Communication method and related device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method and a related device. The communication method comprises the steps that a first terminal receives first information from a second terminal, the first information comprises coverage available information, and the coverage available information is used for representing the position and time period of a coverage scene and / or a non-coverage scene; the first terminal enters an energy-saving state according to the first information or accesses the network in a first mode, and the first mode is a direct communication mode or an indirect communication mode. By adopting the embodiment of the invention, the success rate of communication connection can be improved, and energy conservation of the terminal is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] At the beginning of the communication network deployment or in order to save the deployment cost of the communication network, there is no communication network coverage in a certain area during a certain period of time, and accordingly, the terminals located in this area will be in a non-coverage scenario. For example, at an oil field mining site deep in the desert, when the wireless network equipment in the non-terrestrial communication (NTN) system (for example, one or more satellites rotating regularly around the earth) can provide communication services to the oil field mining site during a specific period of time, then the terminals located at the oil field mining site will be in a non-coverage scenario during other time periods.

[0003] When the terminal is in a non-coverage scenario, the terminal can enter an energy-saving state to achieve energy saving of the terminal. When the terminal is in a coverage scenario, it can access (or access) a communication network (hereinafter referred to as a network) to achieve business communication of the terminal. However, when the terminal is in an unreachable state (unavailable) (for example, the terminal is in a shutdown state or a software upgrade state, or the signal quality of the communication network accessed by the terminal is poor, etc.), the terminal cannot obtain relevant information about the coverage of the communication network, such as satellite coverage availability information, etc., resulting in the terminal being unable to determine which coverage scenario it is in, such as a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario. In this case, assuming that the terminal is in a non-coverage scenario, but the terminal cannot determine that it is in a non-coverage scenario, then the terminal will continue to try to establish a connection with the communication network, resulting in a failure of the communication connection. In addition, since the terminal continues to try to establish a connection with the communication network, the energy saving effect is poor. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method and related devices, which can improve the success rate of communication connection and facilitate energy saving of the terminal.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication method, which is applied to a first terminal. The first terminal may refer to a terminal that has not successfully obtained coverage available information when in a coverage scenario, or has successfully obtained a part of the coverage available information, for example, the coverage available information received by the first terminal only includes a part of the time period. The second terminal may refer to a terminal that has obtained coverage available information when in a coverage scenario, and can be used to assist the first terminal in obtaining coverage available information. Specifically, the first terminal may be a remote terminal (remote UE), and the second terminal may be a relay terminal (relay UE). The method includes: receiving first information from the second terminal; according to the first information, entering an energy-saving state, or accessing a network in a first manner. Among them, the first information includes coverage available information, and the coverage available information is used to indicate the location and time period of the coverage scenario and / or the non-coverage scenario, and the first manner is a direct communication manner or an indirect communication manner. In this way, the first terminal can determine that the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario according to the first information, and enter an energy-saving state or access the network in a direct communication manner or an indirect communication manner in different scenarios. Accessing the network can improve the success rate of communication connection and facilitate energy saving of the terminal.

[0006] It should be pointed out that the method provided in the first aspect can be executed by the first terminal, or can be executed by a device in the first terminal (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or means, etc.), without limitation.

[0007] In some feasible examples, the coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

[0008] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, where the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

[0009] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes orbit information of non-ground network equipment.

[0010] In some feasible examples, when the first mode is an indirect communication mode, the method further includes: determining, based on the first information, that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal; and accessing the network using the first mode includes: accessing the network through the target terminal. It can be understood that determining, based on the first information, whether the current second terminal is a target terminal that can access the network using an indirect communication mode can improve the success rate of the communication connection. After the connection is successful, there is no need to continue to try to connect, which can achieve energy saving.

[0011] In some feasible examples, determining the second terminal as the target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information includes: determining the second terminal as the target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information and the network connection requirement of the first terminal. It can be understood that selecting the second terminal that meets the network connection requirement of the first terminal as the target terminal improves the success rate of accessing the network through the target terminal.

[0012] In some feasible examples, the network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection; wherein the time requirement for network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement, the time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

[0013] In some feasible examples, the method further includes: receiving second information from the second terminal, the second information including a first indication and / or a network access method of the second terminal, the first indication being used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information. It is understandable that when the second terminal has the first information, the second terminal can send the first information to the first terminal so that the first terminal obtains the first information. The first terminal can refer to the network access method of the second terminal to determine how to process the received first information, for example, whether to ignore the first information (or whether to execute the steps of entering an energy-saving state or accessing the network in the first manner according to the first information), accessing the network in a direct or indirect communication manner, etc.

[0014] In some feasible examples, before receiving the first information from the second terminal, the method also includes: sending the network connection requirements and / or third information of the first terminal to the second terminal, and the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0015] It can be understood that after the first terminal sends the network connection requirement to the second terminal, the second terminal can know the network connection requirement of the first terminal and determine whether to send the first information to the first terminal according to the network connection requirement. For example, when the second terminal determines that the first information meets the network connection requirement of the first terminal, it sends the first information to the first terminal. After the first terminal sends the second indication to the second terminal, the first terminal can trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0016] In some feasible examples, the third information includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal. In this way, the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal based on the second indication, which can improve the effectiveness of data transmission.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses another communication method, which is applied to a second terminal. The method includes: obtaining first information, the first information includes coverage available information, and the coverage available information is used to indicate the location and time period of the coverage scene and / or the non-coverage scene; sending the first information to the first terminal. In this way, the first terminal can determine whether the first terminal is in a coverage scene or a non-coverage scene based on the first information, and enter an energy-saving state or use a direct communication method to access the network or an indirect communication method to access the network in different scenes, which can improve the success rate of the communication connection and facilitate energy saving of the terminal.

[0018] It should be pointed out that the method provided in the second aspect can be executed by the second terminal, or can be executed by a device in the second terminal (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or means, etc.), without limitation.

[0019] In some feasible examples, the sending the first information to the first terminal includes: when the second terminal is in a coverage scenario, sending the first information to the first terminal. It can be understood that when the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal, if the second terminal is in a coverage scenario, the first terminal can establish an indirect connection with the network through the second terminal, which can further improve the success rate of the first terminal in establishing a communication connection.

[0020] In some feasible examples, the coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

[0021] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, where the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

[0022] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes orbit information of the non-ground network device.

[0023] In some feasible examples, the method further includes: sending second information to the first terminal, the second information including the first indication and / or the network access method of the second terminal, the first indication being used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information. In this way, the first terminal can determine whether to request the second terminal to obtain the first information based on the second information, and the first terminal can also determine how to process the received first information with reference to the network access method of the second terminal.

[0024] In some feasible examples, before sending the first information to the first terminal, the method further includes: receiving third information from the first terminal and / or a network connection requirement of the first terminal, wherein the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal. In this way, the second terminal can send the first information to the first terminal based on the third information, so that the first terminal obtains the first information.

[0025] In some feasible examples, the third information includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal. In this way, the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal based on the second indication, which can improve the effectiveness of data transmission.

[0026] In some feasible examples, the network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection; wherein the time requirement for network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement, the time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

[0027] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses a communication device, which includes a unit or module or means for executing each step of any implementation method in the first to second aspects above.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides another communication device, which may include a processor, and the processor is used to enable the communication device to execute any of the above aspects or methods in feasible examples by executing instructions in a memory, or through a logic circuit.

