CN116762426A

CN116762426A - Label positioning method and device

Info

Publication number: CN116762426A
Application number: CN202180091647.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 冯玺宝; 吴毅凌; 李晨琬; 陈俊
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-01-29
Filing date: 2021-01-29
Publication date: 2023-09-15
Also published as: WO2022160293A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a tag positioning method and a tag positioning device, which can realize tag positioning in a large-scale tag scene. The method is applied to the electronic tag, the state machine of the electronic tag comprises a positioning state, the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag, and the method comprises the following steps: the electronic tag receives the first signaling from the reader-writer, responds to the first signaling, enters a positioning state, and performs positioning operation in the positioning state. The first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state.

Description

Label positioning method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a tag positioning method and apparatus.

Background

Currently, radio frequency identification (radio-frequency identification, RFID) technology is available to identify targets. RFID systems typically include a reader and a TAG. The reader-writer can interact with the electronic tag to manage the electronic tag. In some scenarios, an electronic tag may be attached to a target, and the reader may position the electronic tag, thereby positioning the target to which the electronic tag is attached. Currently, tag positioning may be achieved in some way, typically, the tag sends a signal to the reader, which may position the tag location based on the signal from the tag.

However, in the existing tag positioning method, the tag positioning efficiency is low. For example, for chipless tags, collisions may occur between the signals sent by the tags to the reader, which may require the reader to run a collision resolution mechanism to reduce such collisions, making it less efficient for the reader to locate the tags. For another example, for a tag with a chip, a reader-writer is often required to issue a control command to trigger the tag to send a signal, so that signaling overhead of the reader-writer is relatively high, and correspondingly, positioning efficiency is relatively low.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a tag positioning method and a tag positioning device, which can realize low-interference tag positioning in a large-scale tag scene.

In a first aspect, a tag positioning method is provided, where the method is applied to an electronic tag, a state machine of the electronic tag includes a positioning state, and the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag, and the method includes:

the electronic tag receives a first signaling from the reader-writer, responds to the first signaling and enters a positioning state; and performing a positioning operation in the positioning state. The first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state;

according to the label positioning method provided by the application, the positioning state is added in the state machine of the label, the label can enter the positioning state under the control of the reader-writer, and the positioning operation is executed in the positioning state. Compared with a label positioning mode without a chip, the reader-writer can only passively wait for a modulation signal from the label and then position the label, and when the reader-writer needs to position the label, the reader-writer can control the label to enter a positioning state, so that the label can actively execute positioning operation after entering the positioning state. The time when the tag enters the positioning state is controlled by the reader-writer, so that the time when different tags enter the positioning state can be generally dispersed, and the probability of collision between the transmitting signals of the tag and the transmitting signals of other tags can be reduced. Further, when the collision between the sending signals of the tags is reduced, the reader-writer can also reduce the resource consumption for collision resolution, so that more resources in the reader-writer are used for tag positioning, and the tag positioning efficiency can be improved. Compared with the positioning mode of the tag with the chip, after the tag enters a positioning state, the positioning operation can be actively executed without being triggered by a corresponding reader-writer command every time the positioning operation is executed, so that the signaling overhead of the reader-writer is reduced, and the positioning efficiency can be further improved.

In one possible design, the performing the positioning operation includes: the electronic tag transmits a first sequence to the reader-writer or reflects a modulation signal to the reader-writer.

In one possible design, the electronic tag sends a plurality of first sequences to the reader; and/or the electronic tag sends a plurality of modulation signals to the reader-writer.

When the detection probabilities are the same, the SNR of a single pulse is higher than the SNR of multiple pulses (multiple modulated signals). In other words, in the present application, the reader/writer can detect the modulation signal when the SNR is small by the multipulse method, which means that the reader/writer can detect the modulation signal when the tag distance is long.

In one possible design, the first sequence includes a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence. Because both the reader and the tag know the positioning sequence (i.e. the first sequence) sent by the tag, the reader not only can acquire the signal strength by measuring the positioning sequence, but also is beneficial to acquiring more channel information, such as phase information, so as to assist in calculating the positioning distance. When the correlation of the positioning sequence is better, more accurate channel information can be acquired so as to assist in further improving the positioning accuracy.

In addition, the tag can send the positioning sequences for multiple times, and the reader-writer can combine and filter the positioning sequences of the tag so as to improve the measurement accuracy.

In one possible design, the electronic tag enters a positioning state in response to the first signaling, including:

and the electronic tag responds to the first signaling and enters a positioning state after a first time delay.

In one possible design, after the electronic tag enters the positioning state, the method further includes: and the electronic tag exits the positioning state after the second time delay.

In one possible design, the method further comprises: receiving configuration information from the reader; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

The first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.

In one possible design, the method further comprises: receiving configuration information from the reader; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further includes a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern; the configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

In one possible design, the method further comprises:

receiving a first parameter R from the reader/writer, for instructing the electronic tag to select a random number in the range of (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling;

the electronic tag responds to the first signaling and enters a positioning state after a first time delay, and the electronic tag comprises: under the condition that the random number is zero, the electronic tag enters a positioning state; after receiving the first signaling, subtracting one from the random number every preset time.

In one possible design, a third signaling is received from the reader/writer, the third signaling being used to trigger the random number of the electronic tag minus one.

In one possible design, the first signaling may include any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages. The fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages. The fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.

In one possible design, the electronic tag enters a positioning state, including: the electronic tag enters the positioning state from a first state;

the electronic tag exits the positioning state and comprises: the electronic tag jumps from the positioning state to a second state;

the first state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, response state, acknowledgement state, open state, secure state; the second state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, reply state, acknowledge state, open state, secure state, inactive state.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a tag positioning method, the method being applied to a reader/writer, the method comprising: the reader determines a first signaling and sends the first signaling. The first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state; the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag.

In one possible design, the method further comprises: the reader-writer receives a first sequence or a modulation signal from the electronic tag, and positions the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal.

In one possible design, the reader/writer receives the plurality of first sequences from the electronic tag; and/or the reader/writer receives a plurality of modulation signals from the electronic tag;

The reader-writer locates the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal, and includes:

the reader-writer performs combination processing on the plurality of first sequences, and positions the electronic tag according to a combination processing result;

or the reader-writer performs combination processing on the plurality of modulation signals, and positions the electronic tag according to the combination processing result.

In one possible design, the first sequence includes a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence.

In one possible design, the method further comprises: transmitting configuration information; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

In one possible design, the method further comprises: transmitting configuration information; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further comprises a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern. The configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

In one possible design, the method further comprises:

transmitting a first parameter R for indicating the electronic tag to select a random number, wherein the range of the random number is (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling.

In one possible design, a third signaling is sent that triggers the random number of the electronic tag minus one.

In one possible design, the first signaling may include any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.

In a possible design of any of the above aspects, the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, which is a broadcast message or a unicast message.

Illustratively, the fourth signaling includes the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling includes a select command, a query command. In other words, the fourth signaling may be the first signaling or the second signaling, and may also be other signaling with similar functions. The second signaling may be a select command or a query command, or other commands.

The fourth signaling is the same signaling or different signaling from the fifth signaling.

In a possible design of any of the above aspects, the second signaling includes a select command, a query command.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communications apparatus comprising: means for performing any possible implementation of the foregoing first aspect, the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: means for performing any possible implementation manner of the foregoing second aspect, the second aspect.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving signals from or transmitting signals to the processor from or to other communication devices than the communication device, the processor being operable to implement the method of any of the possible implementations of the first aspect, by logic circuitry or executing code instructions. Alternatively, the processor may be configured to implement the method of the second aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect, through logic circuits or execution of code instructions.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a tag locating device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being configured to implement the method of the foregoing first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to implement the method according to the foregoing first aspect, any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.

In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instructions are stored which, when executed, implement the method of any possible implementation of the first aspect, or implement the method of any possible implementation of the second aspect.

An eighth aspect provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed, implement the method of the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, or implement the method of the second aspect, any possible implementation of the second aspect.

A ninth aspect provides a chip system comprising a processor and further comprising a memory for implementing at least one of the methods described in the foregoing first aspect, any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second aspect, and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The chip system may be formed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a communication system comprising the apparatus of the third aspect and the apparatus of the fourth aspect.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a frame format sent by a reader;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a process of managing tags by a reader;

FIG. 3 is a state machine schematic diagram of a tag;

fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of interaction between a reader and a tag according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a state transition of a tag according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a time sequence to be satisfied when a tag interacts with a reader provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a storage space of a tag according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a modulation signal and noise provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a positioning signal, a modulation signal and noise provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a process for reflecting a modulated signal from a SAW tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a tag according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a tag status provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a flowchart of a tag positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the relationship between the detection probability and SNR under single pulse and multiple pulses according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 to 24 are schematic flow diagrams of a tag positioning method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 25 is a schematic structural diagram of a label positioning device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

First, technical terms or procedures related to the embodiments of the present application are described:

1-1, active tag: electronic tags can be classified into passive tags, active tags, and semi-active tags according to the manner in which energy is supplied. The active tag is also called active tag, and the tag includes a battery inside, and the battery can provide all or part of energy for the microchip inside the tag. The identification distance of the active tag is long (for example, can reach tens of meters), for example, one active reader-writer can monitor all active tags within the range of 100 meters, and the service life of the active tag is limited (3 to l0 years), so that the price is high.

It should be noted that, the data interaction between the tag and the reader is usually not an internal battery of the active tag, but a carrier signal sent by the reader provides energy for the process. As shown in fig. 1, the frame format in which the reader/writer transmits to the tag, before transmitting data (data), the reader/writer transmits a carrier signal to the tag, and the frame transmitted thereafter includes a header, a protocol command, and the like. After the tag receives the carrier signal from the reader, it can extract the required energy from the carrier signal.

1-2, semi-passive tag: this type of tag internally includes a battery and the internal battery powers only a portion of the circuitry within the tag, such as some circuitry that must be powered, or less power consuming circuitry. The semi-passive tag is in a dormant state before the semi-passive tag enters the working state, which is equivalent to the passive tag, so that the energy consumption of the battery in the tag is less, and the battery can be maintained for several years, even for 10 years to be effective. When the semi-passive tag enters the coverage area of the reader-writer, the semi-passive tag is excited by the radio frequency signal sent by the reader-writer and can enter a working state. In some scenes, the energy used for information exchange between the tag and the reader-writer is mainly the radio frequency signal energy sent by the reader-writer, namely the radio frequency energy of the radio frequency signal sent by the reader-writer, and the effect of the battery in the tag mainly aims at compensating the shortage of the radio frequency field intensity at the position of the tag, and the energy of the battery in the tag is not converted into the radio frequency energy.

