WO2025232449A1 - Communication method and apparatus, and antenna array - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and apparatus, and an antenna array, capable of effectively avoiding the occurrence of sensing blind areas and/or sensing weak areas of sensing devices, thereby improving the sensing performance of the sensing devices, and also capable of effectively reducing the interference between adjacent sensing devices. The method comprises: determining a first parameter used for adjusting the direction of at least one sub-array in an antenna array, wherein the antenna array comprises X sub-arrays distributed in a first direction and Y sub-arrays distributed in a second direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; the first parameter comprises an included angle between at least two sub-array groups and/or the direction of a first sub-array group; each sub-array group among the at least two sub-array groups includes at least one sub-array distributed in the first direction or the second direction; the first sub-array group comprises at least one sub-array distributed in the first direction or the second direction; both X and Y are non-negative integers, and X and Y are not 0 simultaneously; and sending the first parameter.

Description

Communication methods, devices and antenna arrays

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410559284.1, filed on May 7, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus and Antenna Array", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device and antenna array.

Background Technology

In addition to communication capabilities, wireless communication systems also possess sensing capabilities. Wireless communication systems with sensing capabilities can perceive targets to obtain one or more characteristics such as the target's position, speed, shape, and attitude.

Currently, sensing devices (e.g., base stations) in wireless communication systems typically have their arrays facing the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve objects on the ground or inside buildings. When using these sensing devices for low-altitude detection and management, there may be significant "sensing blind spots" and "sensing weak areas," such as the areas behind, directly above, and directly below the sensing device array. Because the signal radiates very low power into these areas, the sensing device's detection performance for targets within these areas is poor.

Summary of the Invention

This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and antenna array to improve the sensing performance of sensing devices for targets in "sensing blind spots" and "sensing weak spots".

Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a first communication device. For example, the first communication device may be a sensing device, or a component (such as a chip, chip system, etc.) configured within the sensing device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the sensing device; this application does not limit this. The sensing device may, for example, be a network device or a terminal device. For ease of understanding and explanation, the method will be described below using a network device as an example of the first communication device.

For example, the method includes: determining a first parameter, the first parameter being used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in an antenna array, the antenna array including: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter including: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of a first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups including: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group including at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, X and Y being non-negative integers, and X and Y not being 0 simultaneously; and transmitting the first parameter.

Each subarray group comprises at least one subarray that is continuously distributed in a first or second direction. In other words, any two subarray groups comprise different (or non-overlapping) subarrays, or any subarray does not belong to two or more subarray groups at the same time.

Optionally, the above-mentioned at least two subarray groups can be continuously distributed, intermittently distributed, or partially continuously distributed and partially intermittently distributed in the first or second direction.

It can be understood that when the number of at least two subarray groups is 2, the included angle between the at least two subarray groups refers to the included angle between any two subarray groups distributed in the first direction or the second direction; when the number of at least two subarray groups is greater than 2, the included angle between the at least two subarray groups refers to the included angle between every two subarray groups in the at least two subarray groups distributed in the first direction or the second direction.

Optionally, at least one subarray comprising the first subarray group can be continuously distributed at any position in the first or second direction.

The orientation of the first subarray group can be determined by the bearing angle, downtilt angle, and slant angle of the first subarray group.

Optionally, the first parameter can also be used to obtain the perception result of the target to be perceived, or for resource scheduling or collaborative communication of other communication devices.

Based on this technical solution, the orientation of at least one sub-array in the antenna array can be adjusted by determining the first parameter. The change in the sub-array orientation alters the orientation of the entire antenna array, preventing it from facing the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve targets on the ground or within buildings. Therefore, this method of dynamically adjusting the antenna array orientation effectively avoids the occurrence of "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" in sensing devices, improving their sensing performance. Furthermore, since "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" are avoided, adjacent sensing devices no longer need to participate in sensing targets within these zones, effectively reducing interference from adjacent sensing devices.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sensing the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Optionally, the target to be perceived is perceived to obtain perception data, which is used to determine the perception result; or, the target to be perceived is perceived to obtain the perception result.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the first parameter includes: obtaining prediction information based on the first perception result obtained in the first time period, the prediction information including the number of the target to be perceived in the perception blind zone and/or perception weak zone in the second time period, the first perception result including one or more of the following: the number of targets around the sensing device, the movement speed of the target, or the position of the target, the second time period being after the first time period; and determining the first parameter based on the prediction information.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating a second parameter, the second parameter being used to determine the first parameter.

Optionally, the second parameter includes: the predicted angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the predicted orientation of the first subarray group. Alternatively, the second parameter and the first parameter may have the same parameter type, but their values may be the same or different.

Optionally, determining the first parameter includes: determining the first parameter based on the second parameter.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending second information, the second information indicating one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group; the second information is used to determine the second parameter.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending the perception result of the target to be perceived, or the perception data of the target to be perceived; the perception data is used to determine the perception result.

The perception result can be used to obtain the aforementioned prediction information.

Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a second communication device. For example, the second communication device may be a sensing management device, or a component (such as a chip, chip system, etc.) configured within the sensing management device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the sensing management device; this application does not limit this. For ease of understanding and explanation, the method will be described below using a sensing management device as an example of a second communication device.

For example, the method includes: receiving a first parameter, the first parameter being used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in an antenna array, the antenna array including: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter including: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of a first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups including: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group including at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, X and Y being non-negative integers, and X and Y not being 0 simultaneously; and determining the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Based on this technical solution, the orientation of the antenna array used for sensing can be recovered by receiving the first parameter, and the sensing result of the target to be sensed can be determined using the first parameter. In other words, when sensing the target, the orientation of the antenna array can be dynamically adjusted so that the antenna array no longer faces the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle, serving targets on the ground or inside buildings. Therefore, this technical solution can effectively avoid the occurrence of "sensing blind spots" and/or "sensing weak areas" of the sensing equipment, improving the sensing performance of the sensing equipment. Furthermore, since the occurrence of "sensing blind spots" and/or "sensing weak areas" of the sensing equipment is avoided, adjacent sensing equipment no longer needs to participate in the sensing of targets within the "sensing blind spots" and/or "sensing weak areas," effectively reducing interference from adjacent sensing equipment.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending first information, the first information indicating a second parameter, the second parameter being used to determine the first parameter.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information indicating one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group; and determining the second parameter based on the second information.

Optionally, determining the second parameter based on the second information includes: determining the second parameter based on the second information and the first perception result obtained in the first time period.

The first time period is any time period before the second parameter is determined.

In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving perception data of the target to be perceived, the perception data being used to determine the perception result.

It is understandable that the perception result can be used to determine the second parameter.

