Non-ground network communication method and related device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a non-terrestrial network communication method and a related device, and the method comprises the steps that first network equipment obtains first configuration information of a first cell, and the first cell is a cell in the first network equipment; and the first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device, the first configuration information comprising a first identifier and / or related information of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the first cell, and the first identifier being used for identifying a system message of the first cell. The L3-free signaling switching is realized under the regeneration satellite working scene, the signaling overhead is saved, the signaling storm caused by switching is avoided, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a non-terrestrial network communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0002] A non-terrestrial network (NTN) is a communication network implemented by means of non-terrestrial network devices. The NTN system may include satellite systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication systems, and other aerial network devices. NTN has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, and high throughput, and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions, and natural disasters, and has been widely used in various fields. Introducing NTN communication into mobile network communication, such as 5th-Generation (5G) communication, can improve the user experience. Taking the satellite network as an example, according to the orbital altitude, satellites can be divided into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, middle earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites. Among them, the satellites operating in the geostationary orbit are stationary relative to the ground, while the satellites operating in the low orbit and the middle orbit move at high speed relative to the ground. Therefore, the low orbit and the middle orbit can also be referred to as non-geostationary orbit (NGSO).

[0003] For satellites operating in NGSO, due to the high-speed movement of the satellites relative to the ground, the coverage duration of the satellite beam in a certain area on the ground is short. Therefore, the terminal device needs to frequently change the serving cell. And the frequent handover of the terminal device between different satellites will cause huge signaling overhead. Therefore, the huge signaling overhead caused by the frequent handover of the terminal device in the NGSO scenario has become the key to affecting the communication efficiency of the NTN system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a non-terrestrial network communication method, which is applied to a first network device. The method includes: the first network device obtains first configuration information of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell in the first network device; the first network device sends the first configuration information to a second network device, where the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, information related to the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the first cell, and the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell.

[0005] The first network device in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as the source network device. The first cell of the first network device is the cell currently providing communication services to the terminal device, and the first cell may also be referred to as the source cell. The terminal device needs to switch from the first cell to the second cell. The second cell is a cell in the second network device, and the second cell may also be referred to as the target cell. The second network device may also be referred to as the target network device.

[0006] In a possible implementation, after the Xn interface between the first network device and the second network device is established, the first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device. The Xn interface is an interface between network devices. For example, the first network device carries the first configuration information in the establishment request for the Xn interface sent to the second network device. The establishment request for the Xn interface is used to request the establishment of the Xn interface between the first network device and the second network device. For another example, the second network device sends an establishment request for the Xn interface, and the first network device carries the first configuration information in the establishment request response for the Xn interface sent back to the second network device. Exemplarily, the establishment request for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUPREQUEST" message, and the establishment request response for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUP RESPONSE" message.

[0007] In another possible implementation, when the first network device sends a handover request message to the second network device, the first configuration information is carried in the handover request message. The first network device determines the handover request message based on the measurement report reported by the terminal device. The handover request message is used to indicate that there is a terminal device that needs to switch from the first network device to the second network device. Exemplarily, the handover request message may be a "HANDOVER REQUEST" message.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, by sending the first configuration information related to the first cell to the second network device, the configuration information of the second cell is made to match the configuration information of the first cell. It is ensured that the terminal device can switch from the first cell to the second cell through a handover process without L3 signaling. A handover without L3 signaling is achieved in the regenerative satellite working scenario, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the relevant information of the PBCH of the first cell includes any one or more of the following: the lower 4 bits of the system frame number; the absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell; the higher 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block (SSB) subcarrier, where the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset from subcarrier 0 of the common resource block (CRB) to SSB subcarrier 0; the number of SSBs of the first cell; or, half-frame indication information, where the half-frame indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame. In the embodiments of the present application, the relevant information of the PBCH of the first cell includes multiple types of information, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the first network device includes a system information block (SIB).

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends second configuration information to the second network device, where the second configuration information includes configuration information related to the terminal device, the terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell corresponding to the second network device is the cell to be switched to by the terminal device.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device may also send configuration information related to the terminal device to the second network device, so that the second network device can apply the second configuration information to provide communication services to the terminal device in the second cell. The second network device does not need to synchronize the configuration information of the terminal device with the terminal device again, ensuring that the terminal device can switch from the first cell to the second cell through a handover process without L3 signaling. In the working scenario of a regenerative satellite, a handover without L3 signaling is achieved, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends third configuration information to the second network device, where the third configuration information is the configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell. After the second network device obtains the third configuration information, the third configuration information becomes effective, that is, the configuration related to the random access channel (RACH) becomes effective. The second network device can make the third configuration information effective before the UE initiates access, for example, make the third configuration information effective at the time indicated by the first time information. The terminal device accesses the second cell according to the original configuration related to the RACH.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the second configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the key KgNB, which is used to determine the key of the access stratum; the cell radio network temporary identity C-RNTI; the mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow related to the terminal device and the data radio bearer DRB; the capability information of the terminal device; the measurement configuration information of radio resource management RRM; the relevant information of the protocol data unit PDU session related to the terminal device; or, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except for the system information block SIB1 and the master information block MIB. In the embodiments of the present application, the second configuration information includes multiple types of information, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the identification information of the first cell; the configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell; the system information block SIB1 of the first cell; or, the master information block MIB of the first cell. In the embodiments of the present application, the second configuration information includes multiple types of information, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the third configuration information includes any one or more of the following pieces of information: the random access - common configuration rach-ConfigCommon cell, or the synchronization signal block - burst position ssb-PositionsInBurst cell, where the rach-ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following pieces of information: the random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, the parameters for transmitting the preamble, or the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block; the ssb-PositionsInBurst cell includes: the time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block. In the embodiments of the present application, the third configuration information includes multiple types of information, which improves the implementation flexibility of the solution.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device switches from the first cell to the second cell in a handover mode without L3 signaling, the second cell corresponding to the second network device is the target cell for the terminal device to hand over to, and the identification information of the current serving cell of the terminal device in the handover mode without L3 signaling is the same as the identification information of the target cell of the terminal device; the first network device sends second indication information to the second network device, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the second network device adopts the handover mode without L3 signaling.

[0018] In combination with the first aspect, in a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network device sends first time information to the terminal device, where the first time information indicates the effective time for the handover mode without L3 signaling to take effect.

[0019] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a non-terrestrial network communication method, which is applied to a second network device, and the method includes: the second network device receives first configuration information sent by a first network device, where the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, information related to the physical broadcast channel PBCH of a first cell, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell in the first network device; the second network device applies the first configuration information to provide communication services for a terminal device in a second cell, the terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell is the target cell for the terminal device to hand over to.

[0020] In a possible implementation, after the Xn interface between the first network device and the second network device is established, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device, and the Xn interface is an interface between network devices. For example, the first network device carries the first configuration information in a setup request for the Xn interface sent to the second network device, and the setup request for the Xn interface is used to request the establishment of the Xn interface between the first network device and the second network device. For another example, the second network device sends a setup request for the Xn interface, and the first network device carries the first configuration information in a setup request response for the Xn interface sent back to the second network device. Exemplarily, the setup request for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUPREQUEST" message, and the setup request response for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUP RESPONSE" message.

[0021] In another possible implementation, when the first network device sends a handover request message to the second network device, the first configuration information is carried in the handover request message. The first network device determines the handover request message according to the measurement report reported by the terminal device. The handover request message is used to indicate that there is a terminal device that needs to hand over from the first network device to the second network device. Exemplarily, the handover request message may be a "HANDOVER REQUEST" message.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, by sending the first configuration information related to the first cell to the second network device, the configuration information of the second cell is made to match the configuration information of the first cell. Ensure that the terminal device can hand over from the first cell to the second cell through a handover process without L3 signaling. Implement handover without L3 signaling in the regenerative satellite working scenario, save signaling overhead, avoid signaling storms caused by handover, and improve communication efficiency.

[0023] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the second network device provides communication services for the terminal device in the second cell by applying the first configuration information, including: the second network device generates a system message of the second cell according to the first configuration information; the second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network device generates a system message of the second cell according to the first configuration information, and then sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device. So that the terminal device can initiate access to the second cell according to the system message of the second cell.

[0025] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second network device receives a first identifier sent by the first network device, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first network device; the second network device determines a second identifier according to the first identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second network device, and the second identifier is different from the first identifier; the second network device sends the second identifier to the terminal device.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present application, by sending the second identifier, the second network device enables the terminal device to know that it needs to read and take effect the system message of the second cell. During the process of the terminal device handing over from the first cell to the second cell, the terminal device only needs to re-read the system message of the second cell, and there is no need to update the configuration information at the terminal device level, so as to achieve the mutual matching of the configuration between the terminal device and the second cell. Implement handover without L3 signaling in the regenerative satellite working scenario, save signaling overhead, avoid signaling storms caused by handover, and improve communication efficiency.

