Communication method, system and related equipment

Abstract

Provided are a communication method, system and related device, comprising: a satellite network device determining beams respectively corresponding to a plurality of beam coverage areas, the plurality of beam coverage areas comprising a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area, the beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area comprising a plurality of beams of a first type, and the beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area comprising a plurality of beams of a second type; the beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area comprise a beam of a second type, the signal coverage area of the beam of the first type on the ground is smaller than the signal coverage area of the beam of the second type on the ground, and the UE density of the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density of the second beam coverage area; the satellite network equipment sends SSBs to the multiple beam coverage areas based on the beams corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, and the SSBs are used for the UE to access the satellite network equipment. The coverage rate of the beam coverage area is improved through the second type of wide beams, and the failure rate of UE access in the beam coverage area with large UE density is reduced through the first type of beams.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, system and related equipment. Background Art

[0002] Currently, satellite network equipment (such as satellites, etc.) can periodically activate multiple beams to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block, SSB), so that user equipment (user equipment, UE) located in the beam footprint can synchronize with the satellite network equipment in the time domain and access the satellite network equipment according to the received SSB.

[0003] In practical applications, taking a low-orbit satellite at an altitude of 600 km from the ground as an example, due to the power limitation of the satellite payload, the satellite usually cannot activate all beams at the same time to send SSB, and can only activate 106 beams at most at the same time.

[0004] In this case, in order to improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area corresponding to the 106 beams, the satellite can use a beam with a larger signal coverage area on the ground to send SSB. For example, if a beam with a signal coverage radius of 50km is used to send SSB, the area of ​​each beam coverage area will also be expanded, which will help improve the coverage rate. However, as the beam coverage area increases, the power of SSB will be reduced, which will greatly increase the probability of UE access failure. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, system and related equipment, aiming to reduce the failure probability of UE accessing satellite network equipment.

[0006] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a satellite network device, and the method includes: the satellite network device determines beams corresponding to multiple beam coverage areas, respectively, and the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area can send SSB (synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block) to each beam coverage area. For example, for a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area included in the multiple beam coverage areas, the satellite network device can determine that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is a plurality of first-type beams, and the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is a second-type beam, wherein the signal coverage area of ​​each first-type beam on the ground is smaller than the signal coverage area of ​​the second-type beam on the ground. coverage area; in addition, the user equipment UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density in the second beam coverage area; then, the satellite network device can send SSB to multiple beam coverage areas based on the beams corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively, and the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device. For example, the satellite network device sends SSB to the first beam coverage area based on multiple first-type beams, so that the UE in the first beam coverage area can access the satellite network device based on the SSB, and the satellite network device can also send SSB to the second beam coverage area based on a second-type beam, so that the UE in the second beam coverage area can also access the satellite network device based on the SSB.

[0008] Since the satellite network device can determine the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area, such as the first beam coverage area with a large UE density, the corresponding beam includes multiple narrow beams with a small signal coverage area (i.e., multiple first type beams). Compared with wide beams, narrow beams can increase the power of SSB. Therefore, the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density can be effectively reduced. In addition, if the first beam coverage area uses a wide beam, if the wide beam fails, all UEs in the first beam coverage area will not be able to access the satellite network device normally. Therefore, the satellite network device uses multiple narrow beams to provide signal coverage for the first beam coverage area. Even if one of the multiple narrow beams fails, it will not affect the normal access of UEs within the signal coverage range of other narrow beams to the satellite network device. The second beam coverage area with a lower UE density has a corresponding beam including a wide beam with a larger signal coverage area (i.e., a second type of beam). Therefore, for the second beam coverage area with a lower UE density, the satellite network device uses a wide beam to cover the second beam coverage area when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, thereby saving beam resources as much as possible.

[0009] In a possible implementation, when determining the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device may first determine the UE density of the first beam coverage area; then, when the UE density of the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network device determines that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is a plurality of beams of the first type. In this way, by using a plurality of narrow beams in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density, the power of the SSB can be effectively increased, thereby effectively reducing the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the satellite network device may also determine the upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams of the first type and the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, and determine the UE density upper limit based on the UE densities and the upper limit of the number corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas. In this way, when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, it is helpful to determine the conditions for beam change in the beam coverage area in combination with the determined UE density upper limit, thereby effectively reducing the probability of UE access failure in the beam coverage area with a high UE density.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the UE density upper limit is the nth highest UE density among the UE densities of the multiple beam coverage areas, where n is the upper limit plus 1, and n is an integer. In this way, the satellite network device can flexibly configure the UE density upper limit in combination with the UE densities of the multiple beam coverage areas, thereby determining the timing of beam change in each beam coverage area with the help of the UE density upper limit.

[0012] In a possible implementation, when determining the upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple first-type beams, the satellite network device may first obtain the number of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device, the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, and the number of multiple first-type beams, wherein the idle beams are beams not used by the satellite network device; then, the satellite network device may determine the upper limit based on the number of SSB transmission opportunities, the number of idle beams, and the number of multiple first-type beams. In this way, the satellite network device can determine the maximum number of beam coverage areas that it supports for beam changes, so as to subsequently determine the upper limit of UE density based on the number.

[0013] In one possible implementation, when obtaining the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, the satellite network device may first obtain the SSB distribution cycle and the number of multiple beam coverage areas, and based on the SSB distribution cycle and the number of multiple beam coverage areas, determine the number of beams used by the satellite network device, and finally determine the number of idle beams based on the upper limit of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device and the number of used beams.

[0014] In a possible implementation, when determining the UE density of the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device may first obtain the number of requests received from the UE in the first beam coverage area, and then determine the UE density of the first beam coverage area based on the number of requests. In this way, the satellite network device can directly and accurately determine the UE density of the corresponding first beam coverage area with reference to the number of UE requests.

[0015] In a possible implementation, when sending SSB to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device may first obtain an SSB distribution period, which includes multiple SSB transmission opportunities; then, based on the multiple first-type beams and multiple SSB transmission opportunities corresponding to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device sends SSB to each of the multiple first-type beams within the signal coverage range on the ground. In this way, the satellite network device may use beam hopping to enable each beam to send SSB at different SSB transmission opportunities, so as to optimize the utilization rate of beam resources and improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area.

[0016] In a possible implementation, when the satellite network device sends an SSB to the first beam coverage area, it can simultaneously send the SSB to the signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the first beam coverage area based on each first type of beam in the multiple first type of beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area. In this way, the satellite network device can use these beams to send SSB to other beam coverage areas at other SSB transmission opportunities within an SSB distribution cycle, so that the satellite network device can not only use multiple narrow beams to effectively reduce the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density, but also further improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area within an SSB distribution cycle.

[0017] In a possible implementation, when the UE density in the second beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network device may further configure the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area to be changed from a second type of beam to multiple first type of beams, and based on each first type of beam in the multiple first type of beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area, send SSB to the signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the second beam coverage area. In this way, the satellite network device may further change the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area where the UE density becomes higher, thereby improving the access success rate of UEs in the second beam coverage area and meeting the access requirements of the second beam coverage area when the UE density is high.

