Half-duplex communication method, device, equipment and medium for medium-high orbit satellite

Abstract

A half-duplex communication method of a medium-high orbit satellite is provided, which can be applied to the field of satellite communication and includes the following steps: when a satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with a base station, jointly measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal by the base station; reporting the first timing advance to the base station; and communicating with the medium-high orbit satellite to make the medium-high orbit satellite forward the interaction signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, so that the base station schedules time slots of the interaction signals for controlling the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, to realize that the satellite terminal works in a half-duplex mode. Therefore, the half-duplex communication method of the medium-high orbit satellite provided by the present disclosure makes the satellite terminal communicate in a half-duplex mode, reduces the complexity of the configuration of the satellite terminal device, and facilitates the later maintenance of the satellite terminal. In addition, a half-duplex communication device of a medium-high orbit satellite, an electronic device, a computer readable storage medium and a computer program product are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, specifically to medium- and high-orbit satellite communications, and more specifically to a half-duplex communication method, apparatus, electronic device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for medium- and high-orbit satellites. Background Technology

[0002] In satellite communications, the cost of satellite ground terminals must be strictly controlled; only extremely low costs can attract a large user base. Existing common low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite Starlink terminals employ half-duplex (FDD) mode, rather than the full-duplex (FDD) mode commonly used in other terminals. High-Earth orbit (HEO), medium-Earth orbit (MEO), and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites typically use phased array satellite terminals. Phased array satellite terminals employ numerous antenna elements, necessitating the use of full-duplex mode to effectively reduce the cost of the radio frequency (RF) front-end.

[0003] The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) defines the technical specifications for 5G NTN (non-terrestrial network). According to these specifications, in low-Earth orbit satellites, due to the relatively small beam size, the timing deviation of each satellite terminal within the coverage area of ​​that beam is not significant (around 10μs), so half-duplex frequency division duplex mode can be used. In medium- and high-Earth orbit satellite communications, due to the very large beam size (around 1000km), the timing deviation of each terminal within the coverage area of ​​that beam will be very large (greater than 2ms). Under current technical specifications, only full-duplex frequency division duplex mode can be used.

[0004] Therefore, in 5G NTN communication, satellite terminals of medium and high orbit satellite communication systems cannot achieve communication in half-duplex mode, making the configuration of satellite terminals complex, costly, and difficult to maintain. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address at least one of the aforementioned technical problems arising from the inability of satellite terminals in existing 5G NTN technologies to communicate in half-duplex mode, this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication method, apparatus, electronic device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for medium and high orbit satellites.

[0006] According to the first aspect of this disclosure, a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites is provided, applied to a satellite terminal. The method includes: when establishing an initial connection with a base station, jointly measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station; reporting the first timing advance to the base station; and engaging in communication interaction with the medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal operates in half-duplex mode.

[0007] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the aforementioned interactive signal includes uplink and downlink signals. The communication interaction with a medium-to-high orbit (MTO) satellite, enabling the MTO satellite to forward the interactive signal from the satellite terminal or the base station, and thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signal from the satellite terminal based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, includes: transmitting the uplink signal to the MTO satellite based on the uplink time slot allocated by the base station's scheduler; enabling the MTO satellite to transparently forward the uplink signal from the satellite terminal to the base station; enabling the base station to receive the uplink signal from the satellite terminal, and based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, scheduling the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler, and transmitting the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the MTO satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal; thereby enabling the MTO satellite to transparently forward the downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; and receiving the downlink signal; wherein the time slots for transmitting the uplink signal and receiving the downlink signal by the satellite terminal do not overlap.

[0008] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the aforementioned method of jointly measuring the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the aforementioned base station includes: reading the broadcast information of the aforementioned base station; calculating a second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information; sending a preamble sequence to the aforementioned base station based on the aforementioned second timing advance, so that the aforementioned base station detects the preamble sequence, obtains a third timing advance, and sends MAC scheduling authorization information to the aforementioned satellite terminal, wherein the aforementioned MAC scheduling authorization information includes the aforementioned third timing advance; and receiving the aforementioned MAC scheduling authorization information and obtaining the first timing advance corresponding to the aforementioned satellite terminal based on the aforementioned second timing advance and the aforementioned third timing advance.

[0009] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the above-mentioned calculation of the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information includes: obtaining satellite location information based on the broadcast information; calculating the location distance based on the satellite location information and the terminal location information; and calculating the signal transmission delay based on the location distance to obtain the second timing advance.

[0010] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, sending a preamble sequence to the base station based on the second timing advance includes: obtaining the reception time of the downlink frame header received by the base station; obtaining a first frame header advance time based on the reception time and the second timing advance; and sending the preamble sequence to the base station based on the first frame header advance time.

[0011] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the above-mentioned reporting of the first timing advance to the base station includes: detecting the downlink synchronization signal of the base station to obtain the downlink frame boundary time; calculating the second frame header advance time based on the downlink frame boundary time and the first timing advance; and reporting the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time.

[0012] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the above-mentioned reporting of the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time includes: sending an RRC connection establishment request to the base station based on the second frame header advance time, so that the base station establishes an RRC connection with the satellite terminal based on the RRC connection establishment request, wherein the RRC connection establishment request includes the first timing advance.

[0013] The second aspect of this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites, applied to a base station. The method includes: when establishing an initial connection with a satellite terminal, jointly measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the satellite terminal; receiving the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal to enable the satellite terminal to communicate and interact with the medium-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and scheduling and controlling the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0014] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the aforementioned satellite terminal communicates with a medium-to-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signals of the satellite terminal. Based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, the time slots for the interactive signals of the satellite terminal are scheduled and controlled so that the medium-to-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals of the base station. This includes: the base station's scheduler allocating uplink time slots to the satellite terminal; enabling the satellite terminal to transmit the uplink signal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the uplink time slot allocated by the base station's scheduler; enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to transparently forward the uplink signal of the satellite terminal to the base station; receiving the uplink signal of the satellite terminal, and based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, scheduling the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler, and transmitting the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal; enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to transparently forward the downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; and enabling the satellite terminal to receive the downlink signal; wherein the time slots for transmitting the uplink signal and receiving the downlink signal of the satellite terminal do not overlap.