[0027] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the second network device sending the second identifier to the terminal device includes: the second network device sending system information of the second cell to the terminal device, where the system information of the second cell includes the second identifier.

[0028] Optionally, the second network device may further send third indication information to the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to notify the terminal device that the system information of the cell has changed. For example, the third indication information is carried in a short message. The second network device sets the corresponding bit of the short message to indicate to the terminal device that the system information of the cell has changed.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system information of the first cell includes a system information block SIB; the second identifier is a value tag, and the system information of the second cell includes a system information block SIB.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second network device receiving second configuration information sent by the first network device, where the second configuration information includes configuration information related to the terminal device; the second network device applying the second configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present application, the first network device may further send configuration information related to the terminal device to the second network device, so that the second network device applies the second configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell. The second network device does not need to synchronize the configuration information of the terminal device with the terminal device again, ensuring that the terminal device can switch from the first cell to the second cell through a handover process without L3 signaling. In the working scenario of the regenerative satellite, a handover without L3 signaling is realized, saving signaling overhead, avoiding a signaling storm caused by handover, and improving communication efficiency.

[0032] In combination with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: the second network device receives third configuration information sent by the first network device, where the third configuration information is configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell; the second network device applies the third configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell. After the second network device obtains the third configuration information, the third configuration information becomes effective, that is, the related configuration of RACH becomes effective. The second network device may make the third configuration information effective before the UE initiates access, for example, make the third configuration information effective at the time indicated by the first time information. The terminal device accesses the second cell according to the original related configuration of RACH.

[0033] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a non-terrestrial network communication method, which is applied to a terminal device. The method includes: receiving first indication information sent by a first network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to switch from the first cell of the first network device to a second cell of a second network device in a switching mode without L3 signaling, and the second cell is a cell to be switched by the terminal device; the terminal device reads system messages of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0034] In the embodiment of the present application, after the second network device sends system messages of the second cell to the terminal device, the terminal device reads and makes the system messages of the second cell effective. Ensure that the configurations of the terminal device and the second cell match each other. Implement switching without L3 signaling in the scenario of regenerating satellites, save signaling overhead, avoid signaling storms caused by handover, and improve communication efficiency.

[0035] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the terminal device reads system messages of the second cell sent by the second network device, including: receiving a second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system messages of the second cell; detecting whether the second identifier is consistent with a first identifier locally stored in the terminal device, where the first identifier is used to identify the system messages of the first cell; if the second identifier is inconsistent with the first identifier, the terminal device reads the system messages of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network device sends a second identifier, enabling the terminal device to learn that it needs to read and activate the system message of the second cell. During the process of the terminal device switching from the first cell to the second cell, the terminal device only needs to re-read the system message of the second cell, without updating the configuration information at the terminal device level, and the configuration between the terminal device and the second cell can be mutually matched. In the working scenario of the regenerative satellite, a handover without L3 signaling is achieved, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0037] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device, including: receiving the second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell; ignoring the second identifier, and the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device. In the embodiments of the present application, after the terminal device receives the second identifier sent by the second network device, without identifying the second identifier, the terminal device directly reads the system message of the second cell, so that the terminal device can obtain the configuration information related to the second cell, improving communication efficiency.

[0038] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further includes: in response to the first indication information, the terminal device accesses the second cell at the time indicated by the first time information, and the first indication information includes the first time information.

[0039] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the first time information indicates any one of the following times: the time when the first cell stops service, the first cell is the cell that provides communication services for the first network device, and the terminal device is provided with communication services by the first cell; the effective time of the handover mode of the L3-signaling-free handover process enabled by the target base station; or, the time when the second cell starts service.

[0040] Fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application propose a communication device, which is applied to a first network device, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0041] The transceiver module is used to obtain the first configuration information of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell in the first network device;

[0042] The transceiver module is further used to send the first configuration information to the second network device, and the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, information related to the physical broadcast channel PBCH of the first cell, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell.

[0043] In a possible example, the relevant information of the PBCH of the first cell includes any one or more of the following:

[0044] The lower 4 bits of the system frame number;

[0045] The absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell;

[0046] The high 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block (SSB) subcarrier, where the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset from subcarrier 0 of the common resource block (CRB) to subcarrier 0 of the SSB;

[0047] The number of SSBs of the first cell;

[0048] Alternatively, half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate whether the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame.

[0049] In a possible example, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the first network device includes a system information block (SIB).

[0050] In a possible example, the communication device further includes:

[0051] The transceiver module is further configured to send second configuration information to the second network device, where the second configuration information includes configuration information related to the terminal device, the terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell corresponding to the second network device is the cell to be switched to by the terminal device.

[0052] In a possible example, the communication device further includes:

[0053] The transceiver module is further configured to send third configuration information to the second network device, where the third configuration information is the configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell.

[0054] In a possible example, the second configuration information includes any one or more of the following:

[0055] The key KgNB, which is used to determine the key of the access stratum;

[0056] The cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI);

[0057] The mapping relationship between the quality of service (QoS) flow related to the terminal device and the data radio bearer (DRB);

[0058] The capability information of the terminal device;

[0059] Measurement configuration information of radio resource management (RRM);

[0060] Relevant information of the protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the terminal device;

[0061] Or, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except for the system information block (SIB1) and the master information block (MIB).

[0062] In a possible example, the first configuration information includes any one or more of the following:

[0063] Identification information of the first cell;

[0064] Configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell;

[0065] The system information block SIB1 of the first cell;

[0066] Or, the master information block MIB of the first cell.

[0067] In a possible example, the third configuration information includes any one or more of the following information:

[0068] The random access - common configuration rach - ConfigCommon cell, or, the synchronization signal block - burst position ssb - PositionsInBurst cell, where

[0069] The rach - ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following information: random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, parameters for transmitting the preamble, or, the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block;

[0070] The ssb - PositionsInBurst cell includes: time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block.

[0071] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a communication device, which is applied to a second network device, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0072] The transceiver module is further configured to receive first configuration information sent by a first network device, where the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, relevant information of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of a first cell, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell in the first network device;

[0073] The processing module is configured to provide communication services for a terminal device in a second cell by applying the first configuration information. The terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell is the target cell to which the terminal device is to be handed over.

[0074] In a possible example,

[0075] The processing module is further configured to generate system information of the second cell according to the first configuration information;

[0076] The transceiver module is further configured to send the system information of the second cell to the terminal device.

[0077] In a possible example,

[0078] The transceiver module is further configured to receive a first identifier sent by the first network device, where the first identifier is used to identify the system information of the first network device;

[0079] The processing module is further configured to determine a second identifier according to the first identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the system information of the second network device, and the second identifier is different from the first identifier;

[0080] The second network device sends the second identifier to the terminal device.

[0081] In a possible example,

[0082] The transceiver module is further configured to send the system information of the second cell to the terminal device, where the system information of the second cell includes the second identifier.

[0083] In a possible example, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system information of the first cell includes a system information block (SIB);

[0084] The second identifier is a value tag, and the system information of the second cell includes a system information block (SIB).

[0085] In a possible example,

[0086] The transceiver module is further configured to receive second configuration information sent by the first network device, where the second configuration information includes configuration information related to the terminal device;

[0087] The processing module is further configured to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell by applying the second configuration information.

[0088] In a possible example,

[0089] The transceiver module is further configured to receive third configuration information sent by the first network device, where the third configuration information is configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell;

[0090] The processing module is further configured to apply the third configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell.

[0091] In a possible example, the first configuration information includes any one or more of the following:

[0092] The identification information of the first cell;

[0093] The configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell;

[0094] The system information block SIB1 of the first cell;

[0095] Or, the master information block MIB of the first cell.

[0096] In a possible example, the second configuration information includes any one or more of the following:

[0097] The key KgNB, which is used to determine the key of the access stratum;

[0098] The cell radio network temporary identity C-RNTI;

[0099] The mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow related to the terminal device and the data radio bearer DRB;

[0100] The capability information of the terminal device;

[0101] The relevant information of the protocol data unit PDU session related to the terminal device;

[0102] Or, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except the system information block SIB1 and the master information block MIB.

[0103] In a possible example, the relevant information of the PBCH of the first cell includes any one or more of the following:

[0104] The lower 4 bits of the system frame number;

[0105] The absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell;

[0106] The high 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block SSB subcarrier, where the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset between the subcarrier 0 of the common resource block CRB and the subcarrier 0 of the SSB;

[0107] The number of SSBs in the first cell;

[0108] Alternatively, half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate whether the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame.

