System Frame Number Allocation Method, Communication Device, and Computer Storage Medium

Abstract

A system frame number allocation method, a communication device, and a computer storage medium. Among them, the system frame number allocation method includes: determining a plurality of cells within the satellite coverage area; allocating SFNs to each of the plurality of cells, where the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are not continuous. Implementing the present application provides rules for allocating SFNs to cells. Since the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells are not continuous, the wireless frames of adjacent cells are not continuous either, reducing the probability that the terminal device misses the position of subframe 0 (i.e., the frame header of the wireless frame) of the wireless frames of each adjacent cell at the same time, thereby reducing the problem of long network search waiting time caused by the terminal device missing the frame header positions of the wireless frames of each adjacent cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for allocating system frame numbers, a communication device, and a computer storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Satellite communication covers all areas within the lowest elevation angle range through multiple beams. The coverage area of each beam is the coverage area of a cell. The satellite can allocate a System Frame Number (SFN) to each cell and indicate the allocated SFN for the cell to the terminal device. How to allocate the SFN for each cell is not defined in the current protocol. Therefore, how to allocate the SFN for the cell is a technical problem to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a method for allocating system frame numbers, a communication device, and a computer storage medium, which provides rules for allocating SFNs to cells and reduces the network search waiting time of terminal devices.

[0004] In a first aspect, a method for allocating system frame numbers is provided, including:

[0005] Determine multiple cells within the satellite coverage area. Among them, access network devices are deployed on the satellite, and the multiple cells within the satellite coverage area can also be understood as the multiple cells within the coverage area of the access network devices. The coverage area of one beam of the satellite is the range of one cell.

[0006] Allocate SFNs to each of the multiple cells, where the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells among the multiple cells are not continuous. Adjacent cells are at least two cells with a common boundary area, that is, the SFNs allocated to each of the at least two cells with a common boundary area are not continuous.

[0007] Implement the method of the first aspect, allocate discontinuous SFNs to at least two adjacent cells. When the terminal device is located in the boundary area of the at least two adjacent cells, even if it misses the SSB sent by the access network device in one cell for indicating the SFN allocated to this cell (missing the SSB also means missing the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame corresponding to the SFN allocated to this cell), it can wait to receive the SSB sent by the access network device in other adjacent cells for indicating the SFN allocated to the other adjacent cells, that is, it can determine the SFN allocated to the other adjacent cells and the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame corresponding to this SFN according to the SSB of the other adjacent cells, thereby reducing the probability that the terminal device misses the SSBs of all adjacent cells, that is, reducing the probability that the terminal device misses the position of subframe 0 (i.e., the frame header of the radio frame) of the radio frame of each adjacent cell at the same time, and thus reducing the problem of long network search waiting time caused by the terminal device missing the frame header position of the radio frame of each adjacent cell.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the multiple cells include a first cell and a second cell, and the first cell and the second cell are adjacent cells; the first cell and the second cell are any two adjacent cells among the multiple cells.

[0009] The SFN allocated to the first cell is the first SFN, and the SFN allocated to the second cell is the second SFN;

[0010] The first SFN is the SFN in the first group, and the second SFN is the SFN in the second group;

[0011] The first group and the second group each include at least one SFN.

[0012] Implement this method, allocate SFNs in different groups to adjacent cells, thereby improving the SFN allocation efficiency.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the at least one SFN included in the first group has consecutive values, and the at least one SFN included in the second group has consecutive values.

[0014] Implement this method. When grouping, the values of the SFNs in the same group are consecutive, which is convenient for grouping.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first SFN is the SFN with the sequence number j1 in the first group, and the second SFN is the SFN that meets the following conditions: the second SFN is the unallocated SFN in the second group, and the absolute value of the difference between the sequence number of the second SFN in the second group and the sequence number j1 is the smallest.

[0016] Implementing this method, when allocating SFNs to adjacent cells, making the sequence number values of the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells in each group as close as possible can make the waiting time of the terminal device during network search as equal as possible.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first group and the second group are two different groups among N groups, where N is an integer greater than 2;

[0018] The value of N is determined based on the maximum number of adjacent cells with a common boundary area among the multiple cells.

[0019] Implementing this method, determining the number of groups based on the maximum number of adjacent cells with a common boundary area can ensure that each adjacent cell can be allocated an SFN in a different group.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the N groups are obtained by dividing all the SFNs supported by the satellite, and the number of SFNs included in each group is determined based on the total number X of all the SFNs supported by the satellite and N.

[0021] Implementing this method, when allocating SFNs, making the SFNs included in each group as equal as possible, so as to make the waiting time of the terminal device for network search as equal as possible.

[0022] In a possible implementation, allocating a system frame number SFN to each cell among the multiple cells includes:

[0023] Allocating SFNs to each cell in sequence according to the order of the areas of the cells among the multiple cells from large to small.

[0024] Implementing this method, preferentially allocating SFNs to cells with larger areas. Since the SFNs allocated first are the most equal, the SFNs preferentially allocated to cells with larger areas are the most equal. Cells with larger areas cover more users, and more users can have relatively equal waiting times for network search.

[0025] In a possible implementation, synchronizing signal blocks SSBs are sequentially sent in each cell in the order of the values of the SFNs allocated to each cell from small to large, and the SSB indicates the SFN allocated to the corresponding cell.

[0026] Implementing this method, the SFN allocated to the cell is indicated by the SSB, so as to facilitate the terminal device to determine the SFN for synchronization.

[0027] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including:

[0028] A processing unit, configured to determine multiple cells within the satellite coverage range;

[0029] The processing unit is further configured to allocate a system frame number (SFN) to each of the multiple cells, wherein the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells among the multiple cells are discontinuous.

[0030] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and a memory. The processor and the memory are connected to each other. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to perform the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0031] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, which includes a processor and an interface. The processor and the interface are coupled. The interface is used to receive and / or output signals, and the processor is used to execute code instructions to perform the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer storage medium, which stores a computer program. The computer program includes program instructions. When a computer executes the program instructions, the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect is implemented.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or computer code. When it runs on a computer, the method described in the first aspect or any optional implementation manner of the first aspect is implemented.