[0018] In a possible implementation, when the satellite network device configures the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area to be changed from a second type of beam to multiple first type of beams, the satellite network device may first determine a third beam coverage area among the multiple beam coverage areas, the UE density of the third beam coverage area is less than or equal to the UE density upper limit, and the beam corresponding to the third beam coverage area includes multiple first type of beams; then, the satellite network device may change one of the multiple first type of beams corresponding to the third beam coverage area to a second type of beam, and then configure multiple first type of beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area based on the remaining beams except one of the multiple first type of beams corresponding to the third beam coverage area. Since the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, the satellite network device may determine to release the beam corresponding to the third beam coverage area with reference to the UE density of other beam coverage areas among the multiple beam coverage areas, so as to change the beam of the second beam coverage area with the help of the released beam.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the signal-to-noise ratio of the SSB transmitted based on the second type of beam is within a preset signal-to-noise ratio interval. In this way, UEs within the coverage areas of multiple beams can access the satellite network device based on the SSB transmitted by the wide beam.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the multiple beam coverage areas include a fourth beam coverage area, and the number of the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the fourth beam coverage area is the same as the number of the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a satellite network device, and the method includes: the satellite network device determines a first beam coverage area of ​​the satellite network device, and the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area includes a second type of beam; when the user equipment UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network device configures the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area to be changed from a second type of beam to multiple first type of beams, and the signal coverage area of ​​the first type of beam on the ground is smaller than the signal coverage area of ​​the second type of beam on the ground; the satellite network device sends a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB to the first beam coverage area based on each first type of beam in the multiple first type of beams, and the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device. In this way, when the UE density in the first beam coverage area is high, the satellite network device can change the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area from a wide beam to multiple narrow beams, thereby improving the access success rate of UEs in the first beam coverage area and meeting the access requirements of the first beam coverage area when the UE density is high.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the satellite network device may also determine the upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams of the first type and the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, and determine the UE density upper limit based on the UE densities and the upper limit of the number corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas. In this way, when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, it is helpful to determine the conditions for beam change in the beam coverage area in combination with the determined UE density upper limit, thereby effectively reducing the probability of UE access failure in the beam coverage area with a high UE density.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the UE density upper limit is the nth highest UE density among the UE densities of the multiple beam coverage areas, where n is the upper limit plus 1, and n is an integer. In this way, the satellite network device can flexibly configure the UE density upper limit in combination with the UE densities of the multiple beam coverage areas, thereby determining the timing of beam change in each beam coverage area with the help of the UE density upper limit.

[0024] In a possible implementation, when determining the upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple first-type beams, the satellite network device may first obtain the number of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device, the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, and the number of multiple first-type beams, wherein the idle beams are beams not used by the satellite network device; then, the satellite network device may determine the upper limit based on the number of SSB transmission opportunities, the number of idle beams, and the number of multiple first-type beams. In this way, the satellite network device can determine the maximum number of beam coverage areas that it supports for beam changes, so as to subsequently determine the upper limit of UE density based on the number.

[0025] In one possible implementation, when obtaining the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, the satellite network device may first obtain the SSB distribution cycle and the number of multiple beam coverage areas, and based on the SSB distribution cycle and the number of multiple beam coverage areas, determine the number of beams used by the satellite network device, and finally determine the number of idle beams based on the upper limit of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device and the number of used beams.

[0026] In a possible implementation, when sending SSB to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device may first obtain an SSB distribution period, which includes multiple SSB transmission opportunities; then, based on the multiple first-type beams and multiple SSB transmission opportunities corresponding to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device sends SSB to each of the multiple first-type beams within the signal coverage range on the ground. In this way, the satellite network device may use beam hopping to enable each beam to send SSB at different SSB transmission opportunities, so as to optimize the utilization rate of beam resources and improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area.

[0027] In a possible implementation, when the satellite network device sends an SSB to the first beam coverage area, it can simultaneously send the SSB to the signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the first beam coverage area based on each first type of beam in the multiple first type of beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area. In this way, the satellite network device can use these beams to send SSB to other beam coverage areas at other SSB transmission opportunities within an SSB distribution cycle, so that the satellite network device can not only use multiple narrow beams to effectively reduce the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density, but also further improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area within an SSB distribution cycle.

[0028] In a third aspect, the present application provides a satellite network device, comprising a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is used to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect; and the processor is used to perform other operations except the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applied to a user equipment UE, and the method includes: scanning the signal coverage range of the beam where the UE is located within the beam coverage area to obtain a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; based on the SSB, the UE accesses a satellite network device, and the satellite network device is the satellite network device described in the third aspect above.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a user equipment UE, comprising a message receiver, configured to receive a first message from a satellite network device, wherein the first message comprises a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB, and the SSB is used for the UE to access the satellite network device, and the satellite network device is the satellite network device described in the third aspect above.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a satellite network device and a user device. The satellite network device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect, any implementation method of the first aspect, the second aspect or any implementation method of the second aspect, and the user device is used to execute the method described in the fourth aspect or any implementation method of the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a process for a satellite network device to send SSB to multiple beam coverage areas based on beams with the same signal coverage on the ground;

[0034] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an exemplary communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the SS burst set corresponding to the SSB distribution period;

[0037] Figure 6a A schematic diagram of a satellite network device provided in an embodiment of the present application changing one beam belonging to the second type into multiple beams belonging to the first type;

[0038] Figure 6b A schematic diagram of another satellite network device provided in an embodiment of the present application changing one beam belonging to the second type into multiple beams belonging to the first type;

[0039] Figure 7 A flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 8a A schematic diagram of a satellite network device provided in an embodiment of the present application changing multiple beams belonging to a first type into one beam belonging to a second type;

[0041] Figure 8b A schematic diagram of another satellite network device provided in an embodiment of the present application changing multiple beams belonging to the first type into one beam belonging to the second type;

[0042] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite network device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Fig.10A schematic diagram of the structure of a UE provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be used as limitations on the present application. As used in the specification and the appended claims of the present application, the singular expressions "one", "a kind", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, "one or more" refers to one, two or more; "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0045] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear at different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0046] The multiple involved in the embodiments of the present application means greater than or equal to two. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order.

[0047] The present application provides a communication system, which may be a fifth generation (5G) communication system, or a 5G New Radio (5G New Radio, 5G NR) system, as well as new communication systems that will emerge in future communication developments. The communication system includes a plurality of devices, and different devices may send signals to each other to achieve data interaction. Exemplarily, the communication system includes a plurality of devices, such as a satellite network device and a UE, and the satellite network device may be a satellite or an aircraft, etc. The following is an exemplary description taking a communication system including a satellite network device and a UE as an example.

[0048] An example of a communication system is Figure 1 As shown, it includes a satellite network device and p UEs, which are UE1 to UEp, and the p UEs may be located in different beam coverage areas. Wherein, p is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0049] In the embodiments provided in the present application, the satellite network device may be any device located on the network side and having wireless transceiver functions, including but not limited to: satellites or aircraft in a non-territorial network (NTN), or may be other possible satellite network devices.

[0050] The UE in the communication system, such as UE1, can be in various forms. For example, UE can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a wearable terminal device, etc. UE can sometimes also be called terminal equipment, access terminal equipment, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal equipment, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent or UE device, etc. The terminal can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0051] In practical application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the satellite network device can send SSB to multiple beam coverage areas based on beams with the same signal coverage range on the ground, so that UEs in multiple beam coverage areas can access the satellite network device based on SSB. Taking UE2 in the second beam coverage area as an example, the process in which the satellite network device sends SSB to the second beam coverage area so that UE2 can access the satellite network device can specifically include the following steps.

[0052] S201: The satellite network device configures a beam of the second type.

[0053] The beam belonging to the second type refers to the beam used by the satellite network device when initially sending SSB to the z beam coverage areas where the p UEs are respectively located. Among them, one beam coverage area corresponds to one beam belonging to the second type, and the signal coverage area of ​​the beam belonging to the second type on the ground can be S1.

[0054] Among them, S1 can be predefined in a standard communication protocol. The standard communication protocol can be, for example, a new radio-non terrestrial network (NR-NRN). In practical applications, S1 can be predefined in the standard communication protocol, and the signal coverage radius of the second type of beam on the ground can also be predefined, such as a signal coverage radius of 25km or 50km, so that the satellite network device can also quickly determine S1 based on the signal coverage radius. In addition, the satellite network device can further configure the second type of beam based on S1.

[0055] In other embodiments, the satellite network device may also obtain S1 in other ways, such as S1 may be pre-configured by an operator.

[0056] S202: The satellite network device sends SSB to multiple beam coverage areas based on beams belonging to the second type.