[0029] In some feasible examples, the communication device also includes one or more of a memory or a transceiver, where the transceiver is used to send and receive data and / or signaling.

[0030] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a first terminal and a second terminal. When the first terminal and the second terminal are running in the communication system, the method is used to execute any one of the first to second aspects or feasible examples.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the method in any one of the first to second aspects or feasible examples described above is executed.

[0032] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer executes the method in any aspect of the first to second aspects or in a feasible example.

[0033] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory from the memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes any one of the above-mentioned first to second aspects or feasible example methods.

[0034] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides another chip, including: an input interface, an output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input interface, the output interface and the circuit are connected through an internal connection path, and the processing circuit is used to execute any aspect or feasible example of the above-mentioned first to second aspects.

[0035] Optionally, the chip further includes a memory. The input interface, the output interface, the processor, and the memory are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is used to execute the code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is used to execute the method in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect or the feasible example.

[0036] In the tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip system comprising at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and at least one processor being interconnected through lines, and the at least one processor being used to run computer programs or instructions to execute the method in any aspect of the first to second aspects or in a feasible example.

[0037] It should be understood that the implementation and beneficial effects of the above-mentioned aspects can refer to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The following is an introduction to the drawings used in the embodiments of the present application.

[0039] Figure 1A It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system;

[0040] Figures 1B to 1D They are schematic diagrams of the architecture of an NTN system;

[0041] Figure 2A is a flowchart of a discovery method of mode A based on ProSe technology;

[0042] Figure 2B is a flowchart of a discovery method of mode B based on ProSe technology;

[0043] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a covered scenario and a non-covered scenario;

[0044] Figure 4 It is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 5 It is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided by the present application;

[0046] Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, long term evolution (LTE) system, new radio (NR) system, advanced long term evolution (LTE advanced, LTE-A) system, device-to-device (D2D) communication system, vehicle to everything (V2X) communication system, machine to machine (M2M) communication system, Internet of Things (IoT), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), perception communication integrated system, frequency division duplex (FDD) system, time division duplex (TDD) system, non-terrestrial communication (NTN) system, wireless projection communication system, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication system, public land mobile network (PLMN), non-public network (Non-Public network, NPN), and communication systems evolved after the 5G communication system (for example, 6G communication system), or may be non-3GPP (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) communication systems, etc., without limitation.

[0050] D2D refers to the technology of direct communication between two terminal devices through a wireless link. Typical D2D devices include Bluetooth, WiFi Direct, etc. The core functions of D2D include: discovery and communication.

[0051] The devices used in D2D technology are generally half-duplex devices, that is, the terminal device can only be in the state of receiving or sending information at the same time, and does not have the ability to send and receive at the same time. In the wireless communication network defined by 3GPP, the link for direct communication between terminal devices is the sidelink (SL), which corresponds to the uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) for communication between terminal devices and network devices in the current communication system.

[0052] For example, see Figure 1A, Figure 1A It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system. Figure 1A As shown, the communication system may include at least two terminal devices (such as Figure 1A The first terminal device, the second terminal device) and the network device (such as Figure 1A The terminal device can be connected to the network device wirelessly or by wire, so that the terminal device can communicate with the network device by UL or DL, such as the first terminal device communicating with the access network device by UL or DL. The terminal devices can be connected to each other by wireless or by wire, so that the terminal devices can communicate with each other by SL, such as the first terminal device and the second terminal device can communicate with each other by SL.

[0053] The terminal device and the network device, the network device and the network device, and the terminal device and the terminal device may communicate through the licensed spectrum, or may communicate through the unlicensed spectrum, or may communicate through both the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. This application does not limit the spectrum resources used by the terminal device and the network device.

[0054] The terminal devices involved in the present application may be referred to as terminals hereinafter. For example, the first terminal device may be referred to as the first terminal, the second terminal device may be referred to as the second terminal, etc. A terminal is an entity on the user side for receiving or transmitting signals, and may provide voice and / or data to the user. A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), access terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile device, mobile station, mobile station, mobile terminal, mobile client, mobile unit, remote station, remote terminal, remote unit, wireless unit, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc. Among them, the access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal in the future 5G or a terminal in the future evolved PLMN, or a terminal in the future NPN, etc. In the embodiment of the present application, the chip used in the above-mentioned device may also be referred to as a terminal.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present application, an access network (AN) device or a radio access network (RAN) device may be referred to as an access network. An access network is a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network, that is, an access network provides access services to a terminal so that the terminal can access (or visit) the network. An access network may support wired access or wireless access.

[0056] Optionally, the access network is composed of multiple AN / RAN nodes. AN / RAN nodes may include, but are not limited to: access point (AP), enhanced nodeB (eNB), home base station (e.g., home evolvedNodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), next generation base station (NR nodeB, gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), transmission point (TP) or some other access node, such as wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, etc. AN / RAN node may be one or more antenna panels, or may be a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a BBU or a distributed unit (DU), etc., or may be a device that performs RAN functions in communication systems such as D2D, V2X, M2M, U2U, etc. The AN / RAN node may be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or may be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN), or may be an access network in a communication system evolved after the 5G communication system, for example, an xNodeB in a 6G communication system, or may be an access network in a PLMN network evolved after the 5G communication system, etc., and is not limited here.

[0057] This application does not limit the location of the terminal and the access network. For example, the first terminal and the second terminal may be within the coverage of the access network; or the first terminal may be within the coverage of the access network, and the second terminal may be outside the coverage of the access network. The terminal and the access network may be fixed or mobile. The terminal and the access network may be deployed on land, on water, in the air, etc.

[0058] In the embodiments of the present application, the access network deployed in the air can be referred to as a non-terrestrial network device, and the access network deployed on the ground can be referred to as a terrestrial network device. Compared with the non-terrestrial network device, the terrestrial network device is a stationary or slow-moving access network. In other words, the non-terrestrial network device can be a high-speed mobile access network compared with the terrestrial network device.

[0059] Non-terrestrial network devices may include satellites, high-altitude platforms (HAPs), drones, hot air balloons, low-orbit satellites, medium-orbit satellites, high-orbit satellites, etc., without limitation. The satellites mentioned in this application may represent a collection of satellites and other network devices related to satellite communications. Therefore, in this application, the two descriptions of "satellite" and "satellite network device" are equivalent.

[0060] Specifically, the access network can include the following three deployment modes:

[0061] In the first deployment mode, non-ground network equipment can serve as RAN functions (access service functions). Ground network equipment that is not deployed to serve as RAN functions can communicate with the core network through ground stations in the ground network equipment (such as NTN gateways), which is used to solve coverage problems in remote areas such as mountainous areas and oceans.

[0062] In the second deployment mode, non-ground network equipment and ground stations in ground network equipment can be used as radio frequency units, and access networks (such as base stations) in ground network equipment other than ground stations can serve as RAN functions.

[0063] In the third deployment mode, the access network does not deploy non-ground network equipment, nor does it deploy ground stations in the ground network equipment for forwarding signaling and data of non-ground network equipment and other network equipment. The RAN function is performed by the access network (such as base stations) of the ground network equipment except the ground stations.