[0034] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes an access network device and a terminal device. The access network device is used to perform the method described in the first aspect.

[0035] For the technical solutions provided in the second to seventh aspects of the present application, the beneficial effects can refer to the beneficial effects of the technical solution provided in the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here. Description of the Drawings

[0036] Figure 1 A communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 2 A network architecture diagram for deploying an access network device on a satellite provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the projection topological structure of the beam of a LEO satellite irradiating the ground provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 4A schematic diagram for allocating consecutive SFNs to at least two adjacent cells provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the positions of adjacent cells provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 6 A flowchart of a system frame number allocation method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 7 A flowchart of another system frame number allocation method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 8 A schematic diagram for allocating an SFN to a cell provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 9 A schematic diagram for allocating an SFN to a cell provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 10 Another schematic diagram for allocating an SFN to a cell provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 12 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 13 Another schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the character " / " indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B may represent A or B. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0050] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying an order.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. In addition, "at least one (item)" or its similar expression means any combination of these items, which can include any combination of a single item or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of A, B, or C can represent: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. Each of A, B, and C can itself be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0052] In the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "exemplary", "in some embodiments", "in another embodiment", etc. are used to give examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" in the present application should not be construed as being more preferred or having more advantages than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the term "exemplary" is intended to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0053] In the embodiments of the present application, "of", "corresponding", and "correspondent" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the difference is not emphasized, the meanings to be expressed are the same. In the embodiments of the present application, communication and transmission can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the difference is not emphasized, the meanings they express are the same. For example, transmission can include sending and / or receiving, and can be a noun or a verb.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, the equality involved can be used in conjunction with greater than, applicable to the technical solutions adopted when it is greater than, or can also be used in conjunction with less than, applicable to the technical solutions adopted when it is less than. It should be noted that when equality is used in conjunction with greater than, it cannot be used in conjunction with less than; when equality is used in conjunction with less than, it is not used in conjunction with greater than.

[0055] The system frame number allocation method proposed in the present application can be applied to long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5G New Radio (5G NR) systems, the 6th generation mobile communication technology (6G) systems, and subsequent evolved formats. The present application does not limit this. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system includes at least a terminal device, an access network device, and a core network device.

[0056] Among them, the terminal device includes a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, it may include a handheld device with wireless connection capabilities or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network (e.g., 5G core network (5th generation core, 5GC)) via a radio access network (RAN), and can exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device can also be referred to as a Terminal, user equipment (UE), wireless terminal device, mobile terminal (MT) device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station (MS), mobile, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal device, access terminal device, user terminal device, user agent, or user device, etc. In addition, the terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet (Pad), computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, and so on. It should be understood that the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the terminal device in the embodiments of the present application are not limited. The terminal device in the present application can be any of the above devices or chips, and is not specifically limited here. Whether as a device or as a chip, the terminal device can be manufactured, sold, or used as an independent product. In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the terminal device is taken as an example for introduction.

[0057] An access network device can be any device with wireless transceiver functions and can be responsible for functions related to the air interface. For example, wireless link maintenance functions, radio resource management functions, and some mobility management functions. In addition, the access network device can be configured with a baseband unit (BBU) and have baseband signal processing capabilities. Exemplarily, the access network device can be the radio access network (RAN) that currently provides services to terminal devices. Currently, some common examples of access network devices are: Node B (NB), evolved Node B (eNB), next generation Node B (gNB) in the 5G new radio (NR) system, nodes in the 6G system (e.g., xNodeB), transmission reception point (TRP), radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB or home Node B (HNB)), etc. In addition, in network architectures such as cloud radio access network (CloudRAN) or open radio access network (ORAN), the access network device can be a device including a centralized unit (CU) (also known as a control unit) and / or a distributed unit (DU). It should be understood that the access network device in the embodiments of the present application can be any of the above devices or a chip in the above devices, and specific details are not limited here. Whether as a device or as a chip, the access network device can be manufactured, sold, or used as an independent product. In this embodiment and subsequent embodiments, the access network device is used as an example for introduction.

[0058] Core network equipment refers to the equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for terminal equipment. Currently, some common examples of core network equipment are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, mobility management entity (MME), etc., which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for the access management and mobility management of terminal equipment; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as the establishment of user sessions, etc.; the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks; the MME is mainly responsible for signaling processing, etc.

[0059] It should be noted that in this application, an entity can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity. For example, the AMF entity can also be called the AMF network element or the AMF functional entity; another example is that the SMF entity can also be called the SMF network element or the SMF functional entity, etc.

[0060] Exemplarily, the system frame number allocation method proposed in this application can be applied to the radio access network (RAN) architecture of non-terrestrial networks (NTN). For example, in the non-terrestrial communication network (NTN-based NG-RAN architectures) defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) protocol based on the NG-RAN architecture. At this time, some or all of the functions in the foregoing access network equipment can be implemented by non-terrestrial communication network equipment (such as satellites, tethered unmanned aerial systems (TUA), etc.), that is, the access network equipment can be deployed on non-terrestrial communication network equipment. It should be noted that this application describes the non-terrestrial communication network equipment as a satellite for example, but this application is not limited. The non-terrestrial communication network equipment may also be other, that is, the satellite described in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced by other non-terrestrial communication network equipment.

[0061] Such as Figure 2As shown, it is a network architecture diagram of deploying an access network device on a satellite provided in an embodiment of the present application. This network architecture includes a terminal device, a satellite, an NTN gateway (which can also be referred to as a ground station, a gateway station, a gateway), and a core network device. An access network device is deployed on the satellite. In some implementation manners, some core network devices or some core network device functions can also be deployed on the satellite, which is not limited in the present application.

[0062] The satellite can be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. The present application does not limit the specific type of the satellite.

[0063] The NTN gateway in the embodiment of the present application can be used to connect the satellite and the core network device on the ground. The communication link between the NTN gateway and the satellite can be called a feeder link (or a feedback link); the communication link between the satellite and the terminal device can be called a service link.