[0109] In a possible example, the third configuration information includes any one or more of the following information:

[0110] The random access - common configuration rach-ConfigCommon cell, or the synchronization signal block - burst position ssb-PositionsInBurst cell, where

[0111] The rach-ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following information: the random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, the parameters for transmitting the preamble, or the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block;

[0112] The ssb-PositionsInBurst cell includes: the time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block.

[0113] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a terminal device, and the communication device includes: a transceiver module and a processing module;

[0114] The transceiver module is further configured to receive first indication information sent by a first network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to switch from the first cell in the first network device to a second cell in a second network device in a handover mode without L3 signaling, and the second cell is the target cell for handover of the terminal device;

[0115] The transceiver module is further configured to read the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0116] In a possible example,

[0117] The transceiver module is further configured to receive a second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell;

[0118] The processing module is further configured to detect whether the second identifier is consistent with a first identifier locally stored in the terminal device, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell;

[0119] The processing module is further configured to, if the second identifier is inconsistent with the first identifier, cause the terminal device to read the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0120] In a possible example,

[0121] The transceiver module is further configured to receive a second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell;

[0122] The processing module is further configured to ignore the second identifier and read the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0123] In a possible example,

[0124] The transceiver module is further configured to receive the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device, and the system message of the second cell includes the second identifier.

[0125] The seventh aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented in software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be the first network device, or the device can be a component in the first network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the first network device. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module. For example, the communication device is a server with a first network device.

[0126] The eighth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented in software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be the second network device, or the device can be a component in the second network device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the second network device. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0127] The ninth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which can implement the method in the above-mentioned third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect. The device includes corresponding units or modules for executing the above-mentioned method. The units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be a terminal device network element, or the device can be a component in the terminal device network element (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.), or the device can also be a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal device network element. Among them, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0128] The tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, including at least one processor, and the at least one processor is coupled to a memory; the memory is used to store programs or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the programs or instructions so that the device implements the method in any possible implementation manner among the foregoing first aspect to the third aspect.

[0129] The eleventh aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, including a communication interface for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data; a processor for executing a computer-executable program so that the device implements the method in any possible implementation manner among the foregoing first aspect to the third aspect.

[0130] The twelfth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication device, including at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the input / output interface is used to input or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the method in any possible implementation manner among the foregoing first aspect to the third aspect.

[0131] The thirteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a computer program product (or computer program), when the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the methods in the above-mentioned first aspect to the third aspect, and any possible implementation manner.

[0132] The fourteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a chip system, the chip system includes at least one processor, and is used to support the communication device to implement the methods in the above-mentioned first aspect to the third aspect, and any possible implementation manner.

[0133] In a possible design, the chip system may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or can include chips and other discrete devices. Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit, and the interface circuit provides program instructions and / or data for the at least one processor.

[0134] The fifteenth aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the communication device in the fourth aspect, the communication device in the fifth aspect, and / or the communication device in the sixth aspect described above. Description of the Drawings

[0135] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0136] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a transparent satellite architecture;

[0137] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a scenario of a regenerative satellite architecture;

[0138] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the handover process of a terminal device;

[0139] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a geostationary cell scenario;

[0140] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a mobile cell scenario with respect to the ground;

[0141] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the process of an embodiment of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed by an embodiment of the present application;

[0142] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic diagram of another embodiment process of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed by an embodiment of the present application;

[0143] Figure 9 FIG. is a schematic diagram of another embodiment process of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed by an embodiment of the present application;

[0144] Figure 10 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0145] Figure 11 FIG. is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0146] Figure 12 FIG. is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application;

[0147] Figure 13 FIG. is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided by the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0148] First, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0149] (1) Terminal device: It can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving scheduling and indication information from a network device. The wireless terminal device can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users, or a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem.

[0150] The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone, mobile phone), computer, and data card. For example, it can be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with the radio access network. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, etc. The wireless terminal device can also be referred to as a system, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal device, access terminal device, user terminal device, user agent, subscriber station (SS), customer premises equipment (CPE), terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal (MT), drone, etc. The terminal device can also be a wearable device and the next-generation communication system. For example, the terminal device in a 5G communication system or the terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc.

[0151] (2) Network device: It can be a device in a wireless network. For example, the network device can be a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects a terminal device to the wireless network, and can also be referred to as a base station. Currently, some examples of RAN devices are: the new generation Node B (gNodeB) in a 5G communication system, transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. Additionally, in a network structure, the network device can include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including a CU node and a DU node.

[0152] In some implementation manners, the network device may further include a satellite, an aircraft, a drone, and ground station devices connected to the satellite, the aircraft, the drone, etc.

[0153] Among them, the network device can send configuration information to the terminal device (e.g., carried in a scheduling message and / or an indication message), and the terminal device further performs network configuration according to the configuration information, so that the network configurations between the network device and the terminal device are aligned; or, through the network configuration preset in the network device and the network configuration preset in the terminal device, the network configurations between the network device and the terminal device are aligned. Specifically, "alignment" means that when there are interaction messages between the network device and the terminal device, the two have the same understanding of the carrier frequency for sending and receiving interaction messages, the determination of the interaction message type, the meaning of the field information carried in the interaction message, or other configurations of the interaction message.

[0154] In addition, in other possible cases, the network device can be other devices that provide wireless communication functions for the terminal device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the network device. For the convenience of description, the embodiments of the present application do not limit.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of a network device may be the network device itself or a device capable of supporting the network device to implement such functions, such as a chip system, and this device may be installed in the network device. In the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, taking the device for implementing the functions of a network device as the network device as an example, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are described.

[0156] (3) Configuration and pre-configuration: In the present application, both configuration and pre-configuration are used. Configuration means that the network device sends the configuration information or the value of some parameters to the terminal device through a message or signaling, so that the terminal device can determine the communication parameters or the resources during transmission according to these values or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration, and it can be the parameter information or parameter values pre-negotiated between the network device and the terminal device, or the parameter information or parameter values adopted by the network device or the terminal device specified by the standard protocol, or the parameter information or parameter values pre-stored in the network device or the terminal device. The present application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0157] Furthermore, these values and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0158] (4) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the situations of existing A alone, existing A and B simultaneously, and existing B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. "At least one of the following items (pieces)" or its similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items (pieces) or plural items (pieces). For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. Also, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0159] The present application can be applied to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a New Radio (NR) system, or other communication systems. In these communication systems, there are network devices and terminal devices. The network device acts as a configuration information sending entity, and the terminal device acts as a configuration information receiving entity. Specifically, in this communication system, one entity sends configuration information to another entity, and sends data to another entity or receives data sent by another entity; the other entity receives the configuration information, and sends data to the configuration information sending entity or receives data sent by the configuration information sending entity according to the configuration information. Among them, the present application can be applied to terminal devices in a connected state or an active state (ACTIVE), and can also be applied to terminal devices in a non-connected state (INACTIVE) or an idle state (IDLE).

[0160] In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between various embodiments can be referred to each other. In each embodiment of the present application, as well as in each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, if there is no special specification and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments, as well as between each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, are consistent and can be mutually referred to. The technical features in different embodiments, as well as in each implementation manner / implementation method / realization method in each embodiment, can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation manners, implementation methods, or realization methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation manners of the present application described below do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present application.

[0161] To facilitate understanding of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below. It can be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0162] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as satellite communication systems and high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications. Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems.

[0163] See Figure 1 , Figure 1Schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a network device and a terminal device. During the specific implementation of the embodiment of this application, the terminal device can be a computer, a smart phone, a telephone, a cable TV set-top box, a digital subscriber line router, etc. The network device can be one of a ground base station, a high-altitude base station, a low-earth orbit satellite, a medium-earth orbit satellite, and a geostationary orbit satellite. It should be noted that in practical applications, the number of network devices and terminal devices can both be one or more. For example, the network devices shown in the figure include two satellites and a ground base station. In addition, the number of network devices and terminal devices in the communication system shown in the figure is only an adaptable example, and this application does not limit this.

[0164] The above communication system can be used to support fourth-generation (4G) access technologies, such as long term evolution (LTE) access technology; or, the communication system can also support fifth-generation (5G) access technologies, such as new radio (NR) access technology; the communication system can also be applicable to narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, as well as future-oriented communication technologies.

[0165] The network device can be used to support the access of the terminal device. For example, it can be a ground device such as an evolved node B (eNB) in a 4G access technology communication system, a next generation node B (gNB) in a 5G access technology communication system, a transmission reception point (TRP), a relay node, an access point (AP), etc. It can also be a non-ground device: a high-altitude base station, for example: a device such as a hot air balloon that can provide wireless access function for the terminal device, a low-earth orbit satellite, a medium-earth orbit satellite, or a geostationary orbit satellite, etc. It can also be a mobile switching center and a device that undertakes the function of a base station in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.

