Satellite communication method and terminal equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a satellite communication method and terminal equipment, relates to the technical field of communication, and can solve the problem of how to communicate with an LEO satellite when the terminal equipment adopts a directional antenna. The method can be applied to terminal equipment comprising a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, the first directional antenna corresponds to a first coverage area, and the second directional antenna corresponds to a second coverage area. Comprising the following steps: terminal equipment searches at least one satellite in a first range by adopting a first antenna; wherein the first antenna is a first directional antenna, and the first range is a first coverage range; or, the first antenna is a second directional antenna, and the first range is a second coverage range; or, the first antenna is a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, and the first range is a first coverage range and a second coverage range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to satellite communication methods and terminal equipment. Background Art

[0002] At present, terminal devices can perform some services through the low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication network, such as sending text messages, making calls, etc. However, LEO satellites are moving at high speeds, and in order to synchronously track the beams of LEO satellites for communication, terminal devices currently use omnidirectional antennas to perform beam tracking operations.

[0003] However, due to the limitations of LEO satellite deployment density and LEO antennas, the quality of LEO satellite communication networks is poor. To optimize the quality of LEO satellite communication networks, terminal devices choose to use directional antennas. However, the industry has not yet proposed a solution for how terminal devices can communicate with LEO satellites when using directional antennas. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a satellite communication method and terminal equipment, which can solve the problem of how to communicate with a LEO satellite when the terminal equipment adopts a directional antenna.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a satellite communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal device including a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, wherein the first directional antenna corresponds to a first coverage range, and the second directional antenna corresponds to a second coverage range; the method comprises: the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within the first range; wherein the first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; or, the first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; or, the first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0007] Based on the above technical solution, when the terminal device includes a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, that is, multiple directional antennas, the terminal device can use the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to search for satellites within the coverage of each directional antenna, thereby achieving communication with the satellite. If the satellite may include but is not limited to LEO satellites, the problem of how to communicate with LEO satellites when the terminal device uses directional antennas can be solved.

[0008] In one possible design, the first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one satellite within the first range; including: the terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

[0009] It can be understood that the position of the first satellite can refer to the position relative to the terminal device, that is, the position of the first satellite when the terminal device is at a certain position at a certain moment. Among them, the position of at least one first satellite corresponds to the position of the terminal device, that is, the position of the first satellite and the terminal device are respectively located at the same moment when the position of at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device are at the same moment. Optionally, the position of at least one first satellite can be determined by the terminal device, or it can be determined by other devices and then sent to the terminal device.

[0010] Based on this design, after the terminal device obtains the position of the satellite, it determines which directional antenna's coverage the satellite is in based on its own position and the satellite's position, and then uses the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage range of the satellite to search for the satellite. In other words, the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage range that the satellite is not in is no longer used to search for the satellite. If it is determined that the satellite is within the coverage range of the first directional antenna, the first directional antenna is used to search for the satellite, and the second directional antenna is no longer used to search for the satellite. The power consumption of the terminal device can be saved while ensuring communication with the satellite.

[0011] In a possible design, the determination that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device includes: the terminal device determines the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range but does not belong to the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range. Based on this design, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite can be determined based on the position of the terminal device and the position of the satellite, and then the directional antenna coverage range of the satellite can be determined based on the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, thereby achieving the purpose of determining the coverage range of the satellite.

[0012] In one possible design, the first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within the first range; including: the terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device uses the second directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

[0013] Based on this design, after the terminal device obtains the position of the satellite, it determines which directional antenna's coverage the satellite is in based on its own position and the satellite's position, and then uses the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage range of the satellite to search for the satellite. In other words, the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage range that the satellite is not in is no longer used to search for the satellite. If it is determined that the satellite is within the coverage range of the second directional antenna, the second directional antenna is used to search for the satellite, and the first directional antenna is no longer used to search for the satellite, which can save power consumption of the terminal device while ensuring communication with the satellite.

[0014] In a possible design, the determining that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device includes: the terminal device determines the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite does not belong to the first coverage range but belongs to the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range. Based on this design, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite can be determined based on the position of the terminal device and the position of the satellite, and then the directional antenna coverage range of the satellite can be determined based on the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, thereby achieving the purpose of determining the coverage range of the satellite.

[0015] In one possible design, the first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is a first coverage range and a second coverage range; the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within the first range; including: the terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device simultaneously uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

[0016] Based on this design, after the terminal device obtains the position of the satellite, it determines which directional antenna's coverage the satellite is in based on its own position and the satellite's position, and then uses the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage of the satellite to search for the satellite. When it is determined that the satellite is simultaneously within the coverage of multiple directional antennas (such as the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna), the multiple directional antennas are used to search for the satellite at the same time, which can improve the efficiency and accuracy of satellite search while ensuring communication with the satellite.

[0017] In a possible design, the determination that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device includes: the terminal device determines the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range and the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range. Based on this design, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite can be determined based on the position of the terminal device and the position of the satellite, and then the satellite can be determined based on the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, which directional antenna's coverage range the satellite is in, thereby achieving the purpose of determining the coverage range of the satellite.

[0018] In one possible design, the terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; including: the terminal device obtains the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite; the terminal device determines the position of the at least one first satellite based on the position of the terminal device, the time at which the terminal device is located, and the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite.

[0019] It can be understood that the location of the terminal device may refer to the location of the terminal device at a certain time, and the time corresponding to the location of the terminal device may refer to the aforementioned certain time.

[0020] Based on this design, the terminal device can determine the position of the first satellite when the terminal device is at a certain position at a certain time according to the ephemeris of the first satellite, the position of the terminal device, and the time corresponding to the position of the terminal device. This makes it possible to determine which directional antenna coverage the first satellite is in according to the position of the first satellite, thereby achieving the purpose of determining the coverage range of the satellite.

[0021] In a possible design, after the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within the first range; the method further includes: the terminal device determines the first resident satellite according to a preset resident condition, the first resident satellite being one of the at least one first satellite; the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to communicate with the first resident satellite. Exemplarily, the preset resident condition can be determined based on one or more of satellite service duration, satellite system information, satellite signal strength, etc.

[0022] Based on this design, when the terminal device searches for one or more satellites, it can determine the resident satellite according to the preset resident conditions, thereby achieving the purpose of determining the resident satellite. Then, the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna are used to communicate with the resident satellite. If the resident satellite can include but is not limited to a LEO satellite, it can solve the problem of how to communicate with the LEO satellite when the terminal device uses a directional antenna.

[0023] In one possible design, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to communicate with the first resident satellite, including: the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to respectively receive signals from multiple beams of the first resident satellite; the terminal device determines the signal reception quality, and the signal reception quality is the quality of the signals of the multiple beams of the first resident satellite received by the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna respectively; the terminal device determines the second antenna and the first beam according to the signal reception quality, the second antenna is one or more of the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first beam is one or more of the multiple beams of the first resident satellite; the terminal device uses the second antenna to communicate with the first beam.

[0024] Based on this design, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to simultaneously receive the signals of multiple beams of the resident satellite, that is, to measure the beams of the resident satellite, and then determines which directional antenna is finally used to communicate with which beam of the resident satellite according to the quality of the signals of multiple beams of the resident satellite received by each directional antenna, thereby realizing beam tracking of the resident satellite. While ensuring communication with the resident satellite, the terminal device can obtain better service quality of the resident satellite.

[0025] In one possible design, the quality of the signal of the first beam received by the second antenna meets a preset quality condition, and the preset quality condition includes the best signal reception quality. Based on this design, the corresponding directional antenna and the corresponding beam are used for communication when the signal reception quality is the best, which can ensure that the directional antenna used by the terminal device and the corresponding satellite beam are the communication link with the best communication quality, thereby ensuring good communication quality between the terminal device and the satellite.

[0026] In one possible design, the second antenna includes the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, the difference between the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna from the first beam and the quality of the signal received by the second directional antenna from the first beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna or the second directional antenna from the first beam meets the preset quality condition.

[0027] Based on this design, for the same beam, when the difference between the quality of the signal received by the two directional antennas of the beam is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the two directional antennas are used to communicate with the beam at the same time, which can improve the quality of the signal received by the terminal device from the satellite. In addition, the quality of the signal received by one of the two directional antennas of the beam is the best, which can ensure that the directional antenna used by the terminal device and the corresponding satellite beam are the communication link with the best communication quality, thereby ensuring a good communication quality between the terminal device and the satellite.

[0028] In one possible design, the terminal device uses the second antenna to communicate with the first beam, including: the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to simultaneously receive signals from the first beam. Based on this design, the terminal device uses multiple directional antennas to simultaneously receive signals from the same beam, which can improve the quality of the signal received by the terminal device from the satellite.

[0029] In one possible design, after the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to communicate with the first resident satellite, the method also includes: the terminal device uses a third antenna to search for at least one second satellite within the second range; wherein the third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; or, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; or, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0030] Optionally, the at least one second satellite and the at least one first satellite may or may not be the same satellite.

[0031] Based on this design, when switching satellites, the terminal device can use the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to search for the satellite to be switched within the coverage of each directional antenna, thereby realizing communication with the satellite in the switching scenario. This can solve the problem of how to communicate with the satellite when the terminal device uses a directional antenna.

[0032] In one possible design, when the at least one second satellite is in the first coverage range, the third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; when the at least one second satellite is in the second coverage range, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; when the at least one second satellite is in both the first coverage range and the second coverage range, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0033] Based on this design, after determining which directional antenna's coverage the satellite is in, the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage of the satellite is used to search for the satellite. In other words, the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage that the satellite is not in is no longer used to search for the satellite. The power consumption of the terminal device can be saved while ensuring communication with the satellite. In addition, when it is determined that the satellite is simultaneously in the coverage of multiple directional antennas (such as the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna), the multiple directional antennas are used to search for the satellite at the same time, which can improve the efficiency and accuracy of the satellite search while ensuring communication with the satellite.