[0015] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the aforementioned method of jointly measuring the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal includes: the satellite terminal reading the broadcast information of the base station, calculating a second timing advance based on the broadcast information and terminal location information, and sending a preamble sequence to the base station based on the second timing advance; detecting the preamble sequence to obtain a third timing advance, and sending MAC scheduling authorization information to the satellite terminal; wherein the MAC scheduling authorization information includes the third timing advance; thereby enabling the satellite terminal to receive the MAC scheduling authorization information and obtain the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal based on the second timing advance and the third timing advance.

[0016] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the calculation of the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information includes: the satellite terminal obtaining satellite location information based on the broadcast information, calculating the location distance based on the satellite location information and the terminal location information; and the satellite terminal calculating the signal transmission delay based on the location distance to obtain the second timing advance.

[0017] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the above-mentioned sending of a preamble sequence to the base station based on the second timing advance includes: the satellite terminal obtaining the reception time of the downlink frame header received by the base station; the satellite terminal obtaining a first frame header advance time based on the reception time and the second timing advance; and the satellite terminal sending the preamble sequence to the base station according to the first frame header advance time.

[0018] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes: the satellite terminal reporting the first timing advance to the base station.

[0019] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station, including: the satellite terminal detecting the downlink synchronization signal of the base station to obtain the downlink frame boundary time; the satellite terminal calculating the second frame header advance time based on the downlink frame boundary time and the first timing advance; and the satellite terminal reporting the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time.

[0020] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time, including: the satellite terminal sending an RRC connection establishment request to the base station based on the second frame header advance time; and the satellite terminal establishing an RRC connection with the base station based on the RRC connection establishment request, wherein the RRC connection establishment request includes the first timing advance.

[0021] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites. The method includes: when a satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with a base station, the satellite terminal, in conjunction with the base station, measures a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; the base station receives the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal interacts with the medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and the base station, based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, schedules and controls the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0022] The fourth aspect of this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication device for a medium-high orbit satellite, applied to a satellite terminal. The device includes: a first joint measurement module, used to jointly measure a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station when establishing an initial connection; a first reporting module, used to report the first timing advance to the base station; and a first half-duplex communication module, used to communicate with the medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal operates in half-duplex mode.

[0023] The fifth aspect of this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication device for a medium-high orbit satellite, applied to a base station. The device includes: a second joint measurement module, used to jointly measure a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal when establishing an initial connection with the satellite terminal; a first receiving module, used to receive the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the satellite terminal can communicate with the medium-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and a second half-duplex communication module, used to schedule and control the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite can forward the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0024] The sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a half-duplex communication device for a medium-high orbit satellite. The device includes: a third joint measurement module, used for measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal in conjunction with the base station when establishing an initial connection; a second reporting module, used for the satellite terminal to report the first timing advance to the base station; a second receiving module, used for the base station to receive the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; a communication forwarding module, used for the satellite terminal to communicate with the medium-high orbit satellite, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and a third half-duplex communication module, used for the base station to schedule and control the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0025] A seventh aspect of this disclosure provides an electronic device comprising: one or more processors; and a memory for storing one or more computer programs, wherein the one or more processors execute the one or more computer programs to implement the steps of the method described above.

[0026] The eighth aspect of this disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0027] The ninth aspect of this disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described method.

[0028] In the embodiments of this disclosure, since satellite terminals of medium- and high-orbit satellite communication systems cannot communicate in half-duplex mode in 5G NTN communication, by implementing the embodiments of this disclosure, when the satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with the base station, the satellite terminal, together with the base station, measures the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; and the satellite terminal communicates and interacts with the medium- and high-orbit satellite, the medium- and high-orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, and the base station schedules and controls the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal works in half-duplex mode. This realizes that when the satellite terminal communicates and interacts with the medium- and high-orbit satellite in 5G NTN, the satellite terminal adopts half-duplex mode communication, effectively reducing the cost of the satellite terminal, reducing the complexity of the satellite terminal equipment configuration, and facilitating the later maintenance of the satellite terminal. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The foregoing contents, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure, will become clearer from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 This schematically illustrates the timing relationships between the transmission and reception of the various devices;

[0031] Figure 2 This illustration schematically depicts an application scenario of a half-duplex communication method, apparatus, electronic device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating a satellite terminal communication flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating a joint measurement flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating a joint measurement interaction of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6 This schematically illustrates a flowchart of the second timing advance acquisition process for a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 7 This schematically illustrates a flowchart of the preamble sequence transmission process for a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 8This schematically illustrates a flowchart of the first timing advance reporting process for a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart illustrating a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates the reporting interaction of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 11 This schematically illustrates a first communication interaction flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 12 The transparent forwarding network architecture of a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically.

[0042] Figure 13 The illustration schematically shows a transmission and reception time slot diagram between a base station and a terminal in a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 14 A schematic diagram illustrating a base station communication flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 15 This schematic diagram illustrates a structural block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 16 This schematically illustrates another structural block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 17 This schematically illustrates another structural block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0047] Figure 18 A block diagram of an electronic device suitable for implementing a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are exemplary only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure for ease of explanation. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and techniques are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0049] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. The terms “comprising,” “including,” etc., as used herein indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0050] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein are to be interpreted in a manner consistent with the context of this specification, and not in an idealized or overly rigid way.

[0051] When using expressions such as "at least one of A, B and C", they should generally be interpreted in accordance with the meaning that is commonly understood by those skilled in the art (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B and C" should include, but is not limited to, a system having A alone, a system having B alone, a system having C alone, a system having A and B, a system having A and C, a system having B and C, and / or a system having A, B and C, etc.).

[0052] 3GPP 5G NTN specifies a timing scheme where different terminal users pre-compensate for transmission and reception times based on ephemeris and GPS / BeiDou positioning information, ensuring alignment of satellite downlink transmission and reception times. Under the current system, the satellite / gateway (base station) is unaware of how much time the terminal transmits uplink signals before the frame header; in other words, the satellite / gateway (base station) is unaware of the terminal's transmission and reception status. Figure 1 This schematically illustrates the timing relationships between the transmission and reception of the various devices. Figure 1 (a) schematically illustrates the transmission and reception timing relationship between the satellite and the terminal. Figure 1 (b) schematically illustrates the transmission and reception timing relationship between the base station and the terminal. For example... Figure 1As shown, the satellite / gateway (base station) is unaware of whether the terminal's transmission and reception overlap. When the terminal's transmission and reception overlap, it cannot use half-duplex frequency division duplex mode (half-duplex frequency division duplex mode means that transmission and reception use different spectrums and do not occur simultaneously). This makes it impossible for satellite terminals of medium and high orbit satellite communication systems to communicate in half-duplex mode in 5G NTN communication.

