Method for determining a time offset and apparatus therefor

Abstract

A method for determining a time offset and a device thereof can be applied to the field of communication technology. The method performed by a terminal device (12) comprises: determining a first time offset (21) for a beam or for a user group according to a value of a radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in a message 2 (MSG2). Thus, the terminal device (12) can determine the first time offset for the beam or the user group according to the value of the TC-RNTI, compensate the data transmitted between the terminal device (12) and a network device (11), thereby solving the problem of inaccurate timing relationship adjustment between the terminal device (12) and the network device (11) caused by high-speed movement of a satellite (13), and ensuring the reliability of data interaction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a method for determining a time offset and an apparatus thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of wireless communication technology, satellite communication has become an important direction for the development of future wireless communication technology. In the satellite communication scenario, due to the long signal transmission distance between the sending end and the receiving end, there is a large time delay in the data transmission process. Moreover, each satellite can provide multiple beams, and different beams cover different areas. In the case where a small cell contains multiple beams, the transmission delay of each beam is different. Therefore, how to determine the time offset between the terminal device and the network device in the case of high-speed movement of the satellite has become an important research direction. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a time offset and an apparatus thereof, which can be applied in the field of communication technology.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for determining a time offset, which is performed by a terminal device, and the method comprises: determining a first time offset for a beam or for a user group according to a value of a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in a message 2 (MSG2).

[0005] Optionally, the determining the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 comprises:

[0006] determining the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to a correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0007] Optionally, the determining the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset comprises:

[0008] determining the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to a protocol agreement; or

[0009] determining the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to an indication of a network device.

[0010] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0011] determining whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0012] Optionally, the determining whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group comprises:

[0013] determining, according to a value of a specified information field in system information, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group; or

[0014] determining, according to a value of a reserved information field in the MSG2, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0015] Optionally, the first time offset is any one of:

[0016] a time difference between uplink transmission and downlink transmission;

[0017] a number of predefined time units of an interval between uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

[0018] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide another method for determining a time offset, which is performed by a network device and comprises: determining, according to a current first time offset for a beam or for a user group, a value of a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in a message 2 (MSG2).

[0019] Optionally, the determining, according to the current first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 comprises:

[0020] determining, according to a correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the current first time offset in the MSG2.

[0021] Optionally, the determining, according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset, comprises:

[0022] determining, according to a protocol agreement, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0023] Optionally, the method further comprises:

[0024] indicating, to a terminal device, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0025] Optionally, the indicating, to the terminal device, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group comprises:

[0026] indicating, to the terminal device, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group through a specified information field in system information; or

[0027] The network device indicates, to the terminal device, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group through an information field reserved in the MSG2.

[0028] Optionally, the first time offset is any one of the following:

[0029] a time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission;

[0030] a number of predefined time units between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0031] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus having part or all of the functions of the terminal device in the method of the first aspect, for example, the communication apparatus can have part or all of the functions in some or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or can have the functions of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure independently. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0032] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides another communication apparatus having part or all of the functions of the network device in the method examples of the second aspect, for example, the communication apparatus can have part or all of the functions in some or all of the embodiments of the present disclosure, or can have the functions of implementing any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure independently. The functions can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0033] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus including a processor, which executes the method of the first aspect when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus including a processor, which executes the method of the second aspect when the processor invokes a computer program in a memory.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by the processor, the communication apparatus executes the method of the first aspect.

[0036] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by the processor, the communication apparatus performs the method in the second aspect.

[0037] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit for receiving code instructions and transmitting the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions to make the apparatus perform the method in the first aspect.

[0038] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor and an interface circuit for receiving code instructions and transmitting the code instructions to the processor, the processor being configured to execute the code instructions to make the apparatus perform the method in the second aspect.

[0039] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system, which comprises the communication apparatus in the third aspect and the communication apparatus in the fourth aspect, or the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect and the communication apparatus in the sixth aspect, or the communication apparatus in the seventh aspect and the communication apparatus in the eighth aspect, or the communication apparatus in the ninth aspect and the communication apparatus in the tenth aspect.