[0166] Figure 1The terminal device in can be a device that provides voice or data connectivity to users. The terminal device is also called user equipment (UE), and can also be called mobile station, subscriber unit, station, terminal equipment (TE), etc. The terminal device can be a cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, handheld device, laptop computer, cordless phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, tablet computer (pad), etc. With the development of wireless communication technology, devices that can access the communication system, communicate with the network side of the communication system, or communicate with other objects through the communication system can all be the terminal devices in the embodiments of this application. For example, the terminal devices in intelligent transportation and cars, household devices in smart home, power meter reading instruments, voltage monitoring instruments, environment monitoring instruments in smart grid, video monitoring instruments, cash registers, etc. in smart security network. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can communicate with the base station, such as each network device in the figure. Multiple terminal devices can also communicate with each other. The terminal device can be statically fixed or mobile.

[0167] The method part of the embodiments of this application will be introduced below. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of this application, the network device is taken as a satellite for example. It can be understood that a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other types of network devices, such as high-altitude base stations such as airplanes or balloons, which are not limited here.

[0168] First, some concepts involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced:

[0169] One, transparent satellite architecture, or transparent transponder satellite architecture.

[0170] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of the scenario of the transparent satellite architecture. The satellite forwards the information of the cell of the ground network device (such as the base station). The role of the satellite is wireless frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, that is, the satellite mainly acts as a layer 1 relay (L1 relay), or as a radio frequency amplifier, and does not have other higher protocol layers.

[0171] Two, regenerative satellite architecture.

[0172] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 which is a schematic diagram of the scenario of the regenerative satellite architecture. The regenerative satellite architecture can be further divided into two ways: Way 1: The satellite has the processing function of a base station (for example, has the complete processing function of a base station). In the regenerative working mode, it can be further divided into a regenerative satellite without an inter-satellite link, that is, there is no inter-satellite link (ISL) between satellites; and a regenerative satellite with an inter-satellite link, that is, there is an interface between satellites to directly interact data. For example, the inter-satellite link is the Xn interface; Way 2: A regenerative satellite with the processing function of a distributed unit. In this scenario, the regenerative satellite serves as the distributed unit, and the centralized unit of the base station can be located in a network device on the ground or in other satellites.

[0173] III. The handover process of the terminal device from the first network device to the second network device.

[0174] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is a schematic diagram of the handover process of the terminal device. Due to the movement of the terminal device, the network signal quality of the first cell that currently provides communication services to the terminal device may deteriorate. Therefore, the terminal device needs to switch to a cell with better network signal quality (that is, the second cell) to obtain communication services. The following introduces a handover process of the terminal device.

[0175] S1. The first network device sends a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message to the terminal device.

[0176] In step S1, the first network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device in the connected state, instructing the terminal device to perform measurements. Specifically, the RRC reconfiguration message includes parameters such as measurement objects, reporting configurations, and measurement identifiers.

[0177] S2. The terminal device sends a measurement report to the first network device.

[0178] In step S2, the terminal device measures the cell according to the RRC reconfiguration message, forms a measurement report, and reports it to the first network device.

[0179] S3. The first network device sends a handover request to the second network device.

[0180] In step S3, after the first network device receives the measurement report reported by the terminal device, it determines (or makes a decision) whether the terminal device needs to be handed over to the second network device. If the determination result is that a handover is required, the first network device sends a handover request to the second network device.

[0181] S4. Send a handover confirmation message.

[0182] In step S4, the second network device determines whether to allow the terminal device to access. If the determination result is to allow access, the second network device sends a handover confirmation message to the first network device. The handover confirmation message includes parameters such as a new cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) and the security-related algorithms of the second network device.

[0183] S5. The first network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device.

[0184] In step S5, after receiving the handover confirmation message sent by the second network device, the first network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal device. The content included in the RRC reconfiguration message comes from the handover confirmation message in step S4. The RRC reconfiguration message is used as a handover command to instruct the terminal device to perform the handover. Specifically, the handover command includes information related to the second cell and the relevant configuration parameters required for the terminal device to access the second cell. For example, the second cell information (such as the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the second cell and the frequency information corresponding to the second cell), the cell radio network temporary identifier allocated by the second cell to the terminal device, and the random access (RACH) resource information required to access the second cell (such as dedicated RACH resources and / or public RACH resources). Generally, the RRC reconfiguration message is generated by the second network device and sent to the first network device, and then sent to the terminal device by the first network device.

[0185] S6. The terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

[0186] In step S6, the terminal device initiates a random access to the target base station according to the handover command. In the existing handover process, the UE will disconnect from the source base station, and there will be a short interruption in the UE's data transmission and reception before successfully accessing the target base station.

[0187] S7. The terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the second network device.

[0188] IV. L3 signaling-free handover (which can also be referred to as satellite handover resynchronization).

[0189] In the transparent satellite architecture, for geostationary cells, since the base station remains unchanged before and after satellite handover and the satellite only performs the function of signal amplification, it is not necessary to change the PCI of the cell before and after satellite handover (the frequency band of the cell also remains unchanged. For example, the frequency band of the synchronization signal and PBCH block (SSB) corresponding to the cell remains unchanged), nor is it necessary to introduce Layer 3 (L3) signaling to notify the terminal device of the handover. The terminal device only needs to re-perform downlink and uplink synchronization with the new satellite after the new satellite arrives. For example, uplink synchronization with the new satellite can be completed through random access, or uplink synchronization with the new satellite can be completed in a random access channel less (rach less) manner. That is, before and after changing the satellite, the configuration of the terminal device in this cell remains unchanged. Since there is no need to introduce L3 signaling for handover, the above-mentioned signaling overhead problem is solved.

[0190] Currently, satellite handover includes two handover methods: hard handover, that is, there is no overlap in the coverage time of the new and old satellites; soft handover, that is, there is an overlap in the coverage time of the new and old satellites. For the hard handover scenario, the PCI of the cell does not need to be changed before and after satellite handover, and thus there is no need to issue a handover command. For the soft handover scenario, since there is an overlap in the coverage time of the new and old satellites, there may be signal interference. Two solutions are proposed. One solution is to keep the same solution as the hard handover scenario, and the network device ensures that there is no signal interference during the overlap time. Another solution is that the PCI of the cell can be changed before and after satellite handover, but the configuration of the terminal device remains unchanged or changes slightly (such as the configuration strongly related to the PCI, or only the PCI of the cell needs to be modified). The terminal device searches for the changed PCI of the cell and performs downlink or uplink synchronization, and thus there is no need to issue a handover command. For ease of understanding, the handover where the PCI changes or remains unchanged but no handover command needs to be issued can be uniformly referred to as L3 signaling-free handover.

[0191] For hard handover, before the satellite handover, the old satellite sends indication information #1 to the terminal device, indicating the moment when the old satellite (or the cell of the old satellite) stops providing services to the terminal device (or the moment when it stops providing services to this area, such as referred to as t-service). The terminal device starts downlink synchronization with the target satellite at the t-service moment. After that, the terminal device monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for scheduling uplink or downlink data or monitors the physical downlink control channel order (PDCCH order) for indicating that the terminal device initiates random access through the target satellite.

[0192] For soft handover, before the satellite handover, the old satellite sends indication information #1 and indication information #2 to the terminal device. Indication information #2 indicates the moment when the new satellite starts providing services to the terminal device (or the moment when it starts providing services to this area, such as referred to as t-start. t-start is less than or equal to t-service). The terminal device starts downlink synchronization with the target satellite at the t-service moment or at a certain moment between [t-start, t-service] (which specific moment can be determined by the terminal device itself). After that, the terminal device monitors the physical downlink control channel for scheduling uplink or downlink data or monitors the physical downlink control channel order for indicating that the terminal device initiates random access through the target satellite.

[0193] V. Handover process of the terminal device in the non-terrestrial network scenario.

[0194] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 which is a schematic diagram of the quasi-Earth-fixed cell scenario. In the quasi-Earth-fixed cell scenario, the satellite can gaze at the ground for a period of time. When the satellite is about to move out of the cell where the terminal device is located, the terminal device in this cell needs to switch to the next satellite, and the next satellite provides communication services. In other words, in the quasi-Earth-fixed cell, the satellite can only cover one geographical area within a period of time and cover another geographical area within another period of time.

[0195] Figure 6 which is a schematic diagram of the Earth moving cell scenario. In the Earth moving cell scenario, the cell served by the satellite moves as the satellite moves. During the movement of the satellite, the terminal device continuously switches between various satellites.