1-3, passive tag: the type of tag does not contain a battery, when the tag is out of the coverage area of the reader, the electronic tag is in a passive state, and when the tag is in the coverage area of the reader, the electronic tag extracts a power supply required by the tag work from a radio frequency signal sent by the reader. Passive tags typically interact with readers by way of reflection. The identification distance of the passive tag is about 10 cm to several meters, the weight and the volume are small, the service life is long, the transmitting power of the reader-writer is required to be high, and the power consumption of a tag working circuit is low.

Labels can be classified into active and passive labels, and semi-active labels, depending on the modulation scheme. Labels can be classified into read-only labels and read-write labels according to whether the stored information can be rewritten. The labels may be classified into credit card labels, line labels, paper labels, glass tube labels, circular labels, special-shaped labels for special purposes, and the like, according to the packaging form. For another example, the tags may be classified into a chip-attached tag and a chip-free tag according to whether chips are integrated in the tag.

2. Management flow of reader-writer to tag

As shown in fig. 2, in the RFID system, a reader manages one or more tags through three basic operations of selection (Select), inventory (Inventory), access (Access). During this time, the possible states of the tag are shown in fig. 3.

And the Select process is used for selecting tags to be subjected to disk storage and access by the reader-writer. As a possible implementation, the reader/writer sends a selection command that can select a specific number of tags according to specified criteria.

An Inventory process for the reader to identify the tag. One possible flow of inventory is shown in fig. 4, where the reader/writer sends an inventory command through one of 4 segments (sessions) to start an inventory cycle (inventory round). The inventory command may be, but is not limited to, a Query command or a Query Adjust command or a repeat Query (Query Rep) command.

After the reader sends the query command (or the repeat query command or the adjust query command), one or more tags within the coverage area of the reader may feed back a response message for the query command (or the repeat query command or the adjust query command).

As one possible implementation, a tag with a slot counter of 0 feeds back a reply message to the received inventory command. The working principle of the slot counter will be described below.

The response message carries a 16-bit random number or pseudo random number (16-bit random or pseudo-random, RN 16). Optionally, the RN16 is tag generated. For example, the tag generates the RN16 in response to the query command.

After detecting the response message from the tag, the reader/writer sends an Acknowledgement (ACK) message to the tag, and the ACK may be used to request information of the tag. Such as Protocol Control (PC) bits, extended protocol control (extended protocol control, XPC) bits, product electronic code (electronic product code, EPC) and cyclic redundancy check (cyclic redundancy check, CRC) bits of the request tag. Optionally, the ACK includes RN16. The RN16 is the RN16 in the reply message.

It should be noted that a disk operation can be performed in only one section. Wherein a section (session), may also be referred to as a session. The session may be used to distinguish between the memory times of the flag bits. For example, when session 1 is selected, the tag is in the B state after being read once, the B state is restored to the a state after lasting 0.5S to 5S, and the tag in the a state can be read again. When session 2 is selected, the tag remains in the B state if energy is continuously available after being read once, and the tag returns to the readable state after 2S to 80S when no energy is available.

Access procedure for the reader to communicate with the tag, the communication including the reader reading from or writing to the tag. A single tag must first be uniquely identified prior to access.

The access procedure corresponds to a plurality of commands. Wherein the communication data may be masked with RN 16.

3-1, forward link, i.e. the link from reader to tag. It has been pointed out above that the carrier signal transmitted by the reader/writer carries electromagnetic energy, which decays as the transmission distance increases in a telecommunication scenario (e.g. distances greater than 1 m). It can be seen that the coverage of the forward link is limited by factors such as the energy of the reader-writer transmitting the carrier signal, the reception processing power consumption of the tag, etc. The power consumption of the signal processing of the tag and the protocol stack processing can reach about 1uW, and the power consumption is mainly concentrated in the protocol stack processing unit.

3-2, reverse link, i.e., the link from the tag to the reader. The coverage distance of the tag to the reverse link of the reader is limited primarily by the maximum coupling loss (maximum coupling loss, MCL) of the reverse link code. Wherein the reverse link code includes, but is not limited to, a bi-phase space code (bi-phase space coding) code or a Miller code.

4. State machine

Currently, protocol stack processing of labels is mainly accomplished through state machine jumps. As shown in fig. 3, an example of a tag state is shown that supports 7 states, namely a Ready (Ready) state, an arbitration (Arbitrate) state, a Reply (Reply) state, an acknowledge (acknowledge) state, an Open (Open) state, a secure (secure) state, and a kill (Killed) state.

Wherein, different states of the tag are triggered by different signaling of the reader-writer respectively. Fig. 5 shows the correspondence between the signaling of the reader/writer management tag and the tag state jump.

The jump between partial states is explained as follows:

when the label is powered on and not inactivated, the label is in a ready state. In the ready state, the tag waits for a query command. The query command carries a inventory parameter, sel parameter, and a slot count parameter, Q, (Q is an integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 15). Inventory parameters and sel parameters for tagsIt is determined whether the query command is sent to itself. The inventory parameters include a corresponding session in which the corresponding state is either a or B and the sel parameters are configured by the select command. When the inventory parameter and the sel parameter are respectively consistent with the inventory parameter and the sel parameter stored by the tag, the sending object of the query command is described to comprise the tag. Then the tag is in (0, 2 ^Q-1 ) A random number (also called a count value) is selected and the count value is placed in the slot counter. When the slot counter is non-zero (the count value in the slot counter is non-zero), the tag is switched to the arbitration state, and when the slot counter is zero, the tag is switched to the response state, and the newly generated RN16 is transmitted to the reader/writer.

That is, one count value is generated for the tags selected by the reader/writer using the selection command in accordance with the set standard, and each tag whose count value is zero transmits a response message (carrying RN 16) to the reader/writer, and shifts to the response state. Conversely, labels meeting other conditions change certain attributes and signs, so that the label group is exited, and repeated identification is reduced.

In some embodiments, if the tag selects a count value of 0, it goes directly into the reply state. I.e. enters the answer state via the branch indicated by 1a in fig. 5.

In other embodiments, if the tag selected count value is non-zero (e.g., select 5), then the arbitration state is entered. The reader-writer can send an adjustment inquiry command to the tag, and the tag generates a new count value after receiving the adjustment inquiry command. The reader may also send a repeat query command to the tag, and once the tag receives the repeat query command, the slot counter is decremented by one until the slot counter is decremented to 0, and the reader transitions to the reply state, and sends the latest RN16 to the reader. In other words, the tag may enter the arbitration state from the ready state and then enter the response state from the arbitration state through the branch shown as 1b in fig. 5.

In the reply state, if a valid acknowledgement message is received, the tag transitions to the acknowledged state and sends tag information, such as but not limited to PC, EPC, and CRC-16, to the reader. Otherwise, if the tag fails to receive an acknowledgment message, or receives an illegal acknowledgment message, the tag returns to the arbitration state.

The valid acknowledgement message refers to an acknowledgement message carrying the valid RN16. The valid RN16, i.e. the RN16 carried by the tag in the reply message. An illegitimate acknowledgement message, i.e. an acknowledgement message carrying an invalid RN16. The invalid RN16 is different in value from the valid RN16.

When the tag in the acknowledged state receives a random number request (req_rn) command, if the random number request command carries a valid RN16 and the access password (access password) is non-zero, the tag transitions to the open state and feeds back a handle (handle) to the reader/writer. Otherwise, if the access password is 0, the tag jumps to the secure state and feeds back a new RN16 to the reader. Wherein the handle may be the RN16 that the tag newly generates. The value of the RN16 may be different from the value of the RN16 in the reply message.

Tags in the on state can execute access commands other than Lock commands. Tags in the on state may transition to states other than the acknowledged state.

When it receives a legal Access command, if the Access code is non-zero, the tag is transferred to the secure state and holds the handle that it generated when it is transferred from the acknowledged state to the open state.

In general, a tag in a secure state can execute all access commands, and the tag in the secure state can be transferred to other states than an open state and an acknowledged state.

In addition, in order to improve the security of information, for example, ensure that some private data is not revealed, the tag should also realize an inactivated state. Specifically, when a tag in an open state or a secure state receives an inactivation command with a legal non-zero inactivation password (kill password) and a legal handle, the tag will enter an inactivation state. The deactivation operation is irreversible, i.e. once a certain tag is deactivated, the tag is permanently disabled, i.e. the tag is permanently no longer responsive to commands from the reader.

When entering the deactivated state, the tag should notify the reader: the deactivation operation is successful and no longer responds to the command of the reader. Moreover, the inactivated tag should remain in an inactivated state in all cases, for example, enter an inactivated state immediately after power-up.

It should be noted that fig. 5 only shows the jump condition between the partial states, and the specific jump relationship between the states can be seen in the prior art, and the embodiments of the present application will not be described in detail.

5. Interaction timing between a tag and a reader

It should be noted that, the interaction between the tag and the reader should generally meet the timing requirements of table 1 below. In the open state, the maximum delay between tag response and reader/writer transmission is unlimited.

TABLE 1

Fig. 6 shows the interaction timing between the tag and the reader, which coincides with table 1. In fig. 6, the reader/writer transmits a selection command by which a Selection (SL) flag and a mask (mask) may be indicated to select a set of tags.

Next, the reader/writer sends a Query, and in response to the Query, tag generation (0, 2) with both the flag bit (select identifier or disk identifier) and the mask matching ^Q-1 ) A random number k therebetween.

The reader/writer transmits a QueryRep, and the tag performs k=k-1 in response to the QueryRep received from the reader/writer. When the k value is reduced to 0, the tag transmits the RN16 to the reader/writer.