[0057] As mentioned above, due to the power limitation of the satellite network device payload, the satellite network device cannot actually activate all beams to send SSB at the same time. For example, the satellite network device may only be able to activate up to 106 beams at the same time. For ease of understanding and description, this embodiment assumes that the satellite network device activates up to 106 beams at the same time for exemplary description.

[0058] As an example, the satellite network device takes a low-orbit satellite with a minimum elevation angle of 30° and an altitude of 600km from the ground as an example. If the signal coverage radius of the beams belonging to the second type on the ground is defined as 25km, then the satellite network device can have a total of 1058 beam coverage areas. In addition, if the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device is 20ms, and one SSB distribution period includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities (SSB occasions), then within 20ms, the satellite network device can send SSBs to 424 (106*4=424) beam coverage areas based on the 106 activated beams, that is, only 424 beam coverage areas are covered, and there are 634 uncovered beam coverage areas.

[0059] As another example, the satellite network device still takes a low-orbit satellite with a minimum elevation angle of 30° and an altitude of 600km from the ground as an example. If the signal coverage radius of the second type of beams on the ground is defined as 50km, then the satellite network device can have a total of 265 beam coverage areas. In addition, if the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device is still 20ms, and one SSB distribution period includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, then within 20ms, the satellite network device can use 67 (265 / 4=67) beams of the activated 106 beams to send SSBs to all beam coverage areas accordingly, and 39 beams are not used.

[0060] S203: UE2 scans and obtains SSB.

[0061] After the satellite network device sends the SSB to the second beam coverage area based on the beam belonging to the second type, the UE2 in the second beam coverage area can obtain the SSB through beam scanning.

[0062] S204: UE2 accesses the satellite network device according to SSB.

[0063] It can be seen from the above two examples that when the SSB distribution cycle is 20ms and one SSB distribution cycle includes four SSB transmission opportunities, if the signal coverage radius of the second type of beam used by the satellite network device on the ground is 25km, then the satellite network device can only cover 424 beam coverage areas in one SSB distribution cycle, and the coverage rate is only 40% (424 / 1058=40%). If 50km is used as the signal coverage radius of the second type of beam on the ground, the satellite network device can cover 1058 beam coverage areas in one SSB distribution cycle, and the coverage rate is 100%.

[0064] That is to say, increasing the signal coverage radius of the beam on the ground, that is, increasing the signal coverage range, can improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area. However, as the signal coverage range of the beam increases, the energy density of the beam will decrease, resulting in a decrease in the power of the SSB, which greatly increases the probability of UE access failure.

[0065] Based on this, the present application can provide a communication method for improving the coverage rate of the beam coverage area and saving beam resources when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited. Furthermore, it can also alleviate the problem of a high probability of UE access failure due to low SSB power when the satellite network device sends SSB.

[0066] Specifically, combined Figure 3In the communication system shown, for multiple beam coverage areas (including the first beam coverage area and the second beam coverage area) where p UEs are located, the satellite network device can determine the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area, for example, the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is 1 beam belonging to the second type, and the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is multiple beams belonging to the first type, wherein the signal coverage area of ​​beam 1 belonging to the second type on the ground is greater than the signal coverage area of ​​beam belonging to the first type on the ground, and the UE density in the second beam coverage area is less than the UE density in the first beam coverage area, that is, the number of UEs (including UE2) distributed in the second beam coverage area is greater than the number of UEs (including UE1) distributed in the first beam coverage area. Then, the satellite network device can send SSB to the second beam coverage area based on 1 beam belonging to the second type, and send SSB to the first beam coverage area based on multiple beams belonging to the first type, wherein multiple beams belonging to the first type can respectively send SSB to the signal coverage range SSB0-SSB3 in the first beam coverage area. In this way, UE2 located in the coverage area of ​​the second beam and UE1 located in the coverage area of ​​the first beam can both access the satellite network device when scanning SSB.

[0067] It can be seen that the satellite network device can independently determine the beams corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, such as the second beam coverage area with a smaller UE density, and the corresponding one beam belonging to the second type has a larger signal coverage area on the ground; while the first beam coverage area with a larger UE density, and the corresponding multiple beams belonging to the first type each have a smaller signal coverage area on the ground. In other words, the satellite network device can determine the beam corresponding to the signal coverage area according to the UE density of each beam coverage area. Since the energy density of a narrow beam (i.e., a beam belonging to the first type) is higher than that of a wide beam (i.e., a beam belonging to the second type), the power of SSB can be increased. Therefore, the satellite network device uses multiple narrow beams to send SSB to the first beam coverage area, which can effectively reduce the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area. In addition, if the first beam coverage area uses a wide beam, if the wide beam fails, all UEs in the first beam coverage area will not be able to access the satellite network device normally. Therefore, the satellite network equipment uses multiple narrow beams to cover the first beam coverage area. Even if one of the multiple narrow beams fails, it will not affect the normal access of UEs within the signal coverage of other narrow beams to the satellite network equipment. The satellite network equipment uses one wide beam to send SSB to the second beam coverage area. It can cover the second beam coverage area when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network equipment is limited, improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area with a lower UE density, and save beam resources as much as possible.

[0068] It should be noted that the above is explained using an example in which the communication system includes 1 satellite network device, 2 beam coverage areas, and UEs respectively located in the 2 beam coverage areas. In other possible implementations, there may be no limitation on the number of satellite network devices, the number of beam coverage areas, and the number of UEs.

[0069] See also Figure 4 , showing a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 The communication method shown can be applied to Figure 3 The communication system shown in the figure may be applied to other possible communication systems. Figure 3 The communication system shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the process of the communication method includes the following steps:

[0070] S401: The satellite network device determines multiple beam coverage areas where p UEs are respectively located.

[0071] Each beam coverage area may be determined by the satellite network device using the signal coverage area of ​​the beam on the ground. In the initial case, each beam coverage area may be covered by a beam belonging to the second type. The signal coverage range of the beam belonging to the second type may be predefined in the standard communication protocol, such as the signal coverage radius or signal coverage area of ​​the beam belonging to the second type on the ground predefined in the standard communication protocol. Thus, the satellite network device may determine multiple beam coverage areas and the number of multiple beam coverage areas based on the standard communication protocol.

[0072] In this embodiment, the satellite network device takes a minimum elevation angle of 30° and a low-orbit satellite at an altitude of 600km from the ground as an example. The standard communication protocol can define the signal coverage radius of the second type of beam on the ground as 50km. Therefore, the satellite network device can determine multiple beam coverage areas, and the number of multiple beam coverage areas is 265.

[0073] Furthermore, the satellite network device may also obtain an SSB distribution cycle, wherein the SSB distribution cycle refers to a cycle used by the satellite network device when sending SSB.

[0074] The SSB distribution period obtained by the satellite network device can be predefined in the standard communication protocol, so that the satellite network device can determine the period used for subsequent SSB transmission based on the standard communication protocol. Exemplarily, the SSB distribution period can be predefined as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms or 160ms.

[0075] In other embodiments, the satellite network device may also adopt other methods to obtain the SSB distribution period. For example, the SSB distribution period may be pre-configured by an operator.

[0076] In practical applications, an SSB distribution cycle may include at least one synchronization signal (SS) burst set, and an SS burst set may include multiple SSB transmission opportunities. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, when the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz, the standard communication protocol defines that the length of each radio frame is 10 ms, each radio frame includes 10 time slots, every two radio frames include 1 SS burst set, and 1 SS burst set includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities. Therefore, when the SSB distribution period is 20 ms, 1 SSB distribution period can include 1 SS burst set and 4 SSB transmission opportunities; and when the SSB distribution period is 80 ms, 1 SSB distribution period can include 4 SS burst sets and 16 SSB transmission opportunities. Specifically, combined with Figure 4 As shown, taking the SSB transmission opportunities in the radio frames SFN0 and SFN1 as an example, the SSB transmission opportunities SSB0 and SSB1 in these two radio frames can be limited to the first two time slots slot0 and slot1.