[0196] Due to the high-speed movement of the satellite relative to the ground, the coverage duration of the satellite beam in a certain area on the ground is short. Therefore, the terminal device needs to frequently change the serving cell. Frequent handovers of the terminal device between different satellites will result in huge signaling overhead. Therefore, the huge signaling overhead caused by the frequent handovers of the terminal device in the NGSO scenario becomes the key factor affecting the communication efficiency of the NTN system.

[0197] Based on this, an embodiment of this application proposes a non-terrestrial network communication method. The first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device. The first configuration information is the configuration information related to the first cell. The terminal device is served by the first cell of the first network device, and the second cell corresponding to the second network device is the cell to be handed over for the terminal device. This enables the second network device to configure the configuration information of the second cell according to the first configuration information, and keeps the configuration information between the second network device and the first network device mutually matching, saving signaling overhead and avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers.

[0198] Next, the embodiments of this application will be introduced in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7 which is a schematic flowchart of the embodiment of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed by an embodiment of this application. A non-terrestrial network communication method proposed by an embodiment of this application includes:

[0199] F1. The first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device, and the first configuration information includes the configuration information related to the first cell.

[0200] In step F1, the first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device, and the first configuration information includes the configuration information related to the first cell.

[0201] Regarding the first configuration information, it includes any one or more of the following:

[0202] The identification information of the first cell. Exemplarily, the identification information of the first cell includes but is not limited to: the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the first cell, or the cell global identifier (CGI) of the first cell;

[0203] The configuration information of the access stratum (AS) of the first cell. Exemplarily, the configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell includes the antenna information of the first cell, and the downlink carrier frequency information of the first cell, etc.;

[0204] The system information block (SIB) of the first cell, such as SIB1 of the first cell;

[0205] The master information block (MIB) of the first cell;

[0206] Or, the related information of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the first cell.

[0207] Furthermore, the related information of the PBCH of the first cell includes any one or more of the following:

[0208] The lower 4 bits of the system frame number (SFN) of the first cell, and the lower 4 bits of the system frame number are carried in the channel coding information of the PBCH (that is, when the physical layer generates the bit stream of the PBCH, on the basis of the bit stream of the MIB generated by the RRC layer, the lower 4 bits of the system frame number are used as the bit stream of the PBCH for coding). For example, the lower 4 bits of the system frame number corresponding to the above MIB;

[0209] The absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell. That is, the correspondence between the system frame number and the absolute time. For example, it indicates that system frame number #1 corresponds to absolute time #1. Optionally, the system frame number #1 can be the system frame number composed of the high bit information of the system frame number carried in the MIB of the first cell described above and the lower 4 bits of the system frame number of the first cell.

[0210] The higher 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block (SSB) subcarrier, and the higher 1 bit of the offset of the SSB subcarrier is carried in the channel coding information of the PBCH, and the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset amount from subcarrier 0 of the common resource block (CRB) to SSB subcarrier 0;

[0211] The number of SSBs of the first cell;

[0212] Or, the half-frame indication information, and the half-frame indication information is used to indicate whether the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame.

[0213] It should be noted that the first configuration information may further include other configuration information related to the first cell, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0214] In a possible implementation, when establishing or after establishing a common interface (such as the Xn interface) with a second network device, the first network device sends first configuration information to the second network device. The common interface is an interface between network devices. For example, the first network device carries the first configuration information in a setup request for the Xn interface sent to the second network device. The setup request for the Xn interface is used to request the establishment of the Xn interface between the first network device and the second network device. For another example, the second network device sends a setup request for the Xn interface, and the first network device carries the first configuration information in the setup request response for the Xn interface fed back to the second network device. Exemplarily, the setup request for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUP REQUEST" message, and the setup request response for the Xn interface may be an "XN SETUP RESPONSE" message.

[0215] In another possible implementation, when the first network device sends a handover request message to the second network device, the first network device carries the first configuration information in the handover request message. For a related description of the handover request message, please refer to the foregoing step S3. The handover request message is used to indicate that there is a terminal device that needs to hand over from the first network device to the second network device. Exemplarily, the handover request message may be a "HANDOVER REQUEST" message.

[0216] Optionally, the first network device may send second indication information to the second network device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second network device adopts the handover mode without L3 signaling.

[0217] Optionally, the first network device may also implicitly indicate to the second network device to adopt the handover mode without L3 signaling. For example, when the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device, it implicitly indicates to the second network device to adopt the handover mode without L3 signaling through the first configuration information.

[0218] F2. The first network device sends second configuration information to the second network device, and the second configuration information is configuration information related to the terminal device.

[0219] In step F2, the first network device sends second configuration information to the second network device, and the second configuration information is configuration information related to the terminal device.

[0220] Regarding the second configuration information, it includes any one or more of the following:

[0221] The key KgNB, and the key KgNB is used to determine the key of the access stratum;

[0222] The first cell allocates a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for the terminal device. The second network device configures the second cell according to the C-RNTI, so that the second cell does not need to reconfigure the C-RNTI for the terminal device;

[0223] The mapping relationship between the quality of service (QoS) flow related to the terminal device and the data radio bearer (DRB);

[0224] The measurement configuration information of radio resource management (RRM); the capability information of the terminal device, and the capability information of the terminal device corresponds to the capabilities of multiple radio access technologies (RATs);

[0225] The relevant information of the protocol data unit (PDU) session related to the terminal device;

[0226] Alternatively, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except the system information block SIB1 and the master information block MIB.

[0227] In a possible implementation manner, the second configuration information and the first configuration information may also be carried in the same message and sent to the second network device. For example, the handover request message sent by the second network device to the first network device includes the first configuration information and the second configuration information. Another example is that the establishment request of the Xn interface sent by the second network device to the first network device includes the first configuration information and the second configuration information. Another example is that the establishment request response of the Xn interface sent by the second network device to the first network device includes the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0228] In another possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned second configuration information and first configuration information are sent to the second network device independently of each other. For example, if the first cell of the first network device manages multiple terminal devices and the first network device has already sent the first configuration information to the second network device (for example, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device in the establishment request message of the Xn interface), then the first network device only needs to send the second configuration information related to the terminal device to the second network device (for example, the first network device sends the second configuration information to the second network device in the handover request message), so as to reduce the signaling overhead.

[0229] The present application embodiment does not limit the execution order of step F2 and the foregoing step F1.

[0230] The cell identifiers of the first cell and the second cell may be the same or different. Even the first cell and the second cell are the same cell.

[0231] F3. The second network device uses the first configuration information and the second configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell.

[0232] In step F3, after the second network device receives the first configuration information and the second configuration information (optionally, further after t-start, or after t-service), it updates the relevant configuration of the second cell according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information. Then, the second network device uses the first configuration information and the second configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell. For example, the second network device uses the first configuration information to generate the system message of the second cell, and further uses the second configuration information to generate the dedicated configuration information corresponding to the terminal device for the terminal device.

[0233] In a possible implementation manner, after the second network device receives the identifier information of the first cell, the second network device may configure the second cell according to the identifier information of the first cell, so that the identifier information of the second cell is the same as the identifier information of the first cell.

[0234] In a possible implementation manner, after the second network device receives the measurement configuration information of RRM, the second network device configures the measurement of the terminal device according to the measurement configuration information of RRM, so as to align the measurement configuration information of the terminal device with the second network device.

[0235] In a possible implementation manner, after the second network device receives the configuration information of the access stratum (AS) of the first cell, the second network device configures the second cell according to the configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell, so that the configuration information of the access stratum of the second cell is the same as the configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell. For example, the antenna information of the second cell is the same as the antenna information of the first cell, and the downlink carrier frequency information of the second cell is the same as the downlink carrier frequency information of the first cell.

[0236] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device configures the second cell according to the system message block of the first cell, and the system message block of the second cell is the same as the system message block of the first cell.

[0237] In a possible implementation manner, the second network device configures the second cell according to the master information block of the first cell, and the master information block of the second cell is the same as the master information block of the first cell.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the second network device configures the second cell according to the relevant information of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the first cell. For example, the second network device can obtain the downlink frame number of the first cell based on the lower 4 bits of the system frame number of the first cell and then based on the higher-bit information of the system frame number carried in the master information block (MIB) of the first cell (such as the higher 6 bits of the system frame number). Further, the second network device can determine the downlink frame number of the second cell according to the downlink frame number of the first cell, so that when the terminal device accesses the second cell from the first cell, it can know the downlink frame number corresponding to the second cell without reading the MIB sent by the second cell, and even can avoid performing downlink synchronization. For another example, the second network device can set the downlink timing of the second cell (i.e., set the system frame number) according to the absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell.

[0239] Optionally, after receiving the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information, the second network device can immediately take effect the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information after receiving the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information. The second network device can take effect the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information at the time indicated by the first time information. For example, the second network device takes effect the configuration information of the first cell regarding the terminal device when the second cell is about to perform satellite change.