[0034] In one possible design, after the terminal device uses the third antenna to search for at least one second satellite within the second range, the method further includes: the terminal device determines a second resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, and the second resident satellite is one of the at least one second satellite. Based on this design, the terminal device determines a new resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can obtain services provided by the new resident satellite.

[0035] In one possible design, after the terminal device determines the second resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, the method further includes: the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite. Based on this design, the terminal device determines a new resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, and then uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to communicate with the new resident satellite, thereby achieving communication between the terminal device and the new resident satellite in a switching scenario. If the new resident satellite can include but is not limited to a LEO satellite, it can solve the problem of how to communicate with the LEO satellite when the terminal device uses a directional antenna.

[0036] In one possible design, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite, including: when the terminal device determines that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are different, the terminal device uses the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite to communicate with the first resident satellite, and uses the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite; wherein the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the first directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the second directional antenna; or, the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the second directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the first directional antenna.

[0037] Based on this design, if the directional antennas corresponding to the source satellite and the new resident satellite are different, the terminal device uses the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite to communicate with the source satellite, such as for receiving and sending service data. The directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite is used to receive the signal of the beam of the new resident satellite, such as for beam measurement. In other words, the terminal device can use different directional antennas to receive and send service data and perform beam measurement, respectively, which can reduce the probability of service interruption or impact, and ensure that the service on the terminal device can obtain better service quality.

[0038] In one possible design, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite, including: when the terminal device determines that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are the same, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite; wherein the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite both include the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna.

[0039] It can be understood that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are the same, which may include the situation that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are completely the same, or partially the same.

[0040] Based on this design, if the directional antennas corresponding to the source satellite and the new resident satellite are the same, the terminal device uses multiple directional antennas to receive signals from the new resident satellite at the same time, that is, to perform beam measurement. The multiple directional antennas may include the same directional antenna as the source satellite, and may also include directional antennas different from the source satellite. In this way, when communication with the new resident satellite is achieved, the accuracy of the obtained beam measurement results can be improved.

[0041] In one possible design, the first coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the first directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture; the second coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the second directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture. Based on this design, since the terminal device is in different postures, the coverage range of the directional antenna may be different. Therefore, the coverage range of the directional antenna is the coverage range corresponding to the current posture of the terminal device, and a more accurate coverage range of the directional antenna can be obtained. Then, when the directional antenna is used to communicate with the satellite within the more accurate coverage range, better communication quality with the satellite can be obtained.

[0042] In a second aspect, a terminal device is provided, the terminal device comprising a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, the first directional antenna corresponding to a first coverage range, and the second directional antenna corresponding to a second coverage range. The terminal device has the function of implementing the method as described in the first aspect and any one of the designs thereof. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementation. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In a possible example, the terminal device includes a processing unit (or processing module); the processing unit is used to use a first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within a first range; wherein the first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; or, the first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; or, the first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0043] In one possible design, the first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; the processing unit is also used to obtain the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the processing unit is specifically used to search for the at least one first satellite using the first directional antenna.

[0044] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to determine the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range but does not belong to the second coverage range, the processing unit is further used to determine that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range.

[0045] In one possible design, the first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; the processing unit is also used to obtain the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the processing unit is specifically used to search for the at least one first satellite using the second directional antenna.

[0046] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to determine the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite does not belong to the first coverage range but belongs to the second coverage range, the processing unit is further used to determine that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range.

[0047] In one possible design, the first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is a first coverage range and a second coverage range; the processing unit is also used to obtain the position of the at least one first satellite; when it is determined that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the processing unit is specifically used to simultaneously use the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

[0048] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to determine the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device; when the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range and the second coverage range, the processing unit is further used to determine that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0049] In one possible design, the processing unit is also used to obtain the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite; the processing unit is also used to determine the position of the at least one first satellite based on the position of the terminal device, the time at which the terminal device is located, and the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite.

[0050] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to determine a first resident satellite according to preset resident conditions, and the first resident satellite is one of the at least one first satellite; the processing unit is also used to communicate with the first resident satellite using the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna.

[0051] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to use the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to respectively receive signals from multiple beams of the first resident satellite; the processing unit is further used to determine the signal reception quality, and the signal reception quality is the quality of the signals of multiple beams of the first resident satellite received by the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna respectively; the processing unit is further used to determine the second antenna and the first beam based on the signal reception quality, the second antenna is one or more of the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first beam is one or more of the multiple beams of the first resident satellite; the processing unit is further used to use the second antenna to communicate with the first beam.

[0052] In one possible design, the quality of the signal of the first beam received by the second antenna meets a preset quality condition, and the preset quality condition includes optimal signal reception quality.

[0053] In one possible design, the second antenna includes the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, the difference between the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna from the first beam and the quality of the signal received by the second directional antenna from the first beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna or the second directional antenna from the first beam meets the preset quality condition.

[0054] In one possible design, the processing unit is specifically used to use the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to simultaneously receive signals from the first beam.

[0055] In one possible design, the processing unit is also used to search for at least one second satellite within the second range using a third antenna; wherein the third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; or, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; or, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0056] In one possible design, when the at least one second satellite is in the first coverage range, the third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; when the at least one second satellite is in the second coverage range, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; when the at least one second satellite is in both the first coverage range and the second coverage range, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

[0057] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to determine a second resident satellite based on the preset resident condition, and the second resident satellite is one of the at least one second satellite.

[0058] In one possible design, the processing unit is also used to use the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite.

[0059] In one possible design, the processing unit is further used to, when it is determined that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are different, use the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite to communicate with the first resident satellite, and use the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite; wherein the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the first directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the second directional antenna; or, the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the second directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the first directional antenna.

[0060] In one possible design, the processing unit is also used to use the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to receive signals from multiple beams of the second resident satellite when it is determined that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are the same; wherein the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite both include the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna.

[0061] In one possible design, the first coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the first directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture; the second coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the second directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture.

[0062] In one possible design, the terminal device also includes a communication unit; the communication unit is used to communicate with other devices (such as satellites, etc.).

[0063] In a third aspect, a terminal device is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory and a communication interface, wherein the memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor, the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices, the memory is used to store program code, the program code includes instructions, and the processor reads the instructions from the memory so that the terminal device executes the method described in the first aspect and any one of the designs thereof.

[0064] Optionally, the memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit.

[0065] In a possible design, the terminal device may further include multiple directional antennas, which may correspond to different coverage areas. Optionally, the multiple directional antennas may be integrated into the communication interface, or may be provided separately from the communication interface.

[0066] In a fourth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program. When the computer program runs on a terminal device, the terminal device executes the method described in the first aspect and any one of the designs thereof.

[0067] In a fifth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer executes the method described in the first aspect and any one of the designs thereof.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one interface circuit, wherein the at least one interface circuit is used to perform transceiver functions and send instructions to at least one processor, and when the at least one processor executes the instructions, the at least one processor executes the method described in the first aspect and any one of the designs thereof.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, including a terminal device and a network device, such as a network device that may include but is not limited to a satellite. The terminal device and the network device cooperate to implement the method described in any design of any of the above aspects.

[0070] It should be noted that the technical effects brought about by any design in the above-mentioned second to seventh aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding design in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an elevation angle provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of a scenario of the coverage range of a directional antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of another terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a scenario of coverage of another directional antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a satellite is within the coverage of a directional antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Figure 8a A schematic diagram of another scenario in which a satellite is within the coverage of a directional antenna provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Figure 8b A schematic diagram of an interface provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Figure 9aA schematic diagram of a beam tracking scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Figure 9b A schematic diagram of a flow chart of another satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] Fig.10a A schematic diagram of a satellite switching scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Fig.10b A schematic diagram of a flow chart of another satellite communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of another terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip system provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0088] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means 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 items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0089] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0091] The features, structures or characteristics in this application may be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. In various embodiments of this application, the size of the sequence number of each process 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 this application.

[0092] Some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in some scenarios without relying on other features to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects. They may also be combined with other features in some scenarios as needed.

[0093] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In each embodiment of this application, if there is no special description and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0094] In addition, the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0095] To facilitate understanding, the technical terms and related concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of the present application are first introduced below.

[0096] 1. Satellite communication network

[0097] A satellite communication network is a type of non-terrestrial network (NTN). A satellite communication network may refer to a network in which base stations or some base station functions are deployed on satellites to provide communication for terminal devices.

[0098] According to the altitude of the satellite, that is, the altitude of the satellite orbit, the satellite communication network can be divided into highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite communication network, high orbit (geostationary earth orbit, GEO) satellite communication network, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication network and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication network.

[0099] 2. Omnidirectional antenna and directional antenna

[0100] Antennas have different transmission or reception capabilities in different directions in space, which is called the directivity of the antenna. According to the directivity of the antenna, antennas can be divided into two types, such as directional antennas and omnidirectional antennas. Among them, a directional antenna refers to an antenna that transmits and / or receives electromagnetic waves more strongly in one or several specific directions, and transmits and / or receives electromagnetic waves that are zero or very weak in other directions. A directional antenna radiates within a certain angle range on the horizontal radiation pattern. An omnidirectional antenna refers to an antenna that transmits and / or receives electromagnetic waves more evenly in all directions. An omnidirectional antenna radiates evenly at 360 degrees on the horizontal radiation pattern.

