terminal establishes a connection with the RSU.

[0449] Alternatively, the connection between the terminal and the RSU can be replaced by the establishment of a communication link between the terminal and the RSU.

[0450] Optionally, the terminal establishes a connection with the RSU through a process for establishing an RRC connection. Exemplarily, the process for establishing an RRC connection may include at least one of the following: a cell measurement process, a random access process, an RRC connection establishment process, an RRC connection reconstruction process, or an RRC connection recovery process.

[0451] This application does not limit the specific process of S601. For example, the terminal can establish a sidelink connection through the method specified in the V2X protocol.

[0452] S602: The RSU sends a connection release message to the terminal.

[0453] The connection release message includes first information, which indicates the first resource. The specific content of the first information can be found in the description of the first information in S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0454] Optionally, after receiving a connection release message, the terminal may release the connection between the terminal and the RSU. After releasing the connection, the terminal is in an idle or inactive state.

[0455] S603: RSU sends a second signal.

[0456] The second signal can be used for sensing; in other words, the second signal can be a sensing signal (hereinafter referred to as the second sensing signal).

[0457] In some examples, the second signal may be a broadcast signal. For instance, the second signal may be a broadcast signal when the first device is in an idle or inactive state.

[0458] In other examples, the second signal can be a multicast signal or a unicast signal. For example, when the first device is inactive, the second signal can be a unicast signal.

[0459] Optionally, some or all of the signals in the second signal may be carried on the first resource; in other words, the RSU may transmit some or all of the signals in the second signal according to (or using, or through) the first resource.

[0460] Optionally, the second signal may include sixth information. This sixth information may indicate sensing-related parameters. For example, the sixth information may indicate updating the first resource, and / or, the sixth information may indicate a sensing-related measurement. The specific content of the sixth information can be found in the description of the sixth information in S408, and will not be repeated here.

[0461] S604: The terminal receives a first echo signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource. The first echo signal is the echo signal of the second sensing signal.

[0462] For details of S604, please refer to the description of "the first device receives the first echo signal according to (or using, or through) the first resource" in S403, which will not be repeated here.

[0463] S605: The terminal sends a random access request to the RSU.

[0464] In some implementations, the specific details of S605 can be found in S404a, and will not be repeated here.

[0465] In other implementations, the terminal may send a random access request to the RSU based on conditions other than the first condition. This application is not limited to the specific content of these other conditions; for example, they may be conditions specified in the protocol that trigger the random access request.

[0466] Optionally, after sending a random access request, the terminal can establish a connection with the RSU through a random access procedure, thereby putting the terminal into a connected state. This application does not limit the specific process of the random access procedure; for example, it can be implemented in a way specified by a protocol.

[0467] S606: The terminal sends the first sensing result or the first echo data to the RSU.

[0468] For details on S606, please refer to S406a; further details will not be provided here.

[0469] Optionally, the first echo data may include second information, which may indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For the specific content of the second information, please refer to the description of the second information in S407, which will not be repeated here.

[0470] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 6, steps S601, S605, and S606 are optional.

[0471] The effect of the method shown in Figure 6 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0472] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0473] S701: The terminal establishes a connection with the RSU.

[0474] S702: The RSU sends a connection release message to the terminal.

[0475] The connection release message includes first information, which is used to indicate the first resource.

[0476] For details on S701 to S702, please refer to S601 to S602, which will not be repeated here.

[0477] S703: The terminal sends a first sensing signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource.

[0478] For details on S703, please refer to the description of "the first device sends a first sensing signal based on (or using, or through) the first resource" in S403, which will not be repeated here.

[0479] S704: The RSU receives the third echo signal, which may be the echo signal of the first sensing signal.

[0480] Optionally, the RSU may receive a third echo signal based on (or using, or through) the first resource.

[0481] Optionally, the RSU can perform sensing based on the third echo signal. For example, the RSU can acquire echo data or sensing results corresponding to the third echo signal and perform sensing based on the echo data or sensing results corresponding to the third echo signal.