In some cases, a collision may occur with the RN16 fed back by multiple tags, or the reader/writer does not receive the RN16 from a tag, in which case the reader/writer may adjust the Q value by sending a query adjust. In response to QueryAdjust received from the reader/writer, the tag generates (0, 2 ^Q-1 ) A random number m in between. The reader-writer sends QueryRep to the tag, the tag executes m=m-1 in response to the QueryRep, and when the value of m is 0, the tag sends RN16 to the reader-writer to enter a Reply state. In some cases, after the reader/writer transmits the query rep, the tag feedback RN16 is not detected (for example, m of the tag is not reduced to 0) within a specified period of time, and the reader/writer continues to transmit the query rep and waits for the tag feedback RN16.

In other cases, where the reader/writer does not detect a collision, i.e., only one tag feeds back to the RN16 at a time, the reader/writer feeds back an acknowledgement message to that tag. After receiving the valid acknowledgement message from the reader, the tag sends tag information to the reader. The reader-writer receives the label information from the label, if the label information is valid, the reader-writer indicates that the inventory of the note is completed, and the reader-writer can start inventory of the next label, otherwise, if the label information is invalid, the reader-writer sends a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message to the label feeding back the invalid label information.

In other cases, the reader/writer sends an invalid acknowledgement message (carrying an invalid RN 16) to the tag after receiving the RN16 from the tag, in which case the tag does not feed back tag information to the reader/writer, and the reader/writer does not detect the tag information for a period of time. In this case, the reader/writer continues to send the repeat query command and waits for the tag feedback RN16.

6. Storage space in a tag

In the above process, the EPC, access code, and the like are stored in the designated storage space on the tag. As one possible implementation, the memory area of the tag is logically divided into four different memory areas, each memory area being made up of one or more memory words. The logical memory map is shown in fig. 7, and these memory areas are respectively:

(1) Reserved memory area (reserved): for storing passwords required for the deactivation and access functions. Wherein, the storage addresses 00h to 1Fh store the inactivation passwords, and 20h to 3Fh store the access passwords.

(2) EPC storage area. The memory area of addresses 00h to 0Fh is used to store CRC-16, the memory area of addresses 10h to 1Fh is used to store PC bits, and addresses 20h and greater than 20h store information (such as EPC) for identifying a tag attached object. Where the PC bits may be sub-divided, addresses 10h to 14h store EPC lengths, addresses 15h to 17h store reserved (reserved for future use, RFU) bits for future use, and addresses 18h to 1Fh store numbering system identifiers (numbering system identifier, NSI). Alternatively, CRC-16, PC and EPC are stored in a high order prior manner, such as the high order of EPC stored at a 20h address, although other manners are possible.

(3) Tag identification or tag identifier (tag-identification or tag identifier, TID) storage area. Alternatively, addresses 00h through 07h store 8 bits of International organization for standardization and International electrotechnical Commission (international organization for standardization/international electrotechnical commission, ISO/IEC) 15693 assigned class identification code (EPCglobal code 11100010_2). The area above address 07h should contain sufficient identification information to enable the reader to uniquely identify the custom command and/or optional command supported by the tag. For a label assigned to ISO/IEC 15693 under the category 11100010_2, this identification information will constitute a label mask designer identifier of, for example, 12-bit word length, stored at 08h to 13h, and a label model code of, for example, 12-bit word length, stored at addresses 14h to 1Fh. The tag may store unique data of the tag and the provider (e.g., serial number of the tag) in an area with an address greater than 1Fh in the TID area.

(4) A user storage area. Allowing storage of user-specific data, the storage organization of which can be defined by the user.

7. Label positioning method

In some scenarios, an electronic tag may be attached to a target object, and the reader-writer knows the location of the target object by locating the tag. For example, in logistics transportation, the specific positions of different cargoes may need to be known, and then the interaction between the reader and the tag can be used for positioning.

In RFID, the positioning methods currently in common use include reception time of arrival (TOA), reception time difference (time difference of arrival, TDOA), reception angle of arrival (AoA), and received signal strength indication (reveived signal strength indication, RSSI). Positioning can be performed by any of the above methods, or by a combination of methods.

In the TOA-based positioning method, the propagation time of the signal needs to be measured, so that the time of the transceiver of the positioning system needs to be precisely synchronized, otherwise, a large error is easily caused. For example, if a small error occurs in the measurement of the propagation time, the error is multiplied by the speed of light, and then the error is multiplied by many times. It can be seen that in the case that the synchronization is difficult to ensure by the method, the positioning accuracy is difficult to ensure, and in the multipath environment, the channel conditions of different paths are often different, so that the positioning accuracy is also affected.

The TDOA-based positioning method is similar in principle to the ToA-based positioning method. It can be seen that in the positioning methods based on TOA and TDOA, the clock synchronization requirement for the system is high, and therefore the cost of the two positioning methods is relatively high.

In the positioning method based on the AoA, the angle between the tag and the antenna of the reader-writer needs to be measured, so that the sight distance between the tag and the antenna of the reader-writer is required to be kept, if the requirement cannot be met, signals can reach the antenna of the reader-writer from different directions due to the influence of multipath effect, shadow effect, antenna direction and other factors, so that the antenna cannot be judged normally, and the accuracy of the positioning method based on the AoA is reduced to a certain extent. It can be seen that the AoA-based positioning method requires a strong angle resolution capability of the receiving antenna, and even a small angle error can cause a decrease in positioning accuracy.

The RSSI-based positioning method may be applicable to on-chip tags. In the positioning method based on RSSI, the tag transmits signals, corresponding loss is generated after the signals are transmitted for a certain distance, and the more the transmission distance is, the more the corresponding loss is, the weaker the signal strength received by a receiving end is. Based on this principle, when a signal arrives at the reader/writer, the reader/writer can estimate the distance from the tag based on the RSSI (received signal strength indication) of the arriving signal. Specifically, the higher the RSSI, the more generally the distance between the tag and the reader.

However, the complexity of the wireless environment and other factors may affect the relationship between the distance and the signal strength, and the path loss may be different in different environments, so when the distance between the tag and the reader is constant, the RSSI measured by the reader may be different in different wireless environments, resulting in inaccurate measured distance. Therefore, in the RSSI positioning method, the reader-writer needs to measure the RSSI and also know a loss model of signal transmission in an actual environment, so that the specific position of the tag can be calculated. That is, the positioning method needs to be tested for different environments respectively so as to obtain loss models under different environments. In one implementation, a plurality of reference points may be deployed, where the reader measures the RSSI of the transmitted signals of the plurality of reference points, and the position of the reference point may be regarded as the position of the tag when the RRSI is closest to the reference point of the tag RSSI in the plurality of reference points. The scheme has higher implementation complexity and influences the efficiency of label positioning.

Currently, labels without chips can be positioned by reflection. That is, the reader transmits a positioning signal, and the tag modulates the positioning signal after receiving the positioning signal from the reader, thereby obtaining a modulated signal, and transmits (reflects) the modulated signal to the reader. It should be noted that other objects may reflect the positioning signal and send the reflected signal of the positioning signal to the reader-writer. The reader/writer needs to detect the modulated signal from the tag from the ambient noise in order to locate the tag position based on the modulated signal.

In the embodiment of the application, the positioning signal can be of various types. The signal modulation method of the tag may be various. For example, the positioning signal is an ultra-Wideband (UWB) signal. The received signal of the reader/writer is shown in fig. 8. It can be seen that the reflected signal (i.e., the modulated signal) from the tag is characterized differently than the reflected signal (i.e., the noise) from other objects, and thus the reader/writer is able to detect the modulated signal from the tag from the noise.

As another example, the positioning signal may be a chirp signal. Correspondingly, the tag adopts a frequency modulation mode of specular reflection on the chirp signal from the reader-writer, and the frequency point of the chirp signal is inversely folded to distinguish the surrounding environment reflection from the tag reflection. A scenario using a chirp signal as a positioning signal is shown in fig. 9. Fig. 9 (a) shows time domain and frequency domain characteristics of the chirp signal. Fig. 9 (b) shows time domain and frequency domain characteristics of a modulated signal obtained by modulating a chirp signal by a tag. Fig. 9 (c) shows time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of reflected signals of other objects to the chirp signal.

For another example, if the tag is a surface acoustic wave (surface acoustic wave, SAW) tag, the tag may also be modulated by time position coding or pulse position modulation (pulse position modulation, PPM). The modulation process is shown in fig. 10.

For labels without chips, if the reader sends positioning signals in a large number of scenes without chips, a plurality of labels within the coverage range of the reader can reflect modulation signals at the same time, so that signals among the labels generate conflict, on one hand, the signals can be mutually overlapped and interfered to influence positioning accuracy, and on the other hand, in order to reduce the signal conflict, the reader needs to operate a conflict resolution mechanism, and positioning efficiency is low.

Therefore, the embodiment of the application provides a tag positioning method which is applied to an RFID system or a similar system needing to perform tag positioning. Taking application in an RFID system as an example, as shown in fig. 11, a possible architecture of the RFID system according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The RFID system includes an electronic tag (may be simply referred to as a tag), a reader (may also be referred to as a reader, etc.).

The card reader is integrated with an antenna, and the antenna is used for receiving and transmitting information. Alternatively, the reader is separate from the antenna. The tag and reader may communicate via, for example, a wireless connection.

The detailed description of the card reader and the tag can be found in the above, and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the RFID system further comprises a backend system. The backend system includes a computer. The computer is used to interact with, for example, to obtain information from, a card reader. The computer is also used to process information acquired from the reader.

Alternatively, the reader-writer and the computer of the back-end system may be connected through a wireless local area network, or through a ethernet serial port serial port. The wireless local area network may be a network compliant with the standards 802.11b, 802.11g, etc.

It should be noted that the system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable may further include other devices than fig. 11. Fig. 11 is only a schematic diagram of a system architecture to which the embodiment of the present application is applied, and of course, the embodiment of the present application may be applied to other systems, and the embodiment is not limited thereto in particular.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Also, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, "a plurality" means two or more than two. In addition, in order to facilitate the clear description of the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish the same item or similar items having substantially the same function and effect. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the words "first," "second," and the like do not limit the amount and order of execution, and that the words "first," "second," and the like do not necessarily differ.

In addition, the network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, and as a person of ordinary skill in the art can know, with evolution of the network architecture and appearance of a new service scenario, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

Alternatively, the tag in the embodiment of the present application may have the structure shown in fig. 12.