[0040] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions for the terminal device, when the instructions are executed, the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0041] In a thirteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer readable storage medium for storing instructions for the network device, when the instructions are executed, the method in the second aspect is implemented.

[0042] In a fourteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product comprising a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer performs the method in the first aspect.

[0043] In a fifteenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product comprising a computer program, when the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer performs the method in the second aspect.

[0044] In a sixteenth aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, configured to support a terminal device to implement the functions related to the first aspect, e.g., to determine or process at least one of the data and information related to the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, configured to store the computer programs and data necessary for the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0045] In a seventeenth aspect, the present disclosure provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor and an interface, configured to support a network device to implement the functions related to the second aspect, e.g., to determine or process at least one of the data and information related to the above method. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, configured to store the computer programs and data necessary for the network device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0046] In an eighteenth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0047] In a nineteenth aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0048] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background art will be described below.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 6is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0056] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0057] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In order to better understand the method for determining a time offset according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication system to which the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable will be described first.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system can include, but is not limited to, one network device, one terminal device and one satellite, Figure 1 The number and form of devices shown are only for example and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of the present disclosure, and in actual applications, two or more network devices and two or more terminal devices can be included. Figure 1 The communication system shown takes one network device 11, one terminal device 12 and one satellite 13 as an example.

[0060] It should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. For example: long term evolution (LTE) system, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, 5G new radio (NR) system, or other future new mobile communication systems, etc. The network device 11 in the embodiments of the present disclosure is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals on the network side. For example, the network device 11 can be an evolved NodeB (eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in the NR system, a base station in other future mobile communication systems, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. The network device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The structure of CU-DU can split the protocol layer of the network device, for example, the base station, and the functions of part of the protocol layer are controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layer are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU. The satellite provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be a low earth orbit satellite, or can also be a high earth orbit satellite, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0061] The terminal device 12 in the embodiments of the present disclosure is an entity for receiving or transmitting signals on the user side, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), and the like. The terminal device can be a car, a smart car, a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in smart city, a wireless terminal device in smart home, and the like. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit the specific technology and specific device form of the terminal device.

[0062] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0063] The method for determining a time offset and the device thereof provided by the present disclosure will be described in detail below in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the method is executed by a terminal device. As shown in Figure 2 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0065] Step 21, determining a first time offset for a beam or for a user group according to a value of a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in a message 2 (MSG2).

[0066] MSG2 is a response message returned by the network device to the terminal device in the random access process. The MSG2 can include the value of the temporary cell-radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), a timing advance command (TA), an uplink scheduling grant (UL Grant), and the like, which are not limited by the present disclosure.

[0067] It can be understood that in satellite communication, each satellite can provide multiple service beams, and the transmission delay corresponding to each service beam is also different. In the process of high-speed movement of the satellite, each cell can contain multiple service beams at the same time, and the terminal device and the network device can transmit information through one or more service beams. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the first time offset corresponding to the beam currently used for transmitting information.

[0068] Alternatively, due to the large coverage range of satellite communication, the first time offset corresponding to different terminal devices in the same beam coverage range can be different, and therefore the first time offset corresponding to different user groups can be further determined.

[0069] The user group is a set of users, and the network device can divide the users as needed to determine different user groups.

[0070] Optionally, the first time offset Koffset can be any of the following:

[0071] The time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission;

[0072] The number of predefined time units between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0073] The time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission can be an absolute time difference. For example, the time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission can be 10 ms, 5 ms, or the like, which are not limited by the present disclosure.

[0074] Optionally, the predefined time unit can be a time slot, a micro time slot, or the like, which are not limited by the present disclosure.

[0075] Optionally, the first time offset can be applied in various information transmissions, such as: a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission scheduled by downlink control information (DCI); transmission of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information; and transmission of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), and the like, which are not limited in the present disclosure.

[0076] By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device determines the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the wireless network temporary identifier TC-RNTI in the message 2 MSG2. Thus, the terminal device can determine the first time offset for the beam or the user group according to the value of the TC-RNTI, and compensate the data transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, thereby solving the problem of inaccurate timing relationship adjustment between the terminal device and the network device due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, and ensuring the reliability of data interaction.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is performed by a terminal device. As shown in Figure 3 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0078] Step 31, according to the protocol agreement, determining the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0079] The correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset can be as shown in Table 1.