In combination with the first and second aspects, in some implementations, when both X and Y are positive integers, the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays intersect at the first sub-array group; when X is a positive integer and Y is 0, the first sub-array group is located at any position among the X sub-arrays; or, when Y is a positive integer and X is 0, the first sub-array group is located at any position among the Y sub-arrays.

Alternatively, if either X or Y is 0, the first subarray group may include at least one subarray that is any one or more of the X or Y subarrays that are continuously distributed.

The intersection of the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays in the first sub-array group can be understood as: the intersection of the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays is the first sub-array group, or the first sub-array group includes the intersection of the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays.

In combination with the first and second aspects, in some implementations, the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each subarray group.

Alternatively, the first parameter also includes: the sub-arrays that make up each subarray group.

For example, when the first parameter includes the included angle of at least two subarray groups, the first parameter also includes: the subarrays contained in each of the at least two subarray groups.

For example, when the first parameter includes the orientation of the first subarray group, the first parameter also includes: the subarrays contained in the first subarray group.

For example, when the first parameter includes the included angle of at least two subarray groups and the orientation of the first subarray group, the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each of the at least two subarray groups, and the subarrays contained in the first subarray group.

Optionally, the second parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each predicted subarray group.

Similar to the first parameter, if the second parameter includes the included angle of at least two subarray groups predicted, the first parameter also includes: the subarrays contained in each of the at least two subarray groups.

Similar to the first parameter, when the second parameter includes the predicted orientation of the first subarray group, the first parameter also includes: the subarrays contained in the first subarray group.

Similar to the first parameter, when the first parameter includes the included angle of the predicted at least two subarray groups and the predicted direction of the first subarray group, the first parameter also includes: the subarrays contained in each of the at least two subarray groups, and the subarrays contained in the first subarray group.

In combination with the first and second aspects, in some implementations, the first parameter is determined periodically, or is determined in response to a sensing request.

Thirdly, this application provides an antenna array, including X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular, X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not both 0 at the same time;

The X subarrays and the Y subarrays satisfy the following conditions: the included angle between at least two of the X subarrays is not fixed, and/or the included angle between at least two of the Y subarrays is not fixed.

Based on this technical solution, the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array can be flexibly adjusted to change the orientation of the entire antenna array.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array can be flexibly adjusted.

Optionally, the orientation of the at least one sub-array can be flexibly adjusted according to sensing requirements.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the at least one subarray belongs to a group of subarrays to be adjusted, and the group of subarrays to be adjusted includes subarrays belonging to the X subarrays or the Y subarrays.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the number of the at least one subarray is multiple; the multiple subarrays belong to multiple groups of subarrays to be adjusted, and each group of subarrays to be adjusted includes subarrays belonging to the X subarrays or the Y subarrays.

Fourthly, this application provides a communication device, including: a processing module and a transceiver module.

The processing module is configured to: determine a first parameter, which is used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array, the antenna array comprising: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter comprising: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of the first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups comprises: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group comprising at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, X and Y being non-negative integers, and X and Y not being 0 simultaneously; the transceiver module is configured to: transmit the first parameter.

Optionally, the processing module is further configured to: perceive the target to be perceived based on the first parameter.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive first information, the first information indicating a second parameter, the second parameter being used to determine the first parameter.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: send second information, the second information indicating one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group; the second information is used to determine the second parameter.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: send the sensing result of the target to be sensed, or the sensing data of the target to be sensed; the sensing data is used to determine the sensing result.

Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, including: a transceiver module and a processing module.

The transceiver module is configured to: receive a first parameter, which is used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array, wherein the antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter includes: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of the first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups includes: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group including at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, where X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not simultaneously 0; the processing module is configured to: determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: send first information, wherein the first information indicates a second parameter, and the second parameter is used to determine the first parameter.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive second information, the second information indicating one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group; the processing module is further configured to: determine the second parameter based on the second information.

Optionally, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive sensing data of the target to be sensed, the sensing data being used to determine the sensing result.

Sixthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor, the processor being configured to perform the methods described in any of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects.

The device also includes an antenna array, wherein the angle between the subarrays of the antenna array is not fixed, or in other words, the angle is adjustable.

The apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

The device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module or other type of communication interface.

In a seventh aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects, such as receiving or processing data and/or information involved in the above methods.

In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods in any of the foregoing aspects and any possible implementations of any of the foregoing aspects.

Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of any of the above aspects and any possible implementations of any of the above aspects.

In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication system including the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device. The first communication device is used to instruct the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof; the second communication device is used to execute the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

It should be understood that the fourth to tenth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first or second aspects of this application, and the beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here.

Attached Figure Description

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to the method provided in the embodiments of this application;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the "perception blind zone" and "perception weak zone" of a base station;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the antenna array provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the subarray group provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 5 is another schematic flowchart of the antenna array provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array with a first parameter provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 8 is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 9 is another schematic diagram of an antenna array with a first parameter provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 10 is another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 12 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

Figure 13 is another schematic block diagram of the apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application.

Detailed Implementation

The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points are explained first:

First, in the embodiments of this application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first communication device" and "second communication device" are simply different devices, and do not limit the number of devices or their priority; similarly, "first information" and "second information" are simply different pieces of information, and there is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship between them.

Second, in the embodiments of this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send first information to the first communication device" can be understood as the destination of the first information being the first communication device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive first information from the second communication device" can be understood as the source of the first information being the second communication device, which may include direct reception from the second communication device via the air interface or indirect reception from the second communication device via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

In other words, sending and receiving can be done between devices, such as between a second communication device and a first communication device; or it can be done within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, before being sent from the source to the destination. After receiving the information from the source, the destination can also perform corresponding processing, such as decoding and demodulation, to interpret the valid information from the source.

Third, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And/or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and/or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "One or more of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, one or more 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. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

Fourth, in the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction and indirect instruction, as well as explicit instruction and implicit instruction. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (such as the first or second information described below) is called the information to be instructed (such as the first or second parameter described below). In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be indicated; or it can only indicate a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement order of various pieces of information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction.

It is understandable that, for the sender of the information, this information can be used to indicate the information to be indicated, and for the receiver of the information, this information can be used to determine the information to be indicated.

Fifth, in the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the fact that the device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) will make corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require the device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) to have a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

Sixth, the predefined terms in this application can be understood as: definition, pre-defined, storage, pre-storage, pre-negotiation, pre-configuration, solidification, or pre-firing.

The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, sidelink (SL) communication systems, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems or new radio access technology (NR), satellite communication systems, etc. Among them, 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and/or standalone (SA) networks.

The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems. This application does not limit the application in this regard.

The network equipment in this application can be an access network device or a core network device. The access network device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as a radio access network (RAN) device, used to provide wireless communication services and enabling terminal devices to access the wireless network. The radio access network device can be a node in the radio access network, referred to as a RAN node.

