Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method and device, and in the communication method, the relative position of terminal equipment and first network equipment is changed, for example, the elevation angle of the terminal equipment relative to the first network equipment is reduced. This means that the terminal device needs to frequently perform timing adjustment, resulting in that the time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity becomes smaller. The phase continuity of the first time window cannot be continuously kept. Therefore, the terminal device can send the second information for determining the second time window to the first network device, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update the maximum time window in which the terminal device maintains phase continuity. For example, the maximum time window for keeping phase continuity of the terminal equipment is adjusted from the first time window to the third time window. Therefore, the requirements of uplink synchronization and phase continuity are met, so that the smooth implementation of the JCE is ensured, and the reliability of the JCE is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In communication technology, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) can be used for channel estimation, so that data can be demodulated based on the result of channel estimation. In order to improve the accuracy of channel estimation and the performance of data decoding, a method of using DMRS on different time slots for joint channel estimation (JCE) is proposed. Generally, when performing joint channel estimation, it is necessary to maintain phase continuity within the time domain window (TDW). However, in satellite communication scenarios, how to determine the time domain window has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently at the current stage. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a communication method and device, which realizes determining the maximum time window for a terminal device to maintain phase continuity in a satellite communication scenario, thereby ensuring the smooth implementation of JCE and further improving the reliability of JCE.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, where the terminal device can refer to the terminal device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system that implements the method in the terminal device. In the communication method, first information can be received from a first network device, the first information is used to indicate a first time window, and the first time window is the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; so that when the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, second information can be sent to the first network device, the second information is used to determine a second time window, and the second time window is used to determine a third time window, and the third time window is the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

[0005] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, such as the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device becomes smaller. This means that the terminal device needs to make timing adjustments frequently, resulting in a smaller time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. That is, the phase continuity of the first time window cannot be maintained. Therefore, the terminal device can send a second information for determining the second time window to the first network device, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. For example, the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity is adjusted from the first time window to the third time window. In this way, both the uplink synchronization and the phase continuity requirements are met, thereby ensuring the smooth implementation of JCE and improving the reliability of JCE. Similarly, when the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device becomes larger, the terminal device may not need to make timing adjustments frequently, resulting in a larger time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. In order to maximize the performance advantage of JCE, the terminal device can send a second information for determining the second time window to the first network device, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity.

[0006] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending third information to the first network device, the third information is used to indicate a first set, a time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; the first time window is determined based on the first set.

[0007] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the first time window can be determined based on the maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity, so that the size of the first time window matches the capability of the terminal device, that is, the time window for the first network device to perform JCE matches the capability of the terminal device, which can improve the performance of JCE.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the number of first sets is one, and one first set corresponds to one relative position; or, the number of first sets is multiple, and different first sets correspond to different relative positions.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the time window included in the first set is determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the first network device.

[0010] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the second information is used to determine the second time window, including: the number of first sets is one, and the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the time window in the first set; or, the number of first sets is multiple, different first sets correspond to different index values, and the second information includes the index value of one first set in multiple first sets; or, the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the first time window; or, the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the fourth time window, and the fourth time window is the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time.

[0011] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the second information can be reported through a differential value or an index value, which can save indication overhead.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, sending the second information to the first network device includes: sending the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the time windows in the first set is greater than or equal to the first differential value; or sending the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the first time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value; or sending the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the fourth time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value; wherein the first differential value is a predefined or preconfigured differential value, or the first differential value is indicated by the first network device to the terminal device.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending fifth information to the first network device, the fifth information is used to indicate a fifth time window, the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; the third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

[0014] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the third time window is determined in combination with the fifth time window determined by the number of repetitions configured by the first network device, which can better ensure the smooth implementation of JCE and thus improve the reliability of JCE.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the method further includes: receiving fourth information from the first network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a third time window.

[0016] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the first network device can notify the terminal device of the third time window, so that the first network device and the terminal device have the same understanding of the time window for maintaining phase continuity, thereby ensuring the smooth implementation of JCE.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the method also includes: receiving sixth information from the second network device, the sixth information is used to determine the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device; sending seventh information to the second network device, the seventh information is used to indicate a second set, the time window included in the second set is determined based on the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device, and the time window included in the second set is the maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the second network device is a network device after the terminal device performs a cell switch or the second network device is a network device after the terminal device is about to perform a cell switch.