[0482] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 7, S701 is an optional step.

[0483] The effect of the method shown in Figure 7 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0484] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 8, the method includes:

[0485] S801: The terminal establishes a connection with the access network equipment.

[0486] Alternatively, establishing a connection between the terminal and the access network device can be replaced by establishing a communication link between the terminal and the access network device.

[0487] Optionally, the terminal establishes a connection with the access network device through a process for establishing an RRC connection. Exemplarily, the process for establishing an RRC connection may include at least one of the following: a cell measurement process, a random access process, an RRC connection establishment process, an RRC connection reconstruction process, or an RRC connection recovery process.

[0488] S802: The access network device sends a connection release message to the terminal.

[0489] The connection release message includes first information, which indicates the first resource. The specific content of the first information can be found in the description of the first information in S401, and will not be repeated here.

[0490] Optionally, after receiving a connection release message, the terminal may release the connection between itself and the access network device. After releasing the connection, the terminal is in an idle or inactive state.

[0491] S803: The access network device sends information #1 to the RSU. Information #1 is used to indicate resource #1.

[0492] For details on the content of information #1, please refer to the description of information #1 in S402, which will not be repeated here.

[0493] The execution order of S802 and S803 is not limited.

[0494] S804: The RSU sends a second signal based on (or using, or via) resource #1.

[0495] The second signal can be used for sensing; in other words, the second signal can be a sensing signal (hereinafter referred to as the second sensing signal).

[0496] Optionally, the second signal may be a broadcast signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal.

[0497] S805: The terminal receives a first echo signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource. The first echo signal is the echo signal of the second sensing signal.

[0498] For details on S805, please refer to the description in S403 of "the first device receives the first echo signal according to (or using, or through) the first resource", which will not be repeated here.

[0499] S806: The terminal sends a random access request to the access network device.

[0500] In some implementations, the specific details of S806 can be found in S404b, and will not be repeated here.

[0501] In other implementations, the terminal may send a random access request to the access network device based on conditions other than the first condition. This application is not limited to the specific content of these other conditions; for example, they may be conditions specified in the protocol that trigger the random access request.

[0502] Optionally, after sending a random access request, the terminal can establish a connection with the access network device through a random access procedure, thereby putting the terminal into a connected state. This application does not limit the specific process of the random access procedure; for example, it can be implemented using a method specified in a protocol.

[0503] S807: The terminal sends the first sensing result or the first echo data to the access network equipment.

[0504] For details on S807, please refer to S406b; further details will not be provided here.

[0505] Optionally, the first echo data may include second information, which may indicate that the type of the first echo data is a first type. The echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment. For the specific content of the second information, please refer to the description of the second information in S407, which will not be repeated here.

[0506] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 8, steps S801, S803, S806, and S807 are optional.

[0507] The effect of the method shown in Figure 8 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0508] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0509] S901: The terminal establishes a connection with the access network equipment.

[0510] S902: The access network device sends a connection release message to the terminal.

[0511] The connection release message includes first information, which is used to indicate the first resource.

[0512] S903: The access network device sends information #1 to the RSU. Information #1 is used to indicate resource #1.

[0513] For details on S901 to S903, please refer to S801 to S803, which will not be repeated here.

[0514] S904: The terminal sends a first sensing signal based on (or using, or through) a first resource.

[0515] For details on S904, please refer to the description of "the first device sends a first sensing signal based on (or using, or through) the first resource" in S403, which will not be repeated here.

[0516] S905: The RSU receives the third echo signal, which may be the echo signal of the first sensing signal.

[0517] Optionally, the RSU may receive a third echo signal according to (or using, or via) resource #1.

[0518] S906: The RSU sends the echo data or sensing results corresponding to the third echo signal to the access network equipment.