In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a home evolved NodeB (or home Node B, HNB), a Wi-Fi access point (AP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can also be a device that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems, and internet-to-things (IoT) communication systems. RAN nodes can also be RAN nodes in non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), meaning they can be deployed on high-altitude platforms or satellites. RAN nodes can be macro base stations, micro base stations, indoor stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or radio controllers in cloud radio access networks (CRAN) or nodes in open radio access networks (O-RAN or ORAN). Optionally, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, RAN nodes can be roadside units (RSUs). Of course, RAN nodes can also be nodes in the core network.

In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in the ORAN system, CU can also be called open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called open RU (O-RU).

Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. That is, the wireless access network device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

The terminal equipment in this application has the ability to transmit carrier signals. The terminal equipment may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice/data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, some examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities (such as laptops, PDAs, etc.), mobile internet devices (MIDs), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, drones, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, and transportation safety devices. Wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc.

Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large sizes, and the ability to perform complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses. They also include devices focused on a specific application function that require the use of other devices, such as smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

Furthermore, terminal devices can also be terminal devices within an IoT system. IoT is a crucial component of future information technology development, its main technological characteristic being the connection of objects to networks via communication technologies, thereby achieving intelligent networks that enable human-machine and machine-to-machine interconnection. IoT technology, through technologies such as narrowband (NB), can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low terminal power consumption.

In addition, terminal devices may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Their main functions include collecting data (for some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from access network devices, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to access network devices.

The terminal device in this application can be a virtualized device, for example, implemented through general-purpose hardware and instantiated virtualization functions, or dedicated hardware and instantiated virtualization functions. The general-purpose hardware can be a server, such as a cloud server.

It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 applicable to the method provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a wireless access network 10 and a core network 20. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include an Internet 30. The wireless access network 10 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1).

Terminal devices can connect to radio access network (RAN) devices wirelessly, and RAN devices can connect to the core network wirelessly or via wired connections. Core network devices and RAN devices can be independent, separate physical devices, or they can integrate the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of RAN devices onto a single physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some core network device functions and some RAN device functions. Terminal devices and RAN devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections.

Communication between wireless access network devices and terminal devices, between wireless access network devices, and between terminal devices can all be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of both. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or a combination of both. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

Among them, the wireless access network equipment can be a base station deployed in the air, such as a satellite base station 110a; or it can be a base station deployed indoors, such as a micro base station or an indoor station 110b.

The terminal equipment can be terminal equipment deployed in the air, such as the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1; or it can be terminal equipment deployed on the ground, such as mobile phones 120a, 120e, 120f and 120j, vehicle 120b, computer 120g, printer 120h, etc. in Figure 1.

Wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. For example, wireless access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites.

The roles of wireless access network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For those 120j accessing the wireless access network 10 via 120i, 120i is a base station; but for 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via an interface protocol between wireless access network devices. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both wireless access network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a, 110b, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with their respective corresponding functions, such as communication devices with base station functions or communication devices with terminal device functions.

It should be understood that Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, the communication system, when equipped with sensing capabilities, can acquire environmental information and the state (position, speed, attitude) of surrounding objects through sensing devices (e.g., the terminal devices or network devices in Figure 1). For example, the solution provided in this application can be applied to vehicle tracking, drone tracking and navigation, detection and localization of road intruders (animals, drones, etc.), target reconstruction, target imaging, and other sensing behaviors in intelligent transportation scenarios. This method of obtaining the sensing results of targets through sensing devices helps improve communication performance and has high application value in multiple scenarios such as the Internet of Things and vehicle connectivity.

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC), as one of the main visions for future 6G networks, has received widespread attention and research from academia and industry. ISAC refers to the integration of communication and sensing capabilities in one or more dimensions, such as devices and waveforms, within network or terminal equipment. For example, a base station transmits a signal to a terminal device, which contains information about communication with the terminal device. By detecting the echo of this signal, the base station can sense the terminal or other targets to obtain one or more characteristics such as the target's position, speed, shape, and attitude.

When the communication system shown in Figure 1 has sensing capabilities, the sensing devices can be RAN and terminals. Various sensing modes can be obtained based on different combinations of sensing devices. According to the role of the sensing device in the sensing process (transmitter or receiver) and the type of sensing device (RAN or terminal), six sensing modes can be obtained as shown in Table 1.

Table 1

As shown in Table 1, the six sensing modes are distinguished for the transmitter and receiver of the sensing signal, respectively: RAN node self-transmission and self-reception, RAN node A transmits and RAN node B receives, RAN node transmits and terminal receives, terminal transmits and RAN node receives, terminal self-transmission and self-reception, and terminal A transmits and terminal B receives. It can be seen that the transmitter can be either a terminal or a RAN node; the receiver can also be either a terminal or a RAN node.

Since sensing devices achieve sensing by sending sensing signals and receiving echo signals from targets, and these sensing signals are transmitted through antenna arrays deployed on the sensing devices, the orientation of the antenna arrays can affect the sensing performance of the devices. Currently, base station arrays in communication networks typically face the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve terminals on the ground or inside buildings. Therefore, when using base stations for low-altitude detection and management, the areas behind, directly above, and directly below the base station array have very low signal power radiated in these directions due to the inherent antenna pattern, resulting in significant "sensing blind spots" and "weak sensing areas."

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the "sensing blind zone" and "sensing weak zone" of a base station. As shown in Figure 2, targets A and C are located behind base station 1, and the signal from base station 1 cannot radiate in this direction. Therefore, targets A and C are in the "sensing blind zone" of base station 1. Targets B and D are located on the side of base station 1, and the signal radiation intensity to the side of base station 1 is weak. Therefore, targets B and D are in the "sensing weak zone" of base station 1. When sensing targets in the "sensing blind zone" or "sensing weak zone" of base station 1, the participation or leadership of a neighboring station (e.g., base station 2 in Figure 2) is usually required.

However, when using a neighboring station to sense targets within the "weak sensing/blind zone" of the local station, the signal transmission loss may be significant due to the distance between the neighboring station and the need for the sensing signal to travel two transmission paths, resulting in low received signal power and consequently poor sensing performance. Because of the distance, neighboring stations typically use beamforming to concentrate their transmitted signal power in the direction of target B in order to sense targets near the local station (e.g., target B in Figure 2). This means that the local station will receive high-power interference signals from the neighboring station, significantly impacting its normal communication and sensing capabilities.

In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, apparatus, and antenna array. In this method, by adjusting the angle and/or direction of the subarrays in the antenna array of the sensing device, the sensing device can avoid "weak sensing areas" and "blind sensing areas", thereby improving the sensing performance of the sensing device and reducing interference from neighboring stations.