[0064] It should be noted that Figure 1A The number and type of access networks and terminals included in the network architecture shown are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, more or fewer terminals communicating with the access network may be included. For another example, more or fewer access networks communicating with the terminal may be included. For the sake of simplicity, they are not described one by one in the drawings.

[0065] In addition, in Figure 1AIn the network architecture shown, although an access network and a terminal are shown, the application scenario may not be limited to including an access network and a terminal. For example, it may also include devices for carrying virtualized network functions, etc. These are obvious to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated here.

[0066] Optionally, the communication system may also include Figure 1A The network devices not shown in the figure include, for example, core network (CN) devices and data network (data network) devices, etc. The core network devices and data network devices are usually deployed on land or water.

[0067] In different communication systems, the core network equipment (hereinafter referred to as the core network) can correspond to different equipment. For example, in a 3G communication system, it can correspond to a GPRS serving support node (SGSN) and / or a GPRS gateway support node (GGSN); in a 4G communication system, it can correspond to a mobility management entity (MME) and / or a serving gateway (S-GW); in a 5G communication system, it can correspond to the above-mentioned policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, application function (AF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function network element (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, etc.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the data network device may be referred to as the data network below. The data network is used to provide business services to users. Generally, the client is a terminal and the server is a data network. The data network provided by the data network may include a private network, such as a local area network. The data network may also include an external network that is not managed by an operator, such as the Internet. The data network may also include a proprietary network jointly deployed by operators, such as a network that provides IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) services.

[0069] See also Figures 1B to 1D , Figures 1B to 1DThey are schematic diagrams of the architecture of an NTN system. Figures 1B to 1D In the example, the communication system is a 5G communication system, the satellite is a non-terrestrial network device, and the ground station and / or base station are ground network devices. The access network can be a next generation radio access network (next generation-RAN, NG-RAN), and the core network can be a 5G core network (5G core network, 5G CN). This architecture can be understood as an NTN-based NG-RAN architecture.

[0070] The interface of the wireless link between the terminal and the access network can be called an air interface, such as the NR Uu interface. The NG interface is the interface between the access network and the core network, and is mainly used for signaling such as the non-access stratum (NAS) of the core network, as well as user service data. The Xn interface is the interface between the access network and the access network, and is mainly used for signaling interaction such as switching. The N6 interface can be the interface between the core network and the data network.

[0071] It should be noted that the above interfaces are exemplified by 5G communication systems. Different communication systems may have different names. For example, in a 4G communication system, the interface between access networks may be an X2 interface, and the interface between access networks and core networks may be an S1 interface. Of course, in future communications, the names of these interfaces may remain unchanged, or may be replaced by other names, and this application is not limited to this.

[0072] like Figures 1B to 1D As shown, the NTN system may include at least one terminal and at least one network device. The network device may include an access network, a core network, and a data network. Figure 1B In the example, the access network includes a remote radio unit (RRU) and a base station, and the RRU includes a satellite and a ground station. The access network can be understood as the second deployment method mentioned above. Figure 1C and Figure 1D In the example, the access network includes satellites and ground stations, which can be understood as the first deployment mode mentioned above. The terminals and network devices can refer to the above and will not be described in detail here.

[0073] Specifically, Figure 1B The architecture shown can be referred to as a transparent satellite access architecture (e.g., RAN architecture with transparent satellite). Figure 1BAs shown in the figure, the satellite is connected to the ground station and the terminal through a wireless link, and the ground station is connected to the data network through the base station and the core network. In the scenario corresponding to this architecture, the role of the satellite is: radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification. In other words, the satellite can achieve transparent forwarding, as a layer 1 delay (relay), regenerate the physical layer signal, and does not have other higher protocol layers.

[0074] Figure 1C The satellite shown may be referred to as a regenerative satellite without an inter-satellite link (ISL). Figure 1D The satellite shown can be called a regenerative health with intersatellite links. Figure 1C and Figure 1D In the architecture shown, the satellite acts as the RAN. The service link between the terminal and the satellite is connected via the NR Uu interface, and the feeder link between the ground station and the satellite is connected via the satellite radio interface (SRI). Figure 1D The system includes two satellites, and the ISL between the satellites is connected through the Xn interface.

[0075] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following are definitions of technical terms that may appear in the embodiments of the present application. The terms used in the implementation method section of the present application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0076] (1) Proximity-based service (ProSe), also known as proximity service or D2D. ProSe is a concept introduced by the 3GPP standard to improve cellular capacity and services, and introduces the ProSe function network element to specifically handle the related actions and processes required by ProSe. Direct communication is achieved between two or more nearby ProSe-enabled terminals without traversing network nodes.

[0077] The advantages of ProSe connection are as follows: new connection methods can be applied to expand new "lifestyles", such as social networking applications, local data applications, etc.; it can realize the direct transmission of dense data in a small range, release network resources, reduce the task pressure of the access network, and save a lot of air interface resources, reduce interference, and increase network capacity; it can achieve the purposes of emergency communication and public safety (such as scenarios where cellular networks cannot work normally, allowing terminals to communicate offline), especially when two terminals or one of the terminals is not within the network coverage.

[0078] (2) Direct discovery function refers to the ability of a terminal to discover nearby terminals that can be directly connected. The 3GPP standard defines two modes of direct discovery functions, namely model A and model B. Model A is a one-way discovery protocol message that discovers surrounding or neighboring terminals by publishing announcements. The terminals in model A are divided into announcing terminals (announcing UE) and monitoring terminals (monitoring UE), and the announcing terminal can also be called a relay terminal (relay UE). Model B is a two-way discovery protocol that discovers terminals through request and response. The terminals in model B are divided into discoverer terminals (discoverer UE) and discoveree terminals (discoveree UE).

[0079] The discovery process of mode A based on ProSe technology can be referred to Figure 2A ,like Figure 2A As shown, the relay terminal can send an announcement message to multiple listening terminals (such as a first listening terminal, a second listening terminal, a third listening terminal, etc.), and the listening terminals interested in this can interpret and process the received announcement message. The announcement message may include the type of discovery message, and a ProSe application code or a ProSe restricted code.

[0080] Among them, the ProSe application code is related to the ProSe application identifier (ProSe Application ID), which consists of a PLMN identifier (PLMN ID) and a ProSe application identifier name (ProSe App ID Name). The relay terminal obtains the ProSe application code from the ProSe function network element of the home public land mobile network (home PLMN, HPLMN) and sends it to other terminals through an announcement message. The monitoring terminal obtains the ProSe application code from the HPLMN ProSe function network element and monitors the announcement message sent from the announcement terminal according to the ProSe application code. The ProSe restriction code is allocated by the HPLMN ProSe function network element for direct discovery of restricted mode scenarios.

[0081] The discovery process of mode B based on ProSe technology can be referred to Figure 2B ,like Figure 2B As shown, the discoverer terminal sends a request message (such as a solicitation message) to other discoverer terminals (such as a first discoverer terminal, a second discoverer terminal, a third discoverer terminal, etc.). The discoverer terminal (such as the first discoverer terminal and the second discoverer terminal, etc.) matches the request message and sends a reply message (response message) to the discoverer terminal. Among them, the request message may include the type of discovery message and the ProSe queue code (ProSe Query Code). The ProSe queue code is allocated by the ProSe functional network element and can be a ProSe application code or a ProSe restriction code.

