Communication method and related device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and discloses a communication method and a related device. The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: receiving first information from a first network element, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first sensing configuration of a target area, the target area falls within service coverage of the network device, the first sensing configuration comprises a first time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource is a time-domain resource configured for the target area to perform sensing, and the first time-domain resource is related to a sensing requirement of the target area; and sending the first sensing configuration. The present application enables on-demand resource configuration to satisfy differentiated requirements for full-domain sensing, thereby improving resource utilization.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510481967.4, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 16, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", and priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202610434004.3, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 2, 2026, also entitled "A Communication Method and Related Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] With the construction of global satellite communication networks and the deep integration of satellite and terrestrial mobile communications, satellite-based integrated communication and sensing systems are attracting increasing attention. These systems achieve seamless integration of communication and sensing functions through joint design of air interfaces and protocols, reuse of time and frequency resources, and sharing of hardware equipment. Due to the advantages of satellites, such as their resistance to natural disasters or external damage, research is currently underway to use satellites as access network equipment (such as base stations) for mobile communication systems, aiming to provide communication services to areas such as oceans and forests.

[0004] Unlike terrestrial base stations, satellites move at a greater speed relative to the ground and their signals travel over a longer distance. This means that the coverage area of ​​a satellite is much larger than that of a terrestrial base station. However, the communication mechanisms designed for terminal devices and terrestrial base stations in current mobile communication systems are insufficient to meet the differentiated needs of full-area perception and cannot be directly applied to the communication between terminal devices and satellite base stations.

[0005] Therefore, how to flexibly allocate resources on demand to meet the differentiated needs of full-domain perception is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by people in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can configure resources on demand, meet the differentiated needs of global perception, and improve resource utilization.

[0007] The present application is described below from different aspects. It should be understood that the different implementation methods and beneficial effects described below can be referenced from each other.

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network device. The network device may be an access network device (such as a base station), a communication module or component of the access network device, or a logic module or chip capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes: receiving first information from a first network element, the first information indicating a first sensing configuration for a target area, the target area being within the coverage area served by the network device, the first sensing configuration including first time-domain resources, the first time-domain resources being time-domain resources configured for sensing in the target area, and the first time-domain resources being related to the sensing needs of the target area; and sending the first sensing configuration.

[0009] For example, the first network element here can be a network element used to interact with network devices. It can be a ground control center or a sensing function (SF), and this will not be limited here. The ground control center is mainly used to focus on the planning and management of satellite missions to ensure the smooth completion and operation of satellite missions. For example, it can perform mission planning and resource allocation by detecting the satellite's operational status and data, and is also responsible for coordinating and managing the satellite missions of various relevant departments and equipment. A sensing network element is a device or component that provides sensing functions to the network, and can realize basic sensing functions such as sensing authorization, sensing control, sensing measurement data processing, and result output. Optionally, a sensing network element can also be called a sensing management function (SMF), and this name will not be limited here.

[0010] The coverage area of ​​a network device service may include at least two regions, and the target region is any one of these at least two regions. The perception requirements may differ for different regions.

[0011] In the above scheme, the first perception configuration is not uniformly configured for the coverage area of ​​the network device service, but is configured for the target area according to the perception needs of the target area. In other words, the perception resources (i.e., the temporal resources used for perception) that can be used in areas with strong perception needs are different from those in areas with weak perception needs. That is, the embodiments of this application can make differentiated configurations according to the perception needs of different areas, so that different areas can obtain resources as needed, thereby meeting the differentiated needs of full-domain perception and improving resource utilization.

[0012] For example, the network device sending the first sensing configuration may mean that the network device broadcasts the first sensing configuration in the target area so that the terminal device in the target area receives the first sensing configuration and specifies the sensing time (i.e. the duration corresponding to the first time domain resource). After that, the terminal device may not receive signals and / or send uplink signals during the sensing time, thereby preventing the reception of meaningless information, reducing the waste of terminal device resources, and improving resource utilization.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the network device receives a sensing request for a target area, the sensing request being used to request sensing. For example, the network device can perform sensing of the target area on a first time-domain resource. Since the first time-domain resource is related to the sensing needs of the target area, this allows the network device to execute sensing services more quickly, improving sensing efficiency.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the perception request includes first information.

[0015] In the above implementation, the sensing request includes the first information, which means that the first network element can send the sensing request and the first information at the same time. This can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the network device and the first network element and improve transmission efficiency.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first network element. The method includes: acquiring information about a target area, the information about the target area being used to determine a first sensing configuration for the target area, the first sensing configuration including a first time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource being a time-domain resource configured for sensing in the target area, the first time-domain resource being related to the sensing needs of the target area, and the target area being within the coverage area served by the network device; and sending first information to the network device, the first information being used to indicate the first sensing configuration.

[0017] The information about the target area here may include the environmental status of the target area (e.g., floods, smog, earthquakes, etc.), the link status of the target area (e.g., latency, bandwidth, etc.), and the sensing requirements of the target area (e.g., strong sensing requirements, weak sensing requirements, etc.), which will not be limited here.

[0018] In the above scheme, the first perception configuration is not uniformly configured for the coverage area of ​​the network device service, but is configured for the target area according to the perception needs of the target area. In other words, the perception resources (i.e., the temporal resources used for perception) that can be used in areas with strong perception needs are different from those in areas with weak perception needs. That is, the embodiments of this application can make differentiated configurations according to the perception needs of different areas, so that different areas can obtain resources as needed, thereby meeting the differentiated needs of full-domain perception and improving resource utilization.

[0019] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate the first perception configuration of the target area, including: the first information includes the first perception configuration of the target area, or the first information includes information about the target area, the information about the target area being used to determine the first perception configuration of the target area.

[0020] In the above implementation, the network device can directly receive the first sensing configuration of the target area, or it can receive the information of the target area and then determine the first sensing configuration based on the information of the target area. That is to say, the first sensing configuration here can be configured by the first network element for the target area, or it can be configured by the network device for the target area, thereby improving the flexibility of resource configuration.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the information for the target area includes the perception requirements of the target area.

[0022] In the above implementation, after the first network element sends the information of the target area to the network device, the network device can more accurately determine the time domain resources used for sensing in the target area according to the sensing needs of the target area, thereby avoiding the situation where areas with strong sensing needs and areas with weak sensing needs use the same set of syn-sensing time-division frame structure, resulting in insufficient communication resources or insufficient sensing resources.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first perception configuration is carried in the system information.

[0024] For example, the system information here may include System Information Block 1 (SIB 1) or other system information (OSI). In the above implementation, the network device carries the first perception configuration in the system information, which can realize regional broadcasting, enabling terminal devices in different regions to use resources on demand more accurately, reducing resource waste and improving resource utilization.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first sensing configuration can also be carried in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. This application embodiment will not limit the signaling delivery method of the first sensing configuration.

[0026] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network device, which may be an access network device (such as a base station), a communication module or component of the access network device, or a logic module or chip capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method includes: receiving first information from a first network element, the first information indicating a first sensing configuration, the first sensing configuration including first time-domain resources, the first time-domain resources being the time-domain resources configured for sensing within the coverage area served by the network device, the coverage area including a target area; receiving second information from the first network element, the second information indicating a second sensing configuration, the second sensing configuration indicating second time-domain resources, the second time-domain resources being related to the sensing needs of the target area, the first time-domain resources including the second time-domain resources, or the second time-domain resources including the first time-domain resources; and sending the second sensing configuration.

[0027] The first time-domain resource includes the second time-domain resource, which can be understood as follows: the second time-domain resource is obtained by reducing some time-domain resources based on the first time-domain resource; while the second time-domain resource includes the first time-domain resource, which can be understood as follows: the second time-domain resource is obtained by adding some time-domain resources based on the first time-domain resource. In other words, the second time-domain resource is the time-domain resource used for sensing, obtained by adjusting the first time-domain resource according to the sensing needs of the target area.

[0028] In the above scheme, the first perception configuration can be understood as a perception configuration performed on the coverage area served by the network device, that is, configuring the same sensing time-division frame structure throughout the entire coverage area. The second perception configuration can be understood as a perception configuration performed on a target area within the coverage area, that is, different areas have different sensing time-division frame structures due to different perception needs. In this embodiment, after sending the second perception configuration, the first perception configuration can be used as a basic configuration or base. Through the second perception configuration, regional-level fine-tuning of the basic configuration can be achieved, enabling different areas to obtain resources as needed, meeting the differentiated needs of full-domain perception, and improving resource utilization.

[0029] For example, the network device sending the second sensing configuration may mean that the network device broadcasts the second sensing configuration in the target area so that the terminal device in the target area receives the second sensing configuration, adjusts the first time domain resource in the first sensing configuration, thereby clarifying the sensing time (i.e. the duration corresponding to the second time domain resource). After that, the terminal device can refrain from receiving signals and / or sending uplink signals during the sensing time, thereby preventing the reception of meaningless information, reducing the waste of terminal device resources, and improving resource utilization.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the network device receives a sensing request for a target area, the sensing request being used to request sensing. For example, the network device can perform sensing of the target area on a second time-domain resource. Since the second time-domain resource is related to the sensing needs of the target area, this allows the network device to execute sensing services more quickly, improving sensing efficiency.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the perception request includes second information.

[0032] In the above implementation, the sensing request includes the second information, which means that the first network element can send the sensing request and the second information at the same time. This can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the network device and the first network element and improve transmission efficiency.

[0033] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first network element. The method includes: sending first information to a network device, the first information indicating a first sensing configuration, the first sensing configuration including a first time-domain resource, the first time-domain resource being a time-domain resource configured for sensing within the coverage area served by the network device, the coverage area including a target area; and sending second information to the network device, the second information indicating a second sensing configuration, the second sensing configuration indicating a second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource being related to the sensing needs of the target area, the first time-domain resource including the second time-domain resource, or the second time-domain resource including the first time-domain resource.