Before introducing the method provided in the embodiments of this application, the antenna array provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in conjunction with Figure 3. It should be understood that the antenna array provided in the embodiments of this application can be used in wireless communication devices such as base stations, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) or intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS), terminal devices, and integrated access and backhaul (IAB) devices.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an antenna array provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, with the first and second directions perpendicular to each other. X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not both 0. Alternatively, the front surface of the antenna includes at least one or more subarrays distributed in one direction.

The X and Y subarrays shown in Figure 3 satisfy the following conditions: the included angle between at least two subarrays in the X subarrays is not fixed, and/or the included angle between at least two subarrays in the Y subarrays is not fixed.

For example, when both X and Y are not 0, the antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, and the angle between at least two of the X subarrays distributed in the first direction is adjustable, and/or the angle between at least two of the Y subarrays distributed in the second direction is adjustable.

For example, when X is not 0 and Y is 0, the antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in the first direction, but does not include Y subarrays distributed in the second direction, and at least two of the X subarrays distributed in the first direction have an adjustable angle between them.

For example, when X is 0 and Y is not 0, the antenna array includes Y subarrays distributed in the second direction, but does not include X subarrays distributed in the first direction, and at least two of the Y subarrays distributed in the second direction have an adjustable angle between them.

It should be noted that when both X and Y are not 0, the number of subarrays included in the antenna array shown in Figure 3 is Z = X + Y - 1; when X is not 0 and Y is 0, the number of subarrays included in the antenna array shown in Figure 3 is X; when X is 0 and Y is not 0, the number of subarrays included in the antenna array shown in Figure 3 is Y.

Optionally, each of the X subarrays may include at least one array element, and the number of array elements included in different subarrays may be the same or different. Similarly, each of the Y subarrays may include at least one array element, and the number of array elements included in different subarrays may be the same or different.

For example, the i-th sub-array (i = 1, 2, 3, ..., X; or i = 0, 1, 2, ..., X-1) of the X sub-arrays includes Mi (Mi is a positive integer) array elements; the j-th sub-array (j = 1, 2, 3, ..., Y; or j = 0, 1, 2, ..., Y-1) of the Y sub-arrays includes Nj (Nj is a positive integer) array elements.

Optionally, the two sub-arrays with adjustable included angles can be connected by an adjustable-angle connecting device.

The adjustable-angle connector can be a hinge or latch, or other device that can control the angle between sub-arrays.

It is understood that when multiple subarrays in the aforementioned antenna array are connected by multiple adjustable-angle connecting devices, any two adjustable-angle connecting devices can be of the same or different types. For example, subarray 1 and subarray 2 are connected by a hinge, and subarray 2 and subarray 3 are connected by a hinge.

Optionally, the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array can be flexibly adjusted. For example, the orientation of the at least one subarray can be flexibly adjusted according to sensing requirements.

Optionally, the orientation of the antenna array can be adjusted based on the granularity of the subarray or the granularity of the subarray group.

In other words, at least one subarray in an antenna array can belong to a group of subarrays to be adjusted, which includes subarrays belonging to X or Y subarrays. For example, when there are multiple subarrays, these multiple subarrays can belong to multiple groups of subarrays to be adjusted, each of these multiple groups of subarrays to be adjusted including subarrays belonging to X or Y subarrays.

Optionally, the aforementioned subarray group may include one or more subarrays, and the one or more subarrays are continuously distributed along the first direction or the second direction. When a subarray group includes one subarray, it can be understood that the granularity of the subarray is adjusted.

For example, the X sub-surfaces distributed in the first direction can be divided into P sub-surface groups. Each of the P sub-surface groups includes at least one sub-surface. The at least one sub-surface is continuously distributed in the first direction, and the number of sub-surfaces included in different sub-surface groups may be the same or different. Here, P is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to X.

In this group of P subarrays, the angle between at least two subarrays is not fixed, or in other words, the angle can be adjusted.

For example, the Y sub-arrays distributed in the second direction can be divided into Q sub-array groups. Each of the Q sub-array groups includes at least one sub-array, and the at least one sub-array is continuously distributed in the second direction. The number of sub-arrays included in different sub-array groups may be the same or different. Here, Q is an integer greater than 0 and less than or equal to Y.

In this group of Q subarrays, the angle between at least two subarrays is not fixed, or in other words, the angle can be adjusted.

It is understood that each subarray in this antenna array does not simultaneously belong to two or more subarray groups. In other words, different subarray groups include different, or rather, non-overlapping, subarrays. Therefore, each time multiple subarrays are divided, each subarray can be assigned to one subarray group, rather than being assigned to multiple subarray groups simultaneously.

The following section uses sub-arrays distributed in the first or second direction as an example, and explains the meaning of sub-array groups in detail with reference to Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the subarray group provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4(a), the antenna array includes eight subarrays distributed in a first direction or a second direction, and the included angle between any two adjacent subarrays in the eight antenna arrays can be adjusted. If the eight subarrays are numbered sequentially starting from one end, the eight subarrays are sequentially named as: subarray 1, subarray 2, subarray 3, subarray 4, subarray 5, subarray group 6, subarray group 7, and subarray group 8.

When dividing the 8 sub-arrays into sub-array groups, one possible division method is as follows: Sub-array 1, sub-array 2 and sub-array 3 are divided into one sub-array group, called sub-array group #1; sub-array 4 and sub-array 5 are divided into one sub-array group, called sub-array group #2; and sub-array group 6, sub-array group 7 and sub-array group 8 are divided into one sub-array group, called sub-array group #3, resulting in the sub-array group shown in Figure 4(b).

Another possible way to divide the 8 sub-arrays into sub-array groups is as follows: Sub-array 1, sub-array 2 and sub-array 3 are divided into a sub-array group called sub-array group #1, sub-array 4 is divided into a sub-array group called sub-array group #2, sub-array 5 and sub-array group 6 are divided into a sub-array group called sub-array group #3, and sub-array group 7 and sub-array group 8 are divided into a sub-array group called sub-array group #4, resulting in the sub-array group shown in Figure 4(c).

It is understood that other methods of dividing subarray groups can be used to divide them with reference to the definition of subarray groups, and will not be shown one by one in this application.

It should be noted that the division of subarray groups can be predefined, or it can be divided by the wireless communication equipment deploying the antenna array according to sensing requirements, or it can be divided by other equipment that can communicate with the wireless communication equipment deploying the antenna array.

Optionally, the antenna array shown in Figure 3 can be expanded into the antenna array shown in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, this antenna array is obtained by adding other subarrays along the first direction to one or more subarrays distributed in the second direction of the antenna array shown in Figure 3; and by adding other subarrays along the second direction to one or more subarrays distributed in the first direction of the antenna array shown in Figure 3.