[0101] 3. Phased Array Antenna

[0102] An antenna array may refer to a group of antennas consisting of two or more antennas. A phased array antenna is an antenna array with electronic steering function. It does not require any physical movement of the antenna. By controlling the phase difference between the radiation signals of each antenna in the antenna array, the direction and shape of the radiation signal can be changed. In some embodiments of the present application, the phased array antenna can be used as a directional antenna.

[0103] 4. Beam

[0104] A beam is a communication resource. A beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The technology for forming a beam can be beamforming technology or other technical means. Different beams can be considered as different resources. The same information or different information can be sent through different beams.

[0105] In some embodiments of the present application, a satellite may provide wireless communication services to a terminal device via a beam.

[0106] 5. Ephemeris

[0107] Ephemeris is information that describes the orbit of a satellite. It can be a set of orbital parameters corresponding to a certain moment. The position and speed of the satellite at any moment can be determined through the ephemeris.

[0108] 6. Satellite elevation angle (or satellite antenna elevation angle)

[0109] In some embodiments, when the projection of the line connecting the satellite and the target to the horizontal plane (or ground plane) where the target is located is a straight line, the elevation angle of the satellite may refer to the angle between the line connecting the satellite and the target and the projection of the line connecting the satellite and the target to the horizontal plane where the target is located. It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the line connecting the satellite and the target is a straight line.

[0110] It can be understood that the horizontal plane where the target is located can refer to a plane perpendicular to the line connecting the center of the earth and the target. Figure 1 (1) shows a schematic diagram of a horizontal plane where a terminal device is located provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown in (1), the horizontal plane where the terminal device is located is plane A, where plane A is perpendicular to the line M between the center O of the earth and the terminal device.

[0111] For example, taking the target as a terminal device, Figure 1 (2) shows a schematic diagram of the elevation angle of a satellite provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown in (2), the horizontal plane where the terminal device is located is plane A. When the satellite is at position 1, the straight line where the projection of the line N1 between the terminal device and the satellite onto plane A is located is straight line P. The angle a1 between the line N1 and the straight line P is the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, and a1 is less than 90 degrees, or the supplementary angle of the angle a1 is the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, and the supplementary angle of the angle a1 is greater than 90 degrees. When the satellite is at position 2, the straight line where the projection of the line N2 between the terminal device and the satellite onto plane A is located is also straight line P. The angle b1 between the line N2 and the straight line P can be the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, and b1 is greater than 90 degrees, or the supplementary angle of the angle b1 is the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, and the supplementary angle of the angle b1 is less than 90 degrees.

[0112] Optionally, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite may be greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 180 degrees, or greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees.

[0113] Understandably, Figure 1 In (2), the projection of the line connecting the satellite and the target to the horizontal plane where the target is located is a straight line. There may also be a case where the projection of the line connecting the satellite and the target to the horizontal plane where the target is located is a point. For example, still taking the target as a terminal device as an example, Figure 1 (3) shows a schematic diagram of another satellite elevation angle provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1As shown in (3), plane A is perpendicular to the line M between the center of the earth O and the terminal device, so plane A is the horizontal plane where the terminal device is located. The line between the satellite and the terminal device is also a straight line M, that is, the satellite, the terminal device, and the center of the earth are on the same straight line. At this time, the projection of the line M from the satellite to the terminal device onto plane A is a point, and the angle a2 between the line M and plane A is the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, and the angle a2 is 90 degrees.

[0114] Therefore, in other embodiments, when the projection of the line connecting the satellite and the target onto the horizontal plane where the target is located is a point, the elevation angle of the satellite may refer to the angle between the line connecting the satellite and the target and the horizontal plane where the target is located, or the elevation angle of the satellite is 90 degrees.

[0115] In some embodiments of the present application, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite can be used to describe the position of the satellite passing above the terminal device at a certain moment. Exemplarily, the parameters that determine the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite at a certain moment may include one or more of the position of the terminal device, the position of the satellite, etc.

[0116] In some scenarios, terminal devices can communicate through non-terrestrial networks (NTN). For example, terminal devices can perform some services through LEO satellite communication networks, such as making calls and sending text messages. Since LEO satellites move at high speeds, in order to synchronously track the beams of LEO satellites, terminal devices use omnidirectional antennas to track the beams of LEO satellites.

[0117] However, due to the limitations of LEO satellite deployment density, LEO antennas, etc., the quality of LEO satellite communication networks is poor. In order to improve the quality of LEO satellite communication networks, terminal devices choose to optimize antenna efficiency in different directions. Antenna efficiency can refer to the ratio of the power received by the antenna to the power converted. However, in order to achieve excellent antenna efficiency in all directions, the antenna is large in size and is not suitable for terminal devices with limited shape. Therefore, in order to obtain services from a larger range of LEO satellite communication networks, terminal devices may use multiple directional antennas in different directions. However, the industry has not yet proposed a solution for how terminal devices can communicate with LEO satellites when using directional antennas.

[0118] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method that can solve the problem of how to communicate with a LEO satellite when a terminal device uses a directional antenna.

[0119] The technical solution of the present application can be applied to satellite communication systems, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, unmanned aerial vehicles and other NTN systems, for example, integrated communication and navigation (IcaN) systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and ultra-dense low-orbit satellite communication systems.

[0120] The satellite communication system in the embodiment of the present application may include a transparent satellite architecture and a non-transparent satellite architecture. Transparent transmission is also called bent-pipe forwarding transmission, that is, the signal only undergoes frequency conversion, signal amplification and other processes on the satellite, and the satellite is transparent to the signal, as if it does not exist. Non-transparent transmission can be called regeneration (on-board access / processing) transmission, that is, the satellite has some or all of the base station functions. The satellite mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may be a satellite base station, and may also include an orbital receiver or repeater for relaying information, or a network-side device mounted on a satellite; the satellite may be a LEO satellite, a MEO satellite, a HEO satellite, and a GEO satellite. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0121] Satellite communication systems can be integrated with traditional mobile communication systems. For example, the mobile communication system can be a fourth generation (4G) communication system (e.g., long term evolution (LTE) system), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) communication system (e.g., new radio (NR) system), and future mobile communication systems, such as a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system.

[0122] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication scenarios, for example, one or more of the following communication scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), machine type communication (MTC), massive machine type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X), and internet of things (IoT) and other communication scenarios.

[0123] Among them, the above-mentioned communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are only examples, and the communication systems and communication scenarios applicable to the present application are not limited to these. The communication systems and communication scenarios provided by the present application do not impose any limitations on the scheme of the present application. They are uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0124] For example, Figure 2 The schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication system may be a satellite communication system or other communication systems. The embodiment of the present application takes a satellite communication system as an example.

[0125] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication system 200 includes at least one terminal device 201 ( Figure 2 1 is shown) and at least one satellite ( Figure 2 3 are shown in the figure), such as satellite 202, satellite 203, satellite 204, etc. Optionally, different satellites, different terminal devices, and satellites and terminal devices can communicate with each other.

[0126] In some embodiments, the satellite in the communication system 200 can provide communication services, navigation services, positioning services, etc. to the terminal device 201 through multiple beams. For example, the satellite can broadcast communication signals, navigation signals, etc. through beams to wirelessly communicate with the terminal device.

[0127] The terminal device 201 mentioned in the embodiment of the present application is an access Figure 2The communication system shown in the figure, and a terminal with a wireless transceiver function or a chip or chip system that can be set in the terminal. The terminal device 201 can also be called a user device, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user device. The terminal device 201 in the embodiment of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in a smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in a smart home (smart home), a vehicle-mounted terminal, a road side unit (RSU) with a terminal function, etc.

[0128] In some embodiments, the terminal device 201 may be a fixed device or a portable device. Optionally, the operating system installed in the device 201 includes but is not limited to Or other operating systems. This application does not limit the specific type of the terminal device 201 or the installed operating system.

[0129] Optionally, the terminal device 201 in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a communication device, which may be a general device or a dedicated device, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0130] The satellite communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 2 The satellite and the terminal device shown in the figure can be used for the specific implementation, and the method embodiment described below will not be repeated here.

[0131] It should be pointed out that the solutions in the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can also be replaced by the names of corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0132] It should be understood that Figure 2 The simplified schematic diagram is only for the sake of understanding. The communication system may also include other devices. Figure 2 Not drawn.

[0133] For example, taking the terminal device 201 as a mobile phone, Figure 3a A schematic structural diagram of the terminal device 201 is shown in FIG.

[0134] The terminal device 201 may include a processor 310, an external memory interface 320, an internal memory 321, a universal serial bus (USB) interface 330, a charging management module 340, a power management module 341, a battery 342, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 350, a wireless communication module 360, an audio module 370, a sensor module 380, a button 390, a motor 391, an indicator 392, a camera 393, a display screen 394, and a subscriber identification module (SIM) card interface 395, etc.

[0135] The processor 310 may include one or more processing units, for example, the processor 310 may include an application processor (AP), a modem processor, a graphics processor (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a controller, a video codec, a digital signal processor (DSP), a baseband processor, and / or a neural-network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0136] The controller can generate operation control signals according to the instruction operation code and timing signal to complete the control of instruction fetching and execution.

[0137] The processor 310 may also be provided with a memory for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in the processor 310 is a cache memory. The memory may store instructions or data that the processor 310 has just used or cyclically used. If the processor 310 needs to use the instruction or data again, it may be directly called from the memory. This avoids repeated access, reduces the waiting time of the processor 310, and thus improves the efficiency of the system.

[0138] In some embodiments, processor 310 may include one or more interfaces.