[0080] Table 1

[0081] Value of TC-RNTI First time offset 0001 - 0FFF Koffset 1 1001 - 1FFF Koffset 2 … … FFF3 - FFFD Koffset N

[0082] As shown in Table 1, the values of multiple TC-RNTIs can correspond to the same first time offset.

[0083] It should be noted that Table 1 is only a schematic illustration of the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset, and cannot be regarded as a specific limitation of the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset in the present disclosure.

[0084] It can be understood that each element in Table 1, each corresponding relationship, is independently present; these elements, corresponding relationships are exemplarily listed in the same table, but it does not mean that all elements, corresponding relationships in the table must exist at the same time according to the shown in Table 1. The value of each element and each corresponding relationship is independent of any other element value or corresponding relationship in Table 1. Therefore, those skilled in the art can understand that the value of each element in the table 1, each corresponding relationship, each is an independent embodiment.

[0085] In step 32, according to the value of the specified information field in the system information, it is determined whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0086] The system information is information sent by the network device to the terminal device. The network device can indicate in the system information whether it supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0087] The number of bits contained in the specified information field can be set as needed. For example, the specified information field contains 1 bit, and the value of the bit is "0", which can represent that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, and the value of "1" can represent that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group. Or, the specified information field contains 2 bits, and the value of the bit is "00", which can represent that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam and for the user group, the value of "01" can represent that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam, the value of "10" can represent that the network device supports the first time offset for the user group, and "11" can represent that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam and the user group, and so on, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0088] In step 33, in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, according to the corresponding relationship between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 is determined.

[0089] It can be understood that in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the first time offset corresponding to the value of the wireless network temporary identifier TC-RNTI in the MSG2 is determined again according to the value of the TC-RNTI. Therefore, the terminal device does not need to determine the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI every time the MSG2 is received, and only in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the first time offset is determined again according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset, thereby saving the overhead of the terminal device and reducing resource waste.

[0090] By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device first determines the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the protocol agreement or the signaling received by the base station, then determines whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the specified information field in the system information, and finally determines the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group. Therefore, in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the terminal device determines the first time offset according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2, which not only solves the problem of inaccurate transmission delay adjustment between the terminal device and the network device caused by the high-speed movement of the satellite, guarantees the reliability of data interaction, but also saves the overhead of the terminal device and reduces resource waste.

[0091] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method is performed by a terminal device. As shown in Figure 4 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0092] Step 41, determining the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the indication of the network device.

[0093] Step 42, determining whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the information field reserved in the MSG2.

[0094] The number of bits contained in the reserved information field can be set as needed. For example, the reserved information field contains 1 bit, and the value "0" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, and the value "1" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group. Alternatively, the reserved information field contains 2 bits, and the value "00" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the value "01" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam, the value "10" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the user group, and the value "11" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam and the user group, and the like. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0095] Optionally, the reserved information field in MSG2 can be at a predefined position of the entire information field of MSG2, such as the first information bit of the entire information field, to facilitate the terminal device to determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the reserved information field. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0096] It can be understood that the network device directly transmits whether it supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group to the terminal device by using the reserved information field in MSG2, without using other information for transmission, thereby reducing resource waste. Moreover, the terminal device can determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group after receiving MSG2, and determine the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in MSG2 after determining that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, thereby further saving the overhead of the terminal device.

[0097] Step 43, in the case where the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, determining the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0098] The specific implementation form of step 43 can refer to the detailed description in other embodiments of the present disclosure, which will not be described in detail here.

[0099] By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terminal device first determines the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the indication of the network device, then determines whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the information field reserved in the MSG2, and finally determines the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset in the case where the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group. In this way, the terminal device determines the first time offset according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 in the case where the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, which not only solves the transmission delay problem between the terminal device and the network device, guarantees the reliability of data interaction, but also saves the terminal device's overhead and reduces resource waste.