Wherein the receiving antenna is used for receiving signals from a reader-writer and the like. Such as receiving a positioning signal, an indication signaling (i.e., a first signaling), etc., from the reader/writer.

The envelope detection module is used for carrying out envelope detection on the high-frequency positioning signal and moving the positioning signal from the high-frequency band back to the base band.

A pulse-interval encoding (PIE) module for PIE decoding the result of the envelope detection.

And a baseband processing unit (baseband processing unit, BPU) for performing baseband processing.

A biphase space coding (FM 0) coding module for coding information received from baseband.

And the modulation module is used for modulating the information after FM0 coding so as to carry the baseband signal to high frequency. As a possible implementation, the carrier from the reader/writer may be used as the carrier for modulation.

The modulation module may be implemented by a modulation circuit. Alternatively, the modulation circuit may be a programmable logic circuit.

And a transmitting antenna for reflecting the modulated signal, the positioning sequence (i.e., the first sequence), etc. to the reader/writer.

And the energy storage module is used for storing energy. As one possible implementation, the energy stored by the module may originate from a carrier wave received from a reader/writer. This energy can be used for the tag to interact with the reader/writer.

In some embodiments, the transmit antenna and the receive antenna may be integrated together, i.e., one antenna may be used for transmission as well as for reception. Alternatively, one antenna is used only for transmission or reception.

The structure shown in fig. 12 is merely an exemplary example of a tag, and an actual tag may further include more or less modules than those shown in fig. 12, or split partial modules, or combined partial modules. The embodiment of the application is not limited to the specific implementation of the tag.

The tag locating method provided by the embodiment of the application will be specifically described with reference to fig. 1 to 12.

In the embodiment of the application, the existing tag state machine is improved, and a positioning state is added in the tag state machine. The positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag. The state transition conditions between the newly added positioning state and the other state machines are shown in fig. 13. Fig. 13 illustrates only partial transition conditions between partial states.

As shown in fig. 14, the tag positioning method provided by the embodiment of the application includes the following steps:

s101, the reader sends indication signaling to the electronic tag.

Accordingly, the electronic tag receives the indication signaling (i.e., the first signaling) from the reader/writer.

The indication signaling is used for indicating or controlling or requesting the electronic tag to enter a positioning state.

Alternatively, if the reader/writer sends the indication signaling in a broadcast manner, the indication signaling may be a query positioning (Query Positioning) command. If the reader/writer sends the indication signaling in a unicast manner, the indication signaling may be a Positioning Request (positioning_request). If the reader/writer sends the indication signaling in a multicast manner, the indication signaling may be a multicast Positioning request (positioning_ Request MultiCast). Alternatively, other forms of signaling are possible, and embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific form of the indication signaling.

Alternatively, the indication signaling may be used to configure the tag with a slot count parameter (i.e., a first parameter) R. R is used to instruct the tag to select a random number. For example, a query positioning command may be used to configure a slot count parameter R to a tag. Alternatively, the slot count parameter R may be carried in other messages, such as in a select command, a query command (i.e. second signaling).

Optionally, the indication signaling includes a location flag (location flag), the location flag is true (true), and the tag is indicated to enter a location state. Alternatively, the location identity may be carried in other messages.

S102, responding to the indication signaling, and enabling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state.

It should be noted that, before the electronic tag is turned into the positioning state, the electronic tag may be in any state, for example, in a ready state, a confirmation state, an open state, or a security state. The embodiment of the application does not limit the state of the electronic tag before the electronic tag is switched into the positioning state.

Optionally, the electronic tag may enter the positioning state immediately after receiving the indication signaling, i.e. after no longer delaying for a period of time. Alternatively, the electronic tag may delay for a period of time (i.e., a first delay) to reenter the locating state after receiving the indication signaling.

Optionally, the reader sends configuration information (but also other names) to the tag, which includes a deferred entry to a locate state indication. The delayed enter locating state indication is used for indicating whether the tag enters the locating state after a period of time is delayed after receiving the indication signaling. As a possible implementation manner, the indication of delaying to enter the positioning state may be 1 bit, when the bit value is 0, the indication tag delays to enter the positioning state for a period of time after receiving the indication signaling, and when the bit value is 1, the indication tag does not delay to enter the positioning state for a period of time after receiving the indication signaling, that is, the indication tag may enter the positioning state immediately after receiving the indication signaling.

Optionally, the delayed entry to the positioning state indication may also be carried in other messages, such as the indication signaling herein for indicating entry to the positioning state.

Alternatively, the start time of the tag into the locate state may be preconfigured in the tag. For example, before the reader sends an indication signaling to the tag, the reader sends configuration information to the tag, where the configuration information carries the start time of the tag entering the positioning state. The start time may be included in the same piece of configuration information as the delayed entry positioning state indication described above, or in a different piece of configuration information. Thus, after receiving the indication signaling from the reader/writer, the tag may enter a positioning state after a pre-configured start time (e.g., 4 slots). This approach may also be referred to as the tag arriving in the locate state at a fixed time, i.e., the tag starts a timer after receiving the indication signaling from the reader/writer, and enters the locate state after arriving at a fixed time (e.g., 4 slots).

Alternatively, the start time of the tag into the locate state may be dynamically indicated by the reader/writer. For example, the reader/writer sends an indication signaling to the tag, the indication signaling including the slot count parameter R (or the slot count parameter R may be carried in other messages). After the reader sends the indication signaling, the reader sends a count command for triggering the slot counter of the tag to decrement by one. Correspondingly, when the tag receives the instruction command from the reader-writer, the query command is resolved After carrying the slot counter parameter R, the tag is in (0, 2 ^R-1 ) A random number is selected as a counting value in the range, and the counting value is put into a time slot counter, and the counting value is an initial value of the time slot counter. Alternatively, the tag self-clocks according to the slot count parameter R and decrements the slot counter by one when the timing arrives. For example, the tag decrements the slot counter every other slot. Wherein, the time slot can be configured for the tag by the reader-writer.

As a possible implementation, the slot count parameter R and the slot count parameter Q may be different or the same. The slot counter corresponding to R is different from the slot counter corresponding to Q. Alternatively, the slot counter corresponding to R and the slot counter corresponding to Q may be the same slot counter.

In one example, the tag selects a count value of 0, then the initial value of the slot counter is zero, in which case the tag enters a locate state.

In further examples, the tag selects a count value that is non-zero, then the initial value of the slot counter is not zero, then the tag may wait for a count command from the reader and, after each receipt of the count command, decrements the slot counter by one until the slot counter is zero, and the tag enters a locating state.

S103, in the positioning state, the electronic tag executes positioning operation.

In the locating state, the locating operation of the tag may be a reflection operation or a transmission sequence operation. Alternatively, the reader/writer may transmit configuration information to the tag for indicating that the positioning operation of the tag is a reflection operation or a transmission sequence operation.

The two positioning operations of the reflection operation and the transmission sequence are described below, respectively.

1. And the reflection operation, namely, after the tag enters a positioning state, modulating a signal received from the reader-writer and reflecting the modulated signal to the reader-writer. The reader locates the tag based on the modulated signal reflected by the tag.

The tag modulates a received signal to distinguish the modulated signal from other signals. The positioning signal may be a continuous wave, and may be a wideband pulse waveform. In some scenarios, modulation information is added to the positioning signal from the reader/writer. For continuous waves, modulation information can be added in a linear frequency modulation mode, and the specific frequency modulation mode can be triangular wave, sawtooth wave, code modulation or noise frequency modulation, wherein the frequency modulation can be single-tone frequency modulation, can be 15kHz strength frequency modulation, can be 180kHz frequency modulation, and can also be sequence frequency modulation. For pulse waveforms, modulation information can be added by means of coded modulation, stepped frequency waves, and the like. The code modulation may use a 2-ary code having good auto-correlation and cross-correlation such as an m-code, or may be a CAZAC sequence having good correlation.

As a possible implementation, a circuit for modulating the signal may be provided in the tag, and when the tag enters the positioning state, the tag may be switched to the circuit to achieve signal modulation.

Alternatively, as another possible implementation, before the tag enters the positioning state, the reader configures a programmable logic circuit in the tag, and sends configuration information to the tag. After the tag enters a positioning state, signal modulation can be realized through a programmable logic circuit according to the configuration of the configuration information.

The configuration information of the programmable logic circuit may include: the connection mode of the logic gate, or the index of the connection mode designed in advance, or the connection pattern of the logic gate.

Compared with the mode of realizing signal modulation by switching to a fixed circuit, the mode of realizing signal modulation by a programmable logic circuit is more flexible, and the reader-writer can configure different programmable logic circuit information (such as a logic gate connection mode) for the tag based on the strategy of the reader-writer. It should be noted that, once the reader/writer configures information of the programmable logic circuit for a certain tag, the information of the programmable logic circuit should remain unchanged during the time when the tag is in the locating state. After the tag jumps out of the locating state, the programmable logic circuit information (such as a new logic gate connection mode) can be updated, and after the tag enters the locating state next time, signal modulation can be realized through the new logic gate connection mode.

Optionally, the reader-writer is further configured for the tag and sends information related to signal modulation to the tag, where the information related to signal modulation may include a modulation mode, for example. Modulation schemes include, but are not limited to, code division modulation or frequency modulation. If the modulation scheme is code division modulation, the information related to signal modulation may also include modulation symbols and the like. If the modulation scheme is frequency modulation, the information related to signal modulation may also include a frequency hopping pattern and the like. Therefore, after the tag enters a positioning state, the tag can modulate the signal from the reader-writer according to the configuration information related to the signal modulation and the corresponding modulation mode, and reflect the modulated signal to the reader-writer.

In the tag positioning method based on the reflection operation, because the time when the tag enters the positioning state is controlled by the reader-writer, the time when different tags enter the positioning state can be generally dispersed, so that the probability of collision between the sending signal of the tag and the sending signals of other tags can be reduced. Therefore, the method can be applied to a large-scale label scene, and conflict-free label positioning in the large-scale scene is realized within an effective distance range. In addition, when the conflict between the sending signals of the tags is reduced, the reader-writer can also reduce the resource consumption for conflict resolution, and further more resources in the reader-writer are used for tag positioning, so that the tag positioning efficiency can be improved.