[0519] For details on S906, please refer to S406, except that the first device is replaced with RSU, the first echo data is replaced with the echo data corresponding to the third echo signal, and the first sensing result is replaced with the sensing result corresponding to the third echo signal. Further details will not be repeated here.

[0520] Optionally, when obtaining echo data or sensing results corresponding to the third echo signal, there is a connection (or a maintained connection) between the RSU and the access network equipment. In this way, the RSU can send the echo data or sensing results corresponding to the third echo signal to the access network equipment through this connection.

[0521] Optionally, the echo data corresponding to the third echo signal may include fifth information, which may indicate that the data corresponding to the third echo signal is of the first type. The specific content of the fifth information and the first type can be referred to the description of the second information and the first type in S407, except that the first echo signal is replaced by the third echo signal and the first echo data is replaced by the echo data corresponding to the third echo signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0522] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 9, steps S901, S903, and S906 are optional.

[0523] The effect of the method shown in Figure 9 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0524] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 10, the method includes:

[0525] S1001: The terminal establishes a connection with the access network equipment.

[0526] For details on S1001, please refer to S801; further details will not be provided here.

[0527] S1002: The terminal sends a sensing service request to the access network device.

[0528] Optionally, the sensing service request is used to request sensing; and / or, the sensing service request is used to request the establishment of a sensing connection.

[0529] S1003: The access network device sends a sensing service response (or sensing service response) to the terminal.

[0530] Optionally, the sensing service response is used to indicate consent to sensing; and / or, the sensing service response is used to indicate consent to establish a sensing connection.

[0531] S1004: The access network device sends third information to the terminal, and the third information indicates the second resource.

[0532] For details of S1004, please refer to S409. Repeated points will not be repeated here.

[0533] Optionally, the access network device can send third information to the terminal through the connection (or communication link) between the access network device and the terminal.

[0534] S1005: The access network device sends information #2 to the RSU, and information #2 indicates resource #2.

[0535] For details on the content of message #2, please refer to the description of message #2 in S410, which will not be repeated here.

[0536] The execution order of S1004 and S1005 is not limited.

[0537] S1006: The RSU sends a second signal based on (or using, or via) resource #2.

[0538] The second signal can be used for sensing; in other words, the second signal can be a sensing signal (hereinafter referred to as the fourth sensing signal).

[0539] Optionally, the second signal may be a broadcast signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal.

[0540] S1007: The terminal receives the second echo signal based on (or using, or through) the second resource. The second echo signal is the echo signal of the fourth sensing signal.

[0541] For details of S1007, please refer to the description of "the first device receives the second echo signal according to (or using, or through) the second resource" in S411, which will not be repeated here.

[0542] S1008: The terminal sends the second sensing result or the second echo data to the access network equipment.

[0543] For details of S1008, please refer to S412, which will not be repeated here.

[0544] Optionally, the second echo data includes fourth information. The fourth information may indicate that the type of the second echo data is the first type. For details of the fourth information, please refer to the description of the fourth information in S413, which will not be repeated here.

[0545] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 10, steps S1001 to S1003, S1005 and S1008 are optional.

[0546] The effect of the method shown in Figure 10 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0547] This application provides yet another communication method. As shown in Figure 11, the method includes:

[0548] S1101: The terminal establishes a connection with the access network equipment.

[0549] S1102: The terminal sends a sensing service request to the access network device.

[0550] S1103: The access network device sends a sensing service response (or sensing service response) to the terminal.

[0551] S1104: The access network device sends third information to the terminal, and the third information indicates the second resource.

[0552] S1105: The access network device sends information #2 to the RSU, and information #2 indicates resource #2.

[0553] For details on S1101 to S1105, please refer to S1001 to S1005, which will not be repeated here.

[0554] S1106: The terminal sends a third sensing signal based on (or using, or through) the second resource.

[0555] For details of S1106, please refer to the description in S411 of "the first device sends a third sensing signal to the second device based on (or using, or through) the second resource", which will not be repeated here.