[0034] In the above scheme, the first sensing configuration can be understood as a sensing configuration performed on the coverage area served by the network device, that is, configuring the same sensing time-division frame structure throughout the entire coverage area. The second sensing configuration can be understood as a sensing configuration performed on a target area within the coverage area, that is, different areas have different sensing time-division frame structures due to different sensing needs. After sending the second sensing configuration, the embodiments of this application can use the first sensing configuration as a basic configuration or base, and through the second sensing configuration, achieve regional-level fine-tuning of the basic configuration, so that different areas can obtain resources on demand, meet the differentiated needs of full-domain sensing, and improve resource utilization.

[0035] In conjunction with the third or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first sensing configuration may be carried in system information (e.g., SIB 1) or in RRC signaling, without limitation here.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the second sensing configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., OSI) or in RRC signaling, without limitation here.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate the second sensing configuration, including: the second information includes the second sensing configuration, or the second information includes information about a target area, the information about the target area being used to determine the second sensing configuration.

[0038] In the above implementation, the network device can directly receive the second sensing configuration of the target area, or it can receive the information of the target area and then determine the second sensing configuration based on the information of the target area. That is to say, the second sensing configuration here can be configured by the first network element for the target area, or it can be configured by the network device for the target area, thereby improving the flexibility of resource configuration.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the information for the target area includes the perception requirements of the target area.

[0040] In the above implementation, after the first network element sends the information of the target area to the network device, the network device can more accurately determine the time domain resources used for sensing in the target area according to the sensing needs of the target area, thereby avoiding the situation where areas with strong sensing needs and areas with weak sensing needs use the same set of syn-sensing time-division frame structure, resulting in insufficient communication resources or insufficient sensing resources.

[0041] In one possible implementation, where the second time-domain resource includes the first time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource also includes part or all of the third time-domain resource, which includes one or more of the following: flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols in the first sensing configuration, uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols in the first sensing configuration, and downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols in the first sensing configuration.

[0042] In the above implementation, the second sensing configuration can be configured not only for the sensing resources (i.e., the first time domain resources) of the first sensing configuration, but also for the communication resources (uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols, and downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols) of the first sensing configuration, and also for the flexibly configurable resources (flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols) of the first sensing configuration. In other words, the second sensing configuration can be configured for the time domain resources of each service type of the first sensing configuration, thereby more flexibly meeting the service needs of each region.

[0043] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a network apparatus, which may be a network device or a chip within a network device. The network apparatus is used to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, and includes modules for implementing the method in the first aspect or any implementation thereof. Alternatively, the network apparatus is used to implement a method as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, and includes modules for implementing the method in the third aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0044] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a first network element, which may be a sensing network element or a chip within a sensing network element, or a ground control center or a chip within a ground control center; no limitation is made here. This first network element is used to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any of its implementations, and includes modules for implementing the method in the second aspect or any of its implementations. Alternatively, the first network element is used to implement the method as described in the fourth aspect or any of its implementations, and includes modules for implementing the method in the fourth aspect or any of its implementations.

[0045] In the fifth or sixth aspect, the aforementioned network device or first network element may include a transceiver module and a processing module. For a detailed description of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the device embodiments shown below. The beneficial effects of the fifth and sixth aspects described above can be found in the relevant descriptions of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive information, and the processor is used to enable the communication device to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement a method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, or to implement a method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0047] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, which includes at least a processor. The processor is configured to execute computer execution instructions to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or the method as described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or the method as described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, or the method as described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0048] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the communication device may further include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0049] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, causes a communication device including a processor to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects, or to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any of the second aspects, or to implement the method as described in the third aspect or any of the third aspects, or to implement the method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the fourth aspects.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product including instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the implementations of the first aspect, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the implementations of the second aspect, or to implement a method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, or to implement a method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0051] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes at least a network device and a first network element. The network device is used to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the implementations of the first aspect, and the first network element is used to implement the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the implementations of the second aspect.

[0052] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes at least a network device and a first network element. The network device is used to implement the method as described in the third aspect or any of the implementations of the third aspect, and the first network element is used to implement the method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0053] The technical effects achieved in the above aspects can be referred to each other or to the beneficial effects in the method embodiments shown below, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 is a system architecture diagram of a transparent forwarding scenario for satellite communication provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 2 is a system architecture diagram of a satellite communication regeneration mode scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a sensing network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a sensing network provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided by the prior art;

[0059] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a scenario for representing the mapping relationship between a region and an SSB, provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a scenario used to represent the beam coverage area according to an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 8 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a process for performing sensing according to an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 12 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0066] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0068] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] In the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, " / " means "or," for example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more. "One or more of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0070] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0071] In this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the words "exemplary," "for example," or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0072] It is understood that in this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they imply any other limitations. The device performing a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances includes: satisfying the objective circumstances, i.e., being able to perform the corresponding action; or satisfying both the objective circumstances and other circumstances, in order to perform the corresponding action.

[0073] In this application, "simultaneous" can be understood as "parallel", or at the same point in time, or within a period of time, or within the same cycle. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context.

[0074] In this application, the use of singular designations for elements is intended to represent "one or more" rather than "one and only one," unless otherwise specified.

[0075] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, phrases such as "B corresponding to A," "A corresponds to B," or similar expressions indicate that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. This includes determining information B solely based on A, as well as determining B based on A and other information. Furthermore, the use of A to determine information B can also include indirect determination, such as B being determined based on C, and C being determined based on A.

[0076] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, for example, through buses, traces, or interfaces between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device.

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant terminology of the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application will first be introduced:

[0078] 1. Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN)

[0079] NTN refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources on platforms such as satellite platforms, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, or high-altitude communication platforms to provide communication services. Among them, satellite platforms mainly include low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites.

[0080] Compared to terrestrial cellular networks (such as 5G NR), NTN networks offer wider coverage, higher path loss, greater latency, faster speeds, and lower costs. As a supplement and extension to terrestrial networks, NTN can achieve seamless wide-area coverage that wired telephone networks and terrestrial mobile communication networks cannot, effectively solving internet access problems in areas lacking communication infrastructure. For example, by deploying a large number of satellites in low Earth orbit, seamless ground coverage can be achieved through reasonable constellation construction, and the round-trip latency of data transmission between satellites and ground terminals can be significantly reduced compared to geostationary orbit satellites, reaching the tens of milliseconds level. With the use of technologies such as high-frequency bands, multi-beamforming, and frequency reuse, satellite communication capabilities have been significantly improved while reducing unit broadband costs, thus meeting the demands of high-data-rate services. Compared to terrestrial 5G networks and submarine fiber optic cables, NTN also has a significant cost advantage. Modern small satellites have low R&D and manufacturing costs, and software-defined technologies can further extend the lifespan of satellites in orbit. In addition to global coverage (such as in remote areas and ocean-going vessels), NTN can also be used in emergency relief (such as disaster monitoring and emergency communications), the Internet of Things, and high-speed mobility (such as high-speed rail and airplanes), thus attracting widespread attention from industry and academia.

[0081] 2. Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)

[0082] With the continuous development of communication technology, higher frequency bands (millimeter waves and even terahertz), wider bandwidths, and larger-scale antenna arrays have made high-precision, high-resolution sensing possible. This allows for the integration of communication and sensing within a single system, making communication and sensing functions complementary. On one hand, the entire communication network can act as a giant sensor, with network elements sending and receiving wireless signals. By utilizing the transmission, reflection, and scattering of radio waves, the physical world can be better perceived and understood. By acquiring distance, speed, and angle information from wireless signals, a wide range of new services can be provided, such as high-precision positioning, passive object detection, imaging, and environmental reconstruction, realizing "Network as a Sensor." On the other hand, the high-precision positioning, imaging, and environmental reconstruction capabilities provided by sensing can help improve communication performance, such as more accurate beamforming, faster beam failure recovery, and lower overhead for terminal channel state information (CSI) detection, realizing "sensing-assisted communication." Sensing also serves as a "new channel" for observing and sampling the physical and biological worlds, connecting them to the digital world. This is why real-time network sensing can replicate a parallel digital world from the physical world, which is extremely important for realizing the concept of "digital twins" in the future.

[0083] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various wireless communication systems that can simultaneously support both communication and sensing functions. Examples include Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 4th Generation (4G) mobile communication systems, 4.5th Generation (4.5G) mobile communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, such as new radio access technology (NR), multi-system converged networks, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, open-radio access networks (O-RAN), and, with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be used in subsequent evolved communication systems. The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), etc. The method provided in this application can also be applied to NTN communication systems, or to scenarios where NTN is integrated with terrestrial networks (TN). The NTN system can be an NTN system integrated with 4G, 5G, and any future generation of communication systems, such as NR NTN, IoT NTN, etc. For example, the NTN communication system can be a satellite communication system, or it can include drones, high-altitude platforms, and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the basic network elements involved in the communication system may include network equipment, user equipment (UE), and a first network element.