The method provided by the embodiments of this application is described in detail below with reference to Figure 6. The method provided by this application can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1, but the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The flowchart in Figure 6 illustrates the method from the perspective of the interaction between the first and second communication devices, but this application does not limit the subject executing the method. The first communication device can be a sensing device, a component configured in a sensing device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the sensing device. The sensing device can be, for example, a terminal device or a network device. The second communication device can be a sensing management device or other communication device (e.g., a core network device, other network devices, or a terminal device). This sensing management device or other communication device can be replaced by a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the sensing management device in implementing the method, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the sensing management device or other communication device.

The sensing management device is a device with management capabilities that support sensing services. These capabilities may include, for example, the computational power required for sensing functions such as detection, positioning, speed measurement, and shape reconstruction. This sensing management device can also be called a sensing server or other names, and it can exchange information with sensing devices that have wireless signal transceiver capabilities. However, it should be noted that if the sensing device is a terminal device, it needs to communicate with the sensing management device through a network device.

It should be understood that the first communication device shown in Figure 6 is equipped with an antenna array, and the angle between the subarrays included in the antenna array is adjustable. This antenna array can be, for example, the antenna array shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 6, method 600 may include steps S601 and S602. The steps in method 600 are described in detail below.

S601, the first communication device determines a first parameter, the first parameter including: the included angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the direction of the first subarray group.

The first parameter is used to adjust the orientation of at least one sub-array in the antenna array. For a detailed description of the antenna array, please refer to the relevant descriptions in Figures 3 to 5 above, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the aforementioned at least two subarray groups can be continuously distributed, spaced apart, or some subarray groups can be continuously distributed while others are spaced apart. For a description of the subarray groups, please refer to the relevant descriptions above; they will not be repeated here.

The at least two subarray groups may include two or more subarray groups. When the at least two subarray groups include two subarray groups, the included angle between the at least two subarray groups is the included angle between the two subarray groups; when the at least two subarray groups include two or more subarray groups, the included angle between the at least two subarray groups can be understood as the included angle between any two subarray groups.

Referring to the subarray groups shown in Figure 4(c), if the first parameter includes the included angle between two subarray groups, then these two subarray groups can be the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #2, or the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #3. If the first parameter includes the included angle between three subarray groups, then these three subarray groups can be the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #2, and the included angle between subarray group 2 and subarray group 3; or, the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #3, and the included angle between subarray group #2 and subarray group #4.

Optionally, the aforementioned first subarray group may be predefined or determined by the first communication device.

Optionally, when both X and Y are positive integers, the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays intersect at the first sub-array group; when X is a positive integer and Y is 0, the first sub-array group is located at any position among the X sub-arrays; or, when Y is a positive integer and X is 0, the first sub-array group is located at any position among the Y sub-arrays.

For example, the first array group can be any one of the P subarray groups, or any one of the Q array groups, or the first subarray group can belong to both the P subarray groups and the Q subarray groups.

Referring to the subarray group shown in Figure 4(c), the first subarray group can be one of the following subarray groups: subarray group #1, subarray group #2, subarray group #3 or subarray group #4.

Optionally, the orientation of the first subarray group can be determined by three parameters: the orientation angle, the downtilt angle, and the tilt angle of the first subarray group.

It should be noted that other parameters that can be used to determine the included angle between at least two subarray groups can also be understood as the first parameter in this application, such as the included angle between at least one subarray group and the first array group; or other parameters that can be used to determine the direction of the first subarray group can also be understood as the first parameter in this application, such as the orientation angle, downtilt angle, and tilt angle of the first subarray group.

Optionally, in S602, the first communication device sends the first parameter to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first parameter from the first communication device.

When the second communication device is a sensing management device, the first parameter sent by the first communication device can be used by the sensing management device to determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed. When the second communication device is another type of communication device, the first parameter sent by the first communication device can be used for resource scheduling and collaborative communication of the other communication device.

In this application, the target to be sensed can be any tangible object in the environment capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves, such as mountains, forests, or buildings, and can also include mobile objects such as vehicles, drones, pedestrians, and terminals. The target can also be referred to as a target object, a sensed target, a detected target, a sensed object, a detected object, or a sensed device, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this terminology.

In this embodiment, the orientation of at least one sub-array in the antenna array can be adjusted by determining a first parameter. The change in the sub-array orientation alters the orientation of the entire antenna array, preventing it from facing the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve targets on the ground or within buildings. Therefore, this method of dynamically adjusting the antenna array orientation effectively avoids the occurrence of "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" in sensing devices, improving their sensing performance. Furthermore, since "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" are avoided, adjacent sensing devices no longer need to participate in sensing targets within these zones, effectively reducing interference from adjacent sensing devices.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the first communication device sensing the target to be sensed according to the first parameter.

The first communication device senses the target to be sensed based on the first parameter, which may include: the first communication device transmitting a sensing signal using an antenna array with the first parameter, and receiving the echo signal of the sensing signal through the target to be sensed; and sensing the target to be sensed based on the sensing signal and the echo signal.

The antenna array with the first parameter can be the array shown in Figure 6. The antenna array shown in Figure 6 can be obtained by adjusting the orientation of at least four sub-arrays using the first parameter, based on the antenna array shown in Figure 3.

It is understandable that when the first communication device senses the target to be sensed, it can obtain sensing data and thus obtain a sensing result; or, after obtaining the sensing data, it can send it to other devices, which will then determine the sensing result. The sensing data is used to determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed (for ease of description, the sensing result of the target to be sensed will be referred to as sensing result #1 below).

One possible implementation is that the first communication device obtains the sensed data.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the first communication device sending sensing data of the target to be sensed to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the sensing data from the first communication device.

For a description of the perceived data, please refer to the relevant description above, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the second communication device determines the perception result of the target to be perceived based on the first parameter, including: the second communication device determines the perception result of the target to be perceived based on the first parameter and the received perception data.

Another possible implementation is that the first communication device obtains the sensing result #1.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the first communication device sending the sensing result #1 to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the sensing result #1 from the first communication device.

It is understood that the perception result #1 can be used by the second communication device to predict the behavior of the target to be perceived in the next moment or the next period of time, such as the trajectory of movement, the speed of movement, etc.

Optionally, when the second communication device is a sensing management device, the method 600 further includes: the second communication device determining the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Optionally, the second communication device determines the perception result of the target to be perceived based on the first parameter, including: the second communication device determines the perception result of the target to be perceived based on the first parameter and the perception data of the target to be perceived.

The first parameter is used by the second communication device to recover the orientation of the antenna array, and the sensing results of the target to be sensed include: the angles of each path, the time delay, and the Doppler parameters.