[0018] It can be seen that in the above implementation, when the terminal device performs switching, the terminal device can send its own capabilities to the new network device (i.e., the second network device), such as the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity supported by the terminal device, etc. In this way, the new network device can learn the capabilities of the terminal device, so as to better configure the corresponding time window for the terminal device.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, optionally, the sixth information is used to determine the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device, including: the sixth information is used to indicate the ephemeris information and the common timing advance change rate of the second network device.

[0020] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network device, where the first network device can refer to the first network device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system in the first network device that implements the method. In the communication method, first information can be sent to a terminal device, the first information is used to indicate a first time window, and the first time window is the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; thereby, second information from the terminal device can be received, the second information is information sent by the terminal device when the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, the second information is used to determine a second time window, and the second time window is used to determine a third time window, and the third time window is the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

[0021] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the method also includes: receiving third information from the terminal device, the third information is used to indicate a first set, the time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; the first time window is determined based on the first set.

[0022] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the number of first sets is one, and one first set corresponds to one relative position; or, the number of first sets is multiple, and different first sets correspond to different relative positions.

[0023] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the time window included in the first set is determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the first network device.

[0024] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the second information is used to determine the second time window, including: the number of first sets is one, and the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the time window in the first set; or, the number of first sets is multiple, different first sets correspond to different index values, and the second information includes the index value of one first set in multiple first sets; or, the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the first time window; or, the second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the fourth time window, and the fourth time window is the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time.

[0025] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the method also includes: receiving fifth information from the terminal device, the fifth information is used to indicate a fifth time window, the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; the third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

[0026] In combination with the second aspect, optionally, the method also includes: sending fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate the third time window.

[0027] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a unit or module for implementing the method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device comprising at least one processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; and the at least one processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, so that the method described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect is executed. Optionally, the memory may be coupled to the storage.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system comprising a terminal device and a first network device; the terminal device is used to execute the method as described in any one of the first aspects; the first network device is used to execute the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0030] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are executed, the computer executes the method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0031] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0032] In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising at least one processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to read and execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the instructions are executed, the chip executes a method as described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0033] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising the method as described in any one of the first aspect and the method as described in any one of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0035] Figure 1 A basic architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a RAN architecture based on NTN equipment applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the elevation angle of a satellite;

[0039] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Among them, the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. Unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. These three situations, where A and B can be singular or plural. And, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be one or more. 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 between network elements and identical or similar items with substantially the same functions. 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.

[0042] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" etc. described in the embodiments of the present application mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. Therefore, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0043] The following specific implementation methods further describe in detail the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the following are only specific implementation methods of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided for in any logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0045] It should be understood that the technical solution of the present application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) or scenarios where NTN is integrated with terrestrial networks (TN). The technical solution of the present application can adopt access technologies evolved after 5G, such as long-term evolution (LTE) access technology, fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) access technology, and sixth-generation mobile communication (6G) access technology.

[0046] The following describes the basic architecture of the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application. The communication system provided by the present application may include one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices.

[0047] Below Figure 1 The system architecture shown is explained as an example. Figure 1 In the embodiment, two system architectures are given as examples based on the scenarios to which the communication system is applicable. Figure 1 The communication system shown in 1-1 can be applied to non-switching scenarios. Figure 1 The communication system shown in 1-2 can be applied to the switching scenario. Generally, after the terminal device establishes a connection with a certain network device, the terminal device may or may not perform the switching. In the case where the terminal device performs the switching, the communication system involved can be considered as the communication system in the switching scenario. In the case where the terminal device does not perform the switching, the communication system involved can be considered as the communication system in the non-switching scenario. Specifically:

[0048] exist Figure 1 In 1-1, the communication system includes a network device 10 and a terminal device 20 that communicates with the network device 10.

[0049] exist Figure 1In 1-2, the communication system includes a first network device 10, a second network device 20 and a terminal device 30. Specifically: the terminal device 30 can communicate with the first network device 10 through the first cell managed by the first network device 10. Generally speaking, the movement of the terminal device, the change of the service, the change of the network coverage or other reasons may cause the first cell to be unable to continue to provide services to the terminal device 30 or the first cell to provide the terminal device 30 with poor service quality. In order not to interrupt the service, the terminal device 30 can be switched to a more suitable cell to continue to provide services to the terminal device 30. For example, the terminal device 30 can switch from the first cell to the second cell managed by the second network device 20, that is, the terminal device 30 can communicate with the second network device 20 through the second cell managed by the second network device 20.