[0139] The charging management module 340 is used to receive charging input from a charger, where the charger can be a wireless charger or a wired charger.

[0140] The power management module 341 is used to connect the battery 342, the charging management module 340 and the processor 310. The power management module 341 receives input from the battery 342 and / or the charging management module 340 to power the processor 310, the internal memory 321, the display screen 394, the camera 393, and the wireless communication module 360.

[0141] The wireless communication function of the terminal device 201 can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 350, wireless communication module 360, modem processor and baseband processor.

[0142] Antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in terminal device 201 can be used to cover a single or multiple communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be reused to improve the utilization of antennas. For example, antenna 1 can be reused as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In some other embodiments, the antenna can be used in combination with a tuning switch.

[0143] In some embodiments of the present application, the terminal device 201 may include multiple antennas 2, and the multiple antennas 2 may include multiple directional antennas. Optionally, the directional antenna may be a single antenna or an integration of multiple antennas, such as a phased array antenna, etc. The present application does not limit the physical form of the directional antenna. Optionally, the multiple antennas 2 may also include omnidirectional antennas, etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, different directional antennas included in the terminal device 201 have different coverage ranges, and different directional antennas can be used for the terminal device 201 to receive signals in different ranges, or to transmit signals to different ranges. It can be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the coverage range of the directional antenna can specify the spatial range in which the directional antenna can receive and send signals around the terminal device.

[0145] It can be understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the coverage of the directional antenna may refer to the coverage of the directional antenna in a reference coordinate system, and the reference coordinate system may include but is not limited to a geodetic coordinate system, etc. When the position of the directional antenna in the reference coordinate system is different, the coverage of the directional antenna may be different.

[0146] In some embodiments, the coverage range of the directional antenna included in the terminal device may include at least one of a horizontal range and a vertical range. It can be understood that the horizontal range may refer to a range in the horizontal direction, and the horizontal direction may refer to a direction parallel to the horizontal plane. The vertical range may refer to a range in the vertical direction, and the vertical direction may refer to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. For an introduction to the horizontal plane, please refer to the above description.

[0147] In some embodiments, the coverage range of the directional antenna included in the terminal device may be the coverage range in a certain direction of the terminal device. Since the position of the directional antenna in the terminal device and the beam directivity relative to the terminal device are fixed, that is, when the position and posture of the terminal device change, the coverage range of the directional antenna will also change accordingly, so the coverage range of the directional antenna is fixed relative to the terminal device.

[0148] For example, the coverage of a directional antenna includes both horizontal and vertical ranges. As a possible implementation, the coverage of the directional antenna can be identified by the elevation angle from the terminal device within a certain horizontal range to the satellite. Figure 3b As shown in (1), the coverage range of the directional antenna 1 set in the terminal device is range a, and range a can be an elevation angle of 10 to 60 degrees on the left side of the terminal device (such as 180 degrees horizontally or other horizontal ranges). Figure 3b As shown in (2), the coverage range of the directional antenna 1 set in the terminal device is range b, for example, range b can be an elevation angle of 30 degrees to 80 degrees on the right side of the terminal device (such as 180 degrees horizontally on the right side or other horizontal ranges). Figure 3b The relative relationship between the range a and the terminal equipment shown in (1), and Figure 3b The relative relationship between the range b and the terminal device shown in (2) is the same. It can be understood that Figure 3b The terminal device shown in (1) and Figure 3b The terminal device shown in (2) is the same terminal device. Figure 3b The directional antenna 1 shown in (1) and Figure 3b The directional antenna 1 shown in (2) is the same directional antenna.

[0149] It is understandable that the drawings in the embodiments of the present application use lines to represent the directional antenna of the terminal device, and the shapes and positions shown in the drawings do not constitute a limitation on the directional antenna. The directional antenna marked on the outside of the terminal device does not mean that the directional antenna must be set outside the terminal device, that is, in a position visible to the user. The directional antenna may also be set inside the terminal device, that is, in a position not visible to the user.

[0150] In other embodiments, the terminal device 201 may also include one or more antennas 1. The antenna 1 may include an omnidirectional antenna or a directional antenna, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0151] Optionally, antenna 1, antenna 2, etc. can be set near the camera 393 of the terminal device 201, or can be set on the metal frame of the terminal device 201, or can be set at other locations of the terminal device 201. This application does not impose any restrictions on the setting positions of antenna 1 and antenna 2.

[0152] The mobile communication module 350 can provide solutions for wireless communications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G applied to the terminal device 201. The mobile communication module 350 may include at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 350 can receive electromagnetic waves from the antenna 1, and filter, amplify, and process the received electromagnetic waves, and transmit them to the modulation and demodulation processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 350 can also amplify the signal modulated by the modulation and demodulation processor, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the processor 310. In some embodiments, at least some of the functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 can be set in the same device as at least some of the modules of the processor 310.

[0153] The wireless communication module 360 ​​can provide solutions for wireless communication including satellite communication systems, global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), wireless local area networks (WLAN) (such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks), Bluetooth (BT), frequency modulation (FM), near field communication (NFC), infrared (IR), etc., which are applied to the terminal device 201. The wireless communication module 360 ​​can be one or more devices integrating at least one communication processing module. The wireless communication module 360 ​​receives electromagnetic waves via the antenna 2, modulates the electromagnetic wave signal and performs filtering, and sends the processed signal to the processor 310. The wireless communication module 360 ​​can also receive the signal to be sent from the processor 310, modulate the frequency, amplify it, and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation through the antenna 2. In some embodiments of the present application, the wireless communication module 360 ​​can be used for communication between the terminal device 201 and the satellite.

[0154] In some embodiments, the antenna 1 of the terminal device 201 is coupled to the mobile communication module 350, and the antenna 2 is coupled to the wireless communication module 360, so that the terminal device 201 can communicate with the network and other devices through wireless communication technology. The wireless communication technology may include global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), time-division code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), BT, GNSS, WLAN, NFC, FM, and / or IR technology. The GNSS may include a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigation satellite system (GLONASS), a Beidou navigation satellite system (BDS), a quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) and / or a satellite based augmentation system (SBAS).

[0155] The terminal device 201 implements the display function through a GPU, a display screen 394, and an application processor. The display screen 394 is used to display images, videos, etc. The display screen 394 includes a display panel. In some embodiments, the terminal device 201 may include 1 or N display screens 394, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. In some embodiments of the present application, the display screen 394 may be used to output various reminder messages.

[0156] The terminal device 201 can realize the shooting function through ISP, camera 393, video codec, GPU, display screen 394 and application processor.

[0157] Camera 393 is used to capture still images or videos.

[0158] The external memory interface 320 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the storage capacity of the terminal device 201.

[0159] The internal memory 321 may be used to store computer executable program codes, which include instructions. The processor 310 executes various functional applications and data processing of the terminal device 201 by running the instructions stored in the internal memory 321 and / or the instructions stored in the memory provided in the processor.

[0160] The terminal device 201 can implement audio functions through the audio module 370 and the application processor.

[0161] Optionally, the sensor module 380 may include but is not limited to one or more of a pressure sensor, a gyroscope sensor, an air pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a distance sensor, a proximity light sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor, an ambient light sensor, a bone conduction sensor, and the like.

[0162] Buttons 390 include a power button, a volume button, etc.

[0163] Motor 391 can generate vibration prompts.

[0164] Indicator 392 may be an indicator light, which may be used to indicate charging status, power changes, messages, missed calls, notifications, etc.

[0165] The SIM card interface 395 is used to connect a SIM card.

[0166] For example, the above only uses a mobile phone as an example to illustrate the structure of the terminal device 201 in the embodiment of the present application, but does not constitute a limitation on the structure and form of the terminal device 201. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the structure and form of the terminal device 201. For example, Figure 4 Another exemplary structure of the terminal device 201 is shown. Figure 4 As shown, the terminal device 201 includes: a processor 401, a memory 402, and a transceiver 403. The implementation of the processor 401 and the memory 402 can be found in Figure 3a The implementation of the processor and memory shown in FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a processor and a memory shown in FIG. 4 . The transceiver 403 can be used for the terminal device 201 to interact with other devices (such as satellites). The transceiver 403 can be a device based on various wireless communication protocols. In some embodiments, the transceiver 403 includes multiple directional antennas. For an introduction to these multiple directional antennas, please refer to Figure 3a Corresponding introduction of the antenna 2.

[0167] It is understood that the structure illustrated in the embodiment of the present invention does not constitute a specific limitation on the terminal device 201. In other embodiments of the present application, the terminal device 201 may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine some components, or split some components, or arrange the components differently. The components shown in the figure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0168] The technical solutions involved in the following embodiments can all be implemented in Figure 3a , Figure 4 The device of the structure shown, and Figure 2 The system is implemented in the system with the architecture shown.

[0169] It is understood that in the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can perform some or all of the steps in the embodiment of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples. The embodiment of the present application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps can be performed in different orders presented in the embodiment of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiment of the present application need to be performed.

[0170] The embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a terminal device including multiple directional antennas, and the coverage ranges of the multiple directional antennas are different. The terminal device can use the directional antenna to communicate with the satellite within the coverage range of each directional antenna. For example, the terminal device can receive a signal from the coverage range of the directional antenna through the directional antenna, or transmit a signal through the directional antenna within the coverage range of the directional antenna.

[0171] Below, taking the example that the terminal device includes two directional antennas with different coverage ranges: directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2, the coverage range of directional antenna 1 is range 1, and the coverage range of directional antenna 2 is range 2, the satellite communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced in detail in combination with specific scenarios.