[0100] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is performed by a network device. As shown in Figure 5 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0101] Step 51, determining the value of the temporary community-radio network temporary identity (TC-RNTI) in the message 2 (MSG2) according to the current first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0102] Wherein, the message 2 (MSG2) is a response message returned by the network device to the terminal device in the random access process. The MSG2 can contain the value of the temporary community-radio network temporary identity (TC-RNTI), the timing advance command (TA), the uplink scheduling grant (UL Grant), etc., which is not limited by the present disclosure.

[0103] Wherein, the user group is a set of users, and the network device can divide the users as needed to determine different user groups.

[0104] Optionally, the first time offset Koffset can be any of the following:

[0105] The time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission;

[0106] The number of predefined time units of the interval between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0107] The time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission can be an absolute time difference. For example, the time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission can be 10 ms, 5 ms, etc., and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0108] Optionally, the predefined time unit can be a time slot, a micro time slot, etc., and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0109] Optionally, the first time offset can be applied to various information transmissions, such as: Physical Uplink Shared CHannel (PUSCH) transmission scheduled by Downlink Control Information (DCI); transmission of Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) feedback information; and transmission of Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), etc., and the present disclosure does not limit this.

[0110] By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device determines the value of the Temporary Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (TC-RNTI) in the message 2 (MSG2) according to the first time offset currently for the beam or for the user group. In this way, the network device can determine the value of the TC-RNTI according to the first time offset currently for the beam or for the user group, so that the terminal device can determine the first time offset according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2, and compensate the data transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, thereby solving the problem of inaccurate timing relationship adjustment between the terminal device and the network device due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, and ensuring the reliability of data interaction.

[0111] Please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for determining a time offset provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method is performed by a network device. As shown in Figure 6 , the method can include but is not limited to the following steps:

[0112] Step 61: Indicating to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0113] Optionally, the network device can indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group through a designated information field in system information.

[0114] The number of bits contained in the specified information field can be set as needed. For example, the specified information field contains 1 bit, and a value of "0" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam or the user group, and a value of "1" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or the user group. Alternatively, the specified information field contains 2 bits, and a value of "00" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam and the user group, a value of "01" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam, a value of "10" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the user group, and a value of "11" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam and the user group, and the like. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0115] Alternatively, the network device can also indicate, to the terminal device, whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or the user group through a reserved information field in the MSG2.

[0116] The number of bits contained in the reserved information field can be set as needed. For example, the reserved information field contains 1 bit, and a value of "0" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam or the user group, and a value of "1" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or the user group. Alternatively, the reserved information field contains 2 bits, and a value of "00" indicates that the network device does not support the first time offset for the beam and the user group, a value of "01" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam, a value of "10" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the user group, and a value of "11" indicates that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam and the user group, and the like. The present disclosure does not limit this.

[0117] In step 62, in the case of supporting the first time offset for the beam or the user group, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined according to the protocol agreement.

[0118] The correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset can be as shown in Table 1. Details are not described herein.

[0119] In step 63, the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the current first time offset in the MSG2 is determined according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0120] It can be understood that the network device determines the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the protocol agreement only in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, and then determines the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the current first time offset in the MSG2. Thus, the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the first time offset in each MSG2 does not need to be determined, and the overhead of the network device is saved.

[0121] By implementing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device first indicates to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, then determines the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the protocol agreement in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, and finally determines the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the current first time offset in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset. Thus, in the case that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group, the network device determines the value of the TC-RNTI according to the first time offset, so that the terminal device can determine the first time offset according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2, not only solving the problem of inaccurate timing relationship adjustment between the terminal device and the network device due to the high-speed movement of the satellite, ensuring the reliability of data interaction, but also saving the overhead of the network device and reducing resource waste.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is introduced from the perspective of the network device and the terminal device respectively. In order to implement each function in the method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device and the terminal device can include hardware structures, software modules, and implement the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Some of the above functions can be executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules.

[0123] Please refer to Figure 7 A structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 70 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 The communication apparatus 70 shown can include a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702.