[0053] Specifically, embodiments of this disclosure provide a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites, applied to a satellite terminal. The method may include, when establishing an initial connection with a base station, jointly measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station; reporting the first timing advance to the base station; and communicating with the medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal operates in half-duplex mode.

[0054] Specifically, embodiments of this disclosure provide a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites, applied to a base station. The method may include, when establishing an initial connection with a satellite terminal, jointly measuring a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the satellite terminal; receiving the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal to enable the satellite terminal to communicate and interact with the medium-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and scheduling and controlling the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0055] Specifically, embodiments of this disclosure provide a half-duplex communication method for medium-high orbit satellites. This method may include: when a satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with a base station, the satellite terminal, in conjunction with the base station, measures a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; the base station receives the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal interacts with the medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and the base station, based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, schedules and controls the time slots of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode.

[0056] Because of the half-duplex communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, when the satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with the base station, the satellite terminal, together with the base station, measures the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; and the satellite terminal communicates and interacts with medium- and high-orbit satellites, the medium- and high-orbit satellites forward the interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, and the base station schedules and controls the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal works in half-duplex mode. In 5G NTN, when the satellite terminal communicates and interacts with medium- and high-orbit satellites, the satellite terminal adopts half-duplex mode communication, which effectively reduces the cost of the satellite terminal, reduces the complexity of the satellite terminal equipment configuration, and facilitates the later maintenance of the satellite terminal.

[0057] It should be noted that the half-duplex communication method and apparatus for medium and high orbit satellites provided in this disclosure can be applied to the field of communication, the field of medium and high orbit satellite communication technology, or any field outside the above-mentioned technical fields. The specific application field of the half-duplex communication method and apparatus for medium and high orbit satellites provided in this disclosure is not limited.

[0058] The embodiments of this disclosure provide a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites.

[0059] Figure 2 The illustration schematically depicts an application scenario of a half-duplex communication method, apparatus, electronic device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, application scenario 200 according to this embodiment may include satellite terminal communication and base station communication. Network 204 is used as a medium to provide a communication link between terminal devices 201, 202, 203 and base station 205 and satellite 206. Terminal devices 201, 202, 203 can act as satellite terminals to communicate with base station 205 and satellite 206.

[0061] Users can use terminal devices 201, 202, and 203 to interact with base station 205 via network 204, and terminal devices 201, 202, and 203 to interact with satellite 206 via network 204 to receive or send messages, etc. Various communication client applications can be installed on terminal devices 201, 202, and 203, such as shopping applications, web browser applications, search applications, instant messaging tools, email clients, social media platform software, etc. (for example only).

[0062] Terminal devices 201, 202, and 203 can be various electronic devices with displays that support web browsing, including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

[0063] Base station 205 can serve as an access device for a mobile communication system, communicating with terminal devices 201, 202, and 203 via wireless signals.

[0064] When terminal devices 201, 202, and 203 need to communicate with satellite 206, they communicate directly with satellite 206, and satellite 206 then communicates with base station 205 to access the terrestrial communication system, thereby enabling satellite communication for terminal devices 201, 202, and 203.

[0065] It should be understood that Figure 2 The number of terminal devices, networks, and servers shown is merely illustrative. Depending on implementation needs, any number of terminal devices, networks, and servers can be included.

[0066] The following will be based on Figure 2 The described satellite terminal communication scenario, through Figures 3-14 A half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to the disclosed embodiments is described in detail.

[0067] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a satellite terminal communication flowchart for a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, the half-duplex communication method 300 for medium and high orbit satellites in this embodiment is applied to a satellite terminal and includes operations S310 to S330.

[0069] When operating S310 and establishing an initial connection with the base station, the base station jointly measures the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal.

[0070] When operating S320, the first timing advance is reported to the base station.

[0071] When operating the S330, it communicates with medium- and high-orbit satellites to enable the satellites to forward interactive signals from satellite terminals or base stations. This allows the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals from the satellite terminals based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminals, so that the satellite terminals can operate in half-duplex mode.

[0072] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in operation S310, in 5G NTN communication, the process of establishing an initial connection between a satellite terminal and a base station refers to the process of the satellite terminal accessing the base station. Through the process of establishing an initial connection, the satellite terminal discovers the base station, and the base station also becomes aware of the existence of the satellite terminal within its coverage area. It should be noted that satellite terminals include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers.

[0073] In operation S330, the base station learns the first timing advance reported by the satellite terminal. When the base station performs uplink (satellite terminal -> satellite -> base station) scheduling for the satellite terminal, it selects appropriate time and frequency resources for the satellite terminal based on the satellite terminal's advance information and schedules and controls the time slots of the satellite terminal's interactive signals so that the terminal's transmission time and reception time do not conflict. This allows the satellite terminal to work in half-duplex mode, or more specifically, in half-duplex frequency division duplex mode.

[0074] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrates a joint measurement flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a joint measurement interaction of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the first timing advance corresponding to the joint base station measurement satellite terminal in operation S310 includes operations S410-S460.

[0077] In operation of S410, the satellite terminal reads the broadcast information from the base station.

[0078] In operation of S420, the satellite terminal calculates the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information.

[0079] In operation of S430, the satellite terminal sends a preamble sequence to the base station based on a second timing advance.

[0080] In operation S440, the base station detects the preamble sequence to obtain the third timing advance.

[0081] In operation S450, the base station sends MAC scheduling authorization information to the satellite terminal, which includes a third timing advance.

[0082] In operation S460, the satellite terminal receives MAC scheduling authorization information and obtains the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal based on the second and third timing advances.