[0050] Here, the first network device 10 can be called the source network device, and the second network device 20 can be called the target network device. The source network device refers to the network device that the terminal device accesses before performing the handover, or the network device that provides services to the terminal device before the handover. The target network device refers to the network device after the terminal device performs the cell handover, the network device after the terminal device is about to perform the cell handover, the network device that the terminal device accesses after the handover is successfully performed, or the network device that provides services to the terminal device after the handover is successful. Similarly, the first cell can be called the source cell, and the second cell can be called the target cell. The source cell refers to the cell that the terminal device accesses before performing the handover, and the source cell is a cell managed by the source network device, a cell covered by the source network device, a cell governed by the source network device, or the source cell belongs to the source network device. The target cell refers to the cell that the terminal device accesses after performing the handover, and the target cell is a cell managed by the target network device, a cell covered by the target network device, a cell governed by the target network device, or the target cell belongs to the target network device.

[0051] Optionally, the first network device and the second network device are the same network device or different network devices, and the first cell and the second cell are the same cell or different cells.

[0052] It should be noted that the cells mentioned in this application refer to NTN cells. Figure 1 The number of network devices and terminal devices is only for illustration and should not be regarded as a specific limitation of the present application. The terminal devices and network devices involved in the system architecture are described in detail below.

[0053] 1. Terminal equipment

[0054] Terminal equipment is an entity on the user side that is used to receive signals, or send signals, or receive and send signals. Terminal equipment is used to provide one or more of voice services and data connectivity services to users. Terminal equipment can be a device that includes wireless transceiver functions and can cooperate with network equipment to provide communication services to users. Specifically, terminal equipment can refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, user device or road side unit (RSU). The terminal device may also be a drone, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a station (ST) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular phone, a smart phone, a cordless phone, a wireless data card, a tablet computer, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device (also referred to as a wearable smart device), a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a transportation safety (transportation) device, a wearable device (also referred to as a wearable smart device), a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation) device, a wireless terminal in wireless communication (mobile phone), ... The terminal device may be a wireless terminal in a 5G system or a terminal in a next-generation communication system, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0055] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal device. The device for realizing the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device; it can also be a device that can support the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in combination with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0056] 2. Network equipment

[0057] This application may refer to network equipment as NTN network equipment. NTN is to provide communication coverage for terminal equipment by deploying base stations or part of base station functions on NTN equipment (such as ships, high-altitude platforms, drones or satellites) to improve the reliability of the communication system. In other words, the network equipment can be a ship, equipment deployed on a high-altitude platform, drone or satellite, etc.

[0058] It should be understood that in different scenarios, satellites may have different functions, specifically:

[0059] 1. In Figure 2 In a transparent satellite architecture shown in 2-1 of FIG. 2 , a radio access network (RAN) may include a remote radio unit (RRU) and a base station (such as Figure 2 gNB). RRU can include satellite and NTN gateway. Satellite is used for radio frequency filtering and frequency conversion and amplification to ensure that the waveform signal repeated by the payload remains unchanged. That is, the satellite is mainly used as a layer 1 (L1 for short) relay device to regenerate the physical layer signal (i.e., radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification processing) without other higher protocol layers. NTN gateway supports all functions of forwarding new radio Uu (NR-Uu) port signals. The NR-Uu interface is the interface between the terminal device and the base station in the protocol.

[0060] 2. In Figure 2In the regenerative satellite without inter-satellite link architecture shown in Figure 2-2, RAN includes satellite and NTN gateway. Satellite acts as a base station and has the processing function of the base station. NTN gateway is a transmission network layer node and supports the corresponding transmission protocol. The satellite and NTN gateway are connected through the satellite radio interface (SRI), and the NG interface is carried on top of SRI (NG over SRI) and is responsible for higher-level information transmission.

[0061] 3. In Figure 2 In a regenerative satellite with inter-satellite link architecture shown in 2-3 of Figure 2 The difference is that there is SRI, and multiple satellites can be connected through Xn interface. Among them, Xn interface is carried on SRI (Xn over SRI).