[0172] It can be understood that the embodiment of the present application takes the example of a terminal device including two directional antennas with different coverage ranges. The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to the case where the terminal device includes three or more directional antennas with different coverage ranges.

[0173] Scenario 1: The terminal device searches for a satellite and stays on it.

[0174] For example, in this scenario, Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0175] S501. The terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and / or directional antenna 2 to search for satellites.

[0176] In some scenarios, before performing a satellite search, the terminal device may obtain the ephemeris of the satellite. For example, the terminal device may receive the ephemeris of the satellite from a ground communication network, or, if the terminal device has previously established a connection with the satellite and has stored the ephemeris of the satellite, the terminal device may directly obtain the ephemeris of the satellite from the memory. The embodiments of the present application do not impose any restrictions on the manner in which the terminal device obtains the ephemeris of the satellite.

[0177] In this scenario, the position of the satellite can be determined based on the satellite's ephemeris. For example, the position of the satellite when the terminal device is at the current position at the current time can be calculated based on the position of the terminal device, the current time, the satellite's ephemeris, etc. Exemplarily, the position of the terminal device can be obtained based on various positioning technologies, such as including but not limited to the global positioning system (GPS), the Beidou system, etc.

[0178] Optionally, the satellite position may be calculated by the terminal device, or by other devices, and correspondingly, the other devices send the calculated satellite position to the terminal device. This embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0179] Therefore, in this scenario, in some embodiments, before performing a satellite search, the terminal device may first determine which satellite is within the coverage of which directional antenna, and then use the directional antenna to search for the satellite within the coverage of the directional antenna. In this way, after determining which directional antenna the satellite is within the coverage of, the corresponding directional antenna is used for the search, that is, the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage of the satellite is no longer used for the search operation, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0180] As a possible implementation, the terminal device can determine the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite based on the location of the terminal device, the location of the satellite, etc., and then determine which satellite is within the coverage of which directional antenna according to the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite. For the specific implementation of calculating the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, please refer to the implementation in the related technology.

[0181] In some embodiments, when the terminal device is in different postures, the coverage range of the same directional antenna in the terminal device is different. Figure 3b In the example shown, the terminal device is Figure 3b When the posture of the terminal device is shown in (1), the coverage range of the directional antenna 1 is range a, and range a can be an elevation angle of 10 degrees to 60 degrees on the left side of the terminal device. However, when the posture of the terminal device changes, such as the terminal device rotates 90 degrees to the right, Figure 3bAs shown in (2), the coverage range of directional antenna 1 becomes range b, and range b is an elevation angle of 30 degrees to 80 degrees on the right side of the terminal device.

[0182] For example: Figure 6 As shown, the terminal device is Figure 6 When the terminal device is in the posture shown in (1), the coverage range of directional antenna 1 can be 5 to 100 degrees of elevation on the left side of the terminal device. However, when the posture of the terminal device changes, the coverage range of directional antenna 1 may also change accordingly. If the terminal device rotates 15 degrees and becomes Figure 6 In the posture shown in (2), the coverage range of the directional antenna 1 correspondingly changes to an elevation angle of 20 to 120 degrees to the left of the terminal device.

[0183] Exemplarily, the posture of the terminal device can be determined based on the pitch angle, azimuth angle, rotation angle, etc. of the terminal device, or based on the coordinates of the terminal device in a reference coordinate system (such as a spherical coordinate system, a spatial rectangular coordinate system, etc.).

[0184] Therefore, in some embodiments, the coverage of the directional antenna can be determined based on the posture of the terminal device, and then which satellite is within the coverage of which directional antenna can be determined based on the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite.

[0185] Furthermore, the terminal device may determine to use a corresponding directional antenna to search for satellites within the coverage of the directional antenna. For example, for a satellite, if it is determined that the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite is only within the coverage of one of the directional antennas, the corresponding directional antenna is used to search for the satellite. Figure 7 As shown in (1), the elevation angle a from the terminal device to satellite 1 is in range 1 but not in range 2, so directional antenna 1 is used to search for satellite 1. Figure 7 As shown in (2), if the elevation angle b from the terminal device to satellite 1 is not in range 1 but in range 2, directional antenna 2 is used to search for satellite 1.

[0186] For another example: for a satellite, if it is determined that the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite is within the coverage of two directional antennas at the same time, the two directional antennas are used to search for the satellite at the same time. Figure 7 As shown in (3), if it is determined that the elevation angle c from the terminal device to satellite 1 is in range 1 and also in range 2, directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 are used simultaneously to search for satellite 1.

[0187] Understandably, Figure 7 The straight lines R shown in the figure are all straight lines where the projection of the line connecting the terminal device and the satellite 1 to the horizontal plane (not shown in the figure) where the terminal device is located is located.

[0188] Of course, when a satellite is within the coverage of two directional antennas at the same time, the terminal device can also select one of the directional antennas to search for the satellite.

[0189] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the coverage range of directional antenna 1 and the coverage range of directional antenna 2 may be completely independent coverage ranges, or there may be overlapping ranges. When the coverage range of directional antenna 1 and the coverage range of directional antenna 2 are completely independent coverage ranges, for the same satellite, at a certain moment, the satellite may only be within the coverage range of one of the directional antennas. At this time, in this embodiment, the terminal device can only use the directional antenna corresponding to the coverage range of the satellite to search for the satellite.

[0190] It is understood that the above embodiment takes one satellite as an example, and it is also possible to search for multiple satellites at the same time. Optionally, it is possible to search for multiple satellites at the same time by one directional antenna, or it is possible to search for multiple satellites at the same time by multiple directional antennas.

[0191] like Figure 8a As shown in (1), the elevation angle e from the terminal device to satellite 1 is in range 1 and not in range 2, and the elevation angle f from the terminal device to satellite 2 is in range 2 and not in range 1. The terminal device can use directional antenna 1 to search for satellite 1 and use directional antenna 2 to search for satellite 2.

[0192] like Figure 8a As shown in (2), the elevation angle e from the terminal device to satellite 1 and the elevation angle f from the terminal device to satellite 2 are both in range 1 and are not in range 2. The terminal device can use directional antenna 1 to search for satellite 1 and satellite 2 at the same time.

[0193] like Figure 8a As shown in (3), the elevation angle e from the terminal device to satellite 1 and the elevation angle f from the terminal device to satellite 2 are both in range 1 and range 2, so the terminal device can use directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to search for satellite 1 and satellite 2 at the same time. Of course, in this example, the terminal device can also select one of the directional antennas to search for satellite 1 and satellite 2 at the same time.

[0194] Understandably, Figure 8a The straight lines T shown in the figure are the projection lines of the connection line between the terminal device and satellite 1 onto the horizontal plane where the terminal device is located (not shown in the figure), and are also the projection lines of the connection line between the terminal device and satellite 2 onto the horizontal plane where the terminal device is located.

[0195] In the above embodiment, for a satellite, if the terminal device uses multiple directional antennas to search for the satellite at the same time, the terminal device can combine the signals received by the multiple directional antennas for processing. If the terminal device uses only one directional antenna to search for the satellite at the same time, the terminal device can process the signal received by the directional antenna separately.

[0196] Optionally, when the terminal device uses multiple directional antennas to search for satellites, the multiple directional antennas may search for satellites synchronously or sequentially.

[0197] In other scenarios, the terminal device may not be able to obtain the satellite ephemeris due to various reasons before performing satellite search, that is, the terminal device may not be able to determine the position of the satellite, and further cannot determine which satellite is within the coverage of which directional antenna.

[0198] Therefore, in this scenario, in some embodiments, the terminal device may directly use part or all of the directional antennas to search for satellites, and this search process may be called a "blind search" process. In this way, the probability of searching for satellites may be increased.

[0199] It can be understood that, in this embodiment, when the terminal device uses each directional antenna to search for satellites, it can perform satellite search within the coverage area corresponding to each directional antenna.

[0200] In some embodiments, at the same time, the terminal device may use one of the directional antennas to search for satellites. For example, the terminal device may first use directional antenna 1 to search for satellites, and after the search is completed, the terminal device may continue to use directional antenna 2 to search for satellites. It is understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the search order of the directional antennas.

[0201] In other embodiments, at the same time, the terminal device can use multiple directional antennas (such as directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2) to search for satellites. Optionally, in this embodiment, the terminal device can combine the signals received by the multiple directional antennas for processing, or can process the signals received by the multiple directional antennas separately.

[0202] Of course, in the above scenario where the terminal device can obtain the satellite's ephemeris, the terminal device can also use the solution in the scenario where the satellite's ephemeris cannot be obtained to perform satellite search.

[0203] In some embodiments, in order to improve the efficiency of the terminal device in searching for satellites and increase the probability of the terminal device searching for satellites, the terminal device may also output a reminder message (such as a reminder message displayed on a display screen, a reminder message broadcasted by voice, etc.) to remind the user how to place the terminal device, that is, to make the terminal device in a certain posture so that the satellite can more easily fall within the coverage of the directional antenna included in the terminal device.

[0204] For example, the reminder message may be such as Figure 8b The reminder message 600 shown in (1) may also be such as Figure 8b As shown in the reminder message 610 in (2), the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific content contained in the reminder message.

[0205] In some embodiments, the terminal device may also determine whether to output the reminder message described above, as well as the content contained in the output reminder message, based on one or more of the current terminal device's posture, the coverage of the directional antenna, the position of the satellite, the elevation angle from the terminal device to the satellite, the coverage of the directional antenna, and the relative relationship of the terminal device. For example, when the terminal device determines that the satellite is not within the coverage of any directional antenna included in the terminal device, or when the terminal device determines that the number of directional antennas within the coverage of the satellite does not meet the preset conditions, the terminal device may output a reminder message such as that described above. Exemplarily, the preset conditions may include, but are not limited to: the number of directional antennas within the coverage is greater than or equal to a preset number, or the number of directional antennas within the coverage is greater than or equal to a preset ratio of the number of directional antennas to all directional antennas.