[0064] It can be understood that Figure 2 Only one satellite and one NTN gateway are shown. In actual use, an architecture with multiple satellites and / or multiple NTN gateways can be adopted according to needs. Among them, each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite can correspond to one or more NTN gateways, each NTN gateway can correspond to one or more satellites, etc., which are not specifically limited in the present application.

[0065] The satellite covers all areas within the minimum elevation angle range through multiple beams. The projection (footprint) of a beam on the ground is a cell, that is, one beam corresponds to one cell. The topological structure of the projection (footprint) of each beam on the ground also determines the topological structure of each cell. As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the projection topological structure of the beam of a LEO satellite on the ground. The geometric shape of the projection of one beam is a hexagon. Exemplarily, the maximum number of beams of an NTN satellite is 1058, and the maximum number of cells is 1008. The minimum value of the two is 1008. One beam can be allocated to each cell, and some redundant beams can be in an idle state, that is, not allocated.

[0066] It can be understood thatFigure 3 The beam projection topology structure is only an example. Since the antenna array structures of satellites in other satellite systems can be different, the projection shapes of the beams on the ground can be different. Therefore, there can be other beam projection geometries and topologies, which are not limited in this application. For example, Figure 4 As shown in

[0067] The following explains some terms related to the embodiments of this application to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0068] 1. SFN

[0069] SFN is used to identify the number of radio frames (which can also be called system frames). A radio frame is one of the basic time units in a wireless communication system. In the LTE system, the duration of a radio frame is defined as 10 ms, and each radio frame has a unique number, that is, the system frame number (SFN). In some implementation manners, the value range of SFN can be from 0 to 1023 or from 1 to 1024, which means that SFN has 1024 possible values. There are 1024 values for SFN, that is to say, the satellite system supports 1024 SFNs. In other implementation manners, SFN may have less than 1024 values. For example, if SFN has X values, where X is a natural number less than 1024, then the value range of SFN can be from 0 to X - 1 or from 1 to X. SFN has X values, that is to say, the satellite system supports X SFNs. For example, in some satellite communication systems, X = 52.

[0070] The main function of SFN is to help the terminal device achieve synchronization with the access network device. The synchronization may include that the frame numbers of the radio frames corresponding to the current times of the terminal device and the access network device are synchronized. The access network device (such as a base station) can use the beam allocated to the cell to send a synchronization signal (SS) or a synchronization signal block (SSB) in the cell. The terminal device within the coverage range of the beam will obtain the SS or SSB sent by the network device. The terminal device can parse the SS or SSB to obtain the SFN allocated to the cell, and then communicate with the access network device based on this SFN. SFN can be carried in the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) of the SSB, specifically, it can be carried in the Master Information Block (MIB) of the PBCH.

[0071] 2. SFN period

[0072] The value of the SFN has a certain periodicity. When the value of the SFN completes a round, the corresponding duration is an SFN period. For example, the value range of the SFN is from 1 to 1024. An SFN period is 1024 radio frames. One radio frame is 10 ms, so an SFN period is 10.24 seconds. This means that after 10.24 seconds, the value of the SFN will repeat. Another example, the value range of the SFN is from 1 to 52, and an SFN period is 52 radio frames.

[0073] 3. Cell Search

[0074] During the process of the terminal device powering on, being offline, cell reselection, or cell handover, cell search needs to be performed. Cell search is the first step for the terminal device to access the network, which is related to whether the terminal device can access the network quickly and accurately. The terminal device identifies the physical layer cell through cell search and completes the downlink synchronization with the access network device. Then, the terminal device can read the cell broadcast information and complete the residence. After that, various services provided by the network can be used.

[0075] The purpose of cell search is to obtain the physical cell identity (PCI) and complete the downlink synchronization. The terminal device completes cell search through the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the SSB sent by the access network device. That is to say, after the cell search process, the terminal device obtains subframe synchronization and frame synchronization through the synchronization signals in the SSB, that is, knows the position of subframe 0 in a radio frame, and also identifies the physical cell.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also obtain the SFN through the SSB. See point 1 of the term explanation for details. Therefore, through the SSB, not only can the SFN of the radio frame be identified, but also the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame can be determined. Therefore, frame synchronization between the access network device and the terminal device can be achieved, which is convenient for subsequent service interaction between the terminal device and the access network device.

[0077] It can be understood that if the terminal device does not receive the SSB (that is, misses the SSB), then it cannot obtain the SFN in the SSB, nor can it determine the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame corresponding to the SFN. This scenario can be understood as the terminal device missing the frame header position of the radio frame corresponding to the SFN, and the frame header position of the radio frame is the position of subframe 0.

[0078] 4. Beam

[0079] The manifestation of a beam in a protocol can be a spatial filter, or a spatial filter or spatial parameters. The beam used to transmit a signal can be called a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmit filter, or a spatial domain transmit parameter; the beam used to receive a signal can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain receive filter, or a spatial domain receive parameter. The transmission beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength formed in different directions in space after the signal is transmitted by the antenna, and the reception beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength of the wireless signal received by the antenna in different directions in space.

[0080] It should be understood that the manifestations of the beam in the above-listed protocols are only examples and should not impose any limitations on this application. This application does not exclude the possibility that other terms may be defined in future protocols to represent the same or similar meanings.

[0081] Generally, a beam corresponds to a reference signal, that is, the access network device uses the beam corresponding to the reference signal to send the reference signal. For example, if beam 1 corresponds to SSB1 and beam 2 corresponds to SSB2, then the access network device uses beam 1 to send SSB1 and beam 2 to send SSB2.

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, since each SSB contains an SFN, the SFN contained in the SSB is the one assigned to the beam corresponding to the SSB. In the embodiments of this application, since one beam corresponds to one cell, the SFN contained in the SSB is also assigned to the corresponding cell. For example, SSB1 includes SFN1, which is assigned to beam 1, and the coverage area of beam 1 is cell 1, so SFN1 can also be understood as being assigned to cell 1.

[0083] The following is the method of deploying an access network device on a satellite and the way the access network device allocates SFN. The access network device allocates the SFN of a cell according to the beam, which is related to the number of beams and also to the topological structure of the projection (footprint) of the beam on the ground. NTN follows the SFN configuration rule of NR and assigns an SFN to each beam. Since one beam corresponds to one cell, therefore, an SFN is also assigned to each cell. The access network device deployed on the satellite can indicate the SFN assigned to the cell to the terminal device through the SSB.