[0556] S1107: The RSU receives the fourth echo signal according to (or using, or through) resource #2. The fourth echo signal is the echo signal of the third sensing signal.

[0557] S1108: The RSU sends the sensing results or echo data corresponding to the fourth echo signal to the access network equipment.

[0558] For details on S1108, please refer to S906, except that the third echo signal is replaced with the fourth echo signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0559] Optionally, in the method shown in Figure 11, steps S1101 to S1103, S1105 and S1108 are optional.

[0560] The effect of the method shown in Figure 11 can be referred to the explanation of the effect of the method shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0561] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-described method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal, access network equipment, or core network equipment, or it can be a device for a terminal, access network equipment, or core network equipment (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication and / or sensing functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or it can be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a terminal, access network equipment, or core network equipment. Alternatively, the communication device can be a sensing management function. The sensing management function can be used to manage sensing.

[0562] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment has the structure shown in FIG12, including a processing unit 1202. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface unit 1201. The functions of each unit in the communication device 1200 are described below.

[0563] Interface unit 1201 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface unit 1201 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1200, or to other units within communication device 1200. In some embodiments, interface unit 1201 can be implemented using at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, interface unit 1201 can be implemented using an interface circuit, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), etc. Interface unit 1201 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0564] In this application, the interface unit 1201 may also have other names, such as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 1201 may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0565] The processing unit 1202 can be used to support the communication device 1200 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1202 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors (MCUs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processing unit 1202 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0566] In one embodiment, the communication device 1200 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG4. The specific functions of the processing unit 1202 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0567] The processing unit 1202 is configured to: receive first information through the interface unit 1201, wherein the first information indicates a first resource; and, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, send a first sensing signal through the interface unit 1201 according to the first resource, and / or receive a first echo signal through the interface unit 1201.

[0568] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: send a random access request through the interface unit 1201 when a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the amount of sensing results or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signals received by the first device, and the sensing results acquired by the first device are obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device; the number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to a second threshold; the duration of the echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to a third threshold; or, the first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time to access the network within one period.

[0569] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: send a first message through the interface unit 1201, the first message indicating the amount of data of the sensing result or echo data to be transmitted, the first message being a message other than the random access request used in the process of establishing an RRC connection.

[0570] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: upon receiving the first echo signal, after the first device enters the connected state or during the process of the first device entering the connected state, send a first sensing result or first echo data through the interface unit 1201, wherein the first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data.

[0571] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when transmitting the first echo data, transmit second information through the interface unit 1201, the second information indicating that the type of the first echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0572] In some possible ways, the processing unit 1202 is also configured to: receive sixth information via the interface unit 1201, the sixth information indicating an update of the first resource, and / or, the sixth information indicating a sensed related measurement quantity.

[0573] In some possible ways, the processing unit 1202 is specifically used to: send a first sensing signal to the second device through the interface unit 1201 according to the first resource, and / or receive a first echo signal through the interface unit 1201, the first echo signal being an echo signal of the second sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0574] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when the first device and the third device are connected, receive third information from the third device through the interface unit 1201, the third information indicating a second resource; send a third sensing signal to the second device through the interface unit 1201 according to the second resource, and / or receive a second echo signal through the interface unit 1201, the second echo signal being an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0575] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: upon receiving the second echo signal, send a second sensing result or second echo data to a third device via the interface unit 1201, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0576] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when transmitting the second echo data, send fourth information to the third device through the interface unit 1201, the fourth information indicating that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0577] In another embodiment, the communication device 1200 is applied to the second or third device shown in FIG4 of the present application embodiment. The specific functions of the processing unit 1202 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0578] The processing unit 1202 is configured to: determine first information; send the first information through the interface unit 1201, wherein the first information indicates a first resource, and the first resource is used by the first device to send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal when the first device is in an inactive or idle state.