[0206] On the contrary, when the terminal device determines that the satellite is within the coverage range of several directional antennas included in the terminal device, or when the terminal device determines that the number of directional antennas within the coverage range of the satellite meets preset conditions, the terminal device may not output a reminder message such as the above.

[0207] Optionally, the terminal device may output the reminder message described above before searching for the satellite, or may output the reminder message described above during the process of searching for the satellite. Of course, in other embodiments, for example, when the terminal device is communicating with the satellite for business purposes, the terminal device may also output a reminder message to remind the user how to place the terminal device, that is, to put the terminal device in a certain posture so that the satellite can more easily fall within the coverage of the directional antenna included in the terminal device, so as to obtain better service quality of the satellite. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the timing of the terminal device outputting the reminder message.

[0208] Optionally, there may be one or more satellites that the terminal device searches for using a directional antenna. It can be understood that the terminal device searches for satellites using a directional antenna can be understood as searching for satellite signals.

[0209] In some embodiments, after searching for the satellite signal, the terminal device may also synchronize with the satellite time so that in the subsequent communication process with the satellite, after the satellite transmits the signal, the terminal device determines when to receive the signal.

[0210] S502: The terminal device determines the resident satellite.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terminal device can determine which satellite to use as a resident satellite from the one or more satellites searched. It is understood that after the terminal device uses a certain satellite as a resident satellite, the satellite can provide communication services for the terminal, such as sending text messages, making phone calls and other business communications.

[0212] In some embodiments, the terminal device may use a satellite that meets the residency conditions as a residency satellite. Exemplarily, the residency conditions may be determined based on one or more of the satellite's signal strength, the satellite's service duration, the satellite's system message (such as the system information block (SIB) in the broadcast message), etc. Among them, the satellite's service duration may refer to the duration that the satellite can provide services to the current terminal device. Exemplarily, the satellite's service duration may be determined based on the location of the terminal device and the location of the satellite. Optionally, the location of the satellite may be determined by the satellite's ephemeris obtained by the terminal device before performing a satellite search, or it may be determined by the ephemeris obtained from the satellite's system message after the satellite is searched, or it may be obtained by other means. Of course, other methods may also be used to determine the satellite's service duration, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this.

[0213] For example, the resident satellite may be a satellite among the searched satellites, which has wireless resources that can be allocated to the terminal for use, and has the strongest signal strength and the longest service time.

[0214] In some embodiments, when the terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to search for the same satellite at the same time, the terminal device can use directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to receive system messages from the same satellite at the same time. Subsequently, the terminal device can combine and analyze the system messages received by the two directional antennas to assist in determining which satellite to use as the resident satellite. In this way, the accuracy of the system messages obtained by the analysis can be increased, thereby obtaining a better resident satellite.

[0215] In other embodiments, when the terminal device uses only one directional antenna to search for the same satellite at the same time, the terminal device can use only one directional antenna to receive the system message of the same satellite at the same time. Subsequently, the terminal device can parse the system messages received by the directional antenna separately to assist in determining which satellite to use as the resident satellite. In this way, when parsing the system message of a satellite, only the signal of the directional antenna that receives the system message is processed, and the signal of the directional antenna that does not receive the system message is not combined with the aforementioned signal for processing, so that no additional noise is introduced and the system power consumption is not increased.

[0216] S503: The terminal device communicates with the resident satellite using directional antenna 1 and / or directional antenna 2.

[0217] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine which directional antenna to use to communicate with the resident satellite, such as transmitting signals to the resident satellite or receiving signals from the resident satellite, based on the corresponding relationship between the directional antennas and the resident satellite. For example, if directional antenna 1 corresponds to the resident satellite, the terminal device uses directional antenna 1 to communicate with the resident satellite, and if directional antenna 2 corresponds to the resident satellite, the terminal device uses directional antenna 2 to communicate with the resident satellite.

[0218] In some embodiments, the corresponding relationship can be determined according to the coverage range of which directional antenna the resident satellite is located. For example, if the resident satellite is located within the coverage range of directional antenna 1, it can be determined that the resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1. If the resident satellite is located within the coverage range of directional antenna 2, it can be determined that the resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 2. If the resident satellite is located within the coverage range of both directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2, it can be determined that the resident satellite corresponds to both directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2.

[0219] Optionally, when the resident satellite corresponds to multiple directional antennas at the same time, the terminal device can use part or all of the multiple directional antennas to communicate with the resident satellite.

[0220] As a specific implementation, the terminal device may determine which directional antenna covers the resident satellite based on the elevation angle from the terminal device to the resident satellite, and further determine which directional antenna to use to communicate with the resident satellite.

[0221] For example: if the terminal device determines that the elevation angle from the terminal device to the resident satellite is in range 1 and not in range 2, the terminal device determines to use directional antenna 1 to communicate with the resident satellite. For another example: if the terminal device determines that the elevation angle from the terminal device to the resident satellite is not in range 1 but in range 2, the terminal device determines to use directional antenna 2 to communicate with the resident satellite. For another example: if the terminal device determines that the elevation angle from the terminal device to the resident satellite is in range 1 and also in range 2, the terminal device determines to use directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to communicate with the resident satellite at the same time.

[0222] Scenario 2: The terminal device tracks the beam of the resident satellite.

[0223] In some embodiments, the resident satellite may use multiple beams to communicate with the terminal device. Since the resident satellite is constantly moving, in order to ensure the communication quality, the terminal device needs to determine which directional antenna to use to communicate with which beam of the resident satellite, so as to obtain better service quality of the satellite. For example, Figure 9a A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a terminal device tracks a beam of a resident satellite provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 9a When the terminal device is at the position shown in (1), the terminal device uses directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 1 of the resident satellite. Figure 9a When the terminal device is at the position shown in (2), the terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite. Figure 9a When the terminal device is in the position shown in (3), the terminal device uses the directional antenna 2 to communicate with the beam 3 of the resident satellite.

[0224] In this scenario, Figure 9b FIG. 2 is a flow chart of another satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 9b As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0225] S901. The terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to receive signals from different beams of a resident satellite.

[0226] In some embodiments, the resident satellite may include one or more different beams, and different beams may send signals on different time-frequency resources. The terminal device may use directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to receive signals from different beams of the resident satellite on corresponding time-frequency resources.

[0227] In some embodiments, since the timings corresponding to different satellites are different, it is understood that the timing of the satellite can be used by the terminal device to determine when to receive the signal transmitted by the satellite. Therefore, the terminal device can use the timing of the resident satellite to receive signals from different beams of the resident satellite.

[0228] Optionally, the terminal device may receive signals from all beams of the resident satellite, or may receive signals from some beams of the resident satellite. For example, if the resident satellite has instructed the terminal device which beams to measure signals, the terminal device may receive signals from the corresponding beams according to the instruction. If the resident satellite has not instructed the terminal device which beams to measure signals, the terminal device may receive signals from all beams of the resident satellite.

[0229] Optionally, the terminal device may use all directional antennas to receive signals from different beams of resident satellites, or may use some directional antennas to receive signals from different beams of resident satellites.

[0230] S902. The terminal device determines mapping relationship 1 according to signals received from different beams of the resident satellite.

[0231] Among them, mapping relationship 1 may refer to the correspondence between the directional antenna of the terminal device and the beam of the resident satellite. Optionally, the mapping relationship 1 may include the correspondence between one or more pairs of directional antennas of the terminal device and the beam of the resident satellite. The mapping relationship 1 may include the correspondence between all or part of the directional antennas of the terminal device and the beam of the resident satellite.

[0232] In some embodiments, the terminal device may respectively measure the strength or quality of signals of different beams received by different directional antennas. Then, the terminal device may determine mapping relationship 1 according to the strength or quality of signals of different beams received by different directional antennas.

[0233] Exemplarily, taking the signal strength of the beam as represented by the reference signal receiving power (RSRP), the beams of the resident satellite include beam 1, beam 2 and beam 3 as an example, Table 1 shows some examples of RSRP of different beams received by different directional antennas provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0234] Table 1

[0235] Directional Antenna Beam 1 Beam 2 Beam 3 Directional Antenna 1 -110dBm -85dBm -125dBm Directional Antenna 2 -130dBm -95dBm -90dBm

[0236] In some embodiments, the terminal device may comprehensively sort the results of all directional antennas such as those shown in Table 1, and determine the directional antenna and the beam of the resident satellite corresponding to the best signal strength or quality of the beam, and then establish the above mapping relationship 1 based on the determined directional antenna and the beam of the resident satellite. As shown in Table 1, "-85dBm" is the maximum value, so the terminal device can determine that directional antenna 1 corresponds to beam 2, that is, mapping relationship 1 can include the corresponding relationship between directional antenna 1 and beam 2. In this way, it can be ensured that the terminal device can obtain the best service quality of the satellite.

[0237] In other embodiments, the terminal device may sort the results of each directional antenna such as those shown in Table 1, and determine the beam of the resident satellite corresponding to each directional antenna when the signal strength or quality of the beam is optimal, and then establish the above-mentioned mapping relationship 1 according to each determined directional antenna and the corresponding beam of the resident satellite. As shown in Table 1, for directional antenna 1, "-85dBm" is the maximum value, so the terminal device can determine that directional antenna 1 corresponds to beam 2, and the mapping relationship 1 may include the correspondence between directional antenna 1 and beam 2. For directional antenna 2, "-90dBm" is the maximum value, so the terminal device can determine that directional antenna 2 corresponds to beam 3, and the mapping relationship 1 may also include the correspondence between directional antenna 2 and beam 3. In this way, it can be ensured that the terminal device can obtain better service quality of the satellite.