[0124] The transceiver module 702 can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, the sending module is used to implement the sending function, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function. The transceiver module 702 can implement the sending function and / or the receiving function.

[0125] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 70 can be a terminal device, can also be an apparatus in the terminal device, and can also be an apparatus that can be matched with the terminal device for use.

[0126] The communication device 70, at the terminal device side, comprises:

[0127] The processing module 701 is configured to determine the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in the message 2 (MSG2).

[0128] Optionally, the processing module 701 is specifically configured to:

[0129] determine the first time offset corresponding to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0130] Optionally, the processing module 701 is specifically configured to:

[0131] determine the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the protocol agreement;

[0132] or,

[0133] determine the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to the indication of the network device.

[0134] Optionally, the processing module 701 is further configured to:

[0135] determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0136] Optionally, the processing module 701 is further configured to:

[0137] determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the specified information field in the system information; or,

[0138] determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group according to the value of the reserved information field in the MSG2.

[0139] Optionally, the first time offset is any of the following:

[0140] the time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission;

[0141] the number of predefined time units between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0142] The communication apparatus provided in the present disclosure, a terminal device determines a first time offset currently for a beam or for a user group according to a value of a temporary cell radio network identifier TC-RNTI in a message 2 MSG2. Thus, the terminal device can determine the first time offset for the beam or the user group according to the value of the TC-RNTI, and compensate data transmitted between the terminal device and a network device, thereby solving the problem of inaccurate adjustment of the timing relationship between the terminal device and the network device due to high-speed movement of a satellite, and ensuring the reliability of data interaction.

[0143] It can be understood that the communication apparatus 70 can be a network device, an apparatus in a network device, or an apparatus capable of being used in matching with a network device.

[0144] The communication apparatus 70, on the network device side, comprises:

[0145] The processing module 701 is configured to determine the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2 according to the first time offset currently for the beam or for the user group.

[0146] Optionally, the processing module 701 is specifically configured to:

[0147] determine the value of the TC-RNTI corresponding to the current first time offset in the MSG2 according to the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset.

[0148] Optionally, the processing module 701 is further configured to:

[0149] determine the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset according to a protocol agreement.

[0150] Optionally, the processing module 701 is further configured to:

[0151] indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

[0152] Optionally, the processing module 701 is further configured to:

[0153] indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group through a designated information field in system information;

[0154] or,

[0155] indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group through a reserved information field in the MSG2.

[0156] Optionally, the first time offset is any one of:

[0157] a time difference between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission;

[0158] a number of predefined time units between the uplink transmission and the downlink transmission.

[0159] The communication apparatus provided by the present disclosure is configured to determine the value of the temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) in the message 2 (MSG2) according to the first time offset currently for the beam or for the user group. In this way, the network device can determine the value of the TC-RNTI according to the first time offset currently for the beam or for the user group, so that the terminal device can determine the first time offset according to the value of the TC-RNTI in the MSG2, and compensate the data transmitted between the terminal device and the network device, thereby solving the problem of inaccurate timing relationship adjustment between the terminal device and the network device caused by the high-speed movement of the satellite, and ensuring the reliability of data interaction.

[0160] Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 80 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 80 can be a network device, a terminal device, a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement the above method, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal device to implement the above method. The apparatus can be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiments, and specific implementation can be referred to the description in the above method embodiments.

[0161] The communication apparatus 80 can include one or more processors 801. The processor 801 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication apparatus (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute a computer program, and process data of the computer program.

[0162] Optionally, the communication apparatus 80 can further include one or more memories 802, which can store a computer program 804. The processor 801 executes the computer program 804, so that the communication apparatus 80 performs the method described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memory 802 can also store data. The communication apparatus 80 and the memory 802 can be separately arranged or integrated together.

[0163] Optionally, the communication apparatus 80 can further include a transceiver 805, an antenna 806. The transceiver 805 can be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, or a transceiving circuit, etc., for realizing the transceiving function. The transceiver 805 can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver can be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for realizing the receiving function; the transmitter can be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for realizing the transmitting function.