[0082] (3) Extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) technology extends the discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle. The terminal monitors the paging channel according to the eDRX cycle within the paging time window (PTW) to receive downlink data. The terminal is in sleep mode during the rest of the time and does not receive downlink data, which increases the sleep time of the terminal and further reduces power consumption.

[0083] (4) The terminal is in a coverage scenario, which means that the terminal is in a scenario with network coverage, and specifically, it may mean that the location and time period of the terminal are covered by the network.

[0084] (5) The terminal is in a non-coverage scenario, which means that the terminal is in a scenario without network coverage, specifically, it may mean that there is no network coverage at the location and time period where the terminal is located.

[0085] It should be noted that network coverage may refer to terrestrial network coverage or non-terrestrial network coverage without limitation.

[0086] Specifically, a non-terrestrial network is covered, and a non-terrestrial network device that enables the terminal to be in a coverage scenario is used as an example. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a coverage scenario and a non-coverage scenario is provided. Figure 3 As shown, at a first time (such as 9:15), the first terminal and the second terminal are within the coverage of the satellite, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a coverage scenario, and can establish a connection with the satellite. However, as the satellite moves, at a second time (such as 10:20), the first terminal and the second terminal are outside the coverage of the satellite, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal are in a non-coverage scenario, and it is difficult to directly establish a communication connection with the satellite.

[0087] When the terminal is in a non-coverage scenario, the terminal can be triggered to enter an energy-saving state. For example, the non-standalone (NAS) timing duration (such as the timing duration of the periodic registration timer), eDRX parameters (such as eDRX cycle, PTW, etc.) are set to achieve energy saving of the terminal. However, when the terminal is in an unreachable state, the terminal cannot obtain relevant information about the network coverage, resulting in the terminal being unable to determine which coverage scenario it is in, such as a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario. In this case, the terminal continuously attempts to establish a connection with the communication network, resulting in a failure of the communication connection. In addition, since the terminal continuously attempts to establish a connection with the communication network, the energy saving effect is poor.

[0088] The present application proposes a communication method that can obtain relevant information about network coverage through other terminals, and then enter an energy-saving state or access the network using a direct communication method or an indirect communication method based on the information, which can improve the success rate of communication connections and facilitate terminal energy saving.

[0089] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below. The communication device involved in the communication method may include a first terminal, a second terminal and an access network. The system architecture corresponding to the first terminal, the second terminal and the access network can be referred to Figure 1A The description of the present invention will not be repeated here. The functions performed by the terminal in this application may be performed by a device in the terminal (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or a means, etc.). The functions performed by the access network in this application may be performed by a device in the access network (for example, a chip, or a chip system, or a circuit, or a means, etc.). The following examples are given with a terminal and an access network.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The following is an interactive diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication method includes the following steps.

[0091] S400: The second terminal obtains first information.

[0092] The first information may include coverage availability information, which is used to indicate the location and time period of the coverage scene and / or the non-coverage scene.

[0093] Among them, the coverage available information can indicate the network coverage of a certain location and a certain time period, that is, whether a certain location and a certain time period have network coverage. This application does not limit the content form of the coverage available information. For example, the coverage available information is expressed with location as the granularity. Specifically, the coverage available information includes a certain location, and whether there is network coverage for each time period of the location; for another example, the coverage available information is expressed with time period as the granularity. Specifically, the coverage available information includes a certain time period and whether there is network coverage for each location of the time period.

[0094] The time period may be the current time or a time period to which the current time belongs, or a specified time period. The location may be the current location of the second terminal or a preset range of the current location, or a specified location.

[0095] It is understandable that the location can be a location point or a location range. Specifically, the location can be a physical location described by longitude and latitude or a street, or can be a location identifier, for example, a symbol represented by longitude and latitude or a street, or an identifier of a cell or a tracking area. For another example, the areas corresponding to 01, 10, 11, etc. The time period can be one or a period of time. And the time period can be a specific value, or a corresponding symbol, for example, 001 represents the time period from 1:00 to 2:00, 002 represents the time period from 2:00 to 3:00, etc. Whether there is network coverage can be described by the value of the bit, for example, 1 means there is network coverage, 0 means there is no network coverage; or 0 means there is no network coverage, 1 means there is network coverage.

[0096] Exemplarily, the coverage availability information is represented by a 6-bit value. The first 3 bits represent the time period, the middle 2 bits represent the location, and the last bit represents whether there is network coverage. Assuming that the coverage availability information includes 001011, and when 001 represents the time period from 1:00 to 2:00, 01 represents the first area, 1 represents network coverage, and 0 represents no network coverage, 001011 can represent that the first area has network coverage during the time period from 1:00 to 2:00.

[0097] The present application does not limit the method for the second terminal to obtain the coverage availability information. When the second terminal is in the coverage scenario, a network connection can be established. The second terminal can obtain the coverage availability information through the system message (such as the system information block (SIB)) broadcast by the access network, or can obtain the coverage availability information from the network side (such as the data network) through the user plane, or can obtain the coverage availability information from the core network (such as the control plane network element AMF / MME, etc.) through the control plane.

[0098] It is understood that after the terminal obtains the coverage available information, it can determine information that the terminal is in a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario based on the coverage available information, such as location and / or time period, etc. For example, the terminal can determine the period (UE out-of-coverage period) that the terminal is in a non-coverage scenario based on the coverage available information.

[0099] In the embodiment of the present application, the access network corresponding to the coverage available information refers to the access network that provides the coverage available information. The access network can be a non-terrestrial network device or a terrestrial network device. In other words, the network can be provided to the terminal by the non-terrestrial network device or the terrestrial network device, and the coverage available information of the network can be used by the terminal to determine whether it is in a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario of the network.

[0100] Exemplarily, it is assumed that the coverage available information is used to indicate that the first area has network coverage during the period from 1:00 to 2:00, and the first area has no network coverage during the period from 2:00 to 3:00, and the second area has no network coverage during the period from 1:00 to 2:00, and the second area has network coverage during the period from 2:00 to 3:00. If the position of the first terminal is fixed, and the fixed position belongs to the first area, the first terminal is in a coverage scenario during the period from 1:00 to 2:00, and is in a non-coverage scenario during the period from 2:00 to 3:00. If the position of the second terminal is not fixed, it is located in the first area during the period from 1:00 to 2:20, and is located in the second area during the period from 2:20 to 3:00, then the second terminal is in a coverage scenario during the period from 1:00 to 2:00 and the period from 2:20 to 3:00, and is in a non-coverage scenario during 2:00 to 2:20.

[0101] In an example, the first information may also include information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal may include at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access mode.

[0102] The air interface delay of the second terminal may be the delay of air interface communication between the second terminal and the access network device. Optionally, the first terminal may access the network in a direct communication manner or in an indirect communication manner according to the air interface delay of the second terminal. In other words, the first terminal establishes a direct or indirect connection with the network according to the air interface delay of the second terminal.