[0062] 4. In Figure 2 In a regenerative satellite architecture with distributed unit (DU) processing function of a base station as shown in 2-4, the satellite acts as the DU in the base station and performs the base station function together with the central unit (CU). There is an NTN gateway between the DU on the satellite and the CU on the ground. The NTN gateway is a transmission network layer node that supports the corresponding transmission protocol. The satellite and the NTN gateway are connected through the F1 interface, which is carried on SRI (F1 over SRI).

[0063] 5. In a satellite architecture with integrated access and backhaul (IAB) functionality, the satellite acts as a base station with IAB functionality.

[0064] Among them, when the satellite is used as a layer 1 relay device (i.e. Figure 22-1 of the present invention), the communication system may also include a base station, which may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, an NR system, and a future wireless access system defined in the third generation partnership project (3GPP), or a WiFi system, or an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine type communication (mMTC), a long range Internet of Things (LoRa) system, or a vehicle network system. The base station may also include two or more of the above-mentioned different wireless access systems. The base station may also be an open radio access network (RAN) (open RAN, O-RAN).

[0065] In the present application, the satellite may be, for example, a non-geostationary earthorbit (NGEO) medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), an evolved NodeB (eNB) and a 5G base station (gNB), etc.

[0066] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the network device is not limited. The device for realizing the function of the network device can be the network device; or it can be a device that can support the network device to realize the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in combination with the network device.

[0067] In order to facilitate the understanding of the content of this solution, some of the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. This part is only for ease of understanding and cannot be regarded as a specific limitation of the present application.

[0068] 1. JCE

[0069] JCE means that the network equipment uses the uplink reference signals received on multiple time units to perform channel estimation and obtain the channel state information (CSI) on multiple time units, so as to demodulate and decode the uplink transmission on multiple time units. For network equipment, JCE can also be called cross-time slot channel estimation, cross-transmission channel estimation or coherent channel estimation. For terminal equipment, JCE can also be called joint transmission, joint transmission, DMRS bundling, cross-time slot transmission, coherent transmission, etc.

[0070] The time unit mentioned in this application may be, for example, a time slot. In NR, the duration of a frame is 10 ms, and each frame is divided into 10 subframes, each subframe is 1 ms long. Each subframe is divided into several time slots: when the cyclic prefix (CP) is a normal cyclic prefix (NCP), each time slot consists of 14 symbols; when the cyclic prefix is ​​an extended cyclic prefix (ECP), each time slot consists of 12 symbols. Of course, with the evolution of communication technology, the number of symbols included in a time slot may also be other values, which is not limited in this application. Among them, the symbols involved in this application may be orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

[0071] The uplink reference signal, also called the pilot signal, is a known signal provided by the transmitter to the receiver for channel estimation or channel detection. It is used for channel estimation, channel quality measurement, etc. The uplink reference signal refers to the reference signal sent by the terminal device to the network device, such as DMRS, channel sounding reference signal (SRS), etc.

[0072] Uplink transmission refers to the transmission of uplink information from a terminal device to a network device. The uplink information includes one or more of uplink service data, uplink control information, and uplink reference signals. Taking the uplink reference signal as DMRS as an example, uplink transmission may refer to one or more of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and the physical downlink shared channel (PUSCH). That is, all of the multiple time units may be used to transmit PUCCH or PUSCH, or, some of the multiple time units may be used to transmit PUCCH, and another part of the multiple time units may be used to transmit PUSCH, etc.

[0073] Among them, PUSCH is used to carry uplink service data, including service data of terminal equipment, DMRS, etc. PUCCH is used to carry uplink control information fed back by terminal equipment, including channel state information (CSI), acknowledgement (ACK), negative acknowledgement (NACK), DMRS, etc.

[0074] 2. Time Window

[0075] The time window mentioned in the present application may refer to a time domain window (TDW) spanning several time slots or symbols. TDW can be divided into a nominal time domain window (nominal TDW) and an actual time domain window (actual TDW). Generally, the nominal time domain window may be interrupted due to some factors, so that a nominal time domain window is divided into at least two actual time domain windows. Such factors include at least one of the following: dynamic slot format indication (SFI), uplink cancellation indication (UL cancellation indication, UL CI), channel preemption of different priorities, timing adjustment, frequency offset correction, carrier aggregation (CA), dual-connectivity (DC), etc. Timing adjustment may refer to the terminal device adjusting the timing advance (TA) based on the timing advance command (TA command) from the network device, and / or the terminal device calculating the TA error based on the downlink reference signal, and adjusting the TA when the TA error is greater than the threshold value. The threshold value is predefined or preconfigured, or the threshold value is indicated to the terminal device by the network device.