[0084] When allocating SFN to cells, at least two adjacent cells can be allocated consecutive SFNs. For example, Figure 4 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of allocating consecutive SFNs to at least two adjacent cells. In Figure 4 , there are 52 beam projections (footprints) on the ground irradiated by the satellite, that is, there are 52 cells. The number of beams = the number of cells = the maximum number of SFNs = 52. In Figure 4 , the SFNs allocated to the four cells at the center are consecutive. Among the cells included in the middle ring, the adjacent cells are allocated consecutive SFNs. Among the cells included in the outermost ring, the adjacent cells are allocated consecutive SFNs.

[0085] The access network device deployed on the satellite can sequentially send SSBs in each cell in a certain time sequence using the beam corresponding to the cell. The SSB includes the SFN assigned to the corresponding cell. During the cell search process, the terminal device can parse out the SFN assigned to the cell according to the received SSB and perform frame synchronization. If adjacent cells are allocated consecutive SFNs, that is, the radio frames of the adjacent cells are consecutive, the time when the access network device sends the SSB is also relatively close. For example, if SSB1 includes SFN1 and SSB2 includes SFN2, then the first SSB sent by the access network device after sending SSB1 is SSB2.

[0086] If consecutive SFNs are allocated to adjacent cells, the following problems will occur: 1. When the terminal device is in the boundary area of adjacent cells, the probability that the terminal device misses the SSB of the adjacent cell during cell search is very high. Specifically, when the terminal device determines that cell search is needed, at this time, it is very likely that the access network device is not sending the SSB of the adjacent cell but the SSB of other cells. The terminal device needs to wait for the next SFN cycle to search for the cell, and the waiting time is relatively long. The following takes Figure 4 as an example. Figure 4 , the numbers 1 to 52 can be understood as the SFNs assigned to the corresponding cells. If the terminal device is located in Figure 4In the position shown by the middle triangle, the terminal device is located in the boundary area of 4 adjacent cells, and the SFNs assigned to the 4 adjacent cells are SFN1, SFN2, SFN3, and SFN4 respectively. When the access network device sends SSB1 including SFN1, SSB2 including SFN2, SSB3 including SFN3, and SSB4 of SFN4, the terminal device does not perform cell search. For example, when the access network device sends SSB10 including SFN10, the terminal device determines that cell search is required. Since the access network device does not send SSB1 including SFN1, SSB2 including SFN2, SSB3 including SFN3, and SSB4 of SFN4 at this time, the terminal device cannot successfully search for the network. The terminal device needs to wait for the access network device to send SSB1 including SFN1 again to successfully search for the network, that is, it needs to wait until the next SFN cycle, and the waiting time for network search is relatively long.

[0087] 2. For the scenario where the terminal device performs cell handover, it takes a certain handover time for the terminal device to hand over from the serving cell to the neighboring cell. However, the SFN of the neighboring cell is continuous with the SFN of the serving cell. Therefore, the probability that the terminal device misses the SSB including the SFN of the neighboring cell sent by the access network device is relatively high. The terminal device also needs to wait until the next SFN cycle to successfully receive the SSB including the SFN of the neighboring cell, and the waiting time of the terminal device is relatively long.

[0088] To solve the above technical problems, when allocating SFNs to each cell within the satellite coverage, the present application allocates discontinuous SFNs to at least two adjacent cells. The following combines Figure 5 For example, Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3 are 3 adjacent cells, and the terminal device is located in the boundary area of these 3 cells. Specifically, see Figure 5 the position of the terminal device shown. Cell 2 and Cell 3 are neighboring cells of Cell 1, and the terminal device can choose to access the neighboring cells of Cell 1, that is, it can choose to access Cell 2 or Cell 3. The SFNs allocated to Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3 are discontinuous. For example, the SFN allocated to Cell 1 is SFN1, the SFN allocated to Cell 2 is SFN343, and the SFN allocated to Cell 3 is 685. When the terminal device needs cell search, even if it misses the SSB including SFN1 sent by the access network device in Cell 1, it does not need to wait for one SFN cycle to search for the network and can receive the SSB including SFN343 sent by the access network device in Cell 2. Even if the terminal device misses the SSB including SFN343 sent by the access network device in Cell 2, it can receive the SSB including SFN685 sent by the access network device in Cell 3.

[0089] In the embodiments of the present application, since the SFNs allocated to at least two adjacent cells are discontinuous, for a terminal device in the cell boundary area when cell search is required, even if the SSB of the cell where the terminal device is located is missed, it can wait to receive the SSB of the neighboring cell without having to wait until the next SFN period, reducing the network search waiting time of the terminal device.

[0090] For a terminal device that needs to perform cell handover, since the SFN of the neighboring cell is not continuous with the SFN of the serving cell, there is sufficient time for the terminal device to prepare for handover to the neighboring cell, and the probability that the terminal device misses the SSB including the SFN allocated to the neighboring cell sent by the access network device in the neighboring cell is relatively small. The terminal device also does not need to wait for the next SFN period to perform cell handover, reducing the waiting time of the terminal device.

[0091] It should be noted that the various technical solutions (or various embodiments) of the present application can be implemented independently or can also be implemented in combination based on certain internal connections. The present application does not make a limitation. And various terms and definitions between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. In each embodiment of the present application, different implementation manners can also be implemented in combination or independently.

[0092] Please refer to Figure 6 , which is a schematic flowchart of a system frame number allocation method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 6 shown, the system frame number allocation method of this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0093] 601. The access network device determines multiple cells within the satellite coverage area.

[0094] The access network device is deployed on the satellite. Due to different antenna array structures of the access network device, the shape of the beam projected by the access network device onto the ground is different. Therefore, the shapes and topologies of the respective cells within the satellite coverage area may be different. As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic diagram of a topology structure of multiple cells within the satellite coverage area, and the shape of one cell is a hexagon. As Figure 4 shown, it is a schematic diagram of another topology structure of multiple cells within the satellite coverage area.

[0095] 602. The access network device allocates SFNs to each of the multiple cells. Among them, the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells among the multiple cells are discontinuous.