2. And sending a sequence operation, namely after the tag enters a positioning state, sending a specific sequence to the reader-writer so that the reader-writer positions the tag according to the specific sequence. The transmit sequence operation may be applied in an RSSI positioning scenario or other similar positioning scenario.

As a possible implementation, the reader configures the sequence based on the granularity of the group, i.e. the reader configures a set of sequences for the tag group it inventories, a set of sequences comprising one or more sequences. Each tag determines the sequence used by itself. In some embodiments, the tag internally pre-stores a set of sequences, and the reader sends an index of the set of sequences to the tags in the group to indicate the set of sequences that the set of tags needs to select. In other embodiments, the reader may also send the sequence set directly to the set of tags. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation mode of the reader-writer for configuring the sequence group for the tag group.

As another possible implementation, the reader configures the sequence based on a single tag granularity, i.e. the reader configures separate sequences for different tags. Alternatively, the reader may send the sequence or an index corresponding to the sequence directly to the tag, or send a parameter associated with the sequence. In the case that the reader/writer transmits the parameter associated with the sequence to the tag, the tag can learn the sequence to be used according to the relationship between the parameter and the sequence.

Alternatively, the reader/writer transmits a parameter for generating the sequence to the tag, and the tag generates the sequence based on the parameter.

Alternatively, the sequences may be preconfigured in the tag. Such as in a tag at the factory.

The sequences of the different tags can be different, so that the reader-writer can distinguish the different tags according to the received different sequences. Thus, when the reader/writer receives a sequence from a tag, the reader/writer can detect not only the intensity of a signal for transmitting the sequence, but also the identity of the tag can be blindly detected by the reader/writer due to the different sequences of different tags.

Further, the localization sequence (i.e., the first sequence) may be a well-correlated sequence. Alternatively, the positioning sequence may be, but not limited to, gold sequence, gray code, CAZAC sequence, etc., and may be other sequences with good correlation.

In the embodiment of the application, because both the reader and the tag know the positioning sequence sent by the tag, the reader can acquire the signal strength by measuring the positioning sequence, is more beneficial to estimating the channel and acquires more channel information such as phase information and loss model, so as to assist in calculating the positioning distance. In this case, the number of reference points to be deployed or the reference points to be undeployed can be reduced.

And the tag can send the positioning sequences for a plurality of times, and the reader-writer can combine and filter the positioning sequences of the tag so as to improve the measurement accuracy.

In addition, the positioning sequence may be sent on its own initiative multiple times after the tag is in the positioning state, i.e., the tag may send the positioning sequence without the triggering of a reader command. Therefore, the signaling overhead of the reader-writer can be reduced, and the label positioning efficiency is improved.

In the embodiment of the application, after the tag enters a positioning state, the tag can be switched to a certain circuit to send the positioning sequence, or the positioning sequence is sent through a programmable logic circuit. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation mode of sending the positioning sequence.

In the embodiment of the present application, part of the configuration information (such as the first parameter in the configuration information) may be carried in the fourth signaling. The fourth signaling may be the first signaling or the second signaling, or other signaling. For example, the first parameter may be carried in a broadcast-like message in the inventory process, such as configuration information carried in a Select, query, or like command. Alternatively, the first parameter may be a tag-level specific parameter. The first parameter includes, but is not limited to, configuration information of the programmable logic circuit, configuration information related to signal modulation, and configuration information of the sequence. For example, when the positioning operation of the tag is a reflection operation, the configuration information is a modulation scheme of the signal, a frequency hopping pattern, a logic gate connection pattern. When the positioning operation of the tag is a transmission sequence, the configuration information may be, for example, a sequence index, a specific sequence, or the like.

Optionally, the dedicated parameters include parameters (which may be referred to as long-term parameters) or short-term parameters for which the tag is available during the first period. The first period of time may be carried in configuration information. If the first period is set longer, the reader/writer does not need to update the dedicated parameter of the tag frequently, so as to save signaling. Parameters other than the long-term parameters in the first parameters may be referred to as short-term parameters.

In other embodiments, part of the configuration information (such as the second parameter in the configuration information) may be carried in the fifth signaling. Alternatively, the second parameter may be a common parameter of the reader/writer stage. The tags within the reader-writer coverage may all use the second parameter. The fifth signaling may be the first signaling or second signaling or other signaling. For example, the second parameter is carried in a unicast message sent by the reader-writer. In this way, the reader/writer can send configuration information to the specified tag through unicast messages. For example, the unicast message may be an ACK message for responding to the RN16, or may be dedicated signaling for the tag by the reader after the tag enters the secure state or the open state. In this way, the reader-writer does not need to configure a dedicated parameter for each tag, and signaling overhead can be reduced.

Wherein the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling. That is, the configuration information may be transferred through one signaling, or may be transferred through a plurality of signaling (e.g., fourth signaling and fifth signaling).

Illustratively, the reader configures a sequence set for a tag, which may be tag specific (i.e., a long term parameter), i.e., different tags have different sequence sets that may be effective in the future 1000 inventory of the tag. The reader/writer may also configure a sequence index for the tag (indicating which sequence of the sequence set to use) during each inventory, and the sequence index configured in each inventory may be different, i.e., the sequence index is a short term parameter.

In other embodiments, the common parameter (i.e., the second parameter) may also be a long-term parameter or a short-term parameter. For example, the reader broadcasts a sequence set, which is a second parameter that can be used by a set of tags within the radio frequency range of the reader. The sequence group may be validated in the future of the group of tags, such as 1000 inventory. The reader may also configure different sequence indexes for different tags during each inventory process.

S104, the label exits the positioning state.

The tag exits the positioning state and may also be referred to as a tag jumps out of the positioning state, etc.

Optionally, the triggering condition for the tag to exit the locating state may be: the reader-writer triggers the tag to exit the positioning state through a command, or exits the positioning state when the tag determination timing arrives.

Optionally, the manner of determining that the tag arrives at the exit positioning state at fixed time can be specifically implemented as follows: the reader-writer sends configuration information to the tag, the configuration information carrying the timing duration. The timing duration may be included in the same configuration information as other information or in different configuration information. Therefore, after the tag enters a positioning state, a timer can be started, and the timing time length of the timer is the time length indicated by the configuration information. When the timer expires, the tag may exit the locate state. For example, after the tag enters the locate state, it is delayed by 4 slots (second delay) to exit the locate state.

Or, alternatively, the tag exits the locating state if the first condition is met. The first condition may be that the number of transmitted positioning sequences or modulation signals reaches a threshold. For example, the tag exits the locating state after transmitting L modulated signals. For another example, the tag exits the locating state after sending M locating sequences. L, M are positive integers, and L and M can be configured by a reader-writer as a tag or other configuration modes.

Optionally, the reader-writer triggers the tag to exit the positioning state through a command, which can be specifically implemented as: the reader triggers the tag to exit the locate state by one or more commands. For example, the reader-writer sends a command to the tag for indicating or controlling or requesting the tag to exit the positioning state, and the tag can exit the positioning state after receiving the command. For another example, the reader sends a count command to the tag, and the slot counter is incremented by 1 each time the tag receives a count command until the slot counter reaches a configured count value, and the tag exits the locating state. For another example, the reader/writer sends a command to the tag that triggers the tag to self-time and arrive at the exit from the positioning state at the timing, and the tag may delay the timing time (e.g., 4 slots) after receiving the command and exit from the positioning state.

Or alternatively, the reader/writer instructs the tag to exit the positioning state after receiving a preset number of positioning sequences or modulation signals from the tag. It will be appreciated that when a predetermined number of positioning sequences or modulated signals have enabled high accuracy positioning of the tag, the tag may be instructed to exit the positioning state. Thus, the power consumption or resource consumption of the tag caused by sending the positioning sequence or the modulation signal for a plurality of times can be reduced. For example, after receiving N positioning sequences from the tag, the reader instructs the tag to exit the positioning state. For another example, after the reader receives P modulation signals from the tag, the reader instructs the tag to exit the positioning state. N, P are positive integers, and N and P can be configured by a reader-writer as a tag or other configuration modes.

In some embodiments, the state after the tag exits the locate state may be a designated state. Optionally, the specified state is preconfigured in the tag, for example, the reader-writer configures the tag in advance to exit the positioning state, and may also be in other preconfiguration modes. Alternatively, the reader/writer dynamically indicates the specified state to the tag by a command.

In other embodiments, the tag may jump from the locating state to a state prior to entering the location. In the embodiment of the application, the state of the label after exiting the positioning state and how to set the state after exiting the positioning state are not limited.

In some embodiments, tags in a localized state may reduce signaling processing, e.g., handling only high priority signaling, such as select, kill, query.

According to the label positioning method provided by the embodiment of the application, the positioning state is added in the state machine of the label, the label can enter the positioning state under the control of the reader-writer, and the positioning operation is executed in the positioning state. Compared with the timing mode of the label without a chip at present, in the embodiment of the application, because the time when the label enters the positioning state is controlled by the reader-writer, the time when different labels enter the positioning state can be generally dispersed, so that the probability of collision between the sending signals of the label and the sending signals of other labels can be reduced. Further, when the collision between the sending signals of the tags is reduced, the reader-writer can also reduce the resource consumption for collision resolution, so that more resources in the reader-writer are used for tag positioning, and the tag positioning efficiency can be improved. Compared with the existing positioning mode of the tag with the chip, after the tag enters a positioning state, positioning operation can be actively executed without triggering the positioning operation by a corresponding reader-writer command every time, so that the signaling overhead of the reader-writer is reduced, and the positioning efficiency can be improved.

In other embodiments, after the tag enters a positioning state, the detection probability of the reader-writer on the tag modulation signal (i.e. the probability of being able to detect the modulation signal from noise) under the constant false alarm can be improved by a multi-pulse (or pulse accumulation) manner. In the embodiment of the application, the distance resolution can be improved in a multi-pulse mode.

Multipulses are a concept opposite to monopulses. The single pulse is to reflect one-time modulating signal to the label, and the reader-writer locates the label based on the one modulating signal. The multi-pulse, i.e. the tag reflects the modulated signal for multiple times, the reader-writer performs coherent or incoherent combining processing on the multiple modulated signals to obtain a combined signal, and positions the tag according to the combined signal (i.e. the combined processing result).

The following describes the calculation of the derivative of the lift-off resolution for a specific multi-pulse.