[0085] Network equipment refers to any device with wireless transceiver capabilities in a wireless network (e.g., a satellite network). It can also be called a radio access network (RAN) node (or device), base station, access network equipment, or access point (AP) device. Examples of RAN nodes include: evolved Node B (eNB), generation node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B (HNB)), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP). This network equipment can be a satellite (or satellite base station) or HAPS, or a base station device mounted on a satellite / HAPS. The satellite may include at least one of the following: a geostationary orbit satellite (or geosynchronous orbit satellite) or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite. A non-geostationary earth orbit satellite may include at least one of the following: a medium Earth orbit satellite or a low Earth orbit satellite. There are no restrictions here. Network equipment may also be a gateway station (or ground station, earth station, signaling station, gateway, or gateway station), etc. Satellite base stations may be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small stations, or relay stations, etc. Network equipment may also be balloon stations, drone stations, etc. Multiple base stations may support networks using the same technology mentioned above, or networks using different technologies mentioned above. A base station may contain one or more co-located or non-co-located TRPs. Additionally, in a network architecture, network equipment may include centralized unit (CU) nodes, distributed unit (DU) nodes, or RAN equipment including CU nodes and DU nodes. The following explanation uses satellite base stations as an example of network equipment. Multiple network devices may be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminal devices directly, or they can communicate with terminal devices through relay stations.Terminal devices can communicate with multiple base stations using different technologies. For example, a terminal device can communicate with a base station that supports LTE networks, or with a base station that supports 5G networks, and can also support dual connections with both LTE and 5G base stations.

[0086] User equipment (UAE) is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; on water (such as on ships); and in the air (such as airplanes or balloons). Examples of current UAEs include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, and so on. User equipment can also be a communication module, satellite phone, or a component thereof with satellite communication capabilities, or a satellite communication terminal, such as a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) (commonly referred to as a VSAT terminal), portable station, fixed station, vehicle-mounted or airborne satellite communication terminal, etc. It should be understood that a satellite communication terminal can act as a micro base station to further provide data interfaces to the accessed user equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenario. User equipment may also be referred to as terminal equipment, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. The user equipment here can be fixed or mobile.

[0087] Here, the first network element can be a network element used to interact with the network device. It can be understood that the coverage area served by the network device can include at least two areas. The sensing needs generated by different areas are also different. The sensing needs can be pre-planned by the ground, or they can be generated by the ground and directly transmitted to the network device through the ground operation and control center, or they can be transmitted to the sensing network element by the ground operation and control center and then sent to the network device by the sensing network element, or the ground needs can be reported to the ground core network and then reported to the network device after the ground core network interacts with the satellite core network. Of course, if the ground and satellite share the same core network, the ground needs can be directly reported to the network device through the core network after being reported to the core network. This will not be limited here.

[0088] Therefore, the first network element here can be a ground control center or a sensing network element; this will not be limited here. This sensing network element can be deployed locally (e.g., at a distance less than or equal to a preset threshold from network devices) or deployed in the core network; this will not be limited here either. The core network can be used to perform services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, or billing. It consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into user plane and control plane functional entities. The user plane functional entities can include user plane function (UPF) entities, which are responsible for managing user plane data transmission, traffic statistics, and other functions. The control plane functional entities can include access and mobility management function (AMF) entities and location management function (LMF) entities. The AMF entity is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management (e.g., user location updates, user network registration, user handover, etc.), while the LMF entity is responsible for managing and controlling the location service requests of target terminals and processing location-related information.

[0089] It should be understood that in this application, the first network element, user equipment, and / or network device may perform some or all of the steps in the various embodiments. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the various embodiments, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0090] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to communication systems in non-terrestrial networks. Satellite communication can be used as an example for illustration. The system architecture of the application in this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and application scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture or application scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0091] For example, please refer to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a system architecture diagram of a transparent forwarding scenario for satellite communication provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the system architecture diagram may include two sub-scenarios, specifically sub-scenarios A and sub-scenarios B.

[0092] In sub-scenario A, the UE accesses the satellite network via non-3rd Generation Partnership Project radio protocols. The satellite is connected to the NTN gateway and satellite center via a wireless link. The NTN gateway and satellite center are connected to the core network (e.g., the 5G core network) via wired or wireless connections. The 5G core network is connected to the data network via the N6 interface. The non-3GPP access network can connect to the 5G core network via a non-3GPP InterWorking Function (N3IWF). The N3IWF connects to the control plane and user plane of the 5G core network via the N2 and N3 interfaces, respectively.

[0093] In sub-scenario B, the UE (e.g., a handheld device or an IoT device) accesses the satellite network via NR radio protocols. The satellite is connected to the NTN gateway via a non-3GPP radio protocol. The base station is connected to the NTN gateway for satellite communication. The NTN gateway and the base station are connected to the 5G core network via wired or wireless connections. The 5G core network is connected to the data network via the N6 interface.

[0094] Transparent forwarding means that the satellite acts as an analog radio frequency repeater, performing frequency conversion forwarding. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feeder link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the serving link (between the satellite and the UE), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface on the feeder link transmits the NR-Uu interface signal; that is, the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal but replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal. Different transmission satellites can connect to the same ground base station.

[0095] For example, please refer to Figure 2, which is a system architecture diagram of a satellite communication regeneration mode scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the UE (e.g., a handheld device or an IoT device) accesses the satellite network through NR radio protocols. The base station or part of the base station functions are deployed on the satellite and connected to the NTN gateway through the F1 interface. The NTN gateway is connected to the core network (e.g., the 5G core network) through the N2 and N3 interfaces. The 5G core network is connected to the data network through the N6 interface.

[0096] In this regeneration mode, the satellite carries base station equipment or a DU (Distribution Unit). In this architecture, the satellite acts as a base station, regenerating signals received from the ground. Specifically, NR-Uu radio interface signals are transmitted on the service link between the UE and the satellite, while Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) signals are transmitted on the feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. The SRI is a transmission link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. NG interface signals are transmitted to the NTN gateway via the SRI interface, and then forwarded by the NTN gateway to the ground-based core network equipment.

[0097] In the future, with the large-scale networking of communication satellites (e.g., low-Earth orbit satellites), satellite capabilities will be enhanced, enabling sensing capabilities and achieving integrated satellite communication and sensing. For example, communication satellites can use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology for sensing. SAR technology actively transmits microwave pulses and receives the backscattered signals from target objects. A large-aperture virtual antenna is formed through a synthetic aperture, and the distance distribution of targets at different azimuths is formed by moving the virtual antenna along the azimuth direction. In other words, SAR images are formed based on the differences in intensity. The microwave signals emitted by the satellite have strong penetrating power through clouds and light rain, and also feature all-weather, all-day operation, high resolution, and a large observation range.

[0098] Based on this, in order to improve the accuracy of processing sensing services in the satellite sensing integration scenario, the sensing network architecture applied in this application embodiment can add SF to the existing network architecture. The sensing network architecture applied in this application embodiment is described below:

[0099] For example, please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a sensing network provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the architecture of this sensing network may include two parts: an access network and a core network (e.g., a 5G core network). The access network is used to implement functions related to radio access, and it may include a radio access network (RAN) and user equipment (UE). The core network includes, but is not limited to, the following logical functions: application function (AF), network exposure function (NEF), policy control function (PCF), network data analytics function (NWDAF), LMF, unified data management (UDM) function, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), etc.

[0100] Optionally, the UE can access the data network by establishing a session between the UE and the RAN, then to the UPF, and finally to the data network (DN), namely a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0101] In this architecture, the UE can be a terminal device, such as a mobile phone, IoT terminal device, smart terminal, vehicle terminal, vehicle equipment, wearable device, multimedia device, streaming media device, etc. The RAN provides wireless access for terminal devices, including but not limited to: 5G base stations, wireless base stations in LTE networks, wireless access points, worldwide interoperability for microwave access base stations (WiMAX BS), relay stations, etc. In the 5G RAN architecture, a 5G base station can include a CU and a DU. A 5G base station can also include a radio unit (RU). CU and DU can be understood as a logical functional division of the base station; CU and DU can be physically separated or deployed together. For example, multiple DUs can share a single CU, or a single DU can connect to multiple CUs. CUs and DUs can be connected via an F1 interface.

[0102] Among them, the NEF can expose the services and capabilities of 3GPP network functions to the AF, and at the same time allow the AF to provide information to the 3GPP network functions; the PCF can manage charging policies and quality of service (QoS) policies; the UDM can be used to store user data, such as subscription information, authentication or authorization information; the SMF is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release, and its specific functions may include: allocating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users, selecting UPFs that provide packet forwarding functions, and controlling charging and QoS policies. The LMF can be a core network element in the 5G core network that provides control plane positioning, completes the calculation and feedback of location information in the 5G network, and provides functions such as positioning process management, terminal capability acquisition, auxiliary data provision, and terminal location estimation. Specifically, it provides the following functions: supporting UE location calculation, obtaining downlink location measurements or location estimates from the UE, and obtaining uplink location measurements from the NG RAN.

[0103] In one possible implementation, the SF can be deployed independently in the core network, as shown in Figure 3. In this sensing network architecture, the SF can set interfaces and interact with core network elements such as AMF, NEF, UDM, NWDAF, PCF, LMF, and UPF, as specifically defined below:

[0104] NS1: This is a new interface between SF and AMF. This interface can transmit sensing and control signaling. For scenarios where sensing measurement data is uploaded from the control plane, this interface can also transmit sensing measurement data.

[0105] NS2: This is a new interface between SF and NEF. This interface can transmit signaling messages between SF and AF on the service side via NEF, and at the same time open the perception results to AF.

[0106] NS3: This is a new interface between SF and UDM. Authentication or authorization can be performed through this interface, and UE-aware subscription information, service AMF information, or other information can be obtained.

[0107] NS4: This is a new interface between SF and NWDAF. Through this interface, SF and NWDAF can jointly complete AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing related to perception services.

[0108] NS5: This is a new interface between SF and PCF. Through this interface, SF can transmit information such as sensing requirements, QoS requirements or sensing results of sensing services to PCF, and PCF will make decisions to generate PCC policies related to sensing services.