[0096] An SFN is allocated to each of the multiple cells within the satellite coverage area, and one SFN is allocated to one cell. The SFNs allocated to adjacent cells are discontinuous. In the embodiments of the present application, at least two cells with a common boundary area are referred to as adjacent cells. As Figure 5As shown, cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 are three adjacent cells. Multiple adjacent cells are neighboring cells to each other. Taking one of the multiple adjacent cells as an example, this one cell is called a reference cell. The reference cell can have at least one neighboring cell, and the at least one neighboring cell is a cell other than the reference cell among the multiple adjacent cells. The following is combined with Figure 5 for illustration. As Figure 5 shown, cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 are adjacent cells. Among them, if the reference cell is cell 1, then cell 2 and cell 3 are neighboring cells of cell 1; if the reference cell is cell 3, then cell 1 and cell 2 are neighboring cells of cell 3; if the reference cell is cell 2, then cell 1 and cell 3 are neighboring cells of cell 2.

[0097] Continuing with Figure 5 as an example to illustrate SFN allocation. When allocating SFNs to cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3, the SFNs allocated to these three cells are not continuous. For example, the satellite system supports 1024 SFNs, and the values of these 1024 SFNs range from SFN1 to SFN1024, or the values of these 1024 SFNs range from SFN0 to SFN1023. Taking the range from SFN1 to SFN1024 as an example, the SFN allocated to cell 1 is SFN1, the SFN allocated to cell 2 is SFN343, and the SFN allocated to cell 3 is 685. Another example is that the SFN allocated to cell 1 is SFN1, the SFN allocated to cell 2 is SFN300, and the SFN allocated to cell 3 is SFN600. In the embodiments of the present application, the specific method for allocating SFNs is not limited, as long as the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells are not continuous, it falls within the protection scope of the present application.

[0098] 603, the access network device sequentially sends SSBs in each cell according to a preset order. Among them, the SSB indicates the SFN allocated to the corresponding cell.

[0099] Among them, step 603 can be an optional step. Each SSB can indicate the SFN allocated to the corresponding cell. The SSB sent in each cell corresponds to the beam allocated to the cell. That is to say, the access network device uses the beam allocated to the cell to send the SSB in this cell, and the SSB indicates the SFN allocated to this cell.

[0100] The access network device can send SSBs in each cell in ascending order of the values of the SFNs indicated in the SSBs. Optionally, the SSB can also be used for frame synchronization, that is, to facilitate the terminal device to determine the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame corresponding to the allocated SFN.

[0101] For example, the beam allocated to cell 1 is beam 1, the beam allocated to cell 2 is beam 2, and the beam allocated to cell 3 is beam 3. Beam 1 corresponds to SSB1, beam 2 corresponds to SSB2, and beam 3 corresponds to SSB3. The SFN1 allocated to cell 1 is indicated in SSB1, the SFN2 allocated to cell 2 is indicated in SSB2, and the SFN3 allocated to cell 3 is indicated in SSB3. The access network device may send SSB1 in cell 1 using beam 1, then send SSB2 in cell 2 using beam 2, and finally send SSB3 in cell 3 using beam 3.

[0102] It can be understood that the values of SFN are periodic. Therefore, after the access network device finishes sending one round of SSBs, it can start sending the next round of SSBs. One round of SSBs can be understood as all the values of SFN being cycled through once.

[0103] 604. The terminal device receives the SSB of the first cell and communicates with the access network device according to the SFN indicated in the SSB of the first cell. Here, the first cell is the cell where the terminal device is located, or the first cell is a neighboring cell of the cell where the terminal device is located.

[0104] Among them, step 604 can be an optional step. When the terminal device determines that cell search is required, the terminal device can receive the SSB of the first cell, and the SFN allocated to the first cell is indicated in the SSB of the first cell. The terminal device can communicate with the access network device according to the SFN indicated in the SSB of the first cell. The terminal device can also perform frame synchronization with the access network device based on the SSB, for example, determine the position of subframe 0 of the radio frame corresponding to the SFN.

[0105] In one implementation, the first cell can be the cell where the terminal device is located, and the cell where the terminal device is located is the cell where the terminal device's geographical location is. As Figure 5 shown, the cell where the terminal device is located is cell 1. When the terminal device performs cell search, it can receive the SSB sent in cell 1 and determine the SFN allocated to cell 1 through the SSB, so as to communicate with the access network device based on the SFN.

[0106] In another implementation, the first cell can be a neighboring cell of the cell where the terminal device is located. When the terminal device is located in the cell boundary area, as Figure 5 shown, the terminal device is located in the boundary area of cell 1. Since the beam of the neighboring cell can cover the boundary area of the cell where the terminal device is located at the same time, if the beam quality of the neighboring cell meets the preset conditions, the terminal device can choose to access the neighboring cell and receive the SSB of the neighboring cell. The preset conditions can include, for example, that the beam quality of the neighboring cell is greater than or equal to the preset threshold. For example Figure 5In [the scenario], if the beam quality of cell 2 or cell 3 meets the preset condition, the terminal device can also choose to access cell 2 or cell 3 whose beam quality meets the preset condition. Therefore, the terminal device can receive the SSB of cell 2 or cell 3 to determine the SFN of cell 2 or cell 3.

[0107] In the embodiments of the present application, since the SFNs allocated to multiple adjacent cells (such as the above-mentioned cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3) are discontinuous, even if the terminal device misses the SSB of one cell among multiple adjacent cells, it can wait for the SSBs of other cells among multiple adjacent cells without having to wait until the next SFN period, thereby reducing the cell search waiting time. For example, even if the terminal device misses the SSB of the cell where the terminal device is located (i.e., cell 1), it can wait for the SSBs of the neighboring cells of cell 1 (such as cell 2 or cell 3).