First, a relationship between a distance between a reader and a tag and a signal-to-noise ratio (signal noise ratio, SNR) is described. As one possible implementation, the relationship between SNR and distance may be as shown in the following formula:

wherein Pt is the transmission power of the reader, G is the antenna gain of the reader, k is the boltzmann constant, T0 is kelvin temperature, B is the bandwidth of noise, R is the distance between the reader and the tag, L is the loss factor, i.e. the scene-related loss, F is the noise figure performance index, and is related to the device.

From equation 1, it can be deduced that the ratio between any 2 SNRs is inversely proportional to the 4 th power of the corresponding distance ratio. Namely, the following relationship is provided:

equation 2 can also be expressed as equation 3 below:

it can be seen that the farther the distance between the tag and the reader/writer is, the weaker the signal the tag receives from the reader/writer, and the lower the SNR.

The detection probability of detecting the modulated signal by the single pulse method and the detection probability of detecting the modulated signal by the multiple pulse method are given below. First, the detection probability P of detecting the modulated signal by the single pulse method is given _D Is defined by the formula:

q is Marcum Q function, aboveA represents the amplitude of the modulated signal, ψ ² Representing noise power, r is a sample of a signal received by the reader/writer, and r exceeds a detection threshold V _T The probability of (1) is the detection probability, P _fa Is a false alarm probability, I0 first class zero order modified bessel function. In some examples, V _T May be a voltage value. False alarm probability, i.e. when the signal received by the receiver (here the reader/writer) is only noisy, the received signal samples r exceed the detection threshold V _T Is a probability of (2).

The above calculation process can be simplified as shown in the following expression:

d _n+1 ＝d _n d ₁

next, the probability of detecting the modulated signal by means of multiple pulses (i.e., multiple reflections of the tag, combining multiple modulated signals by the reader and locating the tag based on the combined signal) is given. At pulse number n _p >1, i.e. in the case of multiple pulses, alternatively, the detection probability can be calculated using a Gram-charlie series, then the detection probability of multiple pulses can be expressed as:

wherein, the constants C3, C4 and C6 are the sparsity of Gram-Charlier series, and V can be the following formula:

wherein V is _T Representing a detection threshold.

It should be noted that the values of C3, C4, C6 and w may vary depending on the type of relief desired. The type of relief of the target is related to the shape, size, etc. of the target. In general, a relief model may be built for a target to estimate the shape, size of the target. The currently available relief models include: swerling I, II, III, IV, swerling 0, swerling V, etc.

Here, the fluctuation of the target may be disregarded, that is, assuming that the sectional area of the target is constant, the fluctuation model in this case is called as swarling 0 or swarling V. In this case, the values of the above parameters may be:

as can be seen from the above formula, the detection probability is related to SNR, which is related to distance, which means that the detection probability is related to distance. In general, the SNR of a single pulse is higher than that of multiple pulses with the same probability of detection. In other words, the multi-pulse method allows the reader/writer to detect the modulated signal when the SNR is small, which means that the reader/writer can detect the modulated signal when the tag distance is long. Taking noisy incoherent combining as an example, referring to fig. 15, the vertical axis is the detection probability, the horizontal axis is the SNR, np is the pulse number, and the detection probability is the detection probability The probability is constant at 10 ^-9 When the detection probabilities are all 0.8, the SNR in the case of 10 pulse accumulation is 8.55dB smaller than that in the case of single pulse. And the relation between the SNR and the positioning distance can be obtained, and compared with a single pulse mode, the positioning distance can be improved by 1.64 times by a 10-pulse mode.

The tag positioning method provided by the embodiment of the application is described in detail below in connection with a specific scene.

Example 1

In the first embodiment, the reader-writer issues the indication signaling to the tag in a broadcast manner, the tag delays for a period of time (i.e., a first delay) to reenter the positioning state after receiving the indication signaling, and the reader-writer sends a command to the tag to trigger the tag to jump out of the positioning state. Referring to fig. 16, the method includes:

s1a, the reader broadcasts configuration information.

Fig. 16 illustrates an example in which configuration information is carried in a selection command. It will be appreciated that the configuration information may also be carried in other messages. Configuration information includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: the time to enter the locate state, the duration of time the tag is in the locate state, information related to signal modulation, information of the programmable logic circuit, and an indication to delay entering the locate state.

In addition, in fig. 16, the tag is in a ready state before entering the positioning state, and the tag may also be in other states before entering the positioning state, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In addition, in fig. 16, the first electronic note and the second electronic tag are taken as an example for illustration, and in fact, the reader/writer may perform similar interaction with more electronic tags.

S2a, the reader broadcasts a query positioning command.

The inquiry positioning command is the above-mentioned indication signaling for indicating that the tag enters a positioning state. It can be understood that when there is a positioning requirement for the tag, the reader-writer can broadcast a query positioning command so as to instruct the tag to enter a positioning state, thereby realizing positioning of the tag in the positioning state.

Alternatively, the inquiry positioning command may carry a slot count parameter R.

S3a, the first electronic tag enters a positioning state from a ready state.

The first electronic tag receives a query positioning command from the reader-writer, can analyze a time slot counting parameter R carried by the query positioning command, selects a counting value, and places the counting value into a time slot counter. In fig. 16, taking the count value selected by the first electronic tag as zero as an example, when the count value is zero and the slot counter is also zero, the first electronic tag enters the positioning state.

Of course, the count value selected by the first electronic tag may be other values, and accordingly, the time when the first electronic tag enters the positioning state may be changed according to different count values.

S4a, the reader broadcasts a repeated inquiry positioning command (Query Positioning Rep).

As one possible implementation, the repeat query positioning command may be the count command mentioned above. Each repeat query location command decrements by one the slot counter for triggering the tag.

S5a, broadcasting signals by the reader-writer.

It should be noted that the reader-writer broadcasts a signal so that the tag in its radio frequency range can receive the broadcast signal, modulate the broadcast signal, and reflect the modulated signal.

(optional step) S6a, the first electronic tag in a positioning state modulates a signal from the reader/writer.

As a possible implementation manner, the first electronic tag starts a modulation operation on the signal from the reader-writer after entering the positioning state.

Optionally, after entering the positioning state, the first electronic tag may switch to the corresponding modulation circuit to complete signal modulation. Or, optionally, after entering the positioning state, the first electronic tag may implement signal modulation by using the programmable logic circuit according to the preconfigured information of the programmable logic circuit (such as a preconfigured logic gate connection mode).

In some embodiments, to distinguish between the locating signal reflected by the tag and noise, the tag may modulate the locating signal, i.e., add modulation information to the locating signal, such as performing a frequency domain transform (e.g., frequency bin folding) on the locating signal, and so on. Correspondingly, the modulating signal sent by the tag to the reader-writer is a signal added with modulating information.

In other embodiments, the step of modulating the positioning signal mentioned herein may also be an optional step. For example, in some cases, there is an interference cancellation method sufficient to distinguish the positioning signal reflected by the tag from noise, so that the tag does not need to modulate the positioning signal, so as to reduce the implementation complexity of the tag. Correspondingly, the modulating signal sent by the tag to the reader-writer can be replaced by a signal without modulating information, namely, the positioning signal is directly reflected.

It should be noted that the tag does not typically encode the positioning signal or the like.

S7a, the first electronic tag reflects the modulation signal to the reader-writer.

In the embodiment of the application, the first electron reflects the modulation signal to the reader-writer, which can also be called as reflecting the modulation signal to the reader-writer.

S8a, broadcasting repeated inquiry positioning commands by the reader-writer.

S9a, the second electronic tag enters a positioning state from a ready state.

It has been pointed out above that the reader-writer can trigger the counting change of the time slot counter of the electronic tag by repeating the inquiry positioning command, i.e. the time slot counter is decremented by one each time the electronic tag receives the repeated inquiry positioning command. When the time slot counter of the second electronic tag is reduced to zero, the second electronic tag enters a positioning state.

S10a, broadcasting signals by the reader-writer.

Optionally, the reader periodically broadcasts the signal. Of course, the reader may broadcast the signal in other non-periodic ways, as well, according to a strategy.

S11a, the second electronic tag modulates a signal from the reader-writer to obtain a modulated signal.

The signal modulation method of the second electronic tag can be referred to the signal modulation method of the first electronic tag.

S12a, the second electronic tag reflects the modulation signal to the reader-writer.

S13a, broadcasting a positioning state exit command by the reader-writer.

The locating state exit command is used for indicating the label to exit the locating state. For example, the locate state exit command may be a Select Normal command or other command.

S14a, responding to the selection command, and exiting the positioning state by the first electronic tag and the second electronic tag.

It should be noted that, a plurality of actions under the same step number may not be executed simultaneously. For example, in step 14a, the timing of the first electronic tag exiting the positioning state may be different from or the same as the timing of the second electronic tag exiting the positioning state.

Example two

Unlike the first embodiment, in which the trigger condition for the tag to exit the positioning state is that a command for instructing the tag to exit the positioning state is received from the reader/writer, the second embodiment, in which the trigger condition for the tag to exit the positioning state is that the timing of the tag arrives. Referring to fig. 17, the method includes:

S1b, broadcasting a selection command by the reader-writer.

The selection command includes configuration information. The selection command includes configuration information. The configuration information includes a delay entry into a bit state indication (e.g., 1 bit with a bit value of 0) and a start time (e.g., 4 slots).

The configuration information also includes a timing duration. The timing duration is the duration between the time when the tag enters the locating state and the time when the tag exits the locating state. For example, when the tag enters the positioning state at a time t1 and the timing time is t2, the tag exits the positioning state at a time t1+t2.

Alternatively, the selection command may also include other configuration information.

S2b, broadcasting a query positioning command by the reader-writer.

S3b, the first electronic tag jumps from the ready state to the positioning state.

S4b, the reader sends repeated inquiry positioning commands.

S5b, the second electronic tag jumps from the ready state to the positioning state.

S6b, broadcasting signals by the reader-writer.

S7b, the first electronic tag in the positioning state modulates the signal from the reader-writer, and the second electronic tag in the positioning state modulates the signal from the reader-writer.

S8b, the first electronic tag reflects the modulation signal to the reader-writer, and the second electronic tag reflects the modulation signal to the reader-writer.

The specific implementation of the steps S1b-S8b can be seen in the steps S1a-S12a.