[0103] For example, when the air interface delay of the second terminal meets a preset air interface delay threshold (such as the air interface delay threshold required in the air interface delay requirement of the first terminal), the first terminal accesses the network through the second terminal in an indirect communication manner.

[0104] The air interface delay requirement of the first terminal is used to indicate the air interface delay of the network connection required by the first terminal, such as the air interface delay of the network connection required by the first terminal is less than a preset air interface delay threshold (such as 10 milliseconds (ms)). It can be understood that when the air interface delay of the second terminal is small (such as less than the air interface delay threshold), the first terminal can access the network through the second terminal using an indirect communication method.

[0105] For another example, assuming that the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is relatively close, it can be understood that the air interface delay of the first terminal is the air interface delay of the second terminal. When the air interface delay of the second terminal is relatively small (such as less than the air interface delay threshold), the air interface delay of the first terminal is also relatively small. If the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, the first terminal can access the network by direct communication. In addition, when the air interface delay of the second terminal is relatively small, if it is necessary to access the network by indirect communication or it is not possible to access the network by direct communication, the first terminal can access the network by indirect communication through the second terminal. When the air interface delay of the second terminal is relatively large (such as greater than or equal to the air interface delay threshold), it means that the communication time for the first terminal to establish a direct communication connection and to establish an indirect communication connection through the second terminal is relatively long. If it is necessary to access the network, other terminals that meet the air interface delay threshold can be used to access the network by indirect communication.

[0106] Optionally, the air interface delay of the second terminal is replaced by the delay required for communication between the second terminal and a network device (such as an AMF / MME in a control plane network element, or a user plane network element UPF, or a public data network gateway (PDN GW), or a data network, etc.).

[0107] The battery status of the second terminal may be the state of charge or remaining of the battery. Optionally, the first terminal may access the network using a direct communication method or an indirect communication method according to the battery status of the second terminal. In other words, the first terminal establishes a direct or indirect connection with the network according to the battery status of the second terminal.

[0108] For example, when the battery status of the second terminal meets the preset battery status (such as the charge status or remaining power required in the battery status requirement of the first terminal), the first terminal accesses the network by direct communication or accesses the network by indirect communication through the second terminal; or, when the battery status of the second terminal does not meet the preset battery status, the network is accessed by direct communication or accesses the network by indirect communication through other terminals that meet the preset battery status (such as the fourth terminal).

[0109] Among them, the battery status requirement is used to indicate the battery status of the network connection required by the first terminal, such as the remaining power required in the battery status requirement of the first terminal is greater than a preset remaining power threshold (such as >40%). It can be understood that if the battery status of the second terminal is suitable for the first terminal to access the network through the second terminal (such as the remaining power of the second terminal >40%), that is, the battery status of the second terminal can provide a relay connection for the remote terminal, then the first terminal can access the network through the second terminal using an indirect communication method. In addition, it can also be determined based on other information to access the network using a direct communication method. For example, the second terminal does not provide a relay service. In this way, failure of indirect connection to the network through the second terminal can be avoided.

[0110] If the battery status of the second terminal is not suitable for the first terminal to access the network through the second terminal (such as the remaining power of the second terminal <40%), that is, the battery status of the second terminal is not sufficient to provide a relay connection for the remote terminal, and the network can be accessed by direct communication, the first terminal uses the direct communication method to access the network. If the network cannot be accessed by direct communication or needs to be accessed by indirect communication, the first terminal can access the network by indirect communication through other terminals (such as a third terminal that meets the battery status requirements).

[0111] The network access method of the second terminal may include the second terminal accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device. If the second terminal accesses the network through a ground network device, the second terminal may be referred to as a relay terminal of the ground network, such as a TN relay UE. If the second terminal accesses the network through a non-ground network device, the second terminal may be referred to as a relay terminal of the non-ground network, such as an NTN relay UE. The network access method of the second terminal may be reflected by a relay service code.

[0112] Optionally, the first terminal can access the network in a direct communication manner or in an indirect communication manner according to the network access manner of the second terminal. In other words, the first terminal establishes a direct or indirect connection with the network according to the network access manner of the second terminal.

[0113] For example, when the second terminal accesses the network through a ground network device, that is, when the access network corresponding to the coverage available information is a ground network device, the first terminal can access the network through the second terminal, that is, the first terminal establishes an indirect connection with the ground network device through the second terminal. For another example, when the second terminal accesses the network through a non-ground network device, that is, when the access network corresponding to the coverage available information is a non-ground network device, the first terminal can access the network through the non-ground network device, that is, the first terminal establishes an indirect connection with the non-ground network device through the second terminal, or establishes a direct connection with the non-ground network device.

[0114] In another example, when the access network corresponding to the coverage available information is a non-terrestrial network device, the first information may also include orbital information of the non-terrestrial network device, wherein the orbital information of the non-terrestrial network device may include at least one of the orbital height, orbital period, orbital inclination, etc. of the non-terrestrial network device.

[0115] Optionally, when the satellite provides coverage availability information, the coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information. The orbit information of the non-ground network device is satellite orbit information.

[0116] Optionally, after acquiring the orbit information of the non-ground network device, the terminal determines the air interface delay of the second terminal according to the orbit information. For example, the first terminal determines the air interface delay of the second terminal using the orbit height and light speed in the orbit information. In this way, the air interface delay of the second terminal can be determined without acquiring the air interface delay of the second terminal from the second terminal.

[0117] S401: The second terminal sends first information to the first terminal.

[0118] Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal.

[0119] Among them, the first terminal and the second terminal can use the aforementioned D2D technology or ProSe technology to perform SL communication, such as the second terminal sending the first information to the first terminal. The second terminal can use the aforementioned mode A method to actively send the first information as an announcement message (or discovery message) to the first terminal, so that the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal. Or the second terminal can use the aforementioned mode B method to send the first information to the first terminal after receiving the request message from the first terminal. For details, please refer to the following Figure 5 Describes the communication method.

[0120] Optionally, the first information is included in a signaling message (such as a discovery message) and sent by the second terminal, or is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal in the form of a user plane message.

[0121] In one example, when the second terminal is in a coverage scenario, step S401 is performed.

[0122] It can be understood that in this example, when the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal, if the second terminal is in a coverage scenario, the first terminal can establish an indirect connection with the network through the second terminal, which can further improve the success rate of the first terminal in establishing a communication connection.

[0123] S402: The first terminal enters a power-saving state or accesses a network in a first manner according to the first information.

[0124] Among them, the first mode is a direct communication mode or an indirect communication mode. That is, the first terminal can establish a direct connection with the access network that provides coverage available information to achieve UL communication or DL ​​communication. The first terminal may establish an indirect connection with the access network that provides coverage available information through the second terminal, that is, the first terminal establishes SL communication with the second terminal, and then the connection between the first terminal and the access network is achieved through the direct or indirect communication network established between the second terminal and the access network that provides coverage available information.

[0125] Step S402 is described below in combination with different embodiments of different first information.

[0126] In one example, the first information includes coverage available information. Specifically, step S402 includes: the first terminal can enter a power-saving state or access the network in a first manner according to the coverage available information. For example, when the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or is not in a non-coverage scenario, the first terminal accesses the network in a direct or indirect communication manner; or, when the first terminal is in a non-coverage scenario or is not in a coverage scenario, the first terminal enters a power-saving state.