[0579] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive a random access request through the interface unit 1201 when a first condition is met; wherein the first condition includes at least one of the following: the amount of data of the sensing result or echo data acquired by the first device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, wherein the echo data acquired by the first device is obtained by sampling the echo signal received by the first device, and the sensing result acquired by the first device is obtained by processing the echo data acquired by the first device; the number of echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to a second threshold; the duration of the echo signals received by the first device is greater than or equal to a third threshold; or, the first device periodically accesses the network, and the current time is the time to access the network within one period.

[0580] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive a first message through the interface unit 1201, the first message indicating the amount of data of the sensing result or echo data to be transmitted, the first message being a message other than the random access request used in the process of establishing an RRC connection.

[0581] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive a first sensing result or first echo data through the interface unit 1201 after the first device switches from a non-connected state to a connected state or during the process of the first device entering a connected state, when the first resource is used for the first device to receive the first echo signal, wherein the first echo data is obtained by sampling the first echo signal, and the first sensing result is obtained by processing the first echo data.

[0582] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive second information through the interface unit 1201 when receiving the first echo data, the second information indicating that the type of the first echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0583] In some possible ways, the processing unit 1202 is also configured to: send a sixth message through the interface unit 1201, the sixth message indicating an update of the first resource, and / or, the sixth message indicating a sensed related measurement quantity.

[0584] In some possible ways, the communication device 1200 is applied to the second device, and the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive a third echo signal through the interface unit 1201 according to the first resource, and / or send a second sensing signal through the interface unit 1201, wherein the third echo signal is an echo signal of the first sensing signal sent by the first device, and the first echo signal is an echo signal of the second sensing signal.

[0585] In some possible ways, the communication device 1200 is applied to the third device, and the processing unit 1202 is also used to: when the first device and the third device are connected, send third information through the interface unit 1201, the third information indicating a second resource, the second resource being used by the first device to send a third sensing signal to the second device and / or receive a second echo signal, the second echo signal being the echo signal of the fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0586] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when the second resource is used for the first device to receive the second echo signal, receive a second sensing result or second echo data from the first device through the interface unit 1201, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data; when receiving the second echo data, receive fourth information from the first device through the interface unit 1201, wherein the fourth information indicates that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0587] In another embodiment, the communication device 1200 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG5. The specific functions of the processing unit 1202 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0588] The processing unit 1202 is configured to: when the first device and the third device are connected, receive third information from the third device through the interface unit 1201, wherein the third information indicates a second resource; send a third sensing signal to the second device through the interface unit 1201 according to the second resource; and / or receive a second echo signal through the interface unit 1201, wherein the second echo signal is an echo signal of the fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0589] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: upon receiving the second echo signal, send a second sensing result or second echo data to a third device via the interface unit 1201, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0590] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when transmitting the second echo data, send fourth information to the third device through the interface unit 1201, the fourth information indicating that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0591] In another embodiment, the communication device 1200 is applied to the third device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG5. The specific functions of the processing unit 1202 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0592] The processing unit 1202 is configured to: when the first device and the third device are connected, send third information through the interface unit 1201, the third information indicating a second resource, the second resource being used by the first device to send a third sensing signal to the second device and / or receive a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0593] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: when the second resource is used for the first device to receive the second echo signal, receive the second sensing result or the second echo data from the first device through the interface unit 1201, wherein the second echo data is obtained by sampling the second echo signal, and the second sensing result is obtained by processing the second echo data.

[0594] Optionally, the processing unit 1202 is further configured to: receive fourth information from the first device through the interface unit 1201 when receiving the second echo data, wherein the fourth information indicates that the type of the second echo data is a first type, and the echo signal corresponding to the first type of echo data has not undergone at least one of the following processing: time synchronization, frequency synchronization, or phase alignment.

[0595] In one possible design, when the communication device 1200 is a communication equipment or a communication module within a communication equipment, the functionality of the processing unit 1202 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the interface unit 1201 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0596] In one possible design, when the communication device 1200 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1202 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the interface unit 1201 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0597] The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device.