And S9b, at the timing of the arrival, the first electronic tag and the second electronic tag exit the positioning state (namely jump out of the positioning state).

For example, if the pre-configured timing duration is 20 slots. Then, the first electronic tag starts at the moment of entering the positioning state, and delays 20 time slots to exit the positioning state. The second electronic tag exits the locating state according to a similar mechanism.

Example III

In contrast to the first embodiment, in which the reader/writer repeatedly queries the positioning command to time the tag, and triggers the tag to enter the positioning state when the timing arrives, in the third embodiment, the tag may self-time (e.g., decrease the time slot counter by one (or decrease the random number by one) every 1 time slot (i.e., preset time)) based on the time slot counting parameter R in the positioning command, and enter the positioning state when the timing arrives.

Referring to fig. 18, the method includes:

s1c and S2c. Steps S1c, S2c can be seen from S1a, S2a above.

The method further comprises the steps of: s3c, the first electronic tag enters a positioning state from a ready state.

After the first electronic tag receives the inquiry positioning command from the reader-writer, the time slot counting parameter R carried by the inquiry positioning command can be resolved, and the time slot counting parameter R is recorded in (0, 2) ^R-1 ) And selecting a random number in the range, and placing the random number into a time slot counter. The first electronic tag can operate the time slot counter according to the clock thereof, specifically, the time slot counter is operated every time slotAnd decreasing by one until the time slot counter is zero, and enabling the tag to enter a positioning state.

Compared with the embodiment in which the reader triggers the operation of the time slot counter of the tag by repeatedly inquiring the positioning command, in the third embodiment, the tag can automatically determine the corresponding operation of the time slot counter according to the clock without the need of the reader to send the repeated inquiring positioning command. Thus, the signaling overhead of the reader-writer can be reduced.

Example IV

In the fourth embodiment, the positioning operation of the tag after the tag enters the positioning state is a transmission sequence. A label positioning process is shown in fig. 19. Wherein, the specific implementation of S1d-S5d can be seen in the steps S1b-S5b. Taking the first electronic tag as an example, after the first electronic tag enters a positioning state, executing S6d and sending the sequence. The sequence may be preconfigured. The specific configuration manner is as above, and will not be described again.

Optionally, the length of the positioning sequence is N bits, and since the mask field of the selection command has selected m-N bits in the positioning sequence, the reader and the tag both know specific bit values of the m-N bits, so that the tag can send bits other than the m-N bits in the N bits when sending the positioning sequence to the reader. For example, the length of the positioning sequence is 20 bits, and the mask field of the selection command selects the 4 th to 7 th bits of the 20 bits, so that when the tag sends the positioning sequence to the reader, the tag only needs to send the 1 st to 3 rd bits and the 8 th to 20 th bits.

After receiving the corresponding sequence from the first electronic tag, the reader-writer may identify the sender of the sequence based on the sequence. Namely, the reader blindly detects the respective sender of different sequences according to the received multiple sequences. And the reader-writer may further execute S7d to send a confirmation message to the first electronic tag. Optionally, the acknowledgement message includes RN16.

Optionally, after receiving the acknowledgement message from the reader, the first electronic tag executes S8d, and enters the acknowledgement state from the positioning state. Of course, it is also possible to jump from the positioning state to another state. Or, the positioning state is jumped out at other times.

Optionally, the first electronic tag further performs S9d, sending tag information, such as PC, EPC, to the reader.

Taking the second electronic tag as an example, the second electronic tag may execute S8e after receiving the confirmation message from the reader/writer, and enter the ready state from the positioning state. Alternatively, the second electronic tag may enter other states from the positioning state, or the second electronic tag may jump out of the positioning state at other times.

It can be seen that, in some scenarios, the tag locating method according to the embodiments of the present application may complete inventory and locating simultaneously during inventory, for example, some information of the tag (such as RN 16) may be carried in a locating sequence, and the reader/writer may complete tag locating and RN16 determining through a blind verification bit sequence.

Example five

In contrast to the above embodiments one to fourth, in the fifth embodiment, the reader-writer instructs the tag to enter the positioning state through the broadcast signaling, and in the fifth embodiment, the reader-writer controls the tag to enter the positioning state through the unicast signaling.

In the fifth embodiment, the label completes the inventory process. Optionally, the tag may be in a confirmed state, an on state, and a secure state before entering the positioning state.

Alternatively, unicast signaling for indicating that a tag enters a positioning state may carry a dedicated parameter at the tag level (or user level), and the dedicated parameters for different tags may be different. The tag-specific parameters may also be sent to the tag in other ways. For example, tag-specific parameters are carried in the selection command or other configuration information. The tag-specific parameters may be signal modulation scheme, logic gate connection scheme, etc.

The method flow diagram of embodiment five includes fig. 20-23. In the flow shown in fig. 20 and 21, the positioning operation of the tag is a reflection operation.

Specifically, in the flow shown in fig. 20, the time when the tag enters the positioning state is at the time of receiving the indication signaling (i.e., the unicast positioning request (Positioning Request)). Alternatively, it is understood that the tag may enter the locating state without a delay time after receiving the location request. Note that, the positioning response shown in fig. 20 may indicate that the tag agrees or accepts the positioning request, or may indicate that the positioning request is denied. When the location response indicates rejection of the location request, the location response may carry a rejection reason, such as that the tag is unaware of such location behavior, etc.

In fig. 20, the mode 1 of the tag exiting the positioning state, i.e. the reader triggers the tag to exit the positioning state by a command. The mode 2 of the label exiting the locating state is that the label determining timing reaches the exiting locating state. The ways 1 and 2 of the label exiting the positioning state can also be referred to the above embodiments, and will not be described herein. Wherein only one command of the positioning end command is shown in the dashed box, in practice, other commands, such as a count command (i.e. third signaling), may also be present in order to trigger the tag to exit the positioning state by way of mode 1.

In the flow shown in fig. 21, after receiving the positioning request, the tag enters a positioning state after a delay time. The start time of the tag entering the positioning state may be dynamically indicated by the reader/writer (corresponding to mode 1), or the tag enters the positioning state when it arrives at a fixed time (corresponding to mode 2). Modes 1 and 2 can be seen in particular from the above examples. And will not be described in detail here. Wherein only one command is shown in the dashed box for the positioning timing request, in practice, other commands, such as a count command or other commands, may also be present in order to trigger the tag into the positioning state by way of mode 1. For another example, the reader sends a command to the tag to inform the tag that it needs to enter a locating state. After receiving the command, the tag is ready to enter a locating state. Then, the reader sends a command to the tag, and the command is used for triggering the tag to enter a positioning state.

It should be noted that the tag in the locating state may receive some high priority commands, which may cause the state of the tag to jump. For example, in FIG. 20, a tag in the locate state receives a Query command (such as Query Normal) from a reader and jumps from the locate state to the arbitrated state. In fig. 21, the tag in the set state receives a Select command (Select Normal) from the reader/writer, and jumps from the set state to the ready state.

In the flow shown in fig. 22 and 23, the tag locating operation is a transmission sequence. Wherein the tag may send the positioning sequence multiple times. The number of transmissions is determined by the tag itself or by the reader/writer. For example, in fig. 22, the reader/writer transmits a message for requesting a positioning sequence to the tag, and the tag transmits the positioning sequence once every time the tag receives the message. For another example, the reader sends a number of times for indicating the sending of the positioning sequence to the tag, and the tag sends the positioning sequence corresponding to the number of times according to the message.

Alternatively, the generation parameters associated with the positioning sequence may be sent to the tag by the reader.

Example six

In the sixth embodiment, the reader-writer controls the tag to enter the positioning state through multicast signaling. A flow chart of the method is shown in fig. 24.

The multicast signaling shown in fig. 24 may be a multicast Positioning request (positioning_ Request MultiCast). The message may carry the identity of a plurality of tags. Optionally, the message is encrypted with the group RN16. Alternatively, the group RN16 may be configured by the reader/writer separately for each tag, such as by unicast signaling, or by other means. There may be multiple group RNs 16 per tag.

In the sixth embodiment, the manner in which the tag exits the positioning state may be the manner 1 and the manner 2 shown in fig. 24, or may be that the reader triggers the change of the slot counter of the tag through the counting command, so that the tag exits the positioning state when the slot counter is zero.

It should be noted that, in fig. 24, the positioning operation of the tag is a reflection operation, and the positioning operation of the tag may also be a transmission sequence, which is not described herein.

Compared with the method that the tag is indicated to enter the positioning state in a unicast mode, the method that the tag enters the positioning state in a multicast mode can reduce the signaling overhead of a reader-writer.

In other embodiments, in a unicast or multicast scenario, the tag may also be configured with a time to enter a positioning state (e.g., 4 slots) in advance. Thus, the tag delays entering the locate state by 4 slots after receiving the first signaling.

It should be noted that, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence of each method step.

The scheme provided by the embodiment of the application is mainly introduced from the interaction angle among the network elements. It will be appreciated that, in order to achieve the above functions, the tag and the reader/writer include corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

The embodiment of the application can divide the functional modules of the tag and the reader according to the method example, for example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, and two or more functions can be integrated in one processing unit. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the modules is schematic, which is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be implemented in actual implementation.

For example, fig. 25 shows a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus 90 in the case where the respective functional modules are divided in an integrated manner. The device 90 may be a tag in the above embodiments or may be a component that supports the tag functionality in the above embodiments, such as circuitry within the tag. Alternatively, the device 90 may be a reader in the above embodiment, or may be a component that supports the functions of the reader in the above embodiment, such as a chip or a circuit in the reader. The embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited thereto.

Taking the example that the device 90 is a tag in the above embodiment, the state machine of the device 90 includes a positioning state, where the positioning state is used to position the device 90, and the device 90 includes:

a transceiver unit 901, configured to receive a first signaling from a reader/writer; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the device to enter a positioning state;

a processing unit 903, configured to control the apparatus to enter a positioning state in response to the first signaling;

the processing unit 903 is further configured to control the device to perform a positioning operation in the positioning state.

Optionally, the device further comprises a storage unit 902 for storing data or instructions of the device 90.

Taking the example that the apparatus 90 is the reader/writer in the above embodiment, the apparatus 90 includes:

a processing unit 903, configured to determine a first signaling; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state; the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag;

a transceiver unit 901, configured to send the first signaling.