[0240] F4. The first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to use the L3-signaling-free handover mode to hand over from the first cell of the first network device to the second cell of the second network device, and the second cell is the target cell for the terminal device to hand over to.

[0241] The first indication information can also be referred to as indicating that the first cell of the first network device supports satellite change but does not require changing the cell identifier, or indicating that the first cell of the first network device supports satellite change and changing the cell identifier but for the terminal device, there is no need to change other radio resource configurations.

[0242] In step F4, the first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device uses the L3-signaling-free handover mode to hand over from the first cell to the second cell, and the second cell is the cell of the second network device.

[0243] Regarding the first indication information, it may include the ephemeris information corresponding to the second network device. The first indication information may also include the relevant information of the first cell, such as the identification information of the first cell. The first indication information may further include the first time information. The first time information indicates any one of the following times: the time when the first cell stops service (i.e., t-service), the first cell is the cell that provides communication services for the first network device, and the terminal device is provided with communication services by the first cell; the effective time when the target base station enables the handover mode of the L3-signaling-free handover process; or, the time when the second cell starts service (i.e., t-start). Optionally, the first network device sends the first indication information to the terminal device through a broadcast message. When the terminal device supports the handover mode without L3 signaling, the terminal device will perform the handover without L3 signaling according to the first indication information.

[0244] Exemplarily, regarding the first time information, it may be: the time information of the area currently covered by the stop service of the first cell provided by the NTN quasi-geostationary system, that is, the time when the first network device stops serving the first cell, namely "t-service". In another example, the first time information may also be the effective time of the handover mode without L3 signaling of the second network device. In another example, the first time information may also be the time when the second cell performs downlink synchronization with the first cell. In another example, the first time information may also be the time when the second cell of the second network device provides coverage, that is, "t-start".

[0245] It should be noted that the first network device may also send the first indication information to the second network device.

[0246] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the execution order of step F4 and the foregoing steps F1 to F3.

[0247] F5. In response to the first indication information, the terminal device accesses the second cell.

[0248] In step F5, after the terminal device receives the first indication information, for hard handover, after the t-service moment, the terminal device starts to perform downlink synchronization with the second cell in the second network device. For soft handover, the terminal device starts to perform downlink synchronization with the second cell in the second network device at a certain moment between t-start and t-service or after t-service.

[0249] The terminal device initiates random access to the second cell, or the terminal device listens to the downlink physical channel sent by the second cell for triggering the terminal device to initiate random access, or listens to the downlink physical channel sent by the second cell for scheduling the uplink or downlink data of the terminal device (in this case, the terminal device does not need to initiate random access to the second cell).

[0250] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network device applies the first configuration information and the second configuration information from the first network device, so that the cell-level configuration information and the terminal device-level configuration information between the first network device and the second network device are kept consistent. In the regenerative satellite working scenario, a handover without L3 signaling is achieved, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0251] Referring to the foregoing embodiments, please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 which is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present application. A non-terrestrial network communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present application further includes:

[0252] G1. The first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device. The first configuration information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell.

[0253] In step G1, the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device. The first configuration information includes a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell. The first network device may send multiple first identifiers to the second network device, and each first identifier is used to identify a system message of the first cell.

[0254] For example, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the first network device includes a system information block (SIB).

[0255] In a possible implementation, the first identifier is carried in the SIB1 sent by the first network device to the second network device.

[0256] In step G1, the manner in which the first network device sends the first configuration information to the second network device is similar to the foregoing step F1 and will not be elaborated here.

[0257] G2. The first network device sends the second configuration information to the second network device. The second configuration information is the configuration information related to the terminal device.

[0258] Step G2 is similar to the foregoing step F2 and will not be elaborated here.

[0259] G3. The first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. The first indication information is used to indicate that the first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to use the handover mode without L3 signaling to hand over from the first cell of the first network device to the second cell of the second network device, and the second cell is the target cell for the terminal device to hand over to.

[0260] Regarding the first indication information, please refer to the foregoing step F4 and will not be elaborated here.

[0261] Optionally, the first network device may also send third configuration information to the second network device. The third configuration information is the configuration information related to random access RACH in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell. Exemplarily, the third configuration information includes any one or more of the following information: the random access - common configuration rach - ConfigCommon cell, or the synchronization signal block - burst position ssb - PositionsInBurst cell. Among them, the rach - ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following information: the random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, the parameters for transmitting the preamble, or the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block; the ssb - PositionsInBurst cell includes: the time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block.

[0262] After the second network device obtains the third configuration information, it takes effect the third configuration information, that is, takes effect the relevant configuration of RACH. The second network device may take effect the third configuration information before the UE initiates access, for example, take effect the third configuration information at the time indicated by the first time information. The terminal device accesses the second cell according to the original relevant configuration of RACH.

[0263] G4. The second network device determines a second identifier according to the first identifier. The second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell, and the second identifier is different from the first identifier.

[0264] After step G1, step G4 is executed. In step G4, after receiving the first identifier, the second network device determines the second identifier according to the first identifier. The second identifier is used to identify the system information of the second cell, and the second identifier is different from the first identifier.

[0265] Optionally, the second network device executes step G4 after t - service, or at a certain time between t - start and t - service.

[0266] Taking the first identifier as the value tag as an example for illustration. The value tag is carried in SIB1 and is used to indicate whether the system message corresponding to the value tag has changed. When the value tag corresponding to SIBx (SIBx is any SIB) read by the terminal device in SIB1 is different from the value tag stored locally by the terminal device, the SIBx corresponding to the value tag has changed. At this time, the UE needs to read the updated SIBx.

[0267] Exemplarily, after the second network device receives the value tag #1 of the first network device, it detects the value tag #2 of the local SIB. If the value tag #1 is different from the value tag #2, it determines the value tag #2 as the second identifier. If the value tag #1 is the same as the value tag #2, it determines the value tag #3 as the second identifier, and the value tag #3 is different from the value tag #1. Ensure that the UE knows that the value tag provided by the network side is different from the local value tag.

[0268] Exemplarily, after the second network device receives the value tag #1 of SIBx corresponding to the first cell of the first network device, the second network device sets the SIBx of the second cell to the value tag #2, where the value tag #1 is different from the value tag #2. Ensure that the terminal device knows that it needs to re-read the content of SIBx corresponding to the second cell of the second network device, and the terminal device reads the SIBx corresponding to the second cell of the second network device.

[0269] G5. The second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device, and the system message of the second cell includes the second identifier.

[0270] After step G4, step G5 is executed. After the second network device determines the second identifier, the second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device, and the system message of the second message includes the second identifier. For example, the second network device carries the second identifier corresponding to SIBx in SIB1, and then the second network device sends the SIB1 to the terminal device.

[0271] Exemplarily, the second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device by broadcasting.

[0272] Optionally, the second network device may also send third indication information to the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to notify the terminal device that the system message of the cell has changed. For example, the third indication information is carried in a short message. The second network device sets the bit corresponding to the short message to indicate to the terminal device that the system message of the cell has changed. After receiving the short message, the terminal device knows that it needs to read SIB1. After reading SIB1, the terminal device compares the second identifier corresponding to SIBx carried in SIB1. If the second identifier is different from the first identifier corresponding to SIBx saved by the terminal device, the terminal device reads SIBx.

[0273] G6. In response to the inconsistency between the first identifier saved locally and the second identifier in the system message of the second cell, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell.

[0274] In step G6, after receiving SIB1 of the second cell, the terminal device reads the second identifier. When the terminal device finds that the second identifier is inconsistent with the first identifier saved locally, the terminal device further reads the system message (SIBx) of the second cell corresponding to the second identifier. For example, the terminal device reads SIB1 of the second cell, and SIB1 of the second cell includes the second identifier. When it is determined that the second identifier is inconsistent with the first identifier, the terminal device further reads the system message (SIBx) of the second cell corresponding to the second identifier.

[0275] Optionally, after receiving the third indication information, the terminal device reads SIB1 of the second cell according to the third indication information, and then obtains the second identifier from SIB1 of the second cell.

[0276] G7. The terminal device validates the system message of the second cell and obtains the configuration information of the second cell.

[0277] In step G7, after the terminal device reads the system message (SIBx) of the second cell, the terminal device validates the system message (SIBx) of the second cell, and then obtains the configuration information of the second cell from the system message of the second cell.

[0278] Optionally, the terminal device may validate the system message of the second cell at the time indicated by the first time information.

[0279] G8. In response to the first indication information, the terminal device accesses the second cell.

[0280] In step G8, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device may access the second cell according to the configuration information of the second cell.