Optionally, the first communication device determines the first parameter by: obtaining prediction information based on the perception result #2 obtained in the first time period, the prediction information including the number of the target to be perceived in the perception blind zone and/or perception weak zone in the second time period, the first perception result including one or more of the following: the number of targets around the first communication device, the movement speed of the target or the position of the target; and determining the first parameter based on the prediction information.

The second time period is located after the first time period. The first time period can be the time period before the current time (or the historical time period), and the second time period can be the time period after the current time (or the future time period). Here, the current time refers to the time when the first parameter is determined.

Optionally, the first communication device determines the first parameter by: the first communication device determining the first parameter according to the second parameter indicated by the first information.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the second communication device sending first information to the first communication device, the first information indicating a second parameter. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first information from the second communication device.

The second parameter includes: the included angle between at least two subarray groups predicted by the second communication device, and/or the predicted direction of the first subarray group. In other words, the second parameter includes the same parameter types as the first parameter, only the parameter values may differ.

Referring to the subarray group shown in Figure 4(c), when the second parameter includes: the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #2 is angle 1, and/or the direction of subarray group #3 (first subarray group) is direction 1, the first parameter includes: the included angle between subarray group #1 and subarray group #2 is angle 2, and/or the direction of subarray group #3 (first subarray group) is direction 2. Here, included angle 1 and included angle 2 can be the same or different, and direction 1 and direction 2 can be the same or different.

Optionally, the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each subarray group. Or, the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each of at least two subarray groups, and/or the subarrays contained in the first subarray group.

Referring to the subarray group shown in Figure 4(c), when the first parameter includes the included angle between subarray group #3 and subarray group #4, the first parameter may also include: subarray group #1 includes subarray 1 and subarray 2, and subarray group #2 includes subarray 3; when the first parameter includes the first subarray group, and the first subarray is subarray group #3, the first parameter may also include: the first subarray includes subarray 5 and subarray 6.

Similarly, the second parameter may also include: the subarrays included in each subarray group predicted by the second communication device.

Alternatively, the second parameter may also include: the subarrays contained in each of the at least two subarray groups predicted by the second communication device, and/or the subarrays contained in the predicted first subarray group.

The subarrays included in each subarray group in the second parameter and the subarrays included in each subarray group in the first parameter may be the same or different.

Referring to the subarray groups shown in Figures 4(b) and (c), the subarray group #1 included in the second parameter may include subarray 1, subarray 2 and subarray 3, and the subarray group #2 may include subarray 4 and subarray 6; while the subarray group #1 included in the first parameter may include subarray 1 and subarray 2, and the subarray group #2 may include subarray 3.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the first communication device sending second information to the second communication device, the second information indicating one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second information from the first communication device.

The second information is used to determine the second parameter. Therefore, the second information can be received before the second communication device sends the first information.

It is understandable that the position of the first array group can be represented by coordinates, and the direction of the first sub-array group can be represented by the orientation angle, the downtilt angle, and the tilt angle.

For example, the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays refers to the value of Mi, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction refers to the value of X, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays refers to the value of Yj, and the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction refers to the value of Y.

Optionally, the first parameter is determined periodically or in response to a sensing request.

In other words, this application can determine multiple time periods and a first parameter within each time period through configuration or predefinition. This allows the sensing device to adjust the first parameter as time changes, thereby determining the antenna array that meets the specified first parameter. Alternatively, the sensing device can dynamically adjust the first parameter based on different sensing requests, thereby determining the antenna array that meets the specified first parameter.

It should be noted that if a periodically changing first parameter is configured, the first parameter can still be determined in response to a sensing request.

The communication method provided in this application will be described in more detail below based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, in conjunction with FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. In the communication method shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, an example is given using a base station as the first communication device and a sensing management device as the second communication device. In the communication method shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, X subarrays distributed in the first direction are divided into three subarray groups, and the subarray located in the middle of the three subarray groups is defined as the first subarray group, while the remaining two subarray groups (referred to as the second subarray group and the third subarray group, respectively) are distributed on both sides of the first subarray group.

It should be noted that in the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 10, the same or similar steps as those in the embodiment shown in Figure 6 can be referred to the relevant description of method 600 above, and will not be repeated here.

The following describes in detail the method provided in the embodiments of this application, taking as an example only adjusting the included angle between sub-arrays in the first direction without adjusting the direction of the first sub-array group.

Figure 8 is another schematic flowchart of the communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the method 800 includes steps S801 to S807. The steps of the method 800 are described in detail below.

S801, the sensing and management device determines a second parameter based on the prediction information, which includes K, L, α and β.

The prediction information is obtained by the perception management device based on the perception results obtained in the first time period. The prediction information includes the number of targets to be perceived in the perception blind spots and/or perception weak areas in the second time period.

In the above, K represents the number of subarrays included in the second subarray group predicted by the sensing and management device, L represents the number of subarrays included in the third subarray group predicted by the sensing and management device, α represents the angle between the first and second subarray groups predicted by the sensing and management device, and β represents the angle between the first and third subarray groups predicted by the sensing and management device. Here, K is a positive integer less than X, and L is a positive integer less than X.

Since the second and third subarray groups are located on both sides of the first subarray group, the second and third subarray groups can be determined based on the values of K and L, given the first subarray group.

S802, the sensing management device sends indication information to the base station, which indicates the second parameter. Correspondingly, the base station receives the indication information.

For a description of the second parameter, please refer to the relevant description in Method 600 above, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the sensing management device can also send the second time period corresponding to the second parameter to the base station.

S803, the base station determines the first parameter based on the second parameter, which includes K’, L’, α’ and β’.

In the above, K’ represents the number of subarrays included in the second subarray group determined by the base station based on K, L’ represents the number of subarrays included in the third subarray group determined by the base station based on L, α’ represents the angle between the first and second subarray groups determined by the base station based on α, and β’ represents the angle between the first and third subarray groups determined by the base station based on β. Here, K’ is a positive integer less than X, and L’ is a positive integer less than X.

S804, the base station senses the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Optionally, once the base station has obtained the sensing data of the target to be sensed, steps S805 and S806 can continue to be executed:

S805, the base station sends sensing data and the first parameter to the sensing management device. Correspondingly, the sensing management device receives the sensing data and the first parameter.

The sensing data and the first parameter are used to determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed.

S806, the sensing management device determines the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the sensing data and the first parameter.

Optionally, if the base station obtains the sensing result of the target to be sensed, it can continue to execute S807, and the base station sends the sensing result to the sensing management device. Correspondingly, the sensing management device receives the sensing result.