[0109] NS6: This is a new interface between SF and LMF. Through this interface, SF can obtain location-related information, such as the sensing area, the RAN information of the sensing target, and the location information of the sensed UE.

[0110] NS7: This is a new interface between SF and UPF. Sensing measurement data can be directly transmitted from (R)AN to SF via UPF, or indirectly forwarded to SF via UPF. If the data is forwarded via UPF in a scenario where (R)AN performs sensing, UPF needs to be modified to support data transmission at the (R)AN granularity.

[0111] In addition to the newly added interfaces mentioned above, existing interfaces (such as N1, N2, N5, N8, N33, etc.) must support the transmission of information related to sensing services, such as authentication information, sensing service type, sensing service quality requirements, sensing measurement data, and sensing results.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the SF can also be co-deployed with core network elements (e.g., AMF or LMF). If the SF and LMF are co-deployed, it can be understood that perception and positioning are performed by the same network element. In this architecture, the SF can reuse the interface between the LMF and core network elements such as AMF, NEF, UDM, NWDAF, and PCF for perception interaction. Perception control signaling between the LMF (including the SF) and the RAN or UE is transmitted through the AMF. Perception measurement data acquired by the RAN / UE can be transmitted to the LMF (including the SF) via the control plane, reusing the LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) or NR Positioning Protocol Annex (NRPPa) for transmission, or it can be transmitted via the user plane, using UPF forwarding or directly to the LMF (including the SF).

[0113] It should be understood that if the SF and LMF are co-located, the LMF and the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) need to be functionally enhanced to support basic sensing functions. The GMLC is the first network element in the operator's network to process sensing requests, perform privacy checks or authorization functions, route sensing requests to the AMF, and perform LMF selection, etc.

[0114] In this scenario, a new interface needs to be added between the LMF and GMLC to transmit sensing service-related information. Interfaces related to both the LMF and GMLC (such as the NL1 interface between AMF and LMF, the NL2 interface between AMF and GMLC, the NL5 interface between NEF and GMLC, and the NL6 interface between UDM and GMLC) also need to support the transmission of sensing service-related information. Additionally, an NL9 interface needs to be added between the LMF and GMLC. Specific details are as follows:

[0115] N33: This is the interface between AF and NEF. Through this interface, the sensing business type, business requirements, sensing results, etc. can be transmitted.

[0116] NL5: This is the interface between NEF and GMLC. Information such as the type of sensing service, service requirements, and sensing results can be transmitted through this interface.

[0117] NL6: This is the interface between GMLC and UDM, through which privacy inspection data can be transmitted;

[0118] NL2: This is the interface between NEF and AMF. Through this interface, information such as the type of sensing business, business requirements, and sensing results can be transmitted.

[0119] NL1: This is the interface between AMF and LMF, through which the sensing service type, service requirements, sensing results, etc. can be transmitted.

[0120] NL9: This is a new interface between GMLC and LMF, through which the sensing service type, service requirements, sensing results, etc. can be transmitted.

[0121] It is understandable that the sensing functions in the sensing network architecture may be relatively independent of the existing core network, meaning that the SF (Sensing Provider) does not need to interact with the core network or performs minimal interaction. For example, in scenarios with sensing needs within a specific area or scenarios with only sensing needs, the sensing network architecture can provide sensing services without core network control or with the participation of some network elements. This means that by deploying the SF locally, sensing measurement data or results can remain within the campus, thus meeting the enterprise's requirements for the security and privacy of sensing measurement data or results, and also reducing sensing latency. This architecture is simple, flexible, efficient, has few transmission nodes, is easy to deploy, and can optionally support UE-related sensing needs, with implementation schemes for functions such as authorization, mobility management, and billing considered as needed.

[0122] For example, please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a sensing network provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the SF in this sensing network architecture can directly establish a connection with the RAN node, and sensing control plane signaling messages and sensing measurement data are transmitted through a newly defined interface (e.g., NS1). When the UE participates in sensing, the control plane signaling messages are forwarded to the SF through the AMF, and the sensing measurement data is transmitted through NS1.

[0123] In addition, the SF may also have interfaces with core network elements (e.g., AMF, NEF, or NWDAF) to control the AF to provide awareness service requirements to the SF through core network functions, as specifically defined below:

[0124] NS1: A new interface between the sensing network element and (R)AN, which transmits sensing control signaling or sensing measurement data; in one deployment implementation, the sensing function can also be deployed at the base station;

[0125] NS2: This is a new interface that may be added between the sensing network element and the AMF. This interface receives sensing service requests from the UE or transmits signaling messages between the sensing network element and other core network elements, such as interaction messages with the UDM.

[0126] NS3: This may be a new interface between the sensing network element and the NEF. This interface transmits signaling messages that the sensing network element relays through the NEF to interact with the service-side AF. At the same time, it opens the sensing results to the AF. The interaction between the sensing function and the AF may not go through the NEF. In actual deployment, NS2 and NS3 will be selected. That is, the AF sends sensing service requests to the SF indirectly or directly to the SF (without NEF) through NS2 (NEF); or, the AF sends sensing service requests to the SF through N33 (NEF) and NS2 (AMF).

[0127] NS4: This may be a new interface between the sensing network element and the NWDAF. Through this interface, the sensing network element and the NWDAF will jointly perform intelligent analysis and prediction to generate sensing results.

[0128] It is understood that the various network functions shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 above can be referenced with relevant protocols or standards, and will not be elaborated upon in this application. It should also be understood that N1, N2, N5, N8, etc., shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4 are interface sequence numbers. For example, the meaning of the above interface sequence numbers can be found in the definitions in the 3GPP standard protocols, and this application does not limit the meaning of the above interface sequence numbers.

[0129] The above briefly describes the possible network architectures of the embodiments of this application. To facilitate understanding of the technical methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application are briefly introduced below:

[0130] Existing technologies utilize terrestrial base stations for sensing and have designed an integrated terrestrial sensing frame structure. For example, existing protocols can use two RRC-related signaling commands (such as the first and second signaling commands) to configure the frame structure. The first signaling command can be tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon (Time Division Duplex-Uplink-Downlink-Configuration Common), which can be used to configure all uplink time slots, all downlink time slots, and uplink / downlink symbols immediately adjacent to the full uplink / downlink time slots. The remaining time slots can be referred to as flexible slots. The second signaling command can be tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated (Time Division Duplex-Uplink-Downlink-Configuration Dedicated), which can be used to reconfigure the uplink / downlink symbols of the flexible slots.

[0131] For example, please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided by the prior art. As shown in Figure 5, in the configured frame mode shown, 501 can be used to represent a full downlink time slot, 5011 can be used to represent one or more downlink symbols immediately adjacent to the full downlink time slot (e.g., the time slot after the last full downlink time slot), 502 can be used to represent a full uplink time slot, 5021 can be used to represent one or more uplink symbols immediately adjacent to the full uplink time slot (e.g., the time slot before the first uplink time slot), and the remaining 503 can be used to represent a flexible symbol, which may include one or more flexible time slots.

[0132] As mentioned above, the existing frame structure design includes downlink symbols, uplink symbols, and flexible symbols. The flexible symbols may ultimately be configured for either uplink or downlink data transmission, without considering the sensing needs of the specific area. However, in a satellite-sensing integrated scenario, the satellite coverage area is much larger than that of a ground base station, and different areas have different sensing needs. Using the existing frame structure design would apply the same sensing time-division pattern to areas with potentially high and low sensing needs, leading to insufficient communication or sensing resources. In other words, using a single sensing time-division frame structure across the entire domain will fail to meet the differentiated sensing needs of the entire domain, resulting in reduced resource utilization.

[0133] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides two different communication methods:

[0134] In the first communication method, differentiated configuration is carried out according to the perception needs of the target area. That is, the time-division frame structure configured for different areas is different. The configuration of the time-division frame structure for different areas is issued by the network device at the regional level, so that different areas can obtain resources as needed, meet the differentiated needs of full-domain perception, and improve resource utilization.

[0135] In the second communication method, the same sensing time-division frame structure is configured for the coverage area served by the network device as the basic configuration or base. Then, a new sensing time-division frame structure is configured according to the sensing needs of the target area (i.e., a certain area within the coverage area). This enables regional-level fine-tuning of the basic configuration, allowing different areas to obtain resources as needed, meeting the differentiated needs of full-domain sensing, and improving resource utilization.

[0136] It is understandable that when the network device is a satellite base station, both of the above communication methods can be satellite-level downlink sensing time-division frame structure configuration methods. The applicable network architecture can be: satellite base station communication and sensing share the same payload, and communication and sensing can use different signals. For example, the signal used for communication can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal, and the signal used for sensing can be a linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal. The sensing is time-division, and the time-division mode, i.e., the frame structure configuration, can be flexibly determined and changed by the first network element or the satellite base station.

[0137] In this application, "region" can refer to a geographical area or range, an administrative area or range, a beam position, or a beam footprint, etc. A beam position can refer to the 3dB width coverage area mapped onto the ground by the satellite beam, or be described as the projection range of the beam on the Earth's surface, or a pre-defined area on the ground. The satellite can move or adjust the antenna weights to make the beam transmitted by the satellite point in different directions, corresponding to different coverage areas. The reference signal forming a beam can be a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) or a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), and will not be limited to either here. For ease of understanding, this application can use an SSB as an example to illustrate the reference signal forming a beam, i.e., one beam corresponds to one SSB.

[0138] With the deployment of numerous satellites, to improve the effectiveness and simplicity of satellite beam management, the ground control center can divide the overall ground coverage area into several fixed-size regions. Each region corresponds to a beam position, and all regions are assigned unique numbers. The size of each region can be set to be the same as the coverage area of ​​the SSB beam, facilitating periodic satellite scanning. The specific location and number of each region can be pre-set in the satellite, terminal equipment, or ground network equipment, or periodically distributed by the ground control center or core network equipment; these settings are not limited here.