[0108] When the terminal device is located in the boundary area of one cell among multiple adjacent cells, even if the terminal device misses the SSB of the cell where it is located, it can wait for the SSBs sent by other neighboring cells in the same SFN period without having to wait until the next SFN period, reducing the cell search waiting time of the terminal device. For example, as Figure 5 shown, the terminal device is located in cell 1, and the terminal device can choose to access the neighboring cells of cell 1 (i.e., cell 2 or cell 3). Since the SFNs allocated to cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 are discontinuous, even if the SSB of cell 1 (i.e., the SFN of cell 1) is missed, the SFNs of other neighboring cells (such as cell 2 or cell 3) can be waited for. And in the cell handover scenario, due to the discontinuous SFNs, sufficient time can be reserved for the terminal device to prepare for cell handover.

[0109] Please refer to Figure 7 for a schematic flowchart of a system frame number allocation method provided by the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 7 shown, the system frame number allocation method of this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0110] 701. Divide the total number X of SFNs supported by the satellite system into N groups.

[0111] X is an integer greater than 1, and N is an integer greater than 1. In some implementation manners, N is an integer at least greater than 2.

[0112] Exemplarily, the value of X can be, for example, 1024, that is, the satellite system supports 1024 SFNs, and 1024 SFNs are divided into N groups. Exemplarily, the value of X can be, for example, 52, that is, the satellite system supports 52 SFNs, and 52 SFNs are divided into N groups.

[0113] The value of N can be determined according to the beam projection shape, and the beam projection shape is the shape of a cell. Exemplarily, the value of N satisfies the following condition: the boundary area of a cell among multiple cells within the satellite coverage is covered by at most N beams simultaneously. That is to say, among multiple cells within the satellite coverage, there are at most N - 1 neighboring cells in the boundary area of a cell. For example, Figure 3 in, a cell is hexagonal, and the boundary area of a cell is covered by at most 3 beams simultaneously, that is, there are at most 2 neighboring cells in the boundary area of a cell. Therefore, N = 3. Another example, Figure 4 in, the boundary area of a cell can be covered by at most 4 beams simultaneously, that is, there are at most 3 neighboring cells in the boundary area of a cell. Therefore, N = 4.

[0114] The number of SFNs included in each group can be obtained according to X / N. If the result of X / N is an integer, the number of SFNs included in each group is X / N. If the result of X / N is a decimal, the number of SFNs included in each group can be CEIL(X / N), where CEIL represents rounding up. It can be understood that rounding up is only an example, and it can also be obtained by other methods. For example, it can be rounded off, or rounded down, etc. For example, the number of SFNs included in each group is floor(X / N), where floor represents rounding down. It can be understood that when grouping, the number of SFNs included in the last group is all the remaining ungrouped SFNs.

[0115] The values of SFNs included in each group are continuous, that is, each group includes continuous radio frames. For example, X = 52, N = 4, then each group includes 13 SFNs, and the values of the 13 SFNs included in each group are continuous. For example, if the values of 52 SFNs are from 1 to 52, then the first group includes SFN1 to SFN13, the second group includes SFN14 to SFN26, the third group includes SFN27 to SFN39, and the fourth group includes SFN40 to SFN52. Another example, X = 1024, N = 3, then each group includes 342 SFNs, and the values of the 342 SFNs included in each group are continuous. For example, if the values of 1024 SFNs are from 1 to 1024, then the first group includes SFN1 to SFN342, the second group includes SFN343 to 684, and the third group includes SFN685 to SFN1024.

[0116] 702, SFNs in different groups are allocated to at least two adjacent cells respectively.

[0117] When allocating SFNs to multiple cells within the satellite coverage, SFNs in different groups are allocated to at least two adjacent cells respectively. For example, as Figure 5As shown, cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 are adjacent cells. Then, the SFN in the first group can be assigned to cell 1, the SFN in the second group can be assigned to cell 2, and the SFN in the third group can be assigned to cell 3. In the embodiments of the present application, the SFNs assigned to each cell among multiple cells are not repeated, that is, different cells are assigned different SFNs, and the already assigned SFNs are not re-assigned.

[0118] In some embodiments, the absolute value of the difference between the sequence numbers corresponding to the SFNs assigned to each cell among at least two adjacent cells is the smallest. The sequence number corresponding to the SFN assigned to a cell is the sequence number of the SFN assigned to the cell in the corresponding group.

[0119] For example, X = 1024, N = 3. The first group includes SFN1 to SFN342, the second group includes SFN343 to 684, and the third group includes SFN685 to SFN1024. As Figure 8 shown, it is a schematic diagram of assigning SFN to a cell provided by the embodiments of the present application. Among them, i-j indicates that the SFN assigned to the cell is the jth SFN in the ith group, that is, j is the sequence number of the assigned SFN in the ith group. In Figure 8 , the SFN assigned to cell 1 is the first SFN in the first group, that is, SFN1 is assigned to cell 1. The sequence number of SFN1 in the first group is 1. The SFN assigned to cell 2 is the first SFN in the second group, that is, SFN343 is assigned to cell 2. The sequence number of SFN343 in the second group is 1. The SFN assigned to cell 3 is the first SFN in the third group, that is, SFN685 is assigned to cell 3. The sequence number of SFN685 in the third group is 1. The absolute value of the difference between the sequence numbers corresponding to the SFNs assigned to cell 1, cell 2, and cell 3 is 0. When assigning SFNs to other cells, it is necessary to ensure that the already assigned SFNs (i.e., SFN1, SFN343, SFN685) cannot be re-assigned.

[0120] The following continues to give an example to illustrate the assignment of SFN to Figure 8 other cells in Figure 8 . For example, when assigning SFNs to cell 4 and cell 5 in Figure 8Take the example of allocating the SFN in the first group to cell 4 and the SFN in the second group to cell 5. To ensure that the absolute value of the difference in sequential numbers is minimized, for the same group, the SFNs can be allocated in ascending order of the SFN values. Since the first SFN in the first group has already been allocated, the second SFN in the first group is allocated to cell 4, that is, SFN2 is allocated to cell 4. Since the first SFN in the second group has already been allocated, the second SFN in the second group is allocated to cell 5, that is, SFN344 is allocated to cell 5, so as to minimize the absolute value of the difference in sequential numbers corresponding to the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells as much as possible. A similar method can be used to allocate the second SFN in the third group to cell 6, the third SFN in the second group to cell 7, and the third SFN in the third group to cell 8.