[0083] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in operation S410, the base station broadcasts information within its coverage area, and when the satellite terminal is within its coverage area, the satellite terminal can read the broadcast information from the base station. In operation S440, after the satellite terminal sends a preamble sequence to the base station, the base station detects the preamble sequence and measures the difference between the actual time the preamble sequence is received and the ideal time the base station wants to receive it. This difference is the third timing advance tau3, representing the advance adjustment amount on the base station side. In operation S450, after receiving the third timing advance tau3 actually detected by the base station, the satellite terminal adds its own calculated second timing advance tau2 to the received third timing advance tau3 to obtain the first timing advance, i.e., the first timing advance tau1 = tau2 + tau3. The first timing advance tau1 is the total timing advance of the satellite terminal, indicating that the satellite terminal needs to transmit at the downlink frame header tau1 time in advance. It should be noted that MAC scheduling authorization information is the authorization resource information of the base station to the satellite terminal. MAC (Media Access Control) is the media access control sublayer, which is responsible for data transmission, allocation and processing between the radio link control layer (RLC) and the physical layer (PHY). It is responsible for receiving services from the PHY (physical layer) and providing logical channel services to the RLC (radio link control layer).

[0084] Figure 6 The flowchart illustrating the second timing advance acquisition process of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0085] like Figure 6 As shown, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the calculation of the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information in operation S420 includes operations S610-S630.

[0086] In operating the S610, satellite position information is obtained based on broadcast information.

[0087] In operating the S620, the location distance is calculated based on satellite location information and terminal location information.

[0088] In operation S630, the signal transmission delay is calculated based on the position distance to obtain the second timing advance.

[0089] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in operation S610, the satellite terminal reads broadcast information from the base station, which includes satellite ephemeris information. Based on the satellite ephemeris information, the satellite position information can be obtained. In operation S620, the satellite terminal is configured with GNSS, and the terminal position information, i.e., the current position of the satellite terminal, can be read based on the terminal's GPS / BeiDou module. The positional distance between the base station and the terminal can be calculated through simple geometric calculations. In operation S630, the transmission delay of the wireless signal is directly calculated based on the positional distance to obtain a second timing advance. The second timing advance, tau2, is the advance adjustment amount on the satellite terminal side, representing the transmission delay of the signal sent by the satellite terminal to the base station.

[0090] Figure 7 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of the preamble sequence transmission process for a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] like Figure 7 As shown, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the sending of a preamble sequence to the base station based on a second timing advance in operation S430 includes operations S710-S730.

[0092] In operation S710, the reception time of the downlink frame header of the receiving base station is obtained.

[0093] In operation of S720, the first frame header advance time is obtained based on the reception time and the second timing advance.

[0094] In S730 operation, a preamble sequence is sent to the base station according to the advance time of the first frame header.

[0095] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in order for the base station to accurately receive the satellite terminal signal from the downlink frame header, the satellite terminal needs to send a preamble sequence before the base station's downlink frame header. It is worth noting that the preamble sequence is a sequence defined by 3GPP, and the position of the downlink frame header is generally determined by the base station, requiring alignment with the rising edge of the GPS PPS (pulse per second).

[0096] If the satellite terminal estimates the second timing advance tau2, then the satellite terminal can assume that the frame boundary of the base station is tau2 before the time point when the downlink frame header is received. This point is the downlink frame boundary of the base station. Therefore, the satellite terminal can transmit the preamble sequence 2*tau2 before the time point when the downlink frame header is received, so that the time when the base station receives the preamble is roughly aligned with the frame boundary of the base station. Here, 2*tau2 before the time point when the downlink frame header is received is the first frame header advance time.

[0097] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of the first timing advance reporting process for a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] like Figure 8 As shown, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, the reporting of the first timing advance to the base station in operation S320 includes operations S810-S830.

[0099] In the operation of S810, the downlink synchronization signal of the base station is detected to obtain the downlink frame boundary time.

[0100] In operation S820, the advance time of the second frame header is calculated based on the downlink frame boundary time and the first timing advance.

[0101] In operation S830, the first timing advance is reported to the base station based on the second frame header advance time.

[0102] According to the embodiments of this disclosure, the satellite terminal can know the time when the downlink frame boundary received by the satellite terminal is by detecting the downlink synchronization signal (5G NTN SSB signal) of the base station. The satellite terminal has calculated the first timing advance tau1, so it can infer the actual frame boundary of the base station. The satellite terminal needs to report the transmission information in advance of the downlink frame header tau1. The downlink frame header tau1 is the second frame header advance time, which means the received downlink frame boundary time is tau1 ahead.

[0103] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart illustrating a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0104] Figure 10 The diagram illustrates a reporting interaction of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the reporting of the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time in operation S830 includes operations S910-S920.

[0106] In operation S910, the satellite terminal sends an RRC connection establishment request to the base station based on the second frame header advance time, wherein the RRC connection establishment request includes a first timing advance.

[0107] In S920 operation, the base station establishes an RRC connection with the satellite terminal based on the RRC connection establishment request.

[0108] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a satellite terminal can report a first timing advance (tau1) to the base station via an RRC connection establishment request. Other reporting methods are also possible. Specifically, in the RRC connection establishment request message, the satellite terminal informs the base station of the value of the first timing advance (tau1). It should be noted that the RRC Connection Request is a message based on the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol, used to establish a connection between the satellite terminal and the base station. The RRC connection request message contains some basic information about the satellite terminal, such as its identifier, location, supported functions, and first timing advance. After receiving the RRC connection request message from the satellite terminal, the base station determines whether an RRC connection can be established based on the satellite terminal's information. If an RRC connection can be established, the base station sends an RRC connection establishment message to inform the satellite terminal that an RRC connection can be established.

[0109] Figure 11 The diagram schematically illustrates a first communication interaction flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] like Figure 11 As shown, according to an embodiment of this disclosure, in operation S330, communication is performed with a medium-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signal from the satellite terminal or base station, and the base station schedules and controls the time slot of the interactive signal of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, operations S1110-S1160 are included.

[0111] In operation S1110, the satellite terminal transmits uplink signals to medium and high orbit satellites based on the uplink time slots allocated by the base station's scheduler.

[0112] During S1120 operation, the medium-to-high orbit satellite transparently forwards the uplink signal from the satellite terminal to the base station.

[0113] In operation S1130, the base station receives the uplink signal from the satellite terminal.

[0114] In operation S1140, the base station schedules the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, and transmits the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the medium-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal.

[0115] In operation of S1150, medium and high orbit satellites transparently forward downlink signals to the corresponding satellite terminals.

[0116] In operation S1160, the satellite terminal receives downlink signals; wherein, the time slots for transmitting uplink signals and receiving downlink signals do not overlap.