[0139] For a period of time, a satellite will cover a ground area with the same number of SSB beams. Therefore, there is a one-to-one mapping relationship between the SSB index and the ground area number. This mapping relationship can be maintained by the ground control center and sent to one or more of the following: satellite, terminal equipment, ground network equipment, and core network equipment. For example, please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of a scenario for representing the mapping relationship between areas and SSBs provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the ground area number can be 0-1023, while the satellite SSB index distribution includes 0-255. This means that the ground area covered by the satellite (i.e., the coverage area served by the network device) can be the same as the area covered by 256 SSB beams, and these 256 SSB beams can correspond one-to-one with 256 ground areas. The target area can be any one of these 256 areas.

[0140] Optionally, the coverage information of the region can be beam coverage information or beam position coverage information. The beam coverage information can include one or more of the following: the scanning order of the spatial coverage of multiple beams, the geographical area covered by the spatial coverage of multiple beams, the spatial filtering parameters of the spatial coverage of multiple beams, and the shape information of the spatial coverage of multiple beams.

[0141] Alternatively, the beam coverage information may also include one or more of the following: the coverage radius or coverage diameter of the beams in the plurality of beams, the center point and / or beam center angle of the beams in the plurality of beams, and the coverage angle information of the beams in the plurality of beams. The coverage angle information may include one or more of the following: the beam coverage angle projected onto the ground, the beam coverage angle projected onto a reference plane at a predetermined height, and the beam angle or beamwidth angle emitted from the network device. For example, please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of a scenario for representing beam coverage provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the beam coverage information may include one or more of the following: radius R, and the position information C(x,y) of the beam center point, where x represents longitude and y represents latitude.

[0142] Alternatively, the beam coverage information may also include parameters related to the beam scanning pattern of multiple beams. These parameters may include one or more of the following: shape information of the multiple beams, the number of long-side beams in the rectangular coverage area of ​​the multiple beams, the number of short-side beams in the rectangular coverage area, the number of beams per circle when the beam scanning pattern is circular, the number of beams per square side when the beam scanning pattern is square, the position information of the starting numbered beam, the scanning method of the multiple beams, and the coverage radius or coverage diameter of the beams among the multiple beams.

[0143] The description of beam coverage information in this embodiment is similar to the description of beam coverage information described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0144] The technical solution provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to more accompanying drawings.

[0145] The technical solutions provided in this application are illustrated through multiple embodiments, with specific reference to the descriptions of the various embodiments below. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments or implementations can be referred to mutually. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The following embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0146] The two communication methods are explained in detail below:

[0147] To facilitate understanding of the first communication method, please refer to Figure 8, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, this method can be jointly executed by a first network element, a network device, and a terminal device. The first network element can be a ground control center or the aforementioned sensing network element; it will not be limited here. The network device can be a network device in a communication system (e.g., a satellite base station), and the terminal device can be a user equipment (e.g., a UE) in a communication system. This method can include at least steps S801-S803:

[0148] Step S801: The first network element acquires information about the target area.

[0149] The target area mentioned above falls within the coverage area of ​​the network device service. It is understood that the coverage area of ​​the network device service includes at least two areas, and the target area here refers to any one of these at least two areas. The information about the target area may include the environmental status of the target area (e.g., floods, smog, earthquakes, etc.), the link status of the target area (e.g., latency, bandwidth, etc.), and the sensing requirements of the target area (e.g., strong sensing requirements, weak sensing requirements, etc.), which will not be limited here. This information about the target area can be used to determine the first sensing configuration for the target area. This first sensing configuration may include first time-domain resources, which are time-domain resources configured for sensing in the target area, and these first time-domain resources are related to the sensing requirements of the target area.

[0150] It is understood that in this application embodiment, the information sent by the first network element to the network device after receiving the information of the target area can be called the first information. Here, the first information can be the information of the target area, or the information of the target area after processing, or a request to instruct the network device to configure the target area (hereinafter referred to as the configuration request), or the first perception configuration obtained by the first network element after configuring the target area. It will not be limited here.

[0151] In other words, after the first network element obtains the information of the target area, it can directly send the information of the target area to the network device so that the network device can configure the target area according to the information of the target area.

[0152] Alternatively, after acquiring information about the target area, the first network element can process this information and send it to the network device. The network device can then configure the target area based on this information. For example, if the target area information acquired by the first network element includes environmental or link status information, the processing of this information could include evaluating the status information to determine the target area's sensing requirements. This approach eliminates the need for subsequent network devices to spend time processing the status information; instead, it allows for faster configuration of more suitable sensing resources based on the received sensing requirements, thus improving configuration efficiency.

[0153] Alternatively, after acquiring information about the target area, the first network element can use the TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon signaling to configure the frame structure and send the configured information (i.e., the first sensing configuration) to the network device. The first sensing configuration may include at least one of the following: time-domain resources for sensing (i.e., the aforementioned first time-domain resources), time-domain resources for uplink, time-domain resources for downlink, or flexibly configurable time-domain resources (e.g., flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols).

[0154] In summary, the first sensing configuration for the target area can be configured by the first network element for the sensing needs of the target area, or it can be configured by the network device for the sensing needs of the target area; this will not be limited here. The following will use the configuration of the first network element for the sensing needs of the target area as an example to illustrate the generation of the first sensing configuration:

[0155] For example, after acquiring the sensing needs of the target area, the first network element can configure temporal resources for sensing in the target area according to these needs. For instance, for areas with strong sensing needs but weak communication needs, the first network element can configure more temporal resources (e.g., subframes / time slots) to achieve sensing; for areas with weak sensing needs but strong communication needs, the first network element can configure fewer temporal resources to achieve sensing. The strength of the sensing needs can be described by sensing levels.

[0156] For ease of understanding, please refer to Table 1, which is a resource configuration reference table provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Table 1:

[0157] Table 1

[0158] It is understandable that a higher perception level number indicates a stronger perception requirement, and therefore requires more temporal resources. For example, perception level 3 indicates a higher perception requirement than perception level 2, and perception level 2 indicates a higher perception requirement than perception level 1.

[0159] For example, if the sensing requirements of the target area are represented by sensing level 2, the first network element can determine from Table 1 above that the number of configurable sensing time slots corresponding to sensing level 2 may include three candidate numbers: 4, 5, and 6. In this case, the first network element can also select one candidate number (e.g., 4) from these three candidate numbers as the time-domain resources (i.e., the first time-domain resources) configured for sensing in the target area. For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided in an embodiment of this application. The frame mode shown in Figure 9 is the frame mode indicated by the first sensing configuration. It can be understood that the first sensing configuration may include: time-domain resources for downlink (e.g., time-domain resources indicated by 901 and 9011 respectively), time-domain resources for sensing (e.g., time-domain resources indicated by 902, 9021, and 9022 respectively), time-domain resources for uplink (e.g., time-domain resources indicated by 903 and 9031 respectively), and flexibly configurable time-domain resources (e.g., time-domain resources indicated by 904 and 905 respectively).

[0160] As shown in Figure 9, in the frame mode with the configuration shown, 902 can be used to represent a full-sensing time slot (e.g., 4 in the figure), and 9021 and 9022 are both used to represent one or more sensing symbols in a time slot immediately adjacent to the full-sensing time slot. Specifically, 9021 can be used to represent at least one sensing symbol in a time slot before the first sensing time slot, and 9022 can be used to represent at least one sensing symbol in a time slot after the last sensing time slot.

[0161] 901 can be used to represent a full downlink time slot, 9011 can be used to represent one or more downlink symbols immediately adjacent to a full downlink time slot (e.g., the time slot following the last full downlink time slot), 903 can be used to represent a full uplink time slot, 9031 can be used to represent one or more uplink symbols immediately adjacent to a full uplink time slot (e.g., the time slot preceding the first uplink time slot), and the remaining 904 and 905 can be used to represent flexible symbols, which may include one or more flexible time slots. It is understood that Figure 9 is only an example, and the timing order of uplink and downlink time slots can be adjusted according to actual circumstances in applications; this will not be restricted here.

[0162] In step S802, the first network element sends first information to the network device, the first information being used to indicate the first sensing configuration of the target area.

[0163] Correspondingly, the network device can receive the first information from the first network element.

[0164] After receiving information about the target area, the network device can configure the target area to obtain a first sensing configuration. The specific implementation of the network device configuring the target area can be found in the description of the first network element configuring the target area in step S801 above, and will not be limited here.

[0165] In step S803, the network device sends the first sensing configuration to the terminal device.

[0166] The terminal device here can be located within the target area. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive the first sensing configuration from the network device.

[0167] For example, a network device may broadcast a first sensing configuration within a target area to notify terminal devices within the target area of ​​the configuration of the sensing time-division frame structure.

[0168] The first sensing configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., SIB 1 or OSI). It is understood that the network device can implement area-level broadcasting, which means distributing different SIB 1s within different areas of the network device's coverage. Specifically, in areas with high sensing demand, the information cells (i.e., the first sensing configuration) carried in the SIB 1 include more sensing time slots or sensing symbols; while in areas with low sensing demand, the information cells carried in the SIB 1 include fewer sensing time slots or sensing symbols. For example, the distribution method of SIB 1 can be described using the following information cells:

[0169] sib1-BroadcastConfig ENUMERATED{Beam,Group,Cell}OPTIONAL,--Need R

[0170] Here, Beam represents a wavelet-level system message, Group represents a wavelet group-level system message, and Cell represents a cell-level system message. Optionally, the network side can also configure this information element for OSI to indicate the OSI distribution method. A wavelet-level system message can refer to the first sensing configuration configured for the area indicated by a single wavelet, while a wavelet group-level system message can refer to the first sensing configuration configured for the area indicated by a wavelet group (multiple wavelets).