[0077] It should be noted that this embodiment only takes the above-mentioned low-orbit satellite as an example for illustrative explanation, and does not specifically limit the SSB distribution period of the satellite network equipment, the number of SSB transmission opportunities within the SSB distribution period, and the value of the signal coverage radius of the second type of beam on the ground.

[0078] S402: The satellite network device determines the type of beam corresponding to each beam coverage area according to the UE density corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0079] Here, the type of beam corresponding to each beam coverage area refers to the type of beam used by the satellite network device when it resends SSB to each beam coverage area after using a beam belonging to the second type to send SSB.

[0080] For ease of understanding, the process of determining the type of beam corresponding to each beam coverage area is introduced below.

[0081] In this embodiment, the multiple beam coverage areas include a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area. Taking the satellite network device determining the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area and the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area as an example, the satellite network device can first determine the first UE density of the first beam coverage area and the second UE density of the second beam coverage area.

[0082] As an implementation example, the satellite network device may obtain the number of requests received from UEs within a beam coverage area, and determine the UE density of the beam coverage area based on the number of requests.

[0083] Taking the satellite network device determining the second UE density in the second beam coverage area as an example, the UEs in the second beam coverage area may first send requests to the satellite network device respectively. The request is, for example, an access request or a service request sent by the UE in the beam coverage area, wherein the access request may be used to indicate that the UE requests to access the satellite network device, and the service request may be used to indicate that the UE requests a specific operation service, such as a data query service or a communication service. Accordingly, the satellite network device may receive a request from the UE in the second beam coverage area, and determine the number of UEs in the second beam coverage area according to the number of requests.

[0084] For example, if each UE in the second beam coverage area sends only one request to the satellite network device, the satellite network device may use the number of multiple requests received as the number of UEs in the second beam coverage area to determine the second UE density in the second beam coverage area. For another example, if each UE in the second beam coverage area can send at least one request to the satellite network device, the satellite network device may obtain the corresponding UE identifier from the multiple requests received, such as the 5G Global Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI), etc., to determine the number of UEs in the second beam coverage area based on the number of different UE identifiers, and further determine the second UE density in the second beam coverage area.

[0085] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the initial case, each beam coverage area can be covered by a beam belonging to the second type. Based on this, as an example, in the process of the satellite network device determining the second UE density according to the number of UEs in the second beam coverage area, the satellite network device can use the signal coverage area of ​​the beam belonging to the second type on the ground as the area of ​​each beam coverage area, and calculate the quotient between the number of UEs in the second beam coverage area and the signal coverage area of ​​the beam belonging to the second type on the ground, thereby obtaining the second UE density of the second beam coverage area.

[0086] Similarly, based on the above-mentioned method for determining the UE density, the satellite network device can determine the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the satellite network device can also obtain a UE density upper limit, which is used to indicate the maximum critical value of the UE density when determining the beams corresponding to each beam coverage area; then, after determining the first UE density and the second UE density, the satellite network device can determine the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area based on the relationship between the first UE density and the UE density upper limit, and determine the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area based on the relationship between the second UE density and the UE density upper limit.

[0088] As an implementation example, when the second UE density is less than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device determines that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is one beam of the second type; when the second UE density is greater than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device may determine that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is a plurality of beams of the first type. Similarly, when the first UE density is less than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device determines that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is one beam of the second type; when the first UE density is greater than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device may determine that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is a plurality of beams of the first type.

[0089] The two different types of beams, the first type and the second type, have different signal coverage areas on the ground. Since the beam coverage area with a lower UE density uses a beam with a larger signal coverage area, the second beam coverage area can be covered when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network equipment is limited, thus saving beam resources as much as possible; in the beam coverage area with a higher UE density, multiple beams with a smaller signal coverage area are used, which can effectively increase the power of SSB, thereby effectively reducing the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a higher UE density. Therefore, for example, the second type of beam can be set to 50km, and its corresponding signal coverage area is 7854 (π*50*50=7854)km 2 The signal coverage radius of the first type of beam on the ground can be set to 25km, and its corresponding signal coverage area is 1964 (π*25*25=1964)km 2 .

[0090] For this reason, in actual application, the beam belonging to the second type can be called a wide beam, and the beam belonging to the first type mentioned in this embodiment can be called a narrow beam.

[0091] In this way, when the first UE density and the second UE density are different, the satellite network equipment can determine the corresponding beams for the first beam coverage area and the second beam coverage area with different UE densities, thereby using beams with different signal coverage areas to send SSB to the corresponding beam coverage areas.

[0092] Taking the case where the second UE density is less than the UE density upper limit and the first UE density is greater than the UE density upper limit as an example, since the second UE density is less than the UE density upper limit and the first UE density is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network equipment can determine that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is still one wide beam, while the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is multiple narrow beams.

[0093] Therefore, when the satellite network device re-sends the SSB to the second beam coverage area, the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area may not be changed. However, when the satellite network device re-sends the SSB to the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device may change the one wide beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area into multiple narrow beams.

[0094] As an example, combining Figure 6a As shown, assuming that an SSB distribution cycle includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, and the satellite network equipment can change the first beam coverage area to 5 signal coverage areas covered by narrow beams, compared with the original 1 signal coverage area (SSB0) covered by wide beams, the first beam coverage area has added 4 signal coverage areas (SSB1-SSB4). Therefore, the satellite network equipment can add an additional narrow beam to send SSBs to the 4 newly added signal coverage areas in the first beam coverage area in the form of beam hopping within the 4 SSB transmission opportunities. The original signal coverage area can be covered by a narrow beam obtained after changing the wide beam within 1 SSB transmission opportunity.

[0095] As an example, combining Figure 6b As shown, it is still assumed that the satellite network device can change the first beam coverage area to 5 signal coverage areas covered by narrow beams. Compared with the original 1 signal coverage area (SSB0) covered by wide beams, the first beam coverage area has 4 new signal coverage areas (SSB1-SSB4). Therefore, the satellite network device can add 4 additional narrow beams, and these 5 narrow beams (including 4 newly added narrow beams and 1 narrow beam obtained after changing the wide beam) can simultaneously send SSB to the 5 signal coverage areas (SSB0-SSB4) in the first beam coverage area.

[0096] In this way, the satellite network device can determine that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is a wide beam, and the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is a plurality of narrow beams. Compared with a wide beam, since a narrow beam can increase the power of SSB, the first beam coverage area is covered by a plurality of narrow beams, which can effectively reduce the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density. In addition, if the first beam coverage area uses a wide beam, if the wide beam fails, all UEs in the first beam coverage area will not be able to access the satellite network device normally. Therefore, the satellite network device uses a plurality of narrow beams to provide signal coverage for the first beam coverage area. Even if a narrow beam among the plurality of narrow beams fails, it will not affect the normal access of UEs within the signal coverage range of other narrow beams to the satellite network device. The second beam coverage area uses a wide beam, which can cover the second beam coverage area with a low UE density when the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, so as to save beam resources as much as possible. Furthermore, since the satellite network device can transmit SSB within a preset signal-to-noise ratio range based on the wide beam, the UE within the coverage area of ​​the second beam can successfully access the satellite network device.

[0097] In addition, it should be noted that, in this embodiment, if there are at least two beam coverage areas corresponding to beams that are both multiple first-type beams, the number of first-type beams corresponding to the at least two beam coverage areas may be the same or different. For example, if the multiple beam coverage areas include the first beam coverage area and the fourth beam coverage area, and the beams corresponding to the fourth beam coverage area are also multiple first-type beams, then the number of first-type beams corresponding to the fourth beam coverage area and the first beam coverage area may be the same or different.

[0098] Further, as an example, this embodiment provides the following two non-limiting implementation methods to obtain the UE density upper limit.

[0099] In a possible implementation, if the value of the UE density upper limit is preset in the standard communication protocol, the satellite network device can directly obtain the UE density upper limit. In addition, the satellite network device can further determine the size relationship between the UE density and each beam coverage area based on the preset UE density upper limit.