It is understandable that S805, S806, and S807 do not need to be executed simultaneously. For example, if S805 and S806 are executed, S807 may not need to be executed; or if S807 is executed, S805 and S806 may not need to be executed. The specific execution of S805 and S806, or S807, can be determined by the base station based on its own computing capabilities.

In this embodiment, the angles of two sub-arrays in the antenna array can be adjusted by determining a first parameter. The change in the sub-array angle alters the orientation of the antenna array, preventing it from facing the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve targets on the ground or within buildings. Therefore, this method of dynamically adjusting the antenna array orientation effectively avoids the occurrence of "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" in sensing devices, improving their sensing performance. Furthermore, since "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" are avoided, adjacent sensing devices no longer need to participate in sensing targets within these zones, effectively reducing interference from adjacent sensing devices.

Figure 9 is another schematic diagram of an antenna array with the first parameter provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the second subarray group is located above the first subarray group, with an angle α between them, and the third subarray group is located below the first subarray group, with an angle β between them. The sensing signal transmitted by the base station through the second subarray group radiates with high power upwards and backwards from the base station, enabling it to sense target B above the base station and target A behind the base station with good sensing performance, eliminating the need for neighboring stations to participate in sensing. Similarly, the sensing signal transmitted through the third subarray group radiates with high power downwards and backwards from the base station, enabling it to sense target D below the base station and target C behind the base station with good sensing performance, eliminating the need for neighboring stations to participate in sensing. Therefore, the method provided in this application can effectively avoid the occurrence of "weak sensing zones" and "blind sensing zones" of the base station, and can also effectively avoid interference from neighboring stations.

The following describes in detail the method provided in the embodiments of this application, taking as an example only adjusting the direction of the first subarray group without adjusting the angle between the subarrays in the first and second directions.

Figure 10 is another schematic flowchart of the communication method 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the method 1000 includes steps S1001 to S1005. The steps of the method 1000 are described in detail below.

S1001, the base station determines a first parameter, which includes the orientation of the first subarray group.

Specifically, the first parameter includes: the orientation angle, downtilt angle, and tilt angle of the first subarray group.

The method by which the base station determines the first parameter is the same as the method by which the first communication device determines the first parameter in method 500. That is, the first parameter can be determined by the base station based on sensing results obtained from historical time periods, or by the base station based on a second parameter from the sensing management device, which includes the orientation of the first subarray group predicted by the sensing management device.

S1002, the base station senses the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

Optionally, once the base station has obtained the sensing data of the target to be sensed, steps S1003 and S1004 can continue to be executed:

S1003, the base station sends sensing data and the first parameter to the sensing management device. Correspondingly, the sensing management device receives the sensing data and the first parameter.

The sensing data and the first parameter are used to determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed.

S1004, The sensing management device determines the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the sensing data and the first parameter.

Optionally, if the base station obtains the sensing result of the target to be sensed, it can continue to execute S1005, in which the base station sends the sensing result to the sensing management device. Correspondingly, the sensing management device receives the sensing result.

It is understandable that S1003, S1004, and S1005 do not need to be executed simultaneously. For example, if S1003 and S1004 are executed, S1005 may not need to be executed; or if S1005 is executed, S1003 and S1004 may not need to be executed. The specific execution of S1003 and S1004, or S1005, can be determined by the base station based on its own computing capabilities.

In this embodiment, the orientation of the first sub-array in the antenna array can be adjusted by determining the first parameter. The change in the sub-array orientation alters the orientation of the entire antenna array, preventing it from facing the ground at a fixed physical downtilt angle to serve targets on the ground or within buildings. Therefore, this dynamic method of adjusting the antenna array orientation effectively avoids the occurrence of "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" in sensing devices, improving their sensing performance. Furthermore, since "perception blind spots" and/or "weak perception zones" are avoided, adjacent sensing devices no longer need to participate in sensing targets within these zones, effectively reducing interference from adjacent sensing devices.

It is understood that the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 10 above can be combined with each other or implemented independently. When Figures 8 and 10 are implemented individually, more or fewer steps may be performed than those shown in Figures 8 or 10. When the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 10 are combined, the communication method provided by this application may include: a base station determining a first parameter, which includes K, L, α, β, and the direction of a first subarray group. More detailed procedures can be found in the description of the embodiments shown in Figures 8 and 10 above.

The method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 10. The apparatus provided by the implementation of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

Figures 11 to 13 are schematic diagrams of possible apparatuses provided in the embodiments of this application. These apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the first or second communication device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of the apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the apparatus 1100 includes a processing module 1110 and a transceiver module 1120.

One possible design is that the device 1100 is used to implement the function of the first communication device in the method embodiments shown in FIG6, FIG8 or FIG10 above.

For example, the processing module 1110 is configured to: determine a first parameter, the first parameter being used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in an antenna array, the antenna array comprising: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter comprising: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of a first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups comprising: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group comprising at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, X and Y being non-negative integers, and X and Y not being simultaneously 0; the transceiver module 1120 is configured to: transmit the first parameter.

A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1110 and the processing module 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6, 8 or 10, and will not be repeated here.

Another possible design is that the device 1100 is used to implement the function of the second communication device in the method embodiments shown in FIG6, FIG8 or FIG10 above.

For example, the transceiver module 1120 is configured to: receive a first parameter, the first parameter being used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in an antenna array, the antenna array comprising: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, the first direction and the second direction being perpendicular; the first parameter comprising: the angle between at least two subarray groups, and/or, the orientation of a first subarray group; each of the at least two subarray groups comprising: at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, the first subarray group comprising at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction, X and Y being non-negative integers, and X and Y not being simultaneously 0; the processing module 1110 is configured to: determine the sensing result of the target to be sensed based on the first parameter.

A more detailed description of the transceiver module 1110 and the processing module 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the embodiments shown in Figures 6, 8 or 10, and will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that device 1100 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, device 1100 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by device 1100 includes both transmitting and receiving actions. It is understood that because device 1100 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

Figure 12 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device 1200 includes one or more processors 1210 and an antenna array 1220. The processor 1210 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the device (e.g., terminal device, network device, or chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs. The angle between the subarrays included in the antenna array 1220 is adjustable, and the antenna array 1220 is used to transmit signals.

Alternatively, in one design, processor 1210 may include a program (also referred to as code or instructions) that can be executed on processor 1210 to cause device 1200 to perform the method executed by the first communication device in the above method embodiments. In yet another possible design, device 1200 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG12) for implementing the functions of the first communication device in the above method embodiments.

For example, processor 1210 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to implement the steps performed by the first communication device in any of the method embodiments shown in FIG6, FIG8 and FIG10.

Optionally, the device 1200 may include one or more memories 1220 storing programs (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 1210, causing the device 1200 to perform the methods executed by the first communication device in the above embodiments.