[0127] It can be understood that the first terminal can determine whether the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario based on the coverage available information. When the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or is not in a non-coverage scenario, the first terminal can access the network by direct or indirect communication. For example, the first terminal establishes a direct connection with the access network corresponding to the coverage available information, that is, the first terminal accesses the network by direct communication; for another example, the first terminal establishes an indirect connection with the access network corresponding to the coverage available information through the second terminal, that is, the first terminal accesses the network by indirect communication. When the first terminal is in a non-coverage scenario or is not in a coverage scenario, it means that it is difficult for the first terminal to access the network by direct communication or indirect communication, that is, it is impossible to establish a communication connection. Then the first terminal can enter an energy-saving state, thereby avoiding the first terminal from constantly trying to establish a network connection when a network connection cannot be established, and energy saving can be achieved.

[0128] Further, step S402 includes: if the first terminal determines that the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario according to the coverage available information, the first terminal determines the first mode according to other first information; or, if the first terminal determines that the first terminal is in a non-coverage scenario or not in a coverage scenario according to the coverage available information, the first terminal enters an energy-saving state. The method for determining the first mode can refer to the description of the network access mode adopted by the above-mentioned first information (such as the air interface delay, battery status, network access mode, etc. of the second terminal), which will not be repeated here.

[0129] In another example, the first information includes coverage available information and the air interface delay of the second terminal. Specifically, step S402 includes: the first terminal can access the network or enter the energy-saving state in a first manner according to the coverage available information and / or the air interface delay of the second terminal. For example, when the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or is not in a non-coverage scenario, and the air interface delay of the second terminal meets the preset air interface delay threshold, the network is accessed through the second terminal using an indirect communication method; or, when the first terminal is in a non-coverage scenario or is not in a coverage scenario, the first terminal enters an energy-saving state.

[0130] It can be understood that when it is determined based on the coverage available information that the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the air interface delay of the second terminal meets the air interface delay threshold, it means that the first terminal can access the network through the second terminal, and the first terminal can access the network using indirect communication.

[0131] For another example, assuming that the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is relatively close, it can be understood that the air interface delay of the first terminal is the air interface delay of the second terminal. At this time, if the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the air interface delay of the second terminal meets the preset air interface delay threshold, the first terminal can access the network by direct communication. If the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the air interface delay of the second terminal does not meet the preset air interface delay threshold, the communication time for the first terminal to access the network by direct communication or to access the network by indirect communication through the second terminal is relatively long, and the network can be accessed by indirect communication through other terminals that meet the air interface delay threshold.

[0132] In another example, the first information includes coverage available information and the battery status of the second terminal. Specifically, the first terminal can access the network or enter the energy-saving state in the first way according to the coverage available information and / or the battery status of the second terminal. For example, when the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the battery status of the second terminal meets the preset battery status requirements (such as the battery status requirements of the first terminal), the first terminal uses direct or indirect communication to access the network; or, when the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the battery status of the second terminal does not meet the preset battery status requirements, the first terminal uses direct communication to access the network or uses other terminals that meet the battery status requirements to implement indirect communication to access the network; or, when the first terminal is in a non-coverage scenario or not in a coverage scenario, the first terminal enters an energy-saving state.

[0133] It can be understood that when the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the battery status of the second terminal meets the battery status requirement, the first terminal can access the network through the second terminal, that is, access the network using an indirect communication method. In addition, it can also be determined based on other information to access the network using a direct communication method. For example, the second terminal does not provide a relay service. When the first terminal is in a coverage scenario or not in a non-coverage scenario, and the battery status of the second terminal does not meet the battery status requirement, it means that the battery status of the second terminal does not meet the requirements of indirect access. The first terminal can access the network using a direct communication method or the first terminal can use other terminals that can meet the battery status requirements to implement indirect communication methods, such as selecting a third terminal that meets the battery status requirements as the target terminal, so that the network can be accessed through the target terminal.

[0134] When the first information includes the network access method of the second terminal, the description in step S400 may be referred to for the first terminal to access the network using a direct communication method or an indirect communication method according to the network access method of the second terminal.

[0135] When the first information includes the orbit information of the non-ground network device, the description of entering the energy-saving state or accessing the network in the first manner according to the air interface delay of the second terminal can be referred to. The air interface delay of the second terminal can be determined according to the orbit information of the non-ground network device, and the determination method can be referred to the above, which will not be repeated here.

[0136] It should be noted that the above three examples are only one feasible way. In fact, the above three examples can be used in combination. For example, when the first information includes coverage availability information, as well as the air interface delay and battery status of the second terminal, the three examples can be combined to implement step S402. At least one of the above three examples can also be used in combination with other information. Among them, the other information may be whether the first terminal supports direct communication mode or indirect communication mode. For example, if the first terminal supports both direct communication mode and indirect communication mode, step S402 can be executed. Or if the first terminal only supports direct communication mode, the first terminal uses direct communication mode to access the network when it is in a coverage scenario. Or if the first terminal only supports indirect communication mode, the first terminal uses indirect communication mode to access the network when it is in a coverage scenario.

[0137] exist Figure 4 In the communication method shown, the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal. Then the first terminal can determine whether it is in a coverage scenario or a non-coverage scenario based on the first information, and enter an energy-saving state in different scenarios, or use a direct communication method or an indirect communication method to access the network, which can improve the success rate of the communication connection and facilitate terminal energy saving.

[0138] Optionally, before step S401, the following steps may be included: Figure 4 Step not shown: the second terminal sends second information to the first terminal.

[0139] Correspondingly, the first terminal receives the second information from the second terminal.

[0140] The second information includes the first indication and / or the network access mode of the second terminal, that is, whether the second terminal accesses the network through a terrestrial network device or a non-terrestrial network device. The first indication is used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information.

[0141] It can be understood that in the case where the second terminal has the first information, step S401 can be performed so that the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal. The first terminal can refer to the network access method of the second terminal to determine the processing method of the first information received in step S401. For example, when the first terminal needs to access the network through a ground network device and the second terminal device accesses the network through a non-ground network device, or when the first terminal needs to access the network through a non-ground network device and the first terminal device accesses the network through a ground network device, the first terminal can ignore the first information when receiving the first information in step S401. For another example, when the first terminal needs to access the network through a ground network device and the second terminal device accesses the network through a ground network device, or when the first terminal needs to access the network through a non-ground network device and the second terminal device accesses the network through a non-ground network device, the first terminal can continue to perform step S402 after receiving the first information in step S401.

[0142] Optionally, the first indication and the network access method of the second terminal may be sent to the first terminal separately. Alternatively, the first indication and the network access method of the second terminal may be carried in the second information and sent to the first terminal via a signaling message or a user plane message. If the first information includes the network access method of the second terminal, the network access method of the second terminal may no longer be sent, or the first indication may be sent separately.

[0143] It can be understood that the first terminal may refer to the network access method of the second terminal to determine whether to request the first information from the second terminal.

[0144] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 FIG. 1 is an interactive diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 In the method shown, the first information is triggered after the second terminal receives the message from the first terminal. Figure 5 As shown, the communication method includes the following.