[0171] Optionally, the first perception configuration can also be carried in RRC signaling. In other words, the network device can send the same TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon to terminal devices in the same area via RRC signaling. This application embodiment does not limit the signaling method for sending the first perception configuration.

[0172] It is understood that after receiving the first sensing configuration, the terminal device can determine the sensing time based on the first time domain resources (subframes, time slots, symbols, etc. used for sensing) in the first sensing configuration. After that, the terminal device can refrain from receiving signals and / or transmitting uplink signals during the sensing time, thereby preventing the reception of meaningless information.

[0173] In this embodiment, the first network element can configure the sensing time-division framing structure based on the information of the target areas in different regions, and send the configured information (i.e., the first sensing configuration) to the network device, or directly transmit or process the information of the target areas corresponding to each region and report it to the network device, which then configures them one by one. In other words, this embodiment can realize region-level sensing resource configuration (referred to as region-level configuration). It is understood that region-level configuration can be at the wavelet level or wavelet group level.

[0174] The terminal device needs to know which regions the region-level configuration applies to in order to re-receive SIB1 and the new sensing time-division frame structure configuration when it moves out of the current region. For example, if the target region of the terminal device is the first region, then when the terminal device sends a movement that causes it to move from the current first region to the second region (which is within the coverage area served by the network device), the terminal device can receive the first sensing configuration for the second region sent by the network device.

[0175] For example, if a terminal device detects a change in the optimal SSB it maintains, such as the index of the optimal SSB changing from number 1 to number 2, it means that the terminal device moves from the first region (region A covered by the SSB corresponding to number 1) to the second region (for example, region B covered by the SSB corresponding to number 2). At this time, the terminal device can reacquire system information (for example, SIB 1). The first sensing configuration carried in the newly acquired system information is configured by the network device according to the sensing requirements of the second region, which may include temporal resources configured for sensing in the second region.

[0176] It is understandable that different terminal devices in the same area may have different sensing requirements. In order to configure time-domain resources more finely, this application embodiment can not only achieve area-level configuration through the first sensing configuration described above, but also achieve UE-level configuration through the second sensing configuration. The second sensing configuration can refer to the information obtained after configuring the frame structure using the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated signaling. The tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated can be configured with symbols for sensing from the flexible time slots or flexible symbols of the first sensing configuration. For ease of distinction, this application embodiment can refer to the information of the target area (e.g., the sensing requirements of the target area) as the first target information, the information of the terminal device in the target area (e.g., the sensing requirements of the terminal device) as the second target information, and the information sent by the first network element to the network device after receiving the second target information of the terminal device as the second information.

[0177] The second information can be used to instruct the terminal device on its second sensing configuration. Therefore, after receiving the second information, the network device can send the second sensing configuration to the terminal device. This second sensing configuration can be carried in the RRC signaling. In other words, the network device can issue tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationDedicated via RRC signaling to enable UE-level adjustment of the sensing time-division frame structure configuration.

[0178] It is understood that the second information here can be the second target information, the processed second target information, a request to instruct the network device to configure the terminal device, or the second perception configuration obtained after configuring the terminal device itself. No limitation will be imposed here.

[0179] In other words, the embodiments of this application allow for more refined configuration of the terminal device by a first network element or network device. It is understood that the first sensing configuration may include second time-domain resources (i.e., flexibly configurable time-domain resources). The first network element or network device can configure some or all of the resources in the second time-domain resources as time-domain resources for sensing purposes, based on the sensing needs of the terminal device.

[0180] For ease of understanding, please further refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of a frame mode provided in an embodiment of this application. The frame mode shown in Figure 10 is obtained by adjusting the frame mode shown in Figure 9 according to a second perception configuration, while the frame mode shown in Figure 9 is determined according to a first perception configuration, which includes flexibly configurable temporal resources (e.g., temporal resources indicated by 904 and 905 respectively).

[0181] The first network element or network device can select some or all of the flexibly configurable time-domain resources indicated by the first sensing configuration (e.g., the time-domain resources indicated by 10001) according to the sensing needs of the terminal device, and configure them as the time-domain resources for the terminal device to perform sensing. At this time, the time-domain resources used by the terminal device for sensing can include not only the time-domain resources for sensing indicated by the first sensing configuration (e.g., the time-domain resources indicated by 902, 9021, and 9022 respectively), but also the time-domain resources for sensing indicated by the second sensing configuration (e.g., the time-domain resources indicated by 10001).

[0182] Therefore, the network device in this application embodiment can not only achieve regional broadcasting through the first sensing configuration, but also achieve UE-level adjustment through the second sensing configuration. This more refined configuration can better meet service requirements on demand, enabling reasonable allocation of communication resources (including time-domain resources used for uplink / downlink) and sensing resources. This avoids the use of the same pattern by terminal devices with strong sensing needs and those with weak sensing needs, which could lead to insufficient communication or sensing resources. After receiving the first and second sensing configurations, the terminal device can communicate according to the configured resources, and refrain from receiving signals and / or transmitting uplink signals during the sensing time, thereby reducing resource waste and effectively improving resource utilization.

[0183] Optionally, before performing step S803, the network device may also receive a sensing request for the target area, and upon receiving the sensing request, send a first sensing configuration, wherein the sensing request can be used to request sensing.

[0184] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic flowchart of a sensing process provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the method can be jointly executed by a first network element, a network device, and a terminal device. The method may include at least steps S1101-S1106:

[0185] In step S1101, the first network element sends first information to the network device, the first information being used to indicate the first sensing configuration of the target area.

[0186] Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information sent from the first network element (ground operation and control center or sensing network element).

[0187] In step S1102, the first network element sends a sensing request to the network device.

[0188] In the embodiments of this application, the first network element may execute step S1101 first and then step S1102, or it may execute step S1102 first and then step S1101, or it may execute step S1101 and step S1102 simultaneously. In other words, the embodiments of this application do not limit the order of step S1102 and step S1101.

[0189] When steps S1101 and S1102 are executed synchronously, the description of the above two steps can also be replaced as follows: The network device receives a sensing request from the first network element, which carries first information. This can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the network device and the first network element and improve transmission efficiency.

[0190] In step S1103, the network device sends the first sensing configuration to the terminal device.

[0191] In step S1104, the network device performs sensing and obtains sensing measurement results.

[0192] For example, the network device can use the first time-domain resources of the first sensing configuration to transmit a sensing reference signal, receive the echo signal fed back by the sensing target, and use it as the sensing measurement result. It is understood that the network device can spontaneously transmit and receive the sensing reference signal to measure the channel reflected / scattered / diffracted by the sensing target.

[0193] The sensing targets here can be tangible objects in the environment within the target area that can reflect electromagnetic waves, such as mountains, forests, or buildings, and can also include movable objects such as vehicles, drones, pedestrians, and terminal devices. Based on whether the sensing targets are moving, they can be divided into moving objects (e.g., vehicles, drones) and stationary objects (e.g., roads, tall buildings, bridges). Depending on the method of modeling the scattering points, the sensed objects can be divided into point targets (e.g., small drones) and extended multi-point targets (also called area targets, such as large buildings).

[0194] In this application, the sensing target may also be referred to as the sensed object, the sensed target, the detected target, the sensed thing, the detected thing, or the sensed device, etc. This application does not impose any restrictions, and the network device here may also be referred to as a sensing device.

[0195] Step S1105: The network device reports the sensing measurement results to the first network element.

[0196] Step S1106: The first network element processes the sensing measurement results.

[0197] For example, the first network element can analyze the sensing measurement results to obtain information such as the distance, speed, position, and angle of the sensed target.

[0198] To facilitate understanding of the second communication method, please refer to Figure 12, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, this method can be jointly executed by a first network element, a network device, and a terminal device. The first network element can be a ground control center or the aforementioned sensing network element; it will not be limited here. The network device can be a network device in a communication system (e.g., a satellite base station), and the terminal device can be a user equipment (e.g., a UE) in a communication system. This method can at least include steps S1201-S1205:

[0199] In step S1201, the first network element sends first information to the network device. The first information is used to indicate the first sensing configuration. The first sensing configuration includes first time domain resources, which are time domain resources configured for sensing based on the coverage area served by the network device.

[0200] Correspondingly, the network device can receive first information from the first network element. It can be understood that this first information could be a request instructing the network device to configure its coverage area (referred to as a configuration request), or it could be the first sensing configuration obtained after the first network element configures the coverage area; this will not be limited here. In other words, the first sensing configuration can be configured by the first network element or by the network device; this will not be limited here.

[0201] It is understandable that the first perception configuration here may refer to the basic configuration determined for the coverage of the network device service. For example, the first perception configuration is obtained after configuring the frame structure using the first signaling (e.g., tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon).

[0202] For example, the frame mode indicated by the first sensing configuration may be the frame mode shown in FIG9 above. That is, in addition to the time domain resources for sensing, the first sensing configuration may also include at least one of the following: time domain resources for uplink (e.g., uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols), time domain resources for downlink (e.g., downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols), or flexibly configurable time domain resources (e.g., flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols).

[0203] In a special case, the first temporal resources here may be few or even zero. For example, the frame mode indicated by the first sensing configuration may be the frame mode shown in Figure 5 above.

[0204] In step S1202, the network device sends the first sensing configuration to the terminal device.

[0205] The terminal device here can be located within the target area. Accordingly, the terminal device can receive the first sensing configuration from the network device.