[0164] Optionally, the communication apparatus 80 can further include one or more interface circuits 807. The interface circuit 807 is used for receiving code instructions and transmitting to the processor 801. The processor 801 runs the code instructions to make the communication apparatus 80 execute the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0165] The communication apparatus 80 is a terminal device: the processor 801 is configured to perform steps 21 in the method 100; Figure 2 steps 31, 32, 33 in the method 200; Figure 3 steps 41, 42, 43 in the method 300, etc. Figure 4

[0166] The communication apparatus 80 is a network device: the processor 801 is configured to perform steps 51 in the method 400; Figure 5 steps 61, 62, 63 in the method 500, etc. Figure 6

[0167] In an implementation manner, the processor 801 can include a transceiver for realizing the receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver can be a transceiving circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiving circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit for realizing the receiving and transmitting functions can be separate or integrated together. The transceiving circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit can be used for reading and writing of code / data, or the transceiving circuit, the interface, or the interface circuit can be used for transmission or transfer of signals.

[0168] In an implementation manner, the processor 801 can store a computer program 803. The computer program 803 runs on the processor 801, and can make the communication apparatus 80 execute the methods described in the above method embodiments. The computer program 803 can be fixed in the processor 801. In this case, the processor 801 can be implemented by hardware.

[0169] ​​In an implementation, the communication apparatus 80 can include circuitry that can implement the functions of transmitting or receiving or communicating in the foregoing method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the present disclosure can be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed-signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0170] The communication apparatus described in the foregoing embodiments can be a network device or a terminal device, but the scope of the communication apparatus described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication apparatus can not be limited by Figure 8 The communication apparatus can be a standalone device or can be a part of a larger device. For example, the communication apparatus can be:

[0171] (1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem;

[0172] (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally including memory elements for storing data and computer program instructions;

[0173] (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem;

[0174] (4) a module that can be embedded within other devices;

[0175] (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a car device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.

[0176] (6) other, etc.

[0177] For the case that the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system, refer to Figure 9 The chip includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. The number of the processor 901 can be one or more, and the number of the interface 902 can be multiple. Figure 9 The chip includes a processor 901 and an interface 902. The number of the processor 901 can be one or more, and the number of the interface 902 can be multiple.

[0178] For the case that the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of the present disclosure:

[0179] The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 21 in the method 1000. Figure 2 The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 31, 32, 33 in the method 1100. Figure 3 The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 41, 42, 43, and the like in the method 1200. Figure 4 The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 41, 42, 43, and the like in the method 1200.

[0180] For the case that the chip is used to implement the functions of the network device in the embodiments of the present disclosure:

[0181] The processor 901 is configured to perform the step 51 in the method 1500. Figure 5 The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 61, 62, 63, and the like in the method 1600. Figure 6 The processor 901 is configured to perform the steps 61, 62, 63, and the like in the method 1600.

[0182] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory 903, and the memory 903 is configured to store necessary computer programs and data.

[0183] Those skilled in the art can understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. Whether the functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design requirements of the whole system. Those skilled in the art can implement the functions described in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0184] The embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a communication system, which includes the communication apparatus as the terminal device and the communication apparatus as the network device in the foregoing Figure 7 embodiments, or the system includes the communication apparatus as the terminal device and the communication apparatus as the network device in the foregoing Figure 8 embodiments.

[0185] The present disclosure also provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions that are executed by a computer to implement the functions of any of the method embodiments.

[0186] The present disclosure also provides a computer program product, which is executed by a computer to implement the functions of any of the method embodiments.

[0187] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer programs are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer programs can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), optical media (such as high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or semiconductor media (such as solid state disk (solid state disk, SSD)) and the like.

[0188] Those skilled in the art can understand that the first, second, etc. various numerical designations involved in the present disclosure are only for the convenience of description, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor represent the order of precedence.