[0145] S500: The second terminal obtains first information.

[0146] Among them, step S500 can refer to the description of step S400, which will not be repeated here.

[0147] S501: A first terminal sends a network connection requirement of the first terminal and / or third information to a second terminal.

[0148] Correspondingly, the second terminal receives the third information from the first terminal and / or the network connection requirement of the first terminal.

[0149] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0150] S502: The first terminal receives first information from the second terminal.

[0151] Correspondingly, the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal.

[0152] In one example, the network connection requirement may include at least one of the following: a time requirement for the network connection, a location requirement for the network connection, a battery status requirement for the network connection, and a track information requirement for the network connection.

[0153] Among them, the time requirement for network connection may include time connection requirement and / or air interface delay requirement. The time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, such as the time connection requirement of the first terminal is that there is a network connection requirement (or communication requirement) during the time period from 9:00 to 10:00. The time connection requirement may include a default location requirement, such as the aforementioned certain location. The location requirement for network connection is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal, such as the location requirement of the first terminal is to require connection to the network at the current location or a specified location. The location requirement may include a default time connection requirement, such as the aforementioned certain time period. The air interface delay requirement and battery status requirement can refer to the aforementioned, and the orbital information requirement is used to indicate the orbital information or air interface delay of the network connection required by the first terminal.

[0154] It should be noted that the network connection time required in the time connection requirement can be the current time or the future time, and the network connection location required in the location requirement can be the current location or other specified location. That is, after the first terminal sends the network connection requirement to the second terminal, the second terminal can know the network connection requirement of the first terminal, and determine whether to send the first information to the first terminal according to the network connection requirement. If so, step S502 is executed so that the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal. For example, when the second terminal determines that the first information meets the network connection requirement of the first terminal, step S502 is executed.

[0155] Optionally, the network connection requirement of the first terminal and the third information may be sent to the second terminal separately, or the network connection requirement of the first terminal and the third information may be carried in a message and sent to the second terminal via a signaling message or a user plane message.

[0156] Optionally, the third information includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to indicate that the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal. The second indication can be replaced by a request message, which is used to request the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal. The request message can be specific information in the existing protocol, such as the request message in mode B. The request message may be a new message, which is not limited here. It can be understood that after the first terminal sends the second indication to the second terminal, the second terminal can be triggered to execute step S502, so that the first terminal receives the first information from the second terminal.

[0157] Optionally, before step S501, the method may further include: Figure 5 Steps not shown: the second terminal sends a first indication to the first terminal; step S501 may include: the first terminal sends third information to the second terminal according to the first indication.

[0158] It can be understood that after the first terminal determines that the second terminal has the first information, the third information can be sent to the second terminal so that the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal, which can improve the effectiveness of data transmission.

[0159] S503: The first terminal enters a power-saving state or accesses a network in a first manner according to the first information.

[0160] Among them, step S503 can refer to the description of step S402, which will not be repeated here.

[0161] exist Figure 5 In the communication method shown, after the first terminal sends the third information to the second terminal, the second terminal sends the first information to the first terminal, so that the first terminal can obtain the first information. The first information includes coverage availability information for indicating the location and time period of the coverage scene and / or the non-coverage scene. In this way, the first terminal can determine whether it is in a coverage scene or a non-coverage scene based on the first information, and enter an energy-saving state or use a direct communication method or an indirect communication method to access the network in different scenes, which can improve the success rate of the communication connection and facilitate energy saving of the terminal.

[0162] In one example, when the first mode is an indirect communication mode, Figure 4 and Figure 5 The method shown may also include: determining, according to the first information, that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal; and accessing the network in the first manner includes: accessing the network through the target terminal.

[0163] The target terminal refers to the second terminal used when accessing the network by indirect communication. The present application does not limit the method for determining the target terminal. It can be determined whether the second terminal is in the coverage scenario based on the first information. If so, the second terminal can be determined as the target terminal. Alternatively, the target terminal that can establish an indirect connection with the network can be determined based on the first information.

[0164] In one example, determining the second terminal as a target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information includes: determining the second terminal as a target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information and a network connection requirement of the first terminal.

[0165] Among them, the network connection requirements can refer to the above, and the determination of whether to adopt the indirect communication method according to various types of information in the first information can also refer to the above, which will not be repeated here. When the first information meets the corresponding information in the network connection requirements (such as the air interface delay meets the air interface delay requirements, the battery status meets the battery status requirements, etc.), it can be determined that the second terminal is the target terminal of the first terminal.

[0166] In this example, the second terminal is determined as the target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information and the network connection requirement of the first terminal, which can be understood as selecting the second terminal that meets the network connection requirement of the first terminal as the target terminal, thereby improving the success rate of accessing the network through the target terminal. In this way, after the connection is successful, there is no need to continue to try to connect, which can achieve energy saving.

[0167] It should be noted that this example is applicable to a scenario with a single second terminal, that is, the second terminal is a target terminal. This example is also applicable to a scenario with multiple second terminals, for selecting at least one of the multiple second terminals as a target terminal.

[0168] The method of the embodiment of the present application is described in detail above, and the device of the embodiment of the present application is provided below.

[0169] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 : It is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may include a transceiver unit 601 and a processing unit 602. Among them, the transceiver unit 601 may be a device with a signal input (receiving) or output (sending), used to transmit signals with other devices or other devices in the device. The processing unit 602 may be a device with a processing function, and may include one or more processors for executing instructions (or codes or programs), for example, processing communication protocols and communication data. The communication device may be a terminal, for example, a first terminal or a second terminal. The functions performed by the terminal in the embodiment of the present application may be performed by a device in the terminal.

[0170] In an optional implementation, the communication device is a first terminal, and the transceiver unit 601 is used to receive first information from a second terminal, where the first information includes coverage availability information, and the coverage availability information is used to indicate the location and time period of a coverage scenario and / or a non-coverage scenario; the processing unit 602 is used to enter an energy-saving state or access a network in a first manner according to the first information, where the first manner is a direct communication manner or an indirect communication manner.

[0171] In some feasible examples, the coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

[0172] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, where the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

[0173] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes orbit information of non-ground network equipment.

[0174] In some feasible examples, when the first mode is an indirect communication mode, the processing unit 602 is also used to determine that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal based on the first information; the processing unit 602 is specifically used to access the network through the target terminal.

[0175] In some feasible examples, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to determine that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal according to the first information and a network connection requirement of the first terminal.

[0176] In some feasible examples, the network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection. The time requirement for network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement. The time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

[0177] In some feasible examples, the transceiver unit 601 is also used to receive second information from the second terminal, the second information includes a first indication and / or a network access method of the second terminal, and the first indication is used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information.

[0178] In some feasible examples, the transceiver unit 601 is also used to send third information and / or the network connection requirement of the first terminal to the second terminal, and the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0179] In some feasible examples, the third information includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0180] In another optional implementation, the communication device is a second terminal, and the transceiver unit 601 is used to obtain first information, where the first information includes coverage available information, and the coverage available information is used to indicate the location and time period of the coverage scenario and / or non-coverage scenario; and send the first information to the first terminal.