[0206] For example, a network device can broadcast a first sensing configuration within the coverage area (also known as the global area) served by the network device, that is, distribute the first sensing configuration across the entire area (or at the cell level) to notify terminal devices within the entire area that they can communicate or sense according to the sensing time-division frame structure indicated by the first sensing configuration. This first sensing configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., SIB 1, OSI) or in RRC signaling; this will not be limited here.

[0207] In step S1203, the first network element acquires information about the target area. The information about the target area is used to determine the second sensing configuration. The second sensing configuration is used to indicate the second time domain resources. The second time domain resources are related to the sensing requirements of the target area.

[0208] The target area refers to an area within the coverage of the network device service. The description of the target area can be found in the description of the target area in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 8 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0209] It can be understood that the second sensing configuration here may refer to the regional-level configuration determined for the sensing needs of the target area. It can be used to fine-tune on the basis of the synesthetic time-division frame structure indicated by the first sensing configuration. That is, the configuration indicated by the first sensing configuration can be reconfigured. For example, the time-frequency resources used for sensing indicated by the first sensing configuration can be reduced or increased.

[0210] For example, if the time-domain resources used for sensing in the first sensing configuration (i.e., the first time-domain resources) may include 3 time slots, when the sensing demand of the target area is strong, the time-domain resources used for sensing indicated by the second sensing configuration (i.e., the second time-domain resources) may include 5 time slots. That is, in this embodiment of the application, the time-domain resources used for sensing can be increased from 3 time slots to 5 time slots through the second sensing configuration. In this case, it can be understood that the second time-domain resources include the first time-domain resources. It should be understood that the two added time slots may be flexible time slots / or flexible symbols in the first sensing configuration, or they may be uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols in the first sensing configuration, or they may be downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols in the first sensing configuration. They will not be limited here.

[0211] In other words, the first sensing configuration may include a third time-domain resource, which may include one or more of the following: flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols in the first sensing configuration, uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols in the first sensing configuration, and downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols in the first sensing configuration, while the second time-domain resource may include part or all of the third time-domain resource.

[0212] For example, if the time-domain resources used for sensing in the first sensing configuration may include 10 time slots, when the sensing demand of the target area is weak, the time-domain resources used for sensing indicated by the second sensing configuration may include 2 time slots. That is, in this embodiment of the application, the time-domain resources used for sensing can be reduced from 10 time slots to 2 time slots through the second sensing configuration. In this case, it can be understood that the first time-domain resources may include the second time-domain resources. It should be understood that the 8 time slots that are reduced can be reconfigured as flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols, or as uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols, or as downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols. Specifically, they can be flexibly configured according to the communication needs of the target area, and will not be limited here.

[0213] It is understood that the signaling used in the second sensing configuration in this application embodiment can be referred to as the third signaling. The parameters of this third signaling can be the same as those of the first signaling. For example, the third signaling can be represented by TDD-UL-DL-ConfigArea, which can configure not only the time-domain resources used for sensing, but also the time-domain resources used for uplink / downlink, and flexibly configurable time-domain resources. Optionally, the parameters of the third signaling can also be the same as those of the second signaling. For example, the third signaling can be represented by Sensing-ConfigArea, which can configure flexibly configurable time-domain resources (e.g., flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols). Optionally, the parameter configuration of the third signaling can also differ from the first or second signaling. For example, it can configure the time-domain resources used for sensing, but not the time-domain resources used for uplink / downlink.

[0214] In step S1204, the first network element sends second information to the network device, the second information being used to indicate the second sensing configuration.

[0215] Correspondingly, the network device can receive second information from the first network element. It is understood that this second information can be information about the target area (e.g., the sensing requirements of the target area), processed information about the target area, a request instructing the network device to configure the target area, or a second sensing configuration obtained after the first network element configures the target area; these will not be limited here. In other words, the second sensing configuration can be configured by the first network element or by the network device; these will not be limited here.

[0216] In step S1205, the network device sends the second sensing configuration to the terminal device.

[0217] Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive a second sensing configuration from the network device.

[0218] For example, the network device can broadcast a second sensing configuration within the target area, i.e., distribute the second sensing configuration at the area level. This second sensing configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., SIB 1 or OSI) or in RRC signaling; this will not be limited here.

[0219] In this embodiment, the network device can broadcast a first sensing configuration using system information across the entire domain and a second sensing configuration using system information at the regional level, thereby achieving regional-level fine-tuning of the sensing time-division frame structure indicated by the first sensing configuration. For example, the same first signaling (e.g., tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon) can be carried in SIB 1 as the sensing time-division pattern base, and a third signaling (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigArea or Sensing-ConfigArea) can be carried in OSI.

[0220] Optionally, the network device can also broadcast a first sensing configuration using RRC signaling across the entire domain and a second sensing configuration at the regional level, thereby enabling regional-level fine-tuning of the sensing time-division frame structure indicated by the first sensing configuration. For example, the network device can carry the same first signaling in the RRC signaling as the sensing time-division pattern base, and carry a third signaling (e.g., TDD-UL-DL-ConfigArea or Sensing-ConfigArea) in the system information (e.g., SIB 1 or OSI).

[0221] It is understandable that in areas with strong sensing demand, the aforementioned third signaling can be configured with more sensing symbols, while in areas with weak sensing demand, the third signaling can be configured with fewer sensing symbols, thereby achieving area-level configuration. This configuration method allows for the rational allocation of communication and sensing resources, preventing terminal devices with strong sensing demand from using the same pattern as devices with weak sensing demand, which could lead to insufficient communication or sensing resources. It should be understood that after receiving the first and second sensing configurations, the terminal device can also communicate according to its configured resources, while refraining from receiving signals and / or transmitting uplink signals during the sensing time, thereby reducing resource waste and effectively improving resource utilization.

[0222] Furthermore, when the terminal device moves out of the current area, it also needs to reacquire the OSI to obtain the new sensing time-division frame structure configuration. For example, if the target area where the terminal device is located is the first area, then when the terminal device sends a movement that causes it to move from the current first area to the second area (which is within the coverage area served by the network device), the terminal device can receive the second sensing configuration for the second area sent by the network device. For a detailed description, please refer to the description of the terminal device moving out of the current area above, which will not be repeated here.

[0223] Optionally, before performing step S1205, the network device may also receive a sensing request for the target area. Upon receiving the sensing request, it may send a second sensing configuration. The sensing request can be used to request sensing. For details, please refer to the description of steps S1104-S1106 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] It is understandable that the order of the steps for the first network element to send a sensing request to the network device and the steps for the first network element to send the second information to the network device is not limited. That is, the sensing request can be sent first, followed by the second information; the second information can be sent first, followed by the sensing request; or the second information and the sensing request can be sent simultaneously. When the first network element sends the second information and the sensing request simultaneously, it can also be described as the first network element sending a sensing request to the network device, the sensing request including the second information. This can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the network device and the first network element and improve transmission efficiency.

[0225] The foregoing details the method provided in this application. To facilitate the implementation of the above-described solutions in the embodiments of this application, corresponding apparatus or devices are also provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0226] This application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 13 and 14.

[0227] Referring to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, the communication device 1 includes at least one of a transceiver module 131 and a processing module 132, which can perform the corresponding functions of the communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0228] The transceiver module 131 is used to implement the corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 132 is used to perform data processing. The transceiver module 131 can also be called a communication interface or communication unit, including a sending unit and / or a receiving unit. The transceiver module 131 can be a transceiver (including a transmitter and / or receiver), an input / output interface (including input and / or output interfaces), pins, or circuits, etc. The transceiver module 131 can be used to perform the sending and / or receiving steps in the above method embodiments. The processing module 132 can be a processor (may include one or more), a processing circuit with processor functions, etc., and can be used to perform other steps in the above method embodiments besides sending and receiving. Optionally, the device also includes a storage unit, which can be a memory, an internal storage unit (e.g., a register, a cache, etc.), or an external storage unit (e.g., a read-only memory, a random access memory, etc.). The storage unit is used to store instructions, and the processing module 132 executes the instructions stored in the storage unit to cause the communication device to perform the above method.

[0229] In this application, the device can be used to perform actions performed by the network device in various method embodiments, such as sending a first sensing configuration or a second sensing configuration; it can also be used to perform actions performed by the first network element in various method embodiments. It should be noted that the device can be a network element or device, or a chip or chip system, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The transceiver module 131 can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing module 132 is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0230] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the network device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device.

[0231] In a specific implementation, the transceiver module 131 is used to receive first information from the first network element. The first information is used to indicate the first sensing configuration of the target area. The target area belongs to the coverage area served by the network device. The first sensing configuration includes first time domain resources. The first time domain resources are time domain resources configured for the target area for sensing. The first time domain resources are related to the sensing requirements of the target area. The transceiver module 131 is also used to send the first sensing configuration.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the processing module 132 is used to sense the target region on the first time domain resource.

[0233] In one possible implementation, the processing module 132 is also used to generate the first perception configuration.

[0234] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 131 is also configured to receive a perception request for a target area, the perception request being used to request perception.

[0235] In one possible implementation, the perception request includes first information.

[0236] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 131 and the processing module 132 can be found in the description of the network device in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 8 or 11 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0237] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the first network element mentioned above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first network element.

[0238] In a specific implementation, the transceiver module 131 is used to receive information about the target area. The information about the target area is used to determine the first sensing configuration of the target area. The first sensing configuration includes first time domain resources. The first time domain resources are time domain resources configured for the target area for sensing. The first time domain resources are related to the sensing needs of the target area. The target area is within the coverage area of ​​the network device service. The transceiver module 131 is also used to send first information to the network device. The first information is used to indicate the first sensing configuration.