[0100] In another possible implementation, the satellite network device may first determine an upper limit Q of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams belonging to the first type, and then determine an upper limit on the UE density based on the UE densities and Q corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively.

[0101] Among them, Q can indicate that the satellite network device can perform beam changes on at most Q beam coverage areas, and after the beam change, each of the Q beam coverage areas includes a signal coverage ranges, and the a signal coverage ranges are all covered by narrow beams, and a is greater than 1. Therefore, in a specific implementation, the satellite network device can first determine the number j of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution cycle, the value of a, and the number M of idle beams of the satellite network device, where the idle beams are the number of beams not used by the satellite network device; then, the satellite network device determines Q based on j, a, and M, that is, in, Indicates rounding up. Indicates rounding down.

[0102] For ease of understanding, taking the first beam coverage area as an example, if the satellite network device performs a beam change on the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device can change the first beam coverage area to a signal coverage range covered by a narrow beam. Compared with the original 1 signal coverage range covered by a wide beam, the first beam coverage area adds a-1 signal coverage ranges. Since one SSB distribution cycle includes j SSB transmission opportunities, the satellite network device uses an additional By sending SSBs at j SSB transmission opportunities in a beam hopping manner, a-1 newly added signal coverage areas can be covered.

[0103] Furthermore, since the number of unused beams of the satellite network device is M, the satellite network device can use at most M beams to implement beam changes. It can be determined that when a beam change is made, if each beam coverage area is additionally covered by a-1 signal coverage ranges using a narrow beam, then the satellite network equipment can support a maximum number of beam coverage area changes, that is, the upper limit Q of the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams of the first type is determined.

[0104] In the process of determining the value of a by the satellite network device, the satellite network device may first obtain the beam coverage area S1 of a wide beam on the ground and the beam coverage area S2 of a narrow beam on the ground, and calculate a based on S1 and S2, that is, a=S1 / S2. Taking the first beam coverage area as an example, when performing a beam change on the first beam coverage area, the satellite network device specifically changes the signal coverage range of a signal covered by a wide beam to a signal coverage range of a signal covered by a narrow beam. Therefore, the satellite network device may obtain the number of newly added signal coverage ranges of the first beam coverage area after the beam change based on the quotient of the signal coverage areas of different types of beams used before and after the beam change in the first beam coverage area.

[0105] It should be noted that the sum of the areas of the a signal coverage areas covered by the narrow beam may be greater than or equal to the area of ​​the signal coverage area covered by the wide beam, that is, the sum of a S2 is greater than or equal to S1. This can avoid the reduction of the coverage area of ​​the beam coverage area after the beam is changed, which affects the access effect of the UE in the beam coverage area.

[0106] Further, with respect to the process of determining M by the satellite network device, as an example, the satellite network device may first determine the number Y of beams used by the satellite network device based on the SSB distribution cycle and the number of multiple beam coverage areas obtained as described above. Here, the number Y of beams used by the satellite network device refers to the number of wide beams used by the satellite network device when sending SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas. Since the satellite network device can use beams to send SSBs to beam coverage areas according to multiple SSB transmission opportunities in the SSB distribution cycle, when determining the number of beams used by the satellite network device, the satellite network device can determine the number of beams used by the satellite network device by calculating the quotient of the number of multiple beam coverage areas and the number of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution cycle.

[0107] For example, assuming that the SSB distribution period of the satellite network equipment is 20ms, one SSB distribution period includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, and the number of multiple beam coverage areas is 265, then the satellite network equipment uses 67 (Y=265 / 4=67) beams to send SSB to the above 265 beam coverage areas.

[0108] Next, the satellite network device can further determine M, that is, the number of unused beams of the satellite network device, based on the upper limit X of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device and the above Y. Among them, the upper limit X of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device refers to the maximum number of beams that the satellite network device can activate simultaneously. Assuming that the standard communication protocol defines that the satellite network device can only activate 106 beams at most simultaneously, then X is 106. Based on this, the satellite network device can determine M based on X and Y, that is, M=XY.

[0109] In combination with the above example, the satellite network device has used 67 beams to send SSB to multiple beam coverage areas. Therefore, when the upper limit X of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device is 106, the satellite network device can calculate that the number of unused beams M is 39, that is, the satellite network device can still use 39 beams to send SSB.

[0110] Based on this, in this embodiment, after the satellite network device obtains a and M, Q can be calculated accordingly. In addition, the satellite network device can further determine the UE density upper limit by combining the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas and Q. The UE density upper limit can be the nth highest UE density among the UE densities of the multiple beam coverage areas, where n is Q+1 and n is an integer.

[0111] For example, the satellite network device may first determine n based on Q, that is, n=Q+1, and n is an integer. Then, the satellite network device may sort the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas in order from large to small to obtain a sorting result. Then, the satellite network device may select the nth UE density from the sorting result as the upper limit of the UE density. Alternatively, the satellite network device may also compare the UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas one by one, and select the nth highest UE density as the upper limit of the UE density.

[0112] Based on the above content, for ease of understanding, the following is an example of the satellite network device determining the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area. Assuming that the satellite network device determines that there are M idle beams, an SSB distribution cycle includes j SSB transmission opportunities, and the satellite network device can change a beam coverage area covered by a wide beam to a signal coverage area covered by a narrow beam, then the satellite network device can support up to The coverage area of ​​each beam is changed, and the upper limit of UE density is the UE density corresponding to each of the 265 beam coverage areas. Therefore, the UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density corresponding to the 265 beam coverage areas. In case of high UE density, satellite network equipment can be used The newly added narrow beam and the narrow beam obtained by changing the wide beam change the first beam coverage area to a signal coverage area covered by the narrow beam.

[0113] Correspondingly, the satellite network device also determines the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area based on the above method, which will not be repeated here.

[0114] It should be noted that the various numerical values ​​mentioned in this embodiment, such as Q, j, a, M, Y, X and n, are only exemplary descriptions and do not specifically limit the values ​​of the various numerical values. In other implementation examples, each numerical value can also determine other corresponding values ​​according to the above method.

[0115] In addition, it should be noted that, in other embodiments, in addition to the UE density of each beam coverage area, the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area can also be determined based on the ratio of the number of UEs in each beam coverage area to the total number of UEs in multiple beam coverage areas and the UE ratio upper limit. The determination method is similar to the above method, and the UE density of each beam coverage area is replaced by the ratio of the number of UEs in each beam coverage area to the total number of UEs in multiple beam coverage areas, and the UE density upper limit is replaced by the UE ratio upper limit, which will not be repeated here.

[0116] S403: The satellite network device sends SSB to each beam coverage area based on the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0117] In this process, taking the example of the satellite network device sending SSB to the first beam coverage area, since the standard communication protocol defines that the SSB distribution cycle includes multiple SSB transmission opportunities, after determining that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area includes multiple beams of the first type, the satellite network device can use multiple beams corresponding to the first type to send SSB to the first beam coverage area.

[0118] Based on this, for ease of understanding, a variety of possible implementation methods are provided below to introduce the implementation of satellite network equipment sending SSB to each beam coverage area based on the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0119] As a possible implementation method, take the example of a satellite network device sending SSB to beam coverage area 1, combined with Figure 6a As shown, during the beam change process in the first beam coverage area, in addition to changing a wide beam originally used in the first beam coverage area to a narrow beam, the satellite network equipment also uses an additional narrow beam, and enables the additional narrow beam to send SSB to different signal coverage ranges at different SSB transmission times through beam hopping.

[0120] To this end, in this embodiment, the satellite network device can first obtain an SSB distribution cycle, which includes multiple SSB transmission opportunities. Then, the satellite network device can send SSB to each of the multiple first type beams within the signal coverage range on the ground based on the multiple first type beams and multiple SSB transmission opportunities corresponding to the first beam coverage area.