[0189] At least one of the present disclosure can also be described as one or more, and the number can be two, three, four or more, and the present disclosure does not limit. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order or size order between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0190] The correspondence relationship shown in each table in the present disclosure can be configured or predefined. The values of the information in each table are merely examples, and other values can be configured, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When configuring the correspondence relationship between the information and each parameter, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondence relationships shown in each table. For example, the correspondence relationship shown in some rows in the table in the present disclosure can also not be configured. For another example, the above tables can be appropriately deformed, for example, split, merged, and the like. The names of the parameters shown in the titles of the above tables can also use other names understandable by the communication device, and the values or representations of the parameters can also use other values or representations understandable by the communication device. The above tables can also use other data structures when implemented, for example, arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear tables, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or the like.

[0191] The predefinition in the present disclosure can be understood as definition, predefinition, storage, prestorage, prenegotiation, preconfiguration, solidification, or pre-burning.

[0192] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0193] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be described here.

[0194] The above is merely a specific implementation of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining a time offset, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal device, includes: Determine whether the network device supports first-time offset for beam or user group; If the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group, the current first time offset for a beam or for a user group is determined based on the value of the temporary wireless network identifier TC-RNTI in message 2 MSG2.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the first time offset for the beam or user group based on the value of the temporary wireless network identifier TC-RNTI in MSG2 includes: Based on the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the first time offset corresponding to the value of TC-RNTI in MSG2 is determined.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The step of establishing the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset includes: According to the agreement, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined; or, Based on the instructions from the network device, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Determining whether the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for the user group includes: Based on the value of the specified information field in the system information, determine whether the network device supports a first time offset for the beam or for the user group; or, Based on the value of the reserved information field in MSG2, determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first time offset is any one of the following: The time difference between uplink and downlink transmission; The number of predefined time units between uplink and downlink transmission intervals.

6. A method for determining a time offset, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for beam or user group; If the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group, determine the value of the temporary wireless network identifier TC-RNTI in message 2 MSG2 based on the current first time offset for the beam or user group.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The step of determining the value of the temporary wireless network identifier TC-RNTI in MSG2 based on the current first time offset for the beam or user group includes: Based on the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the value of TC-RNTI in MSG2 corresponding to the current first time offset is determined.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The step of establishing the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset includes: According to the agreement, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined.

9. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The step of instructing the terminal device whether the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group includes: The system information is used to indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group. or, The information field reserved in the MSG2 indicates to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for a beam or for a user group.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The first time offset is any one of the following: The time difference between uplink and downlink transmission; The number of predefined time units between uplink and downlink transmission intervals.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The processing module is used to determine whether the network device supports first time offset for beam or user group. The processing module is further configured to, when the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group, determine the current first time offset for a beam or for a user group based on the value of the temporary wireless network identifier TC-RNTI in message 2 MSG2.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The processing module is specifically used for: Based on the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the first time offset corresponding to the value of TC-RNTI in MSG2 is determined.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: According to the agreement, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined; or, Based on the instructions from the network device, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: Based on the value of the specified information field in the system information, determine whether the network device supports a first time offset for the beam or for the user group; or, Based on the value of the reserved information field in MSG2, determine whether the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or for the user group.

15. The apparatus as described in any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The first time offset is any one of the following: The time difference between uplink and downlink transmission; The number of predefined time units between uplink and downlink transmission intervals.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes: The processing module is used to indicate to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for beam or user group; The processing module is further configured to determine the value of the wireless network temporary identifier TC-RNTI in message 2 MSG2 based on the current first time offset for the beam or user group, provided that the network device supports the first time offset for the beam or user group.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The processing module is specifically used for: Based on the correspondence between TC-RNTI and the first time offset, the value of TC-RNTI in MSG2 corresponding to the current first time offset is determined.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: According to the agreement, the correspondence between the TC-RNTI and the first time offset is determined.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The processing module is further configured to: By specifying a field in the system information, the terminal device is informed whether the network device supports a first time offset for a beam or for a user group; or... The information field reserved in the MSG2 indicates to the terminal device whether the network device supports the first time offset for a beam or for a user group.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The first time offset is any one of the following: The time difference between uplink and downlink transmission; The number of predefined time units between uplink and downlink transmission intervals.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program stored in the memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the processor; The processor is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

25. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 5 to be implemented.

26. A computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method of any one of claims 6 to 10 to be implemented.

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