Optionally, the device further comprises a storage unit 902 for storing data or instructions of the device 90. For example, the first sequence is stored.

All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be cited to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, which is not described herein.

In this embodiment, the apparatus 90 is presented in the form of dividing the individual functional modules in an integrated manner. A module herein may refer to a particular ASIC, a circuit, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other device that can provide the functionality described above.

When the device 90 is a tag, in a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the device 90 may take the form shown in FIG. 12. For example, the function/implementation of the transceiver unit 901 may be implemented by a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna in fig. 12, and the function/implementation of the processing unit 903 may be implemented by a modulation module, an encoding module, a baseband processing unit, or other components in fig. 12.

Similarly, when the apparatus 90 is a reader/writer, the function/implementation of the transceiver unit may be implemented by a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and the function/implementation of the processing unit 903 may be implemented by a processing chip or other components.

Since the device provided in the embodiment of the present application may be used to execute the above-mentioned tag positioning method, the technical effects that can be obtained by the device may refer to the above-mentioned method embodiment, and will not be described herein.

Optionally, the embodiment of the application further provides a chip system, which comprises a processor, wherein the processor is used for supporting the communication device to realize the tag positioning method. In one possible design, the system-on-chip also includes a memory. The memory is used for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. Of course, the memory may not be in the system-on-chip. The chip system may be formed by a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, a website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. Computer readable storage media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer or data storage devices including one or more servers, data centers, etc. that can be integrated with the media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a Solid State Disk (SSD)), or the like.

Although the application is described herein in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Although the application has been described in connection with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents that fall within the scope of the application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, it is intended that the present application also include such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

A tag locating method, wherein the method is applied to an electronic tag, a state machine of the electronic tag includes a locating state, and the locating state is used for locating the electronic tag, the method includes:

the electronic tag receives a first signaling from a reader-writer; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state;

the electronic tag responds to a first signaling and enters a positioning state;

and the electronic tag executes positioning operation in the positioning state.
The tag locating method of claim 1, wherein the performing a locating operation comprises: the electronic tag sends a first sequence to the reader-writer or reflects a modulation signal to the reader-writer, wherein the modulation signal is obtained by adding modulation information to a signal from the reader-writer.
The tag locating method according to claim 2, wherein the first sequence that the electronic tag sends to the reader is a plurality of; and/or the electronic tag sends a plurality of modulation signals to the reader-writer.
A tag locating method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first sequence comprises a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence.
The tag locating method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the electronic tag enters a locating state in response to a first signaling, comprising:

and the electronic tag responds to the first signaling and enters a positioning state after a first time delay.
The tag locating method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein after the electronic tag enters a locating state, the method further comprises: and the electronic tag exits the positioning state after the second time delay.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the method further comprises: receiving configuration information from the reader; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following parameters: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

The first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the method further comprises: receiving configuration information from the reader; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further includes a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern; the configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

The first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a first parameter R from the reader/writer, for instructing the electronic tag to select a random number in the range of (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command;

the electronic tag responds to the first signaling and enters a positioning state after a first time delay, and the electronic tag comprises: under the condition that the random number is zero, the electronic tag enters a positioning state; after receiving the first signaling, subtracting one from the random number every preset time.
The tag locating method of claim 9, wherein a third signaling is received from the reader/writer, the third signaling being used to trigger a decrease in the random number of the electronic tag by one.
The tag locating method of claim 10, wherein the first signaling comprises any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.
The tag locating method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electronic tag enters a locating state, comprising: the electronic tag enters the positioning state from a first state;

the electronic tag exits the positioning state and comprises: the electronic tag jumps from the positioning state to a second state;

the first state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, response state, acknowledgement state, open state, secure state; the second state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, reply state, acknowledge state, open state, secure state, inactive state.
A tag locating method, wherein the method is applied to a reader/writer, the method comprising:

the reader determines a first signaling; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state; the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag;

the reader sends the first signaling.
The tag locating method of claim 13, further comprising: the reader receives a first sequence or a modulation signal from the electronic tag;

and the reader-writer locates the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal.
The method of claim 14, wherein,

the first sequence carries tag information; the tag information comprises a 16-bit random number or pseudo random number RN16;

the reader-writer receives a plurality of first sequences from the electronic tag; and/or the reader/writer receives a plurality of modulation signals from the electronic tag; the reader-writer locates the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal, and includes: the reader-writer performs combination processing on the plurality of first sequences, and positions the electronic tag according to a combination processing result; or the reader-writer performs combination processing on the plurality of modulation signals, and positions the electronic tag according to the combination processing result.
The tag locating method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the first sequence comprises a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting configuration information; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

The first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting configuration information; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further includes a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern; the configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

The first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating method of any one of claims 13-18, wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting a first parameter R for indicating the electronic tag to select a random number, wherein the range of the random number is (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling includes a select command, a query command.
The tag locating method of claim 19, wherein a third signaling is sent, the third signaling being used to trigger a decrease in the random number of the electronic tag by one.
The tag locating method of claim 20, wherein the first signaling comprises any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.
A tag locating device, wherein a state machine of the device includes a locating state for locating the device, the device comprising:

the receiving and transmitting unit is used for receiving the first signaling from the reader; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the device to enter a positioning state;

a processing unit for controlling the device to enter a positioning state in response to the first signaling;

the processing unit is further configured to control the device to perform a positioning operation in the positioning state.
The tag locating device of claim 22, wherein the processing unit to control the device to perform a locating operation comprises: and the transceiver unit is used for controlling the transceiver unit to send a first sequence to the reader-writer or reflect a modulation signal to the reader-writer.
The tag locating device of claim 23, wherein the first sequence transmitted by the transceiver unit to the reader is a plurality of; and/or the receiving and transmitting unit transmits a plurality of modulation signals to the reader-writer.
The tag locating device of claim 23 or 24, wherein the first sequence comprises a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 22-25, wherein the processing unit, responsive to the first signaling, is configured to control the device to enter a locating state, comprising:

for controlling the apparatus to enter a positioning state after a first delay in response to the first signaling.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 22-26, wherein the processing unit is further configured to control the device to exit the locating state after a second time delay after the device enters the locating state.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 22-27, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive configuration information from the reader; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 22-27, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive configuration information from the reader; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further includes a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern; the configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

The first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The label positioning device according to any of the claims 22-29, wherein,

the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first parameter R from the reader/writer, and instruct the electronic tag to select a random number, where the range of the random number is (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling;

the entering a positioning state after a first delay in response to the first signaling includes: under the condition that the random number is zero, entering a positioning state; after receiving the first signaling, subtracting one from the random number every preset time.
The tag locating device of claim 30, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third signaling from the reader/writer, the third signaling being configured to trigger a decrease in the random number of the electronic tag by one.
The tag locating device of claim 31, wherein the first signaling comprises any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 27-32, wherein said entering a locating state comprises: entering the positioning state from a first state; exiting the locating state, comprising: jumping from the locating state to a second state;

the first state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, response state, acknowledgement state, open state, secure state; the second state includes any of the following states: ready state, arbitration state, reply state, acknowledge state, open state, secure state, inactive state.
A label positioning device, comprising:

a processing unit for determining a first signaling; the first signaling is used for indicating or requesting or controlling the electronic tag to enter a positioning state; the positioning state is used for positioning the electronic tag;

and the receiving and transmitting unit is used for transmitting the first signaling.
The tag locating device of claim 34, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first sequence or modulated signal from the electronic tag;

the processing unit is further configured to locate the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal.
The tag locating device of claim 35, wherein the transceiver unit receives a plurality of first sequences from the electronic tag; and/or the receiving and transmitting unit receives a plurality of modulation signals from the electronic tag;

the processing unit is configured to locate the electronic tag according to the first sequence or the modulation signal, and includes:

combining the plurality of first sequences, and positioning the electronic tag according to the combination result;

or combining the plurality of modulation signals, and positioning the electronic tag according to the combining result.
The tag locating device of claim 35 or 36, wherein the first sequence comprises a Gold sequence, or a gray code, or a CAZAC sequence.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 34-37, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit configuration information; the configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern of the logic gate, the first sequence, the index corresponding to the first sequence, the parameter associated with the first sequence and the first time period;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 34-37, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit configuration information; the configuration information comprises a modulation mode; the modulation mode comprises code division modulation and frequency modulation; in the case that the modulation mode is code division modulation, the configuration information further includes a modulation code element; in the case that the modulation mode is frequency modulation, the configuration information further includes a frequency hopping pattern; the configuration information further includes any one or more of the following: the connection mode of the logic gate, the index of the connection mode of the logic gate, or the connection pattern and the first period of the logic gate;

the first parameter in the configuration information is carried in fourth signaling, and the fourth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second parameter in the configuration information is carried in fifth signaling, wherein the fifth signaling comprises the first signaling or the second signaling; the second signaling comprises a selection command and a query command; the fourth signaling and the fifth signaling are the same signaling or different signaling;

the first parameter is a special parameter of a label level; the dedicated parameters include parameters for which a tag is available during the first period; the second parameter is a common parameter of the reader-writer stage.
The tag locating device of any one of claims 34-39, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit a first parameter R for instructing the electronic tag to select a random number, the range of the random number being (0, 2) ^R-1 ) The method comprises the steps of carrying out a first treatment on the surface of the The first parameter R is included in the first signaling or the second signaling.
The tag locating device of claim 40, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to send a third signaling, the third signaling being configured to trigger a decrease in the random number of the electronic tag by one.
The tag locating device of claim 41, wherein the first signaling comprises any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the second signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the third signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fourth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages; the fifth signaling includes any one or more of the following messages: unicast messages, broadcast messages, multicast messages.
A tag locating device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor and the memory being coupled, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 13-21.
A tag locating device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving signals from other devices than the device and transmitting signals from the processor to or sending signals from the processor to other devices than the device, the processor implementing the method of any of claims 1-12 by logic circuitry or executing code instructions or the processor implementing the method of any of claims 13-21 by logic circuitry or executing code instructions.
A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer readable storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, implements the method according to any of claims 1-12 or implements the method according to any of claims 13-21.
A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed, implement the method of any one of claims 1-12 or the method of any one of claims 13-21.