[0121] In a specific implementation, the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area may include one narrow beam obtained by changing a wide beam and other newly added first-type beams. Correspondingly, the satellite network device may use one narrow beam obtained by changing a wide beam to send SSB within the SSB transmission opportunity set before the change, and use each of the other newly added first-type beams to send SSB within each SSB transmission opportunity. In this way, the satellite network device can use beam hopping to enable each beam to send SSB at different SSB transmission opportunities, so as to optimize the utilization rate of beam resources and improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area.

[0122] As a possible implementation method, take the example of a satellite network device sending SSB to beam coverage area 1, combined with Figure 6b As shown, during the beam change process in the first beam coverage area, in addition to changing the one wide beam originally used in the first beam coverage area to a narrow beam, the satellite network equipment also uses four additional narrow beams, and enables the four additional narrow beams to send SSB to different signal coverage areas at the same SSB transmission time.

[0123] To this end, in this embodiment, the satellite network device can simultaneously send SSB to the signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the first beam coverage area based on each first type of beam in multiple first type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area.

[0124] In a specific implementation, the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area may include one narrow beam obtained by changing a wide beam and other newly added first-type beams. Correspondingly, the satellite network device can use all the first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area to send SSBs within the same SSB transmission opportunity. In this way, the satellite network device can use these beams to send SSBs to other beam coverage areas at other SSB transmission opportunities within an SSB distribution cycle, so that the satellite network device can not only use multiple narrow beams to effectively reduce the probability of UE access failure in the first beam coverage area with a high UE density, but also further improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area within an SSB distribution cycle.

[0125] In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio of the SSB sent by the satellite network device based on the beam belonging to the second type can be in a preset signal-to-noise ratio interval. In this way, UEs within the coverage area of ​​multiple beams can access the satellite network device based on the SSB sent by the wide beam.

[0126] Correspondingly, the satellite network equipment can also send SSB to other beam coverage areas based on the above method, which will not be repeated here.

[0127] S404: p UEs scan their respective beam coverage areas to obtain SSBs.

[0128] In actual application scenarios, each UE scans at the same period as the SSB distribution period, or scans at a period greater than the SSB distribution period, and can successfully scan and obtain the SSB within each beam coverage area.

[0129] Based on this, in this process, taking UE1 scanning to obtain SSB as an example, UE1 can first determine the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device, and then scan based on the SSB distribution period to obtain the SSB within the first beam coverage area.

[0130] In specific implementation, if UE1 has successfully accessed the satellite network device, UE1 can directly use the scanning period when successfully accessing the satellite network device in the past time period as the SSB distribution period of the first beam coverage area, so as to scan based on the SSB distribution period to obtain the SSB in the first beam coverage area. In this way, the scanning efficiency of UE1 can be improved, so that UE1 can quickly access the satellite network device.

[0131] In other embodiments, UE1 may also obtain the SSB distribution period in other ways. For example, the SSB distribution period may be pre-configured by the operator, and UE1 obtains the SSB distribution period through configuration information provided by the operator.

[0132] Correspondingly, other UEs can scan and obtain the SSB within their own beam coverage area based on the above method, thereby accessing the satellite network equipment.

[0133] S405: p UEs access the satellite network device according to the SSB obtained by scanning.

[0134] Among them, each UE among the P UEs accesses the satellite network device according to the SSB obtained by each scan.

[0135] In the above Figure 4It is mentioned in the relevant content of step S402 shown that when the second UE density is less than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device can determine that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is still a beam of the second type, that is, the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is not changed. However, in actual application, the UE density of the beam coverage area may change with the movement of the UE. Therefore, when the UE density of the second beam coverage area increases to be greater than the upper limit of UE density, the satellite network device may further change the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area, thereby improving the access success rate of UEs in the second beam coverage area and meeting the access requirements of the second beam coverage area when the UE density is high. Next, in combination with Figure 7 This is explained in detail.

[0136] See also Figure 7 , a flow chart of another communication method is shown. Figure 7 The communication method shown can be applied to Figure 3 The communication system shown in the figure may be applied to other possible communication systems. Figure 3 The communication system shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, taking the second beam coverage area and UE2 in the second beam coverage area as an example, the process of the communication method includes the following steps.

[0137] S701: The satellite network device determines that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is a beam of the second type.

[0138] The satellite network device determines the beam mode corresponding to the second beam coverage area, which can be seen from the above Figure 3 The description of the relevant aspects of determining the beam corresponding to each beam coverage area in the illustrated embodiment is not repeated here.

[0139] In actual application, the beam belonging to the second type can be called a wide beam, and the beam belonging to the first type mentioned in this embodiment can be called a narrow beam.

[0140] S702: When the second UE density in the second beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network device changes the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area from one beam of the second type to multiple beams of the first type.

[0141] In this process, since the second UE density increases, that is, the second UE density is greater than the UE density upper limit, the satellite network device can re-determine the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area, that is, the satellite network device can configure the corresponding multiple narrow beams for the second beam coverage area. The implementation process of configuring the corresponding multiple narrow beams for the second beam coverage area can refer to the relevant description of configuring the corresponding multiple narrow beams for the first beam coverage area in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0142] In this way, compared with one wide beam, multiple narrow beams are configured for the second beam coverage area with increased second UE density, and the power of SSB can be increased through narrow beams. Therefore, the access success rate of the increased UEs in the second beam coverage area with higher UE density can be effectively reduced. In addition, if the second beam coverage area still uses one wide beam, if the wide beam fails, all UEs in the second beam coverage area will not be able to access the satellite network device normally. Therefore, the satellite network device configures a narrow beams for coverage of the second beam coverage area. Even if one of the a narrow beams fails, it will not affect the normal access of UEs within the signal coverage range of other narrow beams to the satellite network device.

[0143] For ease of understanding, as examples, this embodiment provides the following non-limiting implementation methods to configure the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area to be changed from one beam belonging to the second type to multiple beams belonging to the first type.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the satellite network device may first determine the number of idle beams. If the number of idle beams is greater than or equal to Indicates that in addition to the 1 wide beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area, the satellite network equipment can use at least If a narrow beam is used to change the beam, the satellite network device may change a second type of beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area to a first type of narrow beam, and based on The idle beams are configured for the second beam coverage area A narrow beam.

[0145] In another possible implementation, since the number of beams activated simultaneously by the satellite network device is limited, the satellite network device may refer to the UE density of other beam coverage areas among the multiple beam coverage areas and release the beams corresponding to other beam coverage areas, so as to facilitate beam changes in the second beam coverage area with the help of the released beams.

[0146] In a specific implementation, the satellite network device may first determine a third beam coverage area from multiple beam coverage areas. The UE density of the third beam coverage area is less than or equal to the upper limit of the UE density, and the beam corresponding to the third beam coverage area includes multiple narrow beams. In a specific implementation, there may be more than one beam coverage area among the multiple beam coverage areas that meets the above conditions (i.e., the UE density is less than or equal to the upper limit of the UE density, and the corresponding beam includes a wide beam). For this reason, the satellite network device may use the beam coverage area with the smallest UE density among the beam coverage areas that meet the above conditions as the third beam coverage area. In this way, since the UE density of the third beam coverage area is the smallest, the subsequent release of the beam of the third beam coverage area to change the beam of the second beam coverage area can avoid a significant impact on the UE access efficiency in the third beam coverage area.

[0147] Then, the satellite network device may change one of the plurality of beams of the first type corresponding to the third beam coverage area to a beam of the second type. In this way, the satellite network device can release Narrow beams are used to transmit SSB to the coverage area of ​​the second beam.

[0148] As an example, combining Figure 8a As shown, assuming that an SSB distribution cycle includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, and the satellite network equipment can change the third beam coverage area from 5 signal coverage areas covered by narrow beams to 1 signal coverage area covered by wide beams, compared with the original 5 signal coverage areas covered by 2 narrow beams (SSB0-SSB5, where SSB1-SSB4 is covered by 1 narrow beam in 4 SSB transmission opportunities through beam hopping), the third beam coverage area has reduced 4 signal coverage areas (SSB1-SSB4). Therefore, the satellite network equipment can release 1 narrow beam to send SSB to the second beam coverage area. The narrow beam that originally covered the signal coverage area SSB0 can be changed to a wide beam to cover the entire third beam coverage area.