[0121] Minimizing the absolute value of the difference in sequential numbers corresponding to the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells can ensure that the values of the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells are relatively evenly distributed, so as to achieve relatively even maximum network search delays between adjacent cells and avoid the need to wait for an SFN cycle to search for the network. Even if the terminal device misses the SFN of its own cell, it only needs to wait at most one Nth of an SFN cycle for the SFN of the neighboring cell, reducing the waiting time.

[0122] In some implementation manners, when allocating SFNs to multiple cells within the satellite coverage area, the access network device can allocate SFNs to each cell in descending order of the cell area, that is, preferentially allocate SFNs to cells with larger areas. The following is an example in combination with Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , it is a schematic diagram of allocating SFNs to cells provided by an embodiment of the present application. X = 52, N = 4, each group includes 13 SFNs. The first group includes SFN1 to SFN13, the second group includes SFN14 to SFN26, the third group includes SFN27 to SFN39, and the fourth group includes SFN40 to SFN52. SFNs are preferentially allocated to the 4 largest adjacent cells, that is, the 4 cells with 1 / 4 circle areas near the center of the circle. The SFNs allocated to the 4 cells are in 4 different groups. For example, SFNs with sequential number a in the 4 groups can be selected and allocated to the 4 cells, where a = [1, 13]. Take a = 1 as an example, that is, select the first SFN in the first group (i.e., SFN1), the first SFN in the second group (i.e., SFN14), the first SFN in the third group (i.e., SFN27), and the first SFN in the fourth group (i.e., SFN40), and allocate the 4 selected SFNs to the 4 cells with the largest areas. For details, see Figure 9As shown, i-j represents that the SFN allocated to the cell is the jth SFN in the ith group, that is, j is the sequence number of the allocated SFN in the ith group.

[0123] Then, the access network device allocates SFNs to the 16 cells with the second largest area. The 16 cells with the second largest area are the ring in the middle sandwich layer. When allocating SFNs to the 16 cells with the second largest area, it is necessary to ensure that adjacent cells use SFNs in different groups, and the selected SFN is an unallocated SFN in the group. To minimize the absolute value of the difference in the sequence numbers corresponding to the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells as much as possible, the selected SFN for each group can be selected in ascending order of the SFN value. For example, if the first SFN in the first group has been allocated, the second SFN in the first group can be selected for allocation next time.

[0124] Finally, the access network device allocates SFNs to the 32 cells with the smallest area. The 32 cells with the smallest area are the outermost ring. When allocating SFNs to the 32 cells with the smallest area, it is necessary to ensure that adjacent cells use SFNs in different groups, and the selected SFN is an unallocated SFN in the group.

[0125] It can be understood that the embodiments of the present application provide rules for allocating SFNs to each cell, and the specific SFNs allocated to each cell are not limited in the present application. For example Figure 10 is another schematic diagram for allocating SFNs to cells provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 10 and Figure 9 have the same cell topology structure. Although SFNs are allocated to each cell based on the same rules, Figure 10 the SFNs allocated to each cell in Figure 9 may be different from the SFNs allocated to each cell in Figure 10 For example, 4-13 (i.e., the 13th SFN in the fourth group) in Figure 9 is allocated to the same cell as 4-13 in Figure 10 3-13 (i.e., the 13th SFN in the third group) in Figure 9 is allocated to the same cell as 3-13 in Figure 10 1-13 (i.e., the 13th SFN in the first group) in Figure 9 is allocated to a different cell from 1-13 in Figure 10 2-13 (the 13th SFN in the second group) in Figure 9 is allocated to a different cell from 2-13 in

[0126] If the areas of all cells within the satellite coverage are equal, the priority order of SFN allocation for each cell does not need to be considered. For example, if the cell topology structure within the satellite coverage is as Figure 3As shown, the priority order of the SFN allocation for each cell does not need to be considered.

[0127] The access network device allocates SFNs to each cell in the order of the cell area from large to small, that is, it preferentially allocates SFNs to the cell with the largest area. Due to the preferentially allocated SFNs, the SFN values of each cell are relatively equal, that is, the maximum network search delay is relatively equal. The larger the cell area, the more users it covers. Preferentially allocating SFNs with relatively equal values to the cells with large areas can ensure that the network search delays of more users are equal and improve the user experience.

[0128] The following will introduce the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0129] The present application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each functional module can be corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there can be other division methods in actual implementation. The following will be combined with Figures 11 to 13 Describe the communication device of the embodiments of the present application in detail.

[0130] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 11 shown, the communication device 1000 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the terminal device or the access network device in the above method embodiments.

[0131] In some possible implementation manners, the communication device 1000 can correspondingly implement the behaviors and functions of the access network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1000 can be an access network device, or can be a component (such as a chip or a circuit) applied to the access network device. The transceiver unit 1100 can be used, for example, to perform all the receiving or sending operations performed by the access network device in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1200 is used to perform all the operations performed by the access network device except for the transceiver operations.

[0132] The communication device 1000 includes: a processing unit 1200. Optionally, the communication device may further include a transceiver unit 1100.

[0133] The processing unit 1200 is used to determine a plurality of cells within the satellite coverage area;

[0134] The processing unit 1200 is further used to allocate system frame numbers SFNs to each of the plurality of cells, wherein the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells among the plurality of cells are not continuous.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the multiple cells include a first cell and a second cell, and the first cell and the second cell are adjacent cells;

[0136] The SFN assigned to the first cell is the first SFN, and the SFN assigned to the second cell is the second SFN;

[0137] The first SFN is the SFN in the first group, and the second SFN is the SFN in the second group;

[0138] The first group and the second group each include at least one SFN.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the values of the at least one SFN included in the first group are continuous, and the values of the at least one SFN included in the second group are continuous.

[0140] In a possible implementation, the first SFN is the SFN with the sequential number j1 in the first group, and the second SFN is the SFN that satisfies the following conditions: the second SFN is the unassigned SFN in the second group, and the absolute value of the difference between the sequential number of the second SFN in the second group and the sequential number j1 is the smallest.