[0117] In embodiments of this disclosure, Figure 12 The transparent forwarding network architecture of a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated schematically, such as... Figure 12 As shown, taking the transparent forwarding mode defined by 3GPP 5G NTN as an example, the satellite communication network mainly consists of user equipment, satellites, and gateways. In the diagram, User Equipments represents user equipment, Beam footprint represents the coverage area of ​​the beam, Service link represents the service link, Feeder link represents the feeder link, Gateway represents the gateway, and Data network represents the data network. During operation S1150, when medium- and high-orbit satellites perform transparent forwarding, the 5G NTN base station is deployed in the gateway, and the satellite terminal is deployed in the user equipment. The medium- and high-orbit satellites transparently forward signals from the base station / satellite terminal.

[0118] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 13 The schematic diagram illustrates the transmission and reception time slots between a base station and a terminal in a half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites according to embodiments of the present disclosure, such as... Figure 13 As shown, in operation S1140, the base station has received the first timing advance (tau1 information) reported by the satellite terminal. The base station sends the downlink signal slot to the terminal, which is slot 1 in the example, D1, where D is downlink and U is uplink. The base station can predict when the satellite terminal will receive D1. In the figure, it is assumed that tau1 = 2.1 slot duration. In D1, the base station can inform the satellite terminal through the control channel which slot to send the uplink signal in. The base station's scheduler knows that the satellite terminal will send the uplink signal in advance of the base station's frame boundary tau time. Therefore, the scheduler needs to avoid scheduling the satellite terminal to U1 in the next cycle and can select its corresponding slot, so that the satellite terminal's transmission and reception do not overlap, and the satellite terminal can operate in half-duplex mode.

[0119] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in a medium-to-high orbit satellite communication system, the delay is jointly measured by the satellite terminal and the base station, and this delay is reported to the base station. The base station obtains a first timing advance, tau1, which allows it to predict when the downlink time slot signal transmitted by the base station will arrive at the satellite terminal. It also knows whether overlapping reception and transmission will occur at the terminal if the base station allocates uplink time slot resources to the terminal. The base station avoids overlapping reception and transmission for the same terminal through scheduling. When performing scheduling, the base station scheduler fully utilizes the delay information of different terminals, ensuring that the transmission and reception of each terminal do not overlap. This allows the terminal in the medium-to-high orbit satellite communication system to adopt a low-cost half-duplex frequency division duplex mode, effectively reducing the cost of the satellite terminal, reducing the complexity of satellite terminal equipment configuration, and facilitating subsequent maintenance of the satellite terminal.

[0120] The following will be based on Figure 2 The described base station communication scenario, through Figure 14 A half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to the disclosed embodiments is described in detail.

[0121] Figure 14 The diagram illustrates a base station communication flowchart of a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0122] like Figure 14 As shown, the half-duplex communication method 1400 for medium- and high-orbit satellites in this embodiment includes operations S1410 to S1430.

[0123] During operation S1410, when establishing an initial connection with the satellite terminal, the satellite terminal is jointly measured to obtain the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station.

[0124] In operation S1420, the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal is received so that the satellite terminal can communicate and interact with the medium-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal.

[0125] In operation S1430, based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, the time slot of the interactive signal of the satellite terminal is scheduled and controlled so that the medium and high orbit satellites can forward the interactive signal of the base station, so as to realize the satellite terminal working in half-duplex mode.

[0126] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in the operation S1410, which involves jointly measuring the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the satellite terminal, the process includes: the satellite terminal reading the broadcast information of the base station, calculating the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and the terminal location information, and sending a preamble sequence to the base station based on the second timing advance; the base station detecting the preamble sequence, obtaining the third timing advance, and sending MAC scheduling authorization information to the satellite terminal; wherein the MAC scheduling authorization information includes the third timing advance; and the satellite terminal receiving the MAC scheduling authorization information and obtaining the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal based on the second timing advance and the third timing advance.

[0127] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a satellite terminal calculates a second timing advance based on broadcast information and terminal location information, including: the satellite terminal obtaining satellite location information based on the broadcast information; the satellite terminal calculating the location distance based on the satellite location information and the terminal location information; and the satellite terminal calculating the signal transmission delay based on the location distance to obtain the second timing advance.

[0128] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a satellite terminal sends a preamble sequence to a base station based on a second timing advance, including: the satellite terminal obtaining the reception time of the downlink frame header of the receiving base station; the satellite terminal obtaining a first frame header advance time based on the reception time and the second timing advance; and the satellite terminal sending a preamble sequence to the base station according to the first frame header advance time.

[0129] The process of the S1410 satellite terminal reporting the first timing advance to the base station includes: the satellite terminal detecting the downlink synchronization signal of the base station to obtain the downlink frame boundary time; the satellite terminal calculating the second frame header advance time based on the downlink frame boundary time and the first timing advance; and the satellite terminal reporting the first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time.

[0130] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the satellite terminal reports a first timing advance to the base station based on the second frame header advance time, including: the satellite terminal sending an RRC connection establishment request to the base station based on the second frame header advance time; the base station establishing an RRC connection with the satellite terminal based on the RRC connection establishment request; wherein the RRC connection establishment request includes the first timing advance.

[0131] According to embodiments of this disclosure, in operations S1420 and S1430, the satellite terminal communicates with a medium-to-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signal of the satellite terminal. Based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, the time slots of the interactive signal of the satellite terminal are scheduled and controlled so that the medium-to-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signal of the base station. This includes: the scheduler of the base station allocating uplink time slots to the satellite terminal; enabling the satellite terminal to transmit the uplink signal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the uplink time slot allocated by the scheduler of the base station; and enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to... The satellite transparently forwards the uplink signal from the aforementioned satellite terminal to the aforementioned base station; receives the uplink signal from the aforementioned satellite terminal, and, based on the first timing advance of the aforementioned satellite terminal, schedules the downlink time slot corresponding to the aforementioned satellite terminal through the aforementioned scheduler, and transmits the downlink signal corresponding to the aforementioned satellite terminal to the aforementioned medium-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the aforementioned satellite terminal; so that the aforementioned medium-high orbit satellite transparently forwards the aforementioned downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; thereby enabling the aforementioned satellite terminal to receive the aforementioned downlink signal; wherein, the time slots for the aforementioned satellite terminal to transmit the aforementioned uplink signal and receive the aforementioned downlink signal do not overlap.

[0132] The following will describe in detail a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites based on a satellite terminal and base station interaction communication scenario.