[0281] Step G8 is similar to the aforementioned step F5, and will not be elaborated here. The present embodiment does not limit the sequence relationship between step G8 and G6. Generally, G8 is executed first, and then G6 and G7 are executed.

[0282] In another implementation, the terminal device accesses the second cell at the time indicated by the first time information.

[0283] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network device sends a second identifier, enabling the terminal device to know that it needs to read and take effect the system message of the second cell. During the process of the terminal device switching from the first cell to the second cell, the terminal device only needs to re-read the system message of the second cell, and there is no need to update the configuration information at the terminal device level, so that the configuration of the terminal device and the second cell can be mutually matched. In the working scenario of the regenerative satellite, a handover without L3 signaling is realized, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0284] Combined with the foregoing embodiments, please refer to Figure 9 , Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of another embodiment of a non-terrestrial network communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present application. A non-terrestrial network communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present application further includes:

[0285] H1. The first network device sends second configuration information to the second network device, and the second configuration information is configuration information related to the terminal device.

[0286] Step H1 is similar to the aforementioned step F2, and will not be elaborated here.

[0287] H2. The first network device sends first indication information to the terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to switch from the first cell of the first network device to the second cell of the second network device in a handover mode without L3 signaling, and the second cell is the target cell to be handed over by the terminal device.

[0288] Step H2 is similar to the aforementioned step G3, and will not be elaborated here.

[0289] It should be noted that the present application embodiments do not limit the execution order of step H2 and the aforementioned step H1.

[0290] H3. The second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device.

[0291] In step H3, the second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device, and the system message of the second cell includes: SIB1 of the second cell, and SIBx of the second cell (that is, any one or more SIBs of the second cell).

[0292] H4. The terminal device reads the system information of the second cell.

[0293] In step H4, the terminal device does not need to determine whether to update the SIB corresponding to the value tag according to the value tag of SIB1. After the terminal device receives the system information (SIBx) of the second cell, the terminal device reads and validates the system information of the second cell.

[0294] In one example, the terminal device receives SIB1 of the second cell sent by the second network device. The SIB1 includes a second identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the system information of the second cell, such as SIBx of the second cell. Then, the terminal device ignores the second identifier, and the terminal device continues to read SIBx of the second cell sent by the second network device. In other words, regardless of the value of the second identifier, the terminal device will read SIBx of the second cell sent by the second network device.

[0295] H5. The terminal device validates the system information of the second cell and obtains the configuration information of the second cell.

[0296] In step H5, the terminal device can validate the system information of the second cell at the time indicated by the first time information, or the terminal device can also validate the system information of the second cell after reading the system information of the second cell.

[0297] For example, for hard handover, after the t-service moment, the terminal device starts to perform downlink synchronization with the second cell in the second network device. For soft handover, the terminal device starts to perform downlink synchronization with the second cell in the second network device at a certain moment between t-start and t-service or after t-service.

[0298] Further, after the terminal device validates the system information of the second cell, it obtains the configuration information of the second cell from the system information of the second cell.

[0299] H6. In response to the first indication information, the terminal device accesses the second cell according to the configuration information of the second cell.

[0300] In step H6, after the terminal device receives the first indication information, the terminal device can access the second cell according to the configuration information of the second cell.

[0301] Step H6 is similar to the foregoing step H5 and will not be elaborated here.

[0302] This embodiment does not limit the sequence relationship between step H6 and H4. Generally, H6 is executed first, and then H4 and H5 are executed.

[0303] In another implementation, the terminal device accesses the second cell at the time indicated by the first time information.

[0304] In the embodiments of the present application, after the second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device, the terminal device directly reads and validates the system message of the second cell without detecting the value tag corresponding to the system message, ensuring that the configuration of the terminal device matches that of the second cell. In the regenerative satellite working scenario, a handover without L3 signaling is achieved, saving signaling overhead, avoiding signaling storms caused by handovers, and improving communication efficiency.

[0305] The above describes the present application from the perspective of methods. The following will further describe other embodiments provided by the present application.

[0306] Please refer to Figure 10 , which is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the communication device provided by the present application. The communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1001 and a transceiver module 1002. The communication device 1000 can implement the functions of the communication device (including the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device, etc.) in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device 1000 can be the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device, or an integrated circuit or component inside the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device, such as a chip, or an integrated circuit or component integrating the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device inside.

[0307] Please refer to Figure 11 , which is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1100 provided by the present application. The communication device 1100 includes at least an input / output interface 1102. Among them, the communication device 1100 can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0308] Optionally, the communication device further includes a logic circuit 1101.

[0309] Among them, Figure 10 the shown transceiver module 1002 can be a communication interface, and this communication interface can be Figure 11 the input / output interface 1102 in , and the input / output interface 1102 can include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, this communication interface can also be a transceiver circuit, and this transceiver circuit can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0310] Optionally, when the communication device 1100 is the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, the input / output interface 1102 is used for inputting and outputting information; the logic circuit 1101 is used to execute the methods executed by the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0311] Wherein, the logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 can also execute other steps executed by the communication device in any of the embodiments and achieve the corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0312] In a possible implementation manner, Figure 10 the shown processing module 1001 can be Figure 11 the logic circuit 1101 in

[0313] Optionally, the logic circuit 1101 can be a processing device, and the functions of the processing device can be implemented partially or entirely by software. Among them, the functions of the processing device can be implemented partially or entirely by software.

[0314] Optionally, the processing device can include a memory and a processor. Among them, the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to execute the corresponding processing and / or steps in any method embodiment.

[0315] Optionally, the processing device can only include a processor. The memory for storing the computer program is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory through a circuit / wire to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. Among them, the memory and the processor can be integrated together, or they can also be physically independent of each other.

[0316] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system on chips (SoCs), central processor units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processing circuits (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors, etc.

[0317] Please refer to Figure 12 , for the communication device 1200 involved in the above embodiments provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1200 may specifically be the communication device acting as the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the above embodiments.

[0318] Among them, a possible schematic logical structure diagram of the communication device 1200. The communication device 1200 may include but is not limited to at least one processor 1201 and a communication port 1202.

[0319] Further optionally, the device may further include at least one of a memory 1203 and a bus 1204. In the embodiments of the present application, the at least one processor 1201 is used to control and process the actions of the communication device 1200.

[0320] In addition, the processor 1201 may be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute various exemplary logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the present application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and so on. Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices, and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be elaborated herein.

[0321] It should be noted that Figure 12The illustrated communication device 1200 can specifically be used to implement the steps implemented by the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments, and achieve the technical effects corresponding to the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device. Figure 12 For the specific implementation manners of the illustrated communication device, reference can be made to the descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0322] Please refer to Figure 13 , which is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device 1300 involved in the foregoing embodiments provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1300 can specifically be the communication device acting as the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments. Among them, the structure of the communication device can refer to Figure 13 the structure shown.

[0323] The communication device 1300 includes at least one processor 1301 and at least one network interface 1304. Further optionally, the communication device further includes at least one memory 1302, at least one transceiver 1303, and one or more antennas 1305. The processor 1301, the memory 1302, the transceiver 1303, and the network interface 1304 are connected, for example, through a bus. In the embodiments of the present application, this connection can include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment does not limit this. The antenna 1305 is connected to the transceiver 1303. The network interface 1304 is used to enable the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1304 can include a network interface between the communication device and a core network device, such as an S1 interface. The network interface can include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (such as other radio access networks or core network devices), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0324] The processor 1301 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, and control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs, for example, to support the communication device to execute the actions described in the embodiments. The communication device can include a baseband processor and a central processor. The baseband processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processor is mainly used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process data of the software programs. Figure 13The processor 1301 therein may integrate the functions of a baseband processor and a central processor. Those skilled in the art can understand that the baseband processor and the central processor may also be independent processors interconnected through technologies such as a bus. Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network systems, and the terminal device may include multiple central processors to enhance its processing capacity. Each component of the terminal device may be connected through various buses. The baseband processor may also be referred to as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processor may also be referred to as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data may be built into the processor or stored in the memory in the form of a software program, and the processor executes the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0325] The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The memory 1302 may exist independently and be connected to the processor 1301. Optionally, the memory 1302 may be integrated with the processor 1301, for example, integrated within a single chip. Among them, the memory 1302 is capable of storing the program code for implementing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application and is controlled by the processor 1301 for execution. Various types of computer program codes being executed may also be regarded as the driver programs of the processor 1301.