[0239] In one possible implementation, processing module 132 is used to generate the first perception configuration.

[0240] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 131 and the processing module 132 can be found in the description of the first network element in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 8 or 11 above, and will not be repeated here. In addition, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0241] In combination with any of the above implementation methods, in one possible implementation method, the first information is used to indicate the first perception configuration of the target area, including: the first information includes the first perception configuration of the target area, or the first information includes information of the target area, and the information of the target area is used to determine the first perception configuration of the target area.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the information for the target area includes the perception requirements of the target area.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the first perception configuration is carried in the system information.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the first-aware configuration can also be carried in the RRC signaling.

[0245] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the network device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device.

[0246] In a specific implementation, the transceiver module 131 is used to receive first information from the first network element. The first information is used to indicate a first sensing configuration. The first sensing configuration includes a first time domain resource, which is the coverage area served by the network device. The time domain resource configured for sensing includes the target area. The transceiver module 131 is also used to receive second information from the first network element. The second information is used to indicate a second sensing configuration. The second sensing configuration is used to indicate a second time domain resource. The second time domain resource is related to the sensing needs of the target area. The first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource, or the second time domain resource includes the first time domain resource. The transceiver module 131 is also used to send the second sensing configuration.

[0247] In one possible implementation, processing module 132 is used to generate the first perception configuration.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the processing module 132 is also used to generate a second perception configuration.

[0249] In one possible implementation, the processing module 132 is also used to sense the target region on the second time-domain resource.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 131 is also configured to receive a perception request for a target area, the perception request being used to request perception.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the perception request includes second information.

[0252] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 131 and the processing module 132 can be found in the description of the network device in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 12 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0253] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 1 may correspond to the first network element mentioned above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the first network element.

[0254] In a specific implementation, the transceiver module 131 is used to send first information to the network device. The first information is used to indicate a first sensing configuration. The first sensing configuration includes a first time domain resource, which is a time domain resource configured for sensing based on the coverage area served by the network device. The coverage area includes the target area. The transceiver module 131 is also used to send second information to the network device. The second information is used to indicate a second sensing configuration. The second sensing configuration is used to indicate a second time domain resource. The second time domain resource is related to the sensing needs of the target area. The first time domain resource includes the second time domain resource, or the second time domain resource includes the first time domain resource.

[0255] In one possible implementation, processing module 132 is used to generate the first perception configuration.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the processing module 132 is also used to generate a second perception configuration.

[0257] The specific implementation methods of the transceiver module 131 and the processing module 132 can be found in the description of the first network element in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 12 above, and will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of using the same method will also not be repeated here.

[0258] In combination with any of the above implementation methods, in one possible implementation method, the first perception configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., SIB 1) or in RRC signaling, and this will not be limited here.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the second sensing configuration can be carried in system information (e.g., OSI) or in RRC signaling, without limitation here.

[0260] Both the second perception configuration and the second perception configuration are carried in the system information.

[0261] In one possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate the second sensing configuration, including: the second information includes the second sensing configuration, or the second information includes information about a target area, the information about the target area being used to determine the second sensing configuration.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the information for the target area includes the perception requirements of the target area.

[0263] In one possible implementation, where the second time-domain resource includes the first time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource also includes part or all of the third time-domain resource, which includes one or more of the following: flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols in the first sensing configuration, uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols in the first sensing configuration, and downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols in the first sensing configuration.

[0264] This application mainly relates to modifications to the processing modules in the chip architecture of the terminal side and / or satellite platform side and / or satellite base station side and / or ground operation and control center side. When the chip architecture is a terminal side chip architecture, the processor can receive system messages or other system messages configured on the network side, and communicate with the satellite base station on the communication resources configured on the network side according to the sensing time division frame structure configuration and the regional level indication carried therein. It does not receive signals, send uplink signals or perform channel detection in the sensing time slot, and re-receive the regional level sensing time division frame structure configuration when moving out of the current area.

[0265] When the chip architecture is a network-side chip architecture, the processor can receive sensing requests / sensing configurations (e.g., first sensing configuration, second sensing configuration) from the core network, send / receive sensing reference signals, configure the regional-level broadcast sensing time-sharing structure and regional-level indications in the system information, or configure the cell-level broadcast sensing time-sharing structure base and regional-level indications, and fine-tune the regional-level broadcast sensing time-sharing structure scheme, and report the sensing results to the core network.

[0266] The communication architecture of the terminal side (e.g., terminal device) and / or the network side (e.g., network device or first network element) can be seen in Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in this application embodiment. This communication device 2 can be used to implement the operations performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments. The communication device 2 includes: a processor 141, a memory 142, and a bus system 143. The processor 141 and the transceiver 144 can be interconnected through the bus system 143. The processor 141 is coupled to the memory 142 and is used to execute instructions stored in the memory 142 to control the transceiver 144 to send and / or receive signals.

[0267] The memory 142 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 142 is used to store related instructions and data. The memory 142 stores executable modules or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof:

[0268] Operation instructions: This includes various operation instructions used to perform various operations.

[0269] Operating system: includes various system programs used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0270] Figure 14 shows only one memory, but of course, multiple memories can be set as needed.

[0271] The communication device 2 may further include a transceiver 144. The transceiver 144 may be a communication module or a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the transceiver 144 is used to perform the transmission and reception operations involved in the above embodiments.

[0272] Processor 141 may be a controller, central processor (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processor 141 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0273] In specific applications, the various components of communication device 2 are coupled together through bus system 143. Bus system 143 includes not only a data bus but may also include a power bus, control bus, and status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 143 in Figure 14. For ease of illustration, Figure 14 is only schematically shown.

[0274] In specific implementation, the communication device 2 can execute the steps of the method performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments. Specifically, when the communication device 2 is used to implement the various steps performed by the network device or the first network element in the communication method provided in the embodiments, the processor 141 can implement the function of the processing module 132, and the transceiver 144 is used to implement the function of the transceiver module 131.

[0275] It should be noted that in practical applications, the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0276] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. 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 described in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0277] This application also provides a chip, which includes at least a processor. The processor is used to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method steps performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments.

[0278] Optionally, the chip may also include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0279] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting the apparatus on which the chip system is installed to implement the method steps performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments, such as generating or processing data and / or information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the data transmission device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0280] This application provides a communication system, which includes at least a network device and a first network element. The network device and the first network element work together to implement the first communication method described in the embodiment corresponding to FIG8 or FIG11 above, or the second communication method described in the embodiment corresponding to FIG12.

[0281] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments.

[0282] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the network device or the first network element in the above embodiments.

[0283] In the above method embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions according to the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. Computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. A computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. Available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0284] 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.

[0285] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: The system receives first information from a first network element. The first information is used to indicate a first sensing configuration for a target area. The target area is within the coverage area served by the network device. The first sensing configuration includes a first time domain resource. The first time domain resource is a time domain resource configured for sensing in the target area. The first time domain resource is related to the sensing requirements of the target area. Send the first sensing configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a perception request for the target area, the perception request being used to request perception.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The perception request includes the first information.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: Information about a target area is obtained, and the information about the target area is used to determine a first sensing configuration for the target area. The first sensing configuration includes a first temporal resource, which is a temporal resource configured for sensing in the target area. The first temporal resource is related to the sensing needs of the target area, and the target area is within the coverage area of ​​the network device service. Send first information to the network device, the first information being used to instruct the first sensing configuration.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the first sensing configuration of the target area, including: The first information includes the first sensing configuration of the target area, or, The first information includes information about the target area, which is used to determine a first perception configuration for the target area.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The information about the target area is used to indicate the perception needs of the target area.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a network device, and the method includes: Receive first information from a first network element, the first information being used to indicate a first sensing configuration, the first sensing configuration including a first time domain resource, the first time domain resource being the coverage area served by the network device, the configured time domain resource for sensing, the coverage area including a target area; Receive second information from the first network element, the second information being used to indicate a second sensing configuration, the second sensing configuration being used to indicate a second time domain resource, the second time domain resource being related to the sensing requirements of the target area, the first time domain resource including the second time domain resource, or the second time domain resource including the first time domain resource; Send the second sensing configuration.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a perception request for the target area, the perception request being used to request perception.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The perception request includes the second information.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: Send first information to the network device, the first information being used to instruct a first sensing configuration, the first sensing configuration including a first time domain resource, the first time domain resource being the coverage area served by the network device, the configured time domain resource for sensing, the coverage area including a target area; Send a second message to the network device, the second message indicating a second sensing configuration, the second sensing configuration indicating a second time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource being related to the sensing needs of the target area, the first time-domain resource including the second time-domain resource, or the second time-domain resource including the first time-domain resource.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7-10, characterized in that, The second information is used to indicate the second sensing configuration, including: The second information includes the second sensing configuration, or, The second information includes information about the target area, which is used to determine the second sensing configuration.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The information about the target area includes the perception requirements of the target area.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7-12, characterized in that, In the case where the second time-domain resource includes the first time-domain resource, the second time-domain resource also includes part or all of the third time-domain resource, which includes one or more of the following: flexible time slots and / or flexible symbols in the first sensing configuration, uplink time slots and / or uplink symbols in the first sensing configuration, and downlink time slots and / or downlink symbols in the first sensing configuration.

14. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes means for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, and means for performing the method as described in any one of claims 4 to 6; or, The communication system includes means for performing the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9 and 11 to 13, and means for performing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 13.

15. A network device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the methods of any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 6, or modules for implementing the methods of any one of claims 7 to 9 and 11 to 13.

16. A first network element, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 13.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, the processor being used to enable the communication devices to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes a communication device including the processor to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

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