[0598] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1202 and the interface unit 1201 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 11, and will not be repeated here.

[0599] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical units, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware, as software functional units, or in a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0600] For example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0601] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0602] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment is shown in FIG13. The communication device 1300 includes a processor 1302. Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes an interface circuit 1301 and a memory 1303. The interface circuit 1301, the processor 1302, and the memory 1303 are coupled to each other.

[0603] Optionally, the interface circuit 1301, processor 1302, and memory 1303 are coupled to each other via bus 1304. Bus 1304 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 13, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0604] Interface circuit 1301 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced with received information, and output information can be replaced with transmitted information. When outputting information, interface circuit 1301 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1300, or to other units within communication device 1300. For example, interface circuit 1301 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. Interface circuit 1301 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0605] Interface circuit 1301 may be one of the following: a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (e.g., a chip's input / output interface). Interface circuit 1301 may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The input interface circuit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuit is used to perform the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.

[0606] The transceiver can be used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1300 is a terminal, the transceiver can be used to communicate with an access network device or with another terminal. As another example, if communication device 1300 is an access network device, the transceiver can be used to communicate with a terminal or with another access network device.

[0607] Optionally, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0608] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 1302 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1302 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1300. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0609] Processor 1302 can be used to support communication device 1300 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When communication device 1300 is used to implement the above method embodiments, processor 1302 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 1202. Processor 1302 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor. Processor 1302 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0610] In one embodiment, the communication device 1300 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG4. The specific functions of the processor 1302 in this embodiment are described below.

[0611] The processor 1302 is configured to: receive first information via interface circuit 1301, the first information indicating a first resource; and, when the first device is in an inactive or idle state, send a first sensing signal via interface circuit 1301 according to the first resource, and / or receive a first echo signal via interface circuit 1301.

[0612] In another embodiment, the communication device 1300 is applied to the second or third device shown in FIG4 of this application embodiment. The specific functions of the processor 1302 in this embodiment are described below.

[0613] The processor 1302 is configured to: determine first information; send the first information through the interface circuit 1301, the first information indicating a first resource, the first resource being used by the first device to send a first sensing signal and / or receive a first echo signal when the first device is in an inactive or idle state.

[0614] In another embodiment, the communication device 1300 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG5. The specific functions of the processor 1302 in this embodiment are described below.

[0615] The processor 1302 is configured to: when the first device and the third device are connected, receive third information from the third device via interface circuit 1301, the third information indicating a second resource; send a third sensing signal to the second device via interface circuit 1301 according to the second resource; and / or receive a second echo signal via interface circuit 1301, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0616] In another embodiment, the communication device 1300 is applied to the third device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG5. The specific functions of the processor 1302 in this embodiment are described below.

[0617] The processor 1302 is configured to: in the case of a connection between the first device and the third device, send third information through the interface circuit 1301, the third information indicating a second resource, the second resource being used by the first device to send a third sensing signal to the second device and / or receive a second echo signal, the second echo signal being an echo signal of a fourth sensing signal sent by the second device.

[0618] The specific functions of processor 1302 can be found in the description of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments and examples of this application, as well as the specific functional description of communication device 1200 in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG12, which will not be repeated here.

[0619] Memory 1303 is used to store program instructions and / or data. Specifically, program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. Memory 1303 may include RAM and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Processor 1302 executes the program instructions stored in memory 1303 and uses the data stored in memory 1303 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Memory 1303 may be integrated with processor 1302 or may be a memory outside the communication device.

[0620] It is understood that the memory 1303 in Figure 13 of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0621] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions, which, when run, causes the methods provided in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0622] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0623] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0624] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory and implementing the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0625] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the devices in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0626] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0627] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0628] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0629] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0630] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably. "At least one item" refers to one or more items, and "more than one item" refers to two or more items. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0631] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0632] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

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