[0326] Figure 13 Only one memory and one processor are shown. In an actual terminal device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory may be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, that is, an on-chip storage element, or an independent storage element. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0327] The transceiver 1303 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between a communication device and a terminal. The transceiver 1303 can be connected to the antenna 1305. The transceiver 1303 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1305 can receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 1303 is used to receive the radio frequency signals from the antenna, convert the radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 1301 so that the processor 1301 can further process the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, such as demodulation processing and decoding processing. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 1303 is also used to receive the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 1301, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals through one or more antennas 1305. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one-stage or multi-stage down-conversion processing and analog-to-digital conversion processing on the radio frequency signals to obtain digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and the order of the down-conversion processing and the analog-to-digital conversion processing can be adjusted. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one-stage or multi-stage up-conversion processing and digital-to-analog conversion processing on the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to obtain radio frequency signals, and the order of the up-conversion processing and the digital-to-analog conversion processing can be adjusted. The digital baseband signals and the digital intermediate frequency signals can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0328] The transceiver 1303 can also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, the devices used to implement the receiving function in the transceiver module can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the devices used to implement the sending function in the transceiver module can be regarded as a sending unit. That is, the transceiver module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc., and the sending unit can be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0329] It should be noted that Figure 13 The illustrated communication device 1300 can specifically be used to implement the steps implemented by the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments, and achieve the corresponding technical effects of the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device. Figure 13 For the specific implementation manners of the illustrated communication device 1300, reference can be made to the descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

[0330] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method in the possible implementation manners of the first network device, the second network device, and / or the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0331] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product (or computer program) storing one or more computer programs. When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the methods of the possible implementation manners of the foregoing first network device, second network device, and / or terminal device.

[0332] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip system. The chip system includes at least one processor, which is used to support a communication device to implement the functions involved in the possible implementation manners of the foregoing communication device. Optionally, the chip system further includes an interface circuit, and the interface circuit provides program instructions and / or data for the at least one processor. In a possible design, the chip system may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Among them, the communication device may specifically be the first network device, second network device, and / or terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0333] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, and the communication system includes the first network device, second network device, and / or terminal device in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0334] In several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections to each other may be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0335] The unit described as a separated component may or may not be physically separated, and the component displayed as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0336] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing module, or each unit may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that makes a contribution, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a radio access network, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method in various embodiments of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Claims

1. A non-terrestrial network communication method, characterized in that, the method is applied to a first network device, and the method includes: the first network device obtains first configuration information of a first cell, where the first cell is a cell in the first network device; the first network device sends the first configuration information to a second network device, where the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, information related to the physical broadcast channel PBCH of the first cell, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the information related to the PBCH of the first cell includes any one or more of the following: the lower 4 bits of the system frame number; the absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell; the high 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block SSB subcarrier, where the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset between the subcarrier 0 of the common resource block CRB and the subcarrier 0 of the SSB; the number of SSBs of the first cell; or, half-frame indication information, where the half-frame indication information is used to indicate that the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the first network device includes a system information block SIB.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network device sends second configuration information to the second network device, where the second configuration information includes configuration information related to a terminal device, the terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell corresponding to the second network device is the cell to be switched to by the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network device sends third configuration information to the second network device, where the third configuration information is the configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, the second configuration information includes any one or more of the following: key KgNB, where the key KgNB is used to determine the key of the access stratum; cell radio network temporary identity C-RNTI; the mapping relationship between the quality of service QoS flow related to the terminal device and the data radio bearer DRB; the capability information of the terminal device; measurement configuration information of radio resource management RRM; the relevant information of the protocol data unit PDU session related to the terminal device; or, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except for the system information block SIB1 and the master information block MIB.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, the first configuration information includes any one or more of the following: the identification information of the first cell; the configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell; The system information block SIB1 of the first cell; Or, the master information block MIB of the first cell.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7, Characterized in that, The third configuration information includes any one or more of the following information: The random access - common configuration rach-ConfigCommon cell, or the synchronization signal block - burst position ssb-PositionsInBurst cell, where, The rach-ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following information: random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, parameters for transmitting the preamble, or the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block; The ssb-PositionsInBurst cell includes: time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block.

9. A non-terrestrial network communication method, Characterized in that, The method is applied to a second network device, and the method includes: The second network device receives first configuration information sent by a first network device, the first configuration information includes: a first identifier, and / or, information related to the physical broadcast channel PBCH of a first cell, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell, and the first cell is a cell in the first network device; The second network device uses the first configuration information to provide communication services for a terminal device in a second cell, the terminal device is served by the first network device, and the second cell is a cell to be switched by the terminal device.

10. The method according to claim 9, Characterized in that, The second network device uses the first configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device in the second cell, including: The second network device generates the system message of the second cell according to the first configuration information; The second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, Characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network device receives a first identifier sent by the first network device, the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first network device; The second network device determines a second identifier according to the first identifier, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second network device, and the second identifier is different from the first identifier; The second network device sends the second identifier to the terminal device.

12. The method according to claim 11, Characterized in that, The second network device sends the second identifier to the terminal device, including: The second network device sends the system message of the second cell to the terminal device, and the system message of the second cell includes the second identifier.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, Characterized in that, The first identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the first cell includes the system information block SIB; The second identifier is a value tag, and the system message of the second cell includes a system information block (SIB).

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, wherein, the method further includes: the second network device receives second configuration information sent by the first network device, and the second configuration information includes configuration information related to the terminal device; the second network device applies the second configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device within the second cell.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9-14, wherein, the method further includes: the second network device receives third configuration information sent by the first network device, and the third configuration information is configuration information related to random access in the system information block SIB1 of the second cell; the second network device applies the third configuration information to provide communication services for the terminal device within the second cell.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9-15, wherein, the first configuration information includes any one or more of the following: identification information of the first cell; configuration information of the access stratum of the first cell; the system information block SIB1 of the first cell; or, the master information block MIB of the first cell.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein, the second configuration information includes any one or more of the following: key KgNB, which is used to determine the key of the access stratum; cell radio network temporary identifier C-RNTI; mapping relationship between quality of service (QoS) flows related to the terminal device and data radio bearers (DRBs); capability information of the terminal device; information related to protocol data unit (PDU) sessions related to the terminal device; or, other information in the reconfigurationWithSync message except for the system information block SIB1 and the master information block MIB.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9-17, wherein, the information related to the physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of the first cell includes any one or more of the following: lower 4 bits of the system frame number; absolute time corresponding to the system frame number of the first cell; high 1 bit of the offset of the synchronization signal block (SSB) subcarrier, and the offset of the SSB subcarrier is used to indicate the subcarrier offset between the subcarrier 0 of the common resource block (CRB) and the subcarrier 0 of the SSB; number of SSBs in the first cell; or, half-frame indication information, which is used to indicate that the SSB is carried in the first half-frame or the second half-frame.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-18, wherein, the third configuration information includes any one or more of the following information: random access - common configuration rach-ConfigCommon cell, or, synchronization signal block - burst position ssb-PositionsInBurst cell, wherein, The rach-ConfigCommon cell includes any one or more of the following information: random access RACH parameters for random access or beam recovery, parameters for transmitting a preamble, or the mapping relationship between the preamble and the synchronization signal block; The ssb-PositionsInBurst cell includes: time information for transmitting the synchronization signal block.

20. A non-terrestrial network communication method, characterized in that, the method is applied to a terminal device, and the method includes: receiving first indication information sent by a first network device, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a first cell in the first network device supports the terminal device to switch from the first cell of the first network device to a second cell of a second network device in a handover mode without L3 signaling, and the second cell is a target cell to be handed over by the terminal device; the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device, including: receiving a second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell; detecting whether the second identifier is consistent with a first identifier locally stored in the terminal device, where the first identifier is used to identify the system message of the first cell; if the second identifier is inconsistent with the first identifier, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device, including: receiving a second identifier sent by the second network device, where the second identifier is used to identify the system message of the second cell; ignoring the second identifier, the terminal device reads the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, the terminal device receiving the second identifier sent by the second network device includes: receiving the system message of the second cell sent by the second network device, where the system message of the second cell includes the second identifier.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising a transceiver module and a processing module: the transceiver module is used for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data; the processing module is used to execute, through a communication unit: the method according to any one of claims 1-8, or the method according to any one of claims 9-19, or the method according to any one of claims 20-23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, comprising a communication interface and a processor: the communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting signaling or data; The processor is configured to execute computer-executable programs, such that the method according to any one of claims 1-8 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 9-19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20-23 is executed.

26. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a processor and a memory, the memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; the processor is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, such that the method according to any one of claims 1-8 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 9-19 is executed, or the method according to any one of claims 20-23 is executed.

27. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, characterized in that when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-8, or claims 9-19, or claims 20-23 is implemented.

28. A computer program product comprising a program, characterized in that when the program is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-8, or claims 9-19, or claims 20-23 is implemented.

29. A chip system, characterized in that the chip system comprises at least one processor, and when program instructions are executed in the at least one processor, the method according to any one of claims 1-8, or claims 9-19, or claims 20-23 is implemented.

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