[0133] When a satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with a base station, the satellite terminal, in conjunction with the base station, measures a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; the base station receives the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; the satellite terminal communicates with a medium-to-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signals of the satellite terminal; and the base station, based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, schedules and controls the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal to enable the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode. Based on the above-described half-duplex communication method for medium-to-high orbit satellites applied to a satellite terminal, this disclosure also provides a half-duplex communication device for medium-to-high orbit satellites applied to a satellite terminal. The following will be combined with... Figure 15 The device is described in detail.

[0134] Figure 15 A schematic block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0135] like Figure 15 As shown, the half-duplex communication device 1500 for medium- and high-orbit satellites in this embodiment includes a first joint measurement module 1510, a first reporting module 1520, and a first half-duplex communication module 1530.

[0136] The first joint measurement module 1510 is used to jointly measure the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station when establishing an initial connection with the base station. In one embodiment, the first joint measurement module 1510 can be used to perform the operation S310 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0137] The first reporting module 1520 is used to report the first timing advance to the base station. In one embodiment, the first reporting module 1520 can be used to perform the operation S320 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0138] The first half-duplex communication module 1530 is used to communicate with medium- and high-orbit satellites, enabling the satellites to forward interactive signals from satellite terminals or base stations. This allows the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the satellite terminal's interactive signals based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode. In one embodiment, the first half-duplex communication module 1530 can be used to execute the operation S330 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0139] According to embodiments of this disclosure, any plurality of modules among the first joint measurement module 1510, the first reporting module 1520, and the first half-duplex communication module 1530 can be combined into one module, or any one of these modules can be split into multiple modules. Alternatively, at least some of the functions of one or more of these modules can be combined with at least some of the functions of other modules and implemented in one module. According to embodiments of this disclosure, at least one of the first joint measurement module 1510, the first reporting module 1520, and the first half-duplex communication module 1530 can be at least partially implemented as hardware circuitry, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), a system-on-a-chip, a system-on-a-substrate, a system-on-package, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or implemented in hardware or firmware by any other reasonable means of integrating or packaging the circuitry, or implemented in any one of the three implementation methods of software, hardware, and firmware, or in a suitable combination of any of these. Alternatively, at least one of the first joint measurement module 1510, the first reporting module 1520, and the first half-duplex communication module 1530 may be implemented at least partially as a computer program module, which can perform corresponding functions when the computer program module is run.

[0140] Based on the aforementioned half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites applied to base stations, this disclosure also provides a half-duplex communication device for medium- and high-orbit satellites applied to base stations. The following will be combined with... Figure 16 The device is described in detail.

[0141] Figure 16This schematically illustrates another structural block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0142] like Figure 16 As shown, the half-duplex communication device 1600 of this embodiment includes a second joint measurement module 1610, a first receiving module 1620, and a second half-duplex communication module 1630.

[0143] The second joint measurement module 1610 is used to jointly measure the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal when establishing an initial connection with the satellite terminal, so that the satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station. In one embodiment, the second joint measurement module 1610 can be used to perform the operation S1410 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0144] The first receiving module 1620 is used to receive the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to enable the satellite terminal to communicate and interact with the medium-high orbit satellite, and then enable the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal. In one embodiment, the first receiving module 1620 can be used to perform the operation S1420 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0145] The second half-duplex communication module 1630 is used to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium- and high-orbit satellites can forward the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode. In one embodiment, the second half-duplex communication module 1630 can be used to perform the operation S1430 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0146] According to embodiments of this disclosure, any plurality of modules among the second joint measurement module 1610, the first receiving module 1620, and the second half-duplex communication module 1630 can be combined into one module, or any one of these modules can be split into multiple modules. Alternatively, at least some of the functions of one or more of these modules can be combined with at least some of the functions of other modules and implemented in one module. According to embodiments of this disclosure, at least one of the second joint measurement module 1610, the first receiving module 1620, and the second half-duplex communication module 1630 can be at least partially implemented as hardware circuitry, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), a system-on-a-chip, a system-on-a-substrate, a system-on-package, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other reasonable means of integrating or packaging the circuitry, or implemented in any one of software, hardware, and firmware methods, or in a suitable combination of any of these methods. Alternatively, at least one of the second joint measurement module 1610, the first receiving module 1620, and the second half-duplex communication module 1630 may be at least partially implemented as a computer program module, which can perform corresponding functions when the computer program module is run.

[0147] Based on the aforementioned half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites applied to satellite terminals and base stations, this disclosure also provides a half-duplex communication device for medium- and high-orbit satellites. The following will be combined with... Figure 17 The device is described in detail.

[0148] Figure 17 This schematically illustrates another structural block diagram of a half-duplex communication device for a medium-to-high orbit satellite according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0149] like Figure 17 As shown, the half-duplex communication device 1700 of this embodiment includes a third joint measurement module 1710, a second reporting module 1720, a second receiving module 1730, a communication forwarding module 1740, and a third half-duplex communication module 1750.

[0150] The third joint measurement module 1710 is used to measure the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal in conjunction with the base station when the satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with the base station. In one embodiment, the third joint measurement module 1710 can be used to execute the half-duplex communication method for medium and high orbit satellites in the interactive communication scenario between the satellite terminal and the base station described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0151] The second reporting module 1720 is used for the satellite terminal to report the first timing advance to the base station. In one embodiment, the second reporting module 1720 can be used to execute the half-duplex communication method of medium and high orbit satellites in the interactive communication scenario between the satellite terminal and the base station described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0152] The second receiving module 1730 is used for the base station to receive the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal. In one embodiment, the second receiving module 1730 can be used to execute the half-duplex communication method of medium and high orbit satellites in the interactive communication scenario between the satellite terminal and the base station described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0153] The communication forwarding module 1740 is used for communication interaction between the satellite terminal and the medium-high orbit satellite, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the satellite terminal. In one embodiment, the communication forwarding module 1740 can be used to execute the half-duplex communication method of medium-high orbit satellite in the communication scenario between the satellite terminal and the base station described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] The third half-duplex communication module 1750 is used by the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to operate in half-duplex mode. In one embodiment, the third half-duplex communication module 1750 can be used to execute the half-duplex communication method of medium-high orbit satellites in the interactive communication scenario between the satellite terminal and the base station described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0155] According to embodiments of this disclosure, any plurality of modules among the third joint measurement module 1710, the second reporting module 1720, the second receiving module 1730, the communication forwarding module 1740, and the third half-duplex communication module 1750 can be combined into one module, or any one of these modules can be split into multiple modules. Alternatively, at least some of the functions of one or more of these modules can be combined with at least some of the functions of other modules and implemented in one module. According to embodiments of this disclosure, at least one of the third joint measurement module 1710, the second reporting module 1720, the second receiving module 1730, the communication forwarding module 1740, and the third half-duplex communication module 1750 can be at least partially implemented as hardware circuitry, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), a system-on-a-chip, a system-on-a-substrate, a system-on-package, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other reasonable means of integrating or packaging the circuitry, or implemented in software, hardware, or firmware, or in any suitable combination of any of these three implementation methods. Alternatively, at least one of the third joint measurement module 1710, the second reporting module 1720, the second receiving module 1730, the communication forwarding module 1740, and the third half-duplex communication module 1750 may be implemented at least partially as a computer program module, which can perform corresponding functions when the computer program module is run.