[0141] In a possible implementation, the first group and the second group are two different groups among N groups, where N is an integer greater than 2;

[0142] The value of N is determined based on the maximum number of adjacent cells with a common boundary region among the multiple cells.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the N groups are obtained by dividing all the SFNs supported by the satellite, and the number of SFNs included in each group is determined based on the total number X of all the SFNs supported by the satellite and N.

[0144] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1200 is specifically configured to: assign SFNs to each cell in sequence according to the areas of the cells in the multiple cells from large to small.

[0145] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1100 is configured to sequentially send synchronization signal blocks SSB in each cell in ascending order of the values of the SFNs assigned to each cell, and the SSB indicates the SFN assigned to the corresponding cell.

[0146] Figure 11 For the specific description and beneficial effects of the illustrated device embodiments, reference may be made to the description of the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0147] The access network device according to the embodiments of the present application is introduced above. The possible product forms of the access network device are introduced below. It should be understood that any product form that has the functions of the above-mentioned Figure 11 access network device falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following introduction is only for example, and does not limit the product forms of the access network device in the embodiments of the present application to this.

[0148] In a possible implementation manner, Figure 11 In the communication device shown, the processing unit 1200 may be one or more processors, the transceiver unit 1100 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 1100 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit may be a transmitter, and the receiving unit may be a receiver. The sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated in a device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc. The connection manner between the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0149] Figure 12 FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 2000 provided for the embodiments of the present application. Figure 12 The communication device in FIG. 13 may be the above-mentioned access network device.

[0150] As Figure 12 shown, the communication device 2000 includes one or more processors 2200 and a transceiver 2100. The transceiver 2100 may implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1100, and the processor 2200 may implement the functions of the processing unit 1200.

[0151] In Figure 12 each implementation manner of the communication device shown, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving function (or operation), and the transmitter is used to perform the transmitting function (or operation). And the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices / devices through a transmission medium.

[0152] Optionally, the communication device 2000 may further include one or more memories 2300 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 2300 is coupled to the processor 2200. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor 2200 may cooperate with the memory 2300. The processor 2200 may execute the program instructions stored in the memory 2300.

[0153] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection medium between the transceiver 2100, the processor 2200, and the memory 2300 is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 12 it is shown that the transceiver 2100, the processor 2200, and the memory 2300 are connected through a bus 2400. The bus is represented by a thick line in Figure 12 and the connection manners between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 12 it is only represented by a thick line in, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0154] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memories such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. The memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0156] The processor 2200 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of software programs. The memory 2300 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 2100 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and the processing of radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0157] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 2200 can read the software program in the memory 2300, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be wirelessly transmitted, the processor 2200 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and then outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 2200. The processor 2200 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0158] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be set independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be independent of the communication device and are arranged in a remote manner.

[0159] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiments of the present application may also have more components, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The methods executed by the above-mentioned processor and transceiver are only examples. For the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver, reference can be made to the methods described above. Figure 12 In another possible implementation manner, in the communication device shown, the processing unit 1200 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 1100 may be an input / output interface, or also called a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Or the transceiver unit 1100 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit may be an output interface, and the receiving unit may be an input interface. The sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one unit, such as an input / output interface. As

[0160] In another possible implementation manner, Figure 11 shown, Figure 13 shown, Figure 13The communication device shown includes a logic circuit 3001 and an interface 3002. That is, the above-mentioned processing unit 1200 can be implemented by the logic circuit 3001, and the transceiver unit 1100 can be implemented by the interface 3002. Among them, the logic circuit 3001 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 3002 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. Exemplarily, Figure 13 Taking the above communication device as a chip as an example, the chip includes a logic circuit 3001 and an interface 3002.

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. For the specific connection manner between the logic circuit and the interface, the embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations.

[0162] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiments of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application in the form of hardware, or can also implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application in the form of software, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0163] The embodiments of the present application also provide a wireless communication system, which includes an access network device and a terminal device, and the access network device and the terminal device can be used to execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0164] In addition, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer code is stored. When the computer code runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the operations and / or processes performed by the terminal device and the access network device in the method provided by the present application.

[0165] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the operations and / or processes performed by the terminal device and the access network device in the method provided by the present application to be executed.

[0166] In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or units, and can also be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connections.

[0167] The unit described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit, that is, it may be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0168] In addition, in each embodiment of the present application, each functional unit can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0169] If the above-mentioned 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 computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that makes a contribution, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. The foregoing readable storage medium includes: USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs and other various media that can store program codes.

[0170] As described above, the above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system frame number allocation method, characterized in that: include: Determine multiple cells within the satellite coverage area; A system frame number SFN is allocated to each of the multiple cells, wherein the SFNs allocated to adjacent cells in the multiple cells are discontinuous, the adjacent cells are at least two cells having a common boundary area, and the SFNs allocated to each of the at least two cells are discontinuous.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The multiple cells include a first cell and a second cell, and the first cell and the second cell are adjacent cells; The SFN allocated to the first cell is a first SFN, and the SFN allocated to the second cell is a second SFN; The first SFN is a SFN in a first group, and the second SFN is a SFN in a second group; The first group and the second group respectively include at least one SFN.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The values ​​of at least one SFN included in the first group are continuous, and the values ​​of at least one SFN included in the second group are continuous.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first SFN is a SFN with a sequence number of j1 in the first group, and the second SFN is a SFN that satisfies the following conditions: the second SFN is an unallocated SFN in the second group, and the absolute value of the difference between the sequence number of the second SFN in the second group and the sequence number j1 is the smallest.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that: The first group and the second group are two different groups among N groups, where N is an integer greater than 2; The value of N is determined based on the maximum number of adjacent cells having a common boundary area among the multiple cells.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The N groups are obtained by dividing all SFNs supported by the satellite, and the number of SFNs included in each group is determined based on the total number X of all SFNs supported by the satellite and the N.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The allocating a system frame number SFN to each of the multiple cells includes: SFNs are allocated to the cells in sequence according to the area of ​​each cell in the plurality of cells from large to small.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: According to the value of the SFN allocated to each cell in ascending order, a synchronization signal block SSB is sent in each cell in turn, and the SSB indicates the SFN allocated to the corresponding cell.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A computer storage medium, characterized in that: The computer storage medium is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed.

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