[0238] In some other embodiments, for the same beam, if the terminal device determines that the result difference of different directional antennas is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the terminal device can establish the above-mentioned mapping relationship 1 according to the beam and the different directional antennas corresponding to the beam. Optionally, in this embodiment, the beam can be the beam of the resident satellite corresponding to the signal strength or quality when it is better or best. For example, taking the preset threshold value of RSRP as 10dBm as an example, combined with Table 1, for beam 2, the RSRP corresponding to directional antenna 1 is "-85dBm", and the RSRP corresponding to directional antenna 2 is "-95dBm", and the difference between the two is "10dBm", and the RSRP corresponding to beam 2 "-85dBm" and "-95dBm" are relatively large among all RSRPs, that is, the signal strength or quality corresponding to beam 2 is better, so the terminal device can determine that directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 both correspond to beam 2, and the mapping relationship 1 can include the corresponding relationship between directional antenna 1, directional antenna 2 and beam 2.

[0239] S903: The terminal device communicates with the resident satellite according to mapping relationship 1.

[0240] Optionally, the terminal device may use one or more directional antennas to communicate with the resident satellite at the same time. For example, when the mapping relationship 1 only includes the correspondence between a pair of directional antennas and the beam of the resident satellite, the terminal device may use only one directional antenna to communicate with the resident satellite at the same time. When the mapping relationship 1 includes the correspondence between multiple pairs of directional antennas and the beam of the resident satellite at the same time, the terminal device may use multiple directional antennas to communicate with the resident satellite at the same time.

[0241] Optionally, the terminal device can simultaneously use multiple directional antennas to communicate with different beams of the resident satellite respectively, or can simultaneously use multiple directional antennas to communicate with the same beam of the resident satellite. In a specific embodiment, if mapping relationship 1 includes the correspondence between multiple directional antennas and the same beam, and for the beam, the result difference of these multiple directional antennas is less than or equal to the above-mentioned preset threshold, then the terminal device can simultaneously use these multiple directional antennas to receive signals from the beam, such as: including but not limited to business signals, etc. In this way, using multiple directional antennas to receive signals from resident satellites at the same time can improve the quality of received signals.

[0242] In some embodiments, the terminal device can determine whether to switch the currently used directional antenna and / or the beam of the resident satellite to be communicated based on the currently used directional antenna, the beam of the resident satellite for communication with the currently used directional antenna, and mapping relationship 1.

[0243] In some examples, if the directional antenna currently used by the terminal device and the beam used by the directional antenna for communication are not included in mapping relationship 1, the terminal device can switch the directional antenna used and the beam used for communication to those included in mapping relationship 1. For example: if the terminal device currently uses directional antenna 2 to communicate with beam 1 of the resident satellite, and mapping relationship 1 contains the correspondence between directional antenna 1 and beam 2 of the resident satellite, the terminal device switches to using directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite.

[0244] In other examples, if the directional antenna currently used by the terminal device or the beam used by the directional antenna currently used for communication is included in the mapping relationship 1, that is, only one of them is included in the mapping relationship 1, then the terminal device can also be switched to the one included in the mapping relationship 1 accordingly. For example: if the terminal device currently uses directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 3 of the resident satellite, and the mapping relationship 1 contains the correspondence between directional antenna 1 and beam 2 of the resident satellite, the terminal device switches to using directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite. For another example: if the terminal device currently uses directional antenna 2 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite, and the mapping relationship 1 contains the correspondence between directional antenna 1 and beam 2 of the resident satellite, the terminal device switches to using directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite. For another example: if the terminal device currently uses directional antenna 1 to communicate with beam 1 of the resident satellite, and the mapping relationship 1 contains the correspondence between directional antenna 1, directional antenna 2 and beam 2, the terminal device switches to using directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2 to communicate with beam 2 of the resident satellite.

[0245] In other embodiments, if the directional antenna currently used by the terminal device and the beam of the resident satellite are the same as those in mapping relationship 1, the terminal device may not switch the directional antenna currently used and the beam for communication.

[0246] Optionally, the terminal device can execute in real time or periodically Figure 9b In the scheme shown, the mapping relationship 1 may be different at different times. In this way, it can be ensured that the directional antenna currently used by the terminal device and the corresponding satellite beam are a communication link with good communication quality, thereby ensuring good communication quality with the satellite.

[0247] Scenario 3: The terminal device switches the resident satellite.

[0248] Due to the movement of the resident satellite, terminal equipment, etc., or other reasons, the terminal equipment may need to switch the resident satellite, that is, other satellites provide communication services for the terminal equipment. Fig.10a A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a terminal device switches a resident satellite provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. Fig.10a As shown, satellite 1 is the original resident satellite of the terminal device, and satellite 2 is the new resident satellite, which is also the communication satellite to be switched. The terminal device disconnects the communication connection with satellite 1 and establishes the communication connection with satellite 2.

[0249] In this scenario, Fig.10b FIG. 2 is a flow chart of another satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10b As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0250] S1001. The terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and / or directional antenna 2 to search for a target satellite.

[0251] Optionally, the number of target satellites may include one or more, and the target satellite may be a neighboring satellite of the original resident satellite (hereinafter referred to as the source satellite). Optionally, the one or more target satellites may include the same satellites as the satellites described in step S501, or may be completely different satellites.

[0252] and Figure 5 The process of searching for the source satellite is similar. In some scenarios, the terminal device may also obtain the ephemeris of the target satellite before searching for the target satellite. For example, the terminal device may receive the ephemeris of the target satellite from the source satellite, or the terminal device may obtain the ephemeris of the target satellite in a manner such as described above. In other scenarios, the terminal device may not be able to obtain the ephemeris of the target satellite before searching for the target satellite. For how the terminal device searches for the target satellite in these two scenarios, please refer to Figure 5 The relevant implementation of step S501 is shown.

[0253] S1002: The terminal device determines a new resident satellite based on the searched target satellite.

[0254] In some embodiments, when the terminal device searches for multiple target satellites, the terminal device may use one of them as a new resident satellite. For details on which target satellite the terminal device uses as a new resident satellite, please refer to Figure 5 The relevant implementation of step S502 is shown.

[0255] In some embodiments, after the terminal device executes step S1001, the terminal device may also determine the correspondence between the directional antenna of the terminal device and the new resident satellite. Figure 5 The relevant implementation of step S503 is shown.

[0256] S1003. The terminal device uses directional antenna 1 and / or directional antenna 2 to receive signals from different beams of the new resident satellite.

[0257] In some embodiments, the terminal device may determine which directional antenna to use to receive signals of different beams of the new resident satellite based on the correspondence between the source satellite and the directional antenna and the correspondence between the new resident satellite and the directional antenna.

[0258] Optionally, the correspondence between the source satellite and the directional antenna can be Figure 5The correspondence described in step S503 may also be the mapping relationship 1 described above. In some embodiments, before executing step S1003, the terminal device may first obtain the correspondence between the source satellite and the directional antenna, and the correspondence between the new resident satellite and the directional antenna.

[0259] If the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite is completely different from the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite, that is, the corresponding directional antennas have no overlapping parts. If the source satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1, and the new resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 2, the terminal device can use the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite (such as directional antenna 1) to communicate with the source satellite (such as receiving and sending business data) while using the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite (such as directional antenna 2) to receive signals from different beams of the resident satellite, that is, to perform beam measurement. In this way, the terminal device uses a dedicated directional antenna to send and receive business data. In the switching scenario, the probability of business interruption or impact can be reduced, ensuring that the business on the terminal device can obtain better service quality.

[0260] If the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite is exactly the same as the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite, for example, if the source satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1 and the new resident satellite also corresponds to directional antenna 1, the terminal device may use some or all of the directional antennas to receive signals from different beams of the new resident satellite. The some or all of the directional antennas may include the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite or may not include the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite.

[0261] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, when the terminal device uses the same directional antenna as the source satellite to receive signals from different beams of the new resident satellite, the terminal device can use a time-sharing method, that is, in different time periods, the same directional antenna is used to receive signals from different beams of the new resident satellite and to communicate with the source satellite. For example, in time period 1, the terminal device can use directional antenna 1 to receive signals from different beams of the new resident satellite, and in time period 2, the terminal device can use directional antenna 1 to communicate with the source satellite, and time period 1 and time period 2 are different time periods.

[0262] If the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite is partially the same as the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite, and partially different, that is, the corresponding directional antennas have overlapping parts. For example: the source satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2, and the new resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1. Another example: the source satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1, and the new resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2. Another example: the source satellite corresponds to directional antenna 1 and directional antenna 2, and the new resident satellite corresponds to directional antenna 2 and directional antenna 3.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may adopt a solution in which the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite described above is completely different from the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite, that is, the terminal device may use different directional antennas to communicate with the source satellite and the new resident satellite respectively. In another possible implementation, the terminal device may also adopt a solution in which the directional antenna corresponding to the source satellite described above is completely the same as the directional antenna corresponding to the new resident satellite, that is, the terminal device may use part or all of the directional antennas to receive signals from different beams of the resident satellite.

[0264] In other embodiments, the terminal device may also directly use Figure 9b The relevant implementation of step S901 is shown.