[0156] Figure 18 A block diagram of an electronic device suitable for implementing a half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown schematically.

[0157] like Figure 18 As shown, an electronic device 1800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a processor 1801, which can perform various appropriate actions and processes according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 1802 or a program loaded from a storage portion 1808 into a random access memory (RAM) 1803. The processor 1801 may include, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor (e.g., a CPU), an instruction set processor and / or an associated chipset and / or a special-purpose microprocessor (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)), etc. The processor 1801 may also include onboard memory for caching purposes. The processor 1801 may include a single processing unit or multiple processing units for performing different actions of the method flow according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0158] RAM 1803 stores various programs and data required for the operation of electronic device 1800. Processor 1801, ROM 1802, and RAM 1803 are interconnected via bus 1804. Processor 1801 performs various operations of the method flow according to embodiments of the present disclosure by executing programs in ROM 1802 and / or RAM 1803. It should be noted that programs may also be stored in one or more memories other than ROM 1802 and RAM 1803. Processor 1801 may also perform various operations of the method flow according to embodiments of the present disclosure by executing programs stored in one or more memories.

[0159] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the electronic device 1800 may further include an input / output (I / O) interface 1805, which is also connected to a bus 1804. The electronic device 1800 may also include one or more of the following components connected to the I / O interface 1805: an input section 1806 including a keyboard, mouse, etc.; an output section 1807 including a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., and a speaker, etc.; a storage section 1808 including a hard disk, etc.; and a communication section 1809 including a network interface card such as a LAN card, modem, etc. The communication section 1809 performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. A drive 1810 is also connected to the I / O interface 1805 as needed. A removable medium 1811, such as a disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, semiconductor memory, etc., is installed on the drive 1810 as needed so that computer programs read from it can be installed into the storage section 1808 as needed.

[0160] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which may be included in the device / apparatus / system described in the above embodiments; or it may exist independently and not assembled into the device / apparatus / system. The computer-readable storage medium carries one or more programs that, when executed, implement the method according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0161] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the computer-readable storage medium may be a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, such as including, but not limited to: portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. In this disclosure, the computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. For example, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the computer-readable storage medium may include ROM 1802 and / or RAM 1803 and / or one or more memories other than ROM 1802 and RAM 1803 described above.

[0162] Embodiments of this disclosure also include a computer program product comprising a computer program containing program code for performing the methods shown in the flowchart. When the computer program product is run on a computer system, the program code enables the computer system to implement the half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites provided in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0163] When the computer program is executed by the processor 1801, it performs the functions defined in the system / apparatus of this disclosure embodiments. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the systems, apparatuses, modules, units, etc., described above can be implemented by computer program modules.

[0164] In one embodiment, the computer program may rely on a tangible storage medium such as an optical storage device or a magnetic storage device. In another embodiment, the computer program may also be transmitted and distributed in the form of signals over a network medium, and downloaded and installed via the communication section 1809, and / or installed from a removable medium 1811. The program code contained in the computer program can be transmitted using any suitable network medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wired, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0165] In such an embodiment, the computer program can be downloaded and installed from a network via the communication section 1809, and / or installed from the removable medium 1811. When the computer program is executed by the processor 1801, it performs the functions defined in the system of this disclosure embodiment. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the systems, devices, apparatuses, modules, units, etc., described above can be implemented by computer program modules.

[0166] According to embodiments of this disclosure, program code for executing the computer programs provided in embodiments of this disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. Specifically, these computational programs can be implemented using high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages, and / or assembly / machine languages. Programming languages ​​include, but are not limited to, languages ​​such as Java, C++, Python, "C", or similar programming languages. The program code can execute entirely on a user's computing device, partially on a user's device, partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In cases involving remote computing devices, the remote computing device can be connected to the user's computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or it can be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0167] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In this regard, each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may occur in a different order than those indicated in the drawings. For example, two consecutively indicated blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in a block diagram or flowchart, may be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or operation, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0168] Those skilled in the art will understand that the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of this disclosure can be combined or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in this disclosure. In particular, the features described in the various embodiments and / or claims of this disclosure can be combined or combined in various ways without departing from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure. All such combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0169] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Although various embodiments have been described above, this does not mean that the measures in the various embodiments cannot be used advantageously in combination. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Various substitutions and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites, applied to a satellite terminal, characterized in that, The method includes: When establishing an initial connection with the base station, the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal is measured jointly with the base station; wherein, the first timing advance is the total timing advance of the satellite terminal; Report the first timing advance to the base station; and The system communicates with medium- and high-orbit satellites to enable the satellites to forward interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station. This allows the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals from the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the satellite terminal can operate in half-duplex mode. The interaction signal includes uplink and downlink signals. The communication interaction with the medium-to-high orbit satellite, enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal from the satellite terminal or the base station, and thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slot of the interaction signal from the satellite terminal based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, includes: Based on the uplink time slot allocated by the scheduler of the base station, the uplink signal is transmitted to the medium-high orbit satellite; so that the medium-high orbit satellite transparently forwards the uplink signal of the satellite terminal to the base station; so that the base station receives the uplink signal of the satellite terminal, schedules the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, and transmits the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the medium-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal; thereby so that the medium-high orbit satellite transparently forwards the downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; and receives the downlink signal; wherein, the time slots for transmitting the uplink signal and receiving the downlink signal of the satellite terminal do not overlap.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of jointly measuring the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station includes: Read the broadcast information of the base station; Calculate the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and terminal location information; Based on the second timing advance, a preamble sequence is sent to the base station so that the base station can detect the preamble sequence, obtain a third timing advance, and send MAC scheduling authorization information to the satellite terminal, wherein the MAC scheduling authorization information includes the third timing advance; and The system receives the MAC scheduling authorization information and obtains the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal based on the second timing advance and the third timing advance.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of calculating the second timing advance based on the broadcast information and terminal location information includes: Based on the broadcast information, satellite position information is obtained; Based on the satellite location information and the terminal location information, calculate the location distance; and Based on the location distance, the signal transmission delay is calculated to obtain the second timing advance.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of sending a preamble sequence to the base station based on the second timing advance includes: Obtain the reception time of the downlink frame header received from the base station; Based on the received time and the second timing advance, the first frame header advance time is obtained; and The preamble sequence is sent to the base station according to the advance time of the first frame header.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of reporting the first timing advance to the base station includes: The downlink synchronization signal of the base station is detected to obtain the downlink frame boundary time; Calculate the second frame header advance time based on the downlink frame boundary time and the first timing advance; and Based on the advance time of the second frame header, the first timing advance amount is reported to the base station.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The step of reporting the first timing advance to the base station based on the advance time of the second frame header includes: Based on the second frame header advance time, an RRC connection establishment request is sent to the base station so that the base station can establish an RRC connection with the satellite terminal based on the RRC connection establishment request, wherein the RRC connection establishment request includes the first timing advance amount.