[0149] As another example, combining Figure 8b As shown, it is still assumed that the satellite network device can change the third beam coverage area from 5 signal coverage areas covered by narrow beams to 1 signal coverage area covered by wide beams. Compared with the original 5 signal coverage areas covered by 5 narrow beams (SSB0-SSB5, 1 narrow beam covers 1 signal coverage area), the third beam coverage area has reduced 4 signal coverage areas (SSB1-SSB4). Therefore, the satellite network device can release 4 narrow beams to send SSB to the second beam coverage area. The narrow beam that originally covered the signal coverage area SSB0 can be changed to a wide beam to cover the entire third beam coverage area.

[0150] In this way, the satellite network equipment can be based on the corresponding For example, assuming that each beam has a device identifier, which can be used to mark the beam coverage area corresponding to each beam, then the satellite network device can The device identification of a narrow beam is changed from "third beam coverage area" to "second beam coverage area"; and, the satellite network equipment can change a wide beam originally corresponding to the second beam coverage area to a narrow beam, that is, change the signal coverage area of ​​the beam on the ground.

[0151] It should be noted that this embodiment takes the third beam coverage area as an example for explanation, and does not specifically limit the beam coverage area corresponding to the released beam. Accordingly, any beam coverage area among the multiple beam coverage areas that meets the above conditions can perform beam release.

[0152] In another possible implementation, it is assumed that the satellite network device determines that there are idle beams, but the number of idle beams is less than If the satellite network device determines that there is a beam coverage area that meets the above conditions, such as the third beam coverage area, the satellite network device may allocate a third beam coverage area to the satellite network device based on the number of idle beams and the third beam coverage area. For this process, reference may be made to the relevant contents in the above-mentioned implementation manner, and no specific limitation is made here, and the sum of the number of idle beams used by the satellite network device control and the number of partial beams in the multiple narrow beams corresponding to the third beam coverage area is equal to the multiple narrow beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area.

[0153] In addition, since the second UE density in the second beam coverage area changes as the UE moves, in this embodiment, the satellite network device may periodically collect the second UE density in the second beam coverage area at a preset frequency. Alternatively, the satellite network device may also collect the second UE density in the second beam coverage area in real time. For the method of obtaining the second UE density and the UE density, please refer to the description of the relevant parts of obtaining the second UE density and the UE density upper limit in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] S703: The satellite network device sends SSB to the signal coverage area corresponding to each first type beam in the second beam coverage area based on each first type beam among the multiple first type beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area.

[0155] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of step S703 can refer to the relevant description of the above-mentioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0156] S704: UE2 scans the signal coverage range of the beam where UE2 is located within the coverage area of ​​the second beam to obtain SSB.

[0157] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of step S704 can refer to the relevant description of the above-mentioned embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0158] S705: UE2 accesses the satellite network device according to the SSB obtained by scanning.

[0159] Next, combine Fig. 9 as well as Fig.10 , further introduces the hardware implementation of satellite network equipment and UE.

[0160] See also Fig. 9 , showing a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a satellite network device, the satellite network device can be used to perform the above Figure 2 , Figure 3 , the method performed by the satellite network device in the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 8. Fig. 9 The satellite network device shown includes at least one processor 111, at least one memory 112, at least one transceiver 113, at least one network interface 114 and one or more antennas 115. The processor 111, the memory 112, the transceiver 113 and the network interface 114 are connected, for example, through a bus. In the embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. The antenna 115 is connected to the transceiver 113. The network interface 114 is used to connect the satellite network device to other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 114 may include a network interface between the satellite network device and the satellite network device in the core network, such as an S1 interface, and the network interface may include a network interface between the satellite network device and other satellite network devices, such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0161] in, Fig. 9 The processor 111 shown in the figure can specifically complete the actions of satellite network device processing in the above method, the memory 112 can complete the actions of storage in the above method, the transceiver 113 and the antenna 115 can perform the sending and receiving actions on the air interface in the above method, and the network interface 114 can complete the actions of interacting with the satellite network device or other satellite network devices / network elements in the above method.

[0162] The processor in the embodiment of the present application, such as the processor 111, may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor and other types of computing devices that run software, each of which may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor may be a separate semiconductor chip, or it may be integrated into a semiconductor chip together with other circuits. For example, it may form a SoC (system on chip) with other circuits (such as a codec circuit, a hardware acceleration circuit, or various buses and interface circuits), or it may be integrated into the ASIC as a built-in processor of an ASIC, and the ASIC with the integrated processor may be packaged separately or with other circuits. In addition to the core for executing software instructions for operations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as FPGA (field programmable gate array), PLD (programmable logic device), or logic circuits for implementing dedicated logic operations.

[0163] The memory in the embodiments of the present application may include at least one of the following types: read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, and may also be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some scenarios, the memory may also be a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this.

[0164] The memory 112 may be independent and connected to the processor 111. Optionally, the memory 112 may be integrated with the processor 111, for example, integrated into a chip. The memory 112 can store program codes for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 111. The various types of computer program codes executed may also be regarded as drivers of the processor 111. For example, the processor 111 is used to execute the computer program codes stored in the memory 112, thereby realizing the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application.

[0165] The transceiver 113 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the satellite network device and other devices, and the transceiver 113 can be connected to the antenna 115. The transceiver 113 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 115 can receive radio frequency signals, and the receiver Rx of the transceiver 113 is used to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna, convert the radio frequency signal into a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and provide the digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal to the processor 111, so that the processor 111 further processes the digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 113 is also used to receive a modulated digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal from the processor 111, and convert the modulated digital baseband signal or the digital intermediate frequency signal into a radio frequency signal, and send the radio frequency signal through one or more antennas 115. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processing on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and the order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processing is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processing on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal, and the order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processing is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal can be collectively referred to as a digital signal.

[0166] Fig.10 The composition example of the UE provided in the embodiment of the present application, the UE may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smart wearable device (such as a smart watch), etc. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the UE may include a processor 310, an external memory interface 320, an internal memory 321, a display screen 330, a camera 340, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 350, and a wireless communication module 360, etc.

[0167] It is to be understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the UE. In other embodiments, the UE may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0168] The processor 310 may include one or more processing units, for example, the processor 310 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processor (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a time-frequency codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0169] It is understandable that the interface connection relationship between the modules illustrated in this embodiment is only a schematic illustration and does not constitute a structural limitation on the UE. In other embodiments of the present application, the UE may also adopt different interface connection methods in the above embodiments, or a combination of multiple interface connection methods.

[0170] The external memory interface 320 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the storage capacity of the UE. The external memory card communicates with the processor 310 through the external memory interface 320 to implement a data storage function. For example, music, time and frequency files are stored in the external memory card.

[0171] The internal memory 321 can be used to store computer executable program codes, and the executable program codes include instructions. The processor 310 executes various functional applications and data processing of the UE by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 321. The internal memory 321 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area may store data created during the use of the UE (such as time-frequency stream data), etc. In addition, the internal memory 321 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, a universal flash storage (UFS), etc. The processor 310 executes various functions and data processing of the UE by running instructions stored in the internal memory 321, and / or instructions stored in a memory provided in the processor.

[0172] The wireless communication function of the UE can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 350, wireless communication module 360, modem processor and baseband processor.

[0173] Antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the UE can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve the utilization of the antennas. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In some other embodiments, the antenna can be used in combination with a tuning switch.