[0181] In some feasible examples, the transceiver unit 601 is specifically used to send the first information to the first terminal when the second terminal is in a coverage scenario.

[0182] In some feasible examples, the coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

[0183] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, where the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

[0184] In some feasible examples, the first information also includes orbit information of non-ground network equipment.

[0185] In some feasible examples, the transceiver unit 601 is also used to send second information to the first terminal, the second information including a first indication and / or a network access method of the second terminal, and the first indication is used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information.

[0186] In some feasible examples, the transceiver unit 601 is further used to receive third information from the first terminal and / or a network connection requirement of the first terminal, and the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0187] In some feasible examples, the third information includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

[0188] In some feasible examples, the network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection. The time requirement for network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement. The time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

[0189] The implementation of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 601 and the processing unit 602 can refer to Figure 4 or Figure 5 The relevant description of any of the method embodiments shown is not repeated here.

[0190] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal (such as a first terminal or a second terminal, etc.) or may be a device in a terminal, for implementing the method described in the method embodiment.

[0191] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication device may include a processor 111 and a storage medium 112. The processor 111 may also be referred to as a processing unit, which may implement certain control functions. The storage medium 112 may also be referred to as a storage unit or a memory. The storage medium 112 stores instructions 114. The instructions 114 may be executed on the processor 111, so that the communication device executes the embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 or Figure 5 Any of the methods described.

[0192] Optionally, the processor 111 may include an instruction 113, which may be executed on the processor 111 so that the communication device executes the embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 or Figure 5 Any of the methods described.

[0193] The communication device described in the above embodiments may be a terminal, but the scope of the device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be:

[0194] (1) Independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem;

[0195] (2) having a set of one or more ICs, which may optionally include a storage component for storing data and / or instructions;

[0196] (3) ASICs, such as modems;

[0197] (4) Modules that can be embedded in other devices;

[0198] See also Figure 8 , Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a terminal structure provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 Only the main components of the terminal are shown. Figure 8 As shown, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, a control circuit, an antenna, and an input-output device. The processor is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire terminal, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input-output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0199] When the terminal is turned on, the processor can read the software program in the storage unit, parse and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain the RF signal and sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, and the RF signal is further converted into a baseband signal, and the baseband signal is output to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0200] For ease of explanation, Figure 8 Only one memory and processor are shown. In an actual terminal, there may be multiple processors and memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0201] In one embodiment, the antenna is used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 601 in the above embodiment. The processor is used to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 602 in the above embodiment. The terminal can also be used to perform the above Figure 4 or Figure 5 The method executed by the first terminal or the second terminal in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0202] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the program is executed by a processor, it can implement the process related to the first terminal or the second terminal in the communication method provided in the above method embodiment.

[0203] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer (or processor), the computer executes one or more steps in any of the above communication methods. If the various component modules of the above-mentioned devices are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0204] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes any of the above methods.

[0205] The embodiment of the present application also provides another chip, including: an input interface, an output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input interface, the output interface and the circuit are connected via an internal connection path, and the processing circuit is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory. The input interface, the output interface, the processor and the memory are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is used to execute the code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0206] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, including at least one processor and a communication interface, the communication interface and the at least one processor are interconnected through a line, and the at least one processor is used to run a computer program or instruction to execute any of the above methods. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0207] The present application also provides a communication system including a first terminal and a second terminal. Figure 4 or Figure 5 Any of the methods shown.

[0208] The embodiment of the present application also provides another communication system, which includes a first terminal, a second terminal and an access network. For a specific description, please refer to Figure 4 or Figure 5 The method shown.

[0209] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiment of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Wherein, the non-volatile memory can be a hard disk (hard diskdrive, HDD), a solid-state drive (solid-state drive, SSD), a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (programmableROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM, which is used as an external cache. The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store a desired program code in the form of an instruction or data structure and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device that can realize a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0210] It should also be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor or may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0211] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated in the processor.

[0212] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0213] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0214] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0215] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0216] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0217] The steps in the method of the embodiment of the present application can be adjusted in order, combined and deleted according to actual needs. The steps of each embodiment can be partially executed (for example, the terminal may not execute the steps executed by the terminal in the above embodiment). The execution order of different steps can be changed. The embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments, different embodiments can be combined with each other, and different steps of different embodiments of this document can be combined.

[0218] The modules / units in the device of the embodiment of the present application can be combined, divided and deleted according to actual needs.

[0219] Reference to "embodiment" herein means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0220] In this application, it may refer to a communication protocol or specification, such as a 3GPP communication protocol.

[0221] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0222] In the embodiments of the present application, "include" can be an inclusion relationship or an equality relationship. For example, A includes B, which means that A includes B and can also include other contents, or A and B are the same content.

[0223] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a kind of association relationship describing the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In addition, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0224] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a first terminal, and the method includes: Receiving first information from a second terminal, the first information including coverage availability information, the coverage availability information being used to indicate a location and a time period of a coverage scenario and / or a non-coverage scenario; According to the first information, an energy-saving state is entered, or a first method is adopted to access a network, where the first method is a direct communication method or an indirect communication method.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, and the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first information also includes orbit information of the non-ground network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that When the first mode is an indirect communication mode, the method further includes: Determining, according to the first information, that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal; The accessing the network in the first manner includes: Access a network through the target terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The determining, according to the first information, that the second terminal is a target terminal of the first terminal includes: According to the first information and a network connection requirement of the first terminal, the second terminal is determined to be a target terminal of the first terminal.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection; The time requirement for the network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement, the time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is received from the second terminal, where the second information includes a first indication and / or a network access method of the second terminal, and the first indication is used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that Before receiving the first information from the second terminal, the method further includes: The network connection requirement of the first terminal and / or third information is sent to the second terminal, where the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The third information includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a second terminal, and the method includes: Acquire first information, where the first information includes coverage availability information, where the coverage availability information is used to indicate a location and a time period of a coverage scene and / or a non-coverage scene; The first information is sent to the first terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The sending the first information to the first terminal includes: When the second terminal is in the coverage scenario, the first information is sent to the first terminal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The coverage availability information is satellite coverage availability information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The first information also includes information of the second terminal, and the information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: air interface delay, battery status, and network access method, and the network access method is accessing the network through a ground network device or accessing the network through a non-ground network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that The first information also includes orbit information of the non-ground network device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Second information is sent to the first terminal, where the second information includes a first indication and / or a network access method of the second terminal, and the first indication is used to indicate that the second terminal has the first information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that Before sending the first information to the first terminal, the method further includes: Receive third information from the first terminal and / or a network connection requirement of the first terminal, where the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The third information includes a second indication, where the second indication is used to instruct the second terminal to send the first information to the first terminal.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The network connection requirement includes at least one of the following: a time requirement for network connection, a location requirement for network connection, a battery status requirement for network connection, and a track information requirement for network connection; The time requirement for the network connection includes a time connection requirement and / or an air interface delay requirement, the time connection requirement is used to indicate the network connection time required by the first terminal, and the location requirement is used to indicate the network connection location required by the first terminal.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a processor and a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is implemented.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19 is implemented.

23. A communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method comprises the method of any one of claims 11 to 19.

24. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the second terminal being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product is used to store a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

Images