7. A half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites, applied to a base station, characterized in that, The method includes: When establishing an initial connection with the satellite terminal, the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal is measured in conjunction with the satellite terminal; wherein, the first timing advance is the total timing advance of the satellite terminal; The system receives a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal to enable communication between the satellite terminal and a medium-to-high orbit satellite, thereby allowing the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signals from the satellite terminal. Based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, the time slot of the interaction signal of the satellite terminal is scheduled and controlled so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signal of the base station, so as to realize that the satellite terminal works in half-duplex mode. The interactive signal includes uplink and downlink signals. The satellite terminal communicates with a medium-to-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interactive signal of the satellite terminal. Based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, the time slots of the interactive signal of the satellite terminal are scheduled and controlled so that the medium-to-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signal of the base station. This includes: the base station's scheduler allocating uplink time slots to the satellite terminal; enabling the satellite terminal to transmit the uplink signal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the uplink time slot allocated by the base station's scheduler; enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to transparently forward the uplink signal of the satellite terminal to the base station; receiving the uplink signal of the satellite terminal, and based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, scheduling the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler, and transmitting the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal; enabling the medium-to-high orbit satellite to transparently forward the downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; and enabling the satellite terminal to receive the downlink signal; wherein the time slots for transmitting the uplink signal and receiving the downlink signal of the satellite terminal do not overlap.

8. A half-duplex communication method for medium- and high-orbit satellites, characterized in that, The method includes: When the satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with the base station, the satellite terminal, together with the base station, measures the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; wherein, the first timing advance is the total timing advance of the satellite terminal; The satellite terminal reports the first timing advance to the base station; The base station receives the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; The satellite terminal communicates with medium- and high-orbit satellites, enabling the medium- and high-orbit satellites to forward the interactive signals from the satellite terminal; and The base station schedules and controls the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to work in half-duplex mode. The interaction signal includes uplink and downlink signals. The satellite terminal communicates with a medium-to-high orbit satellite to enable the medium-to-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal. This includes: the satellite terminal transmitting the uplink signal to the medium-to-high orbit satellite based on the uplink time slot allocated by the scheduler of the base station; so that the medium-to-high orbit satellite transparently forwards the uplink signal of the satellite terminal to the base station. The base station schedules and controls the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, including: the base station receives the uplink signal of the satellite terminal, schedules the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal through the scheduler based on the first timing advance of the satellite terminal, and transmits the downlink signal corresponding to the satellite terminal to the medium-high orbit satellite based on the downlink time slot corresponding to the satellite terminal; thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to transparently forward the downlink signal to the corresponding satellite terminal; the satellite terminal receives the downlink signal; wherein the time slots for transmitting the uplink signal and receiving the downlink signal of the satellite terminal do not overlap.

9. A half-duplex communication device for medium- and high-orbit satellites, applied to a satellite terminal, characterized in that, The apparatus is used to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including: The first joint measurement module is used to jointly measure the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal with the base station when establishing an initial connection with the base station. The first reporting module is used to report the first timing advance to the base station; and The first half-duplex communication module is used to communicate and interact with medium- and high-orbit satellites, so that the medium- and high-orbit satellites can forward the interactive signals from the satellite terminal or the base station, thereby enabling the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to realize that the satellite terminal works in half-duplex mode.

10. A half-duplex communication device for medium-to-high orbit satellites, applied to a base station, characterized in that, The apparatus is used to implement the steps of the method according to claim 7, including: The second joint measurement module is used to jointly measure the first timing advance of the satellite terminal when establishing an initial connection with the satellite terminal. A first receiving module is configured to receive a first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so as to enable the satellite terminal to communicate with a medium-high orbit satellite, thereby enabling the medium-high orbit satellite to forward the interaction signal of the satellite terminal; and The second half-duplex communication module is used to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to work in half-duplex mode.

11. A half-duplex communication device for medium-to-high orbit satellites, characterized in that, The apparatus is used to implement the steps of the method according to claim 8, including: The third joint measurement module is used to measure the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal in conjunction with the base station when the satellite terminal establishes an initial connection with the base station. The second reporting module is used by the satellite terminal to report the first timing advance to the base station; The second receiving module is used for the base station to receive the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal; A communication forwarding module is used for communication interaction between the satellite terminal and a medium-to-high orbit satellite, so that the medium-to-high orbit satellite forwards the interaction signals of the satellite terminal; and The third half-duplex communication module is used by the base station to schedule and control the time slots of the interactive signals of the satellite terminal based on the first timing advance corresponding to the satellite terminal, so that the medium-high orbit satellite forwards the interactive signals of the base station, thereby enabling the satellite terminal to work in half-duplex mode.

12. An electronic device, comprising: One or more processors; Memory, used to store one or more computer programs. The characteristic feature is that the one or more processors execute the one or more computer programs to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images