Optionally, the processor 1210 and/or memory 1220 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

Optionally, the device 1200 may further include a communication interface 1230. The processor 1210, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device). The communication interface 1230, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the device's transmission and reception functions.

Optionally, the device 1200 also includes a communication interface 1230. The processor 1210 and the communication interface 1230 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1230 can be a transceiver or an input/output interface.

It is understandable that since device 1200 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

When device 1200 is used to implement the method shown in FIG6, FIG8 or FIG10, processor 1210 is used to execute the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit, and communication interface 1230 is used to execute the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver module. Whether communication interface 1230 is used for sending or receiving depends on whether the scheme executed by device 1200 is used to perform the sending action or the receiving action.

It is understood that when the device 1200 is a sensing device, the communication interface 1230 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the device 1200 is a chip applied to a sensing device, the communication interface 1330 can be an input/output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving and the output interface can be used for sending.

Figure 13 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device 1300 includes one or more processors 1310. The processor 1310 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the device (e.g., terminal device, network device, or chip, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

Optionally, in one design, processor 1310 may include a program (also referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on processor 1310, causing device 1300 to perform the method executed by the second communication device in the above method embodiments. In yet another possible design, device 1300 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG13) for implementing the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

For example, processor 1310 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to implement the steps performed by the second communication device in any of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 and FIG. 10.

Optionally, the device 1300 may include one or more memories 1320 storing programs (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 1310, causing the device 1300 to perform the methods executed by the second communication device in the above embodiments.

Optionally, the processor 1310 and/or memory 1320 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

Optionally, the device 1300 may further include a communication interface 1330. The processor 1310, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the second communication device. The communication interface 1330, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transceiver function of the device.

Optionally, the device 1300 also includes a communication interface 1330. The processor 1310 and the communication interface 1330 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 1330 can be a transceiver or an input/output interface.

It is understandable that since device 1300 has communication capabilities, it can also be called a communication device.

When device 1300 is used to implement the method shown in FIG6, FIG8 or FIG10, processor 1310 is used to execute the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit, and communication interface 1330 is used to execute the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver module. Whether communication interface 1330 is used for sending or receiving depends on whether the scheme executed by device 1300 is used to perform the sending action or the receiving action.

It is understood that when the device 1300 is a sensing management device, the communication interface 1330 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the device 1300 is a chip applied to a sensing management device, the communication interface 1330 can be an input/output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving and the output interface can be used for sending.

It should be noted that the above method embodiments can be applied to a processor, or implemented by a processor. A processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions.

The processors mentioned above can be general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor.

The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested 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 reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

The memory in this application embodiment can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (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 used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

This application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of the above-described method embodiments.

This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of the above-described method embodiments.

This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device.

The methods provided in the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, they can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product may include one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic disks), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Claims (28)

A communication method, characterized in that it includes: A first parameter is determined, which is used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array. The antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular. The first parameter includes the angle between at least two subarray groups and/or the orientation of the first subarray group. Each subarray group in the at least two subarray groups includes at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction. The first subarray group includes at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction. X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not both 0. Send the first parameter. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, When both X and Y are positive integers, the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays intersect at the first sub-array group; When X is a positive integer and Y is 0, the first subarray group is located at any position among the X subarrays; or... When Y is a positive integer and X is 0, the first subarray group is located at any position among the Y subarrays. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each subarray group. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the method further comprises: The target to be perceived is perceived based on the first parameter. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive first information, the first information indicating a second parameter, the second parameter being used to determine the first parameter. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send a second message, which indicates one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group; the second message is used to determine the second parameter. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first parameter is determined periodically, or is determined in response to a sensing request. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send the perception result of the target to be perceived, or the perception data of the target to be perceived; the perception data is used to determine the perception result. A communication method, characterized in that it includes: The system receives a first parameter, which is used to adjust the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array. The antenna array includes X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular. The first parameter includes the angle between at least two subarray groups and/or the orientation of the first subarray group. Each subarray group in the at least two subarray groups includes at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction. The first subarray group includes at least one subarray distributed in the first direction or the second direction. X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not both 0. The perception result of the target to be perceived is determined based on the first parameter. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, When both X and Y are positive integers, the X sub-arrays and the Y sub-arrays intersect at the first sub-array group; When X is a positive integer and Y is 0, the first subarray group is located at any position among the X subarrays; or... When Y is a positive integer and X is 0, the first subarray group is located at any position among the Y subarrays. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first parameter further includes: the subarrays contained in each subarray group. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: Send a first message, the first message indicating a second parameter, the second parameter being used to determine the first parameter. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive second information, which indicates one or more of the following: the number of array elements contained in each of the X subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the first direction, the number of array elements contained in each of the Y subarrays, the number of subarrays contained in each direction in the second direction, or the position and orientation of the first subarray group. Based on the second information, the second parameter is determined. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the first parameter is determined periodically, or is determined in response to a sensing request. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the method further comprises: Receive sensing data for the target to be sensed, the sensing data being used to determine the sensing result. An antenna array, characterized in that it comprises: X subarrays distributed in a first direction and Y subarrays distributed in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular, X and Y are both non-negative integers, and X and Y are not simultaneously 0; The X subarrays and the Y subarrays satisfy the following conditions: the included angle between at least two of the X subarrays is not fixed, and/or the included angle between at least two of the Y subarrays is not fixed. According to claim 16, the antenna array is characterized in that the orientation of at least one subarray in the antenna array can be flexibly adjusted. According to claim 17, the antenna array is characterized in that the at least one subarray belongs to a group of subarrays to be adjusted, and the subarrays included in the group of subarrays to be adjusted belong to the X subarrays or the Y subarrays. According to claim 17, the antenna array is characterized in that the number of the at least one subarray is multiple; Multiple subarrays belong to multiple groups of subarrays to be adjusted, and each group of subarrays to be adjusted includes subarrays belonging to the X subarrays or the Y subarrays. The antenna array according to any one of claims 17 to 19 is characterized in that the orientation of the at least one subarray is flexibly adjusted according to sensing requirements. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: at least one processor, and an antenna array as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 by executing a computer program and/or by logic circuitry. A communication device, characterized in that it includes at least one processor for executing a computer program and/or, via logic circuitry, causing the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15. The apparatus according to claim 21 or 22 is characterized in that it further includes a memory for storing a computer program and/or a configuration file of the logic circuit. The apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23 is characterized in that it further includes a communication interface for inputting and/or outputting signals. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a module for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or includes a module for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15. A chip or chip system, characterized in that it includes at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the at least one processor being interconnected via a line, the at least one processor being configured to run a computer program or instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 9 to 15 is executed. A computer program product, characterized in that it includes a computer program, wherein when the computer program is run, the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 9 to 15 is executed.