[0265] S1004. The terminal device determines mapping relationship 2 according to the signals received from different beams of the new resident satellite.

[0266] Among them, mapping relationship 2 may refer to the correspondence between the directional antenna of the terminal device and the beam of the new resident satellite. Optionally, the mapping relationship 2 may also include the correspondence between one or more pairs of directional antennas of the terminal device and the beam of the new resident satellite. Optionally, the mapping relationship 2 may also include the correspondence between all or part of the directional antennas of the terminal device and the beam of the new resident satellite.

[0267] For the specific implementation of step S1004, please refer to Figure 9b The relevant implementation of step S902 is shown.

[0268] S1005. The terminal device communicates with the new resident satellite according to mapping relationship 2.

[0269] In some embodiments, before the terminal device executes step S1005, the terminal device may disconnect the communication connection with the source satellite and establish a communication connection with a new resident satellite.

[0270] Optionally, the terminal device may use one or more directional antennas to communicate with the new resident satellite at the same time. For example, when mapping relationship 2 only includes the correspondence between a pair of directional antennas and the beam of the new resident satellite, the terminal device may use only one directional antenna to communicate with the new resident satellite at the same time. When the mapping relationship includes the correspondence between multiple pairs of directional antennas and the beam of the new resident satellite at the same time, the terminal device may use multiple directional antennas to communicate with the new resident satellite at the same time.

[0271] Optionally, the terminal device may simultaneously use multiple directional antennas to communicate with different beams of the new resident satellite respectively, or may simultaneously use multiple directional antennas to communicate with the same beam of the new resident satellite.

[0272] Subsequently, other implementations of communication with the new resident satellite may refer to the relevant implementations of the communication process with the source satellite.

[0273] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of the method. It is understandable that in order to realize the above functions, the terminal device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. In combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiment disclosed in this application, the embodiment of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or computer-driven hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application. The present application is an embodiment that can divide the functional modules of the terminal device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated in one processing unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of the unit in the embodiment of the present application is schematic, which is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0274] like Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device 1100 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 1100 may be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. Exemplarily, the terminal device 1100 may include: a processing unit 1101 and a communication unit 1102. The processing unit 1101 is used to support the terminal device 1100 to execute Figures 1 to 10b The communication unit 1102 is used to support the terminal device 1100 to perform Figures 1 to 10b The communication function performed by any of the terminal devices described above.

[0275] Optional, Fig.11 The terminal device 1100 shown may also include a storage unit 1103, which stores a program or instruction. When the processing unit 1101 executes the program or instruction, Fig.11 The terminal device 1100 shown can execute the method shown in the above method embodiment.

[0276] Optional, Fig.11 The terminal device 1100 shown may also include a display unit (not shown in the figure), which can be used to support the terminal device 1100 to perform various display operations.

[0277] Fig.11 The technical effects of the terminal device 1100 shown can refer to the technical effects of the method described in the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here. Fig.11 The processing unit 1101 involved in the terminal device 1100 shown can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component, and can be a processor or a processing module. The communication unit 1102 can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component, and can be a transceiver or a transceiver module.

[0278] The present application also provides a chip system, such as Fig.12 As shown, the chip system includes at least one processor 1201 and at least one interface circuit 1202. The processor 1201 and the interface circuit 1202 can be interconnected via lines. For example, the interface circuit 1202 can be used to receive signals from other devices. For another example, the interface circuit 1202 can be used to send signals to other devices (such as processor 1201). Exemplarily, the interface circuit 1202 can read instructions stored in the memory and send the instructions to the processor 1201. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1201, the terminal device can execute the various steps executed by the terminal device in the above embodiment. Of course, the chip system can also include other discrete devices, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0279] Optionally, the processor in the chip system may be one or more. The processor may be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor implemented by reading software code stored in a memory.

[0280] Optionally, the memory in the chip system may be one or more. The memory may be integrated with the processor or may be separately provided with the processor, which is not limited in the present application. Exemplarily, the memory may be a non-transient processor, such as a read-only memory ROM, which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be provided on different chips. The present application does not specifically limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0281] Exemplarily, the chip system can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chips.

[0282] It should be understood that each step in the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor or by instructions in the form of software. The method steps disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor.

[0283] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer storage medium, in which computer instructions are stored. When the computer instructions are executed on a terminal device, the terminal device executes the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0284] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0285] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a device, which can specifically be a chip, component or module, and the device may include a connected processor and memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and when the device is running, the processor can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the device executes the methods in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0286] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device and the network device interact to implement the method described in the embodiment of the present application. Exemplarily, the network device may include but is not limited to a satellite. Among them, the terminal device, computer storage medium, communication system, computer program product or chip provided in this embodiment are all used to execute the corresponding method provided above, so the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0287] Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0288] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. The various embodiments can be combined with each other or referenced to each other without conflict. The device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of modules or 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 device, 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.

[0289] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separated, and the component displayed as a unit may be a physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, it may be located in one place, or it may be distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0290] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0291] The above contents are only specific implementation methods of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a terminal device including a first directional antenna and a second directional antenna, the first directional antenna corresponds to a first coverage range, and the second directional antenna corresponds to a second coverage range; the method includes: The terminal device uses a first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within a first range; Wherein, the first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; Or, the first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; Or, the first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first antenna is the first directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range; The terminal device uses a first antenna to search for at least one satellite within a first range; including: The terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; When it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The determining, according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range comprises: The terminal device determines, according to the position of the at least one first satellite, an elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite; When the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range but does not belong to the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is in the first coverage range.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first antenna is the second directional antenna, and the first range is the second coverage range; The terminal device uses a first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within a first range; comprising: The terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; When it is determined that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device uses the second directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The determining, according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range comprises: The terminal device determines, according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, an elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite; When the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite does not belong to the first coverage range but belongs to the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is in the second coverage range.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range; The terminal device uses a first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within a first range; comprising: The terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; When it is determined that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range based on the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, the terminal device simultaneously uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to search for the at least one first satellite.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The determining, according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range comprises: The terminal device determines, according to the position of the at least one first satellite and the position of the terminal device, an elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite; When the elevation angle from the terminal device to the at least one first satellite belongs to the first coverage range and the second coverage range, the terminal device determines that the at least one first satellite is simultaneously in the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The terminal device obtains the position of the at least one first satellite; comprising: The terminal device obtains the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite; The terminal device determines the position of the at least one first satellite according to the position of the terminal device, the time at which the position of the terminal device is located, and the ephemeris of the at least one first satellite.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: After the terminal device uses the first antenna to search for at least one first satellite within the first range; the method further includes: The terminal device determines a first resident satellite according to a preset resident condition, wherein the first resident satellite is one of the at least one first satellite; The terminal device communicates with the first resident satellite using the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to communicate with the first resident satellite, including: The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to respectively receive signals of multiple beams from the first resident satellite; The terminal device determines a signal reception quality, where the signal reception quality is the quality of signals of the plurality of beams of the first resident satellite received by the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna respectively; The terminal device determines a second antenna and a first beam according to the signal reception quality, wherein the second antenna is one or more of the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the first beam is one or more of the multiple beams of the first resident satellite; The terminal device uses the second antenna to communicate with the first beam.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The quality of the signal of the first beam received by the second antenna meets a preset quality condition, and the preset quality condition includes the best signal reception quality.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second antenna includes the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, the difference between the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna from the first beam and the quality of the signal received by the second directional antenna from the first beam is less than or equal to a preset threshold, and the quality of the signal received by the first directional antenna or the second directional antenna from the first beam meets the preset quality condition.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The terminal device uses the second antenna to communicate with the first beam, including: The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to simultaneously receive signals from the first beam.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: After the terminal device communicates with the first resident satellite using the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna, the method further includes: The terminal device uses a third antenna to search for at least one second satellite within the second range; The third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; Or, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; Or, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that In a case where the at least one second satellite is in the first coverage range, the third antenna is the first directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range; In a case where the at least one second satellite is in the second coverage range, the third antenna is the second directional antenna, and the second range is the second coverage range; In the case that the at least one second satellite is in the first coverage range and the second coverage range at the same time, the third antenna is the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna, and the second range is the first coverage range and the second coverage range.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that After the terminal device uses the third antenna to search for at least one second satellite within the second range, the method further includes: The terminal device determines a second resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, where the second resident satellite is one of the at least one second satellite.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that After the terminal device determines the second resident satellite according to the preset resident condition, the method further includes: The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals of multiple beams from the second resident satellite.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals of multiple beams from the second resident satellite, including: When the terminal device determines that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are different, the terminal device uses the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite to communicate with the first resident satellite, and uses the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite to receive signals of multiple beams from the second resident satellite; The directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the first directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the second directional antenna; or, the directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite is the second directional antenna, and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite is the first directional antenna.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The terminal device uses the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna to receive signals of multiple beams from the second resident satellite, including: When the terminal device determines that the directional antennas corresponding to the first resident satellite and the second resident satellite are the same, the terminal device uses the first directional antenna and the second directional antenna to receive signals of multiple beams from the second resident satellite; The directional antenna corresponding to the first resident satellite and the directional antenna corresponding to the second resident satellite both include the first directional antenna and / or the second directional antenna.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that: The first coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the first directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture; the second coverage range is the coverage range corresponding to the second directional antenna when the terminal device is in the current posture.

21. A terminal device, characterized in that: include: A processor, a memory and a communication interface, wherein the memory and the communication interface are coupled to the processor, the communication interface is used to communicate with other devices, the memory is used to store program code, the program code includes instructions, and the processor reads the instructions from the memory so that the terminal device executes the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is executed on a terminal device, the terminal device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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