[0174] The mobile communication module 350 can provide solutions for wireless communications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G applied on UE. The mobile communication module 350 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 350 can receive electromagnetic waves from the antenna 1, and filter, amplify, and process the received electromagnetic waves, and transmit them to the modulation and demodulation processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 350 can also amplify the signal modulated by the modulation and demodulation processor, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the processor 310. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the same device as at least some of the modules of the processor 310.

[0175] In some embodiments, the UE initiates or receives a call request through the mobile communication module 350 and the antenna 1 .

[0176] In addition, an operating system is running on the above components. For example, an iOS operating system, an Android operating system, a Windows operating system, etc. Applications can be installed and run on the operating system. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, the explanation and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the UEs provided above can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0177] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the computer-readable storage medium is executed on one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices execute the communication method described in the above embodiment.

[0178] In addition, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, and when the computer program product is executed by one or more computing devices, the one or more computing devices execute any of the aforementioned communication methods. The computer program product may be a software installation package, and when any of the aforementioned communication methods is required, the computer program product may be downloaded and executed on a computer.

[0179] Through the description of the above implementation mode, the technicians in the field can clearly understand that the present application can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general hardware, and of course, it can also be implemented by special hardware including special integrated circuits, special CPUs, special memories, special components, etc. In general, all functions completed by computer programs can be easily implemented by corresponding hardware, and the specific hardware structure used to implement the same function can also be various, such as analog circuits, digital circuits or special circuits. However, for the present application, software program implementation is a better implementation mode in more cases. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a disk or an optical disk, etc., including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a training device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0180] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product.

[0181] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website site, a computer, a training device, or a data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, training device, or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a training device, a data center, etc. that includes one or more available media integrations. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state drive (SSD)), etc.

[0182] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Claims

1. A communication method, the method being applied to a satellite network device, characterized in that: The method comprises: Determine beams corresponding to a plurality of beam coverage areas, respectively, where the plurality of beam coverage areas include a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area, where the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area includes a plurality of beams of a first type, where the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area includes a beam of a second type, where a signal coverage area of ​​the first type of beam on the ground is smaller than a signal coverage area of ​​the second type of beam on the ground, and where a user equipment UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than a UE density in the second beam coverage area; Based on the beams respectively corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB are sent to the multiple beam coverage areas, and the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is determined by the following steps: Determine a UE density in an area covered by the first beam; When the UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, it is determined that the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area is the multiple beams of the first type.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine an upper limit on the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams of the first type and UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively; The UE density upper limit is determined based on the UE densities respectively corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas and the upper limit of the number.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The UE density upper limit is the nth highest UE density among the UE densities in the multiple beam coverage areas, the value of n is the upper limit plus 1, and n is an integer.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The determining an upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas for configuring the plurality of beams of the first type comprises: Acquire the number of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device, the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, and the number of the plurality of beams of the first type, wherein the idle beam is a beam not used by the satellite network device; The upper limit of the number is determined based on the number of the SSB transmission opportunities, the number of the idle beams, and the number of the plurality of beams of the first type.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Obtaining the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, including: Acquire an SSB distribution period and the number of coverage areas of the plurality of beams; Determining the number of beams used by the satellite network device based on the SSB distribution period and the number of coverage areas of the plurality of beams; The number of the idle beams is determined based on an upper limit of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device and the number of the used beams.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The determining a UE density in the first beam coverage area includes: Obtaining a number of requests received from UEs within the coverage area of ​​the first beam; Based on the number of requests, a UE density of the first beam coverage area is determined.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of transmitting the SSB to the first beam coverage area include: Obtaining an SSB distribution period, wherein the SSB distribution period includes a plurality of SSB transmission opportunities; Based on the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area and the multiple SSB transmission opportunities, the SSB is sent to the signal coverage range of each beam of the multiple first-type beams on the ground.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steps of transmitting the SSB to the first beam coverage area include: Based on each first type of beam in a plurality of first type of beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area, the SSB is simultaneously transmitted to a signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the first beam coverage area.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: When the UE density in the second beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, configuring the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area to be changed from one second type of beam to multiple first type of beams; Based on each first type beam in a plurality of first type beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area, SSB is transmitted to a signal coverage range of each first type beam in the second beam coverage area.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The configuring that the beam corresponding to the second beam coverage area is changed from one beam of the second type to multiple beams of the first type includes: Determine a third beam coverage area among the multiple beam coverage areas, where a UE density of the third beam coverage area is less than or equal to the UE density upper limit, and a beam corresponding to the third beam coverage area includes multiple beams of the first type; Changing one of the plurality of beams of the first type corresponding to the third beam coverage area into a beam of the second type; Based on the remaining beams except the one beam among the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the third beam coverage area, the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the second beam coverage area are configured.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The signal-to-noise ratio of the SSB transmitted based on the second type of beam is within a preset signal-to-noise ratio range.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The multiple beam coverage areas include a fourth beam coverage area, and the number of the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the fourth beam coverage area is the same as the number of the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area.

14. A communication method, the method being applied to a satellite network device, characterized in that: The method comprises: Determine a first beam coverage area of ​​the satellite network device, wherein the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area includes a beam of the second type; When the user equipment UE density in the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density upper limit, configuring the beam corresponding to the first beam coverage area to be changed from one second type of beam to multiple first type of beams, and the signal coverage area of ​​the first type of beam on the ground is smaller than the signal coverage area of ​​the second type of beam on the ground; Based on each first type beam of the multiple first type beams, a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB are sent to the first beam coverage area, and the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine an upper limit on the number of beam coverage areas configured with multiple beams of the first type and UE densities corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively; The UE density upper limit is determined based on the UE densities respectively corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas and the upper limit of the number.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The UE density upper limit is the nth highest UE density among the UE densities in the multiple beam coverage areas, the value of n is the upper limit plus 1, and n is an integer.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The determining an upper limit of the number of beam coverage areas for configuring the plurality of beams of the first type comprises: Acquire the number of SSB transmission opportunities included in the SSB distribution period of the satellite network device, the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, and the number of the plurality of beams of the first type, wherein the idle beam is a beam not used by the satellite network device; The upper limit of the number is determined based on the number of the SSB transmission opportunities, the number of the idle beams, and the number of the plurality of beams of the first type.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that Obtaining the number of idle beams of the satellite network device, including: Acquire an SSB distribution period and the number of coverage areas of the plurality of beams; Determining the number of beams used by the satellite network device based on the SSB distribution period and the number of coverage areas of the plurality of beams; The number of the idle beams is determined based on an upper limit of the number of beams provided by the satellite network device and the number of the used beams.

19. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The sending a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB to the first beam coverage area based on each first type beam in the plurality of first type beams, where the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device, comprises: Obtaining an SSB distribution period, wherein the SSB distribution period includes a plurality of SSB transmission opportunities; Based on the multiple first-type beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area and the multiple SSB transmission opportunities, the SSB is sent to the signal coverage range of each beam of the multiple first-type beams on the ground.

20. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The sending a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB to the first beam coverage area based on each first type beam in the plurality of first type beams, where the SSB is used for UE to access the satellite network device, comprises: Based on each first type of beam in a plurality of first type of beams corresponding to the first beam coverage area, the SSB is simultaneously transmitted to a signal coverage range of each first type of beam in the first beam coverage area.

21. A satellite network device, characterized in that: include: A transceiver, configured to perform a receiving operation and a sending operation in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20; A processor, used to perform other operations except the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method described in any one of claims 1 to 20.

22. A communication method, the method being applied to a user equipment UE, characterized in that: The method comprises: Scan the signal coverage range of the beam where the UE is located within the beam coverage area to obtain a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB; Based on the SSB, access the satellite network device, and the satellite network device is the satellite network device described in claim 21.

23. A user equipment UE, characterized in that: It includes a message receiver configured to receive a first message from a satellite network device, wherein the first message includes a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block SSB, and the SSB is used for the UE to access the satellite network device, and the satellite network device is the satellite network device as described in claim 21.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a satellite network device and a user equipment UE, wherein the satellite network device is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, and the UE is used to execute the method according to claim 22.

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