[0076] Generally, in order to enable the network device to perform JCE, the terminal device needs to maintain phase continuity within a time window. For example, the terminal device sends uplink transmissions on multiple time units within the time window, the phase difference between uplink transmissions on adjacent time units in the multiple time units is less than or equal to the first phase difference, and the phase difference between uplink transmissions on adjacent sub-time units in each time unit in the multiple time units is less than or equal to the second phase difference. In this way, it can be considered that the terminal device maintains phase continuity within the time window. For another example, the terminal device can send uplink reference signals on multiple time units within the time window, the phase difference between uplink reference signals on adjacent time units in the multiple time units is less than or equal to the first phase difference, and the phase difference between uplink reference signals on adjacent sub-time units in each time unit in the multiple time units is less than or equal to the second phase difference. In this way, it can be considered that the terminal device maintains phase continuity within the time window. The sub-time unit can be a symbol. The first phase difference and the second phase difference can be predefined or preconfigured, or indicated to the terminal device by the network device.

[0077] At present, in TN communication scenarios, in order to meet the requirements of phase continuity, the terminal device does not perform timing adjustments within a time window. The main reason for the timing adjustment is that the relative position of the terminal device and the base station changes. In the TN communication scenario, the relative position of the terminal device and the base station will not change too quickly, so timing adjustments can be made within the time window, and the phase continuity within the time window will not be destroyed. In the NTN communication scenario, the satellite is in a state of high-speed movement, so that the relative position of the terminal device and the satellite changes very quickly. If the terminal device does not perform timing adjustments within a time window, uplink synchronization may fail. If timing adjustments are made in this time window, the phase continuity within the time window will be destroyed. Therefore, in the NTN communication scenario, while satisfying uplink synchronization, how to determine the time window for maintaining phase continuity has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently at the current stage. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method to solve this problem.

[0078] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application. Specifically, the terminal device in the following text may be Figure 1 The terminal device involved, the first network device and the second network device in the following text can be Figure 1 It should be noted that the message names between network elements or the names of parameters in the messages in the following embodiments are only examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0079] like Figure 3 As shown, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0080] 301. A first network device sends first information to a terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a first time window, and the first time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity.

[0081] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the first network device.

[0082] Optionally, step 301 may be performed or not performed.

[0083] Optionally, the first information may be carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message, a media access control-control element (MAC CE) or downlink control information (DCI).

[0084] 302. When the relative position between the terminal device and the first network device changes, the terminal device sends second information to the first network device, where the second information is used to determine a second time window, and the second time window is used to determine a third time window, where the third time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. The third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

[0085] Optionally, the second information may be carried in an RRC message MAC CE or uplink control information (UCI). The second information is an RRC message, MAC CE or UCI.

[0086] Optionally, the number of the third time windows may be one or more. Optionally, the sizes of different third time windows in the plurality of third time windows may be completely the same. Or, the sizes of at least two third time windows in the plurality of third time windows are different.

[0087] Optionally, the method may further include step 303.

[0088] 303. The first network device sends fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a third time window.

[0089] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the fourth information from the first network device.

[0090] Optionally, when the third time window is determined based on the second time window, step 303 may be performed. When the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, step 303 may be performed or not performed.

[0091] Optionally, the fourth information may be carried in an RRC message, MAC CE or DCI. Or, the fourth information is an RRC message, MAC CE or DCI.

[0092] Optionally, after step 303, step 304 and step 305 may also be included.

[0093] 304. The terminal device sends an uplink reference signal and an uplink transmission in multiple time units within a third time window, where the time unit is a time unit in which the uplink transmission is located.

[0094] Correspondingly, the first network device receives the uplink reference signal and uplink transmission from the terminal device at multiple time units within the third time window.

[0095] Optionally, when the number of the third time windows is one, the multiple time units are located in one third time window. When the number of the third time windows is multiple, at least one time unit among the multiple time units may be located in one third time window among the multiple third time windows. It can also be said that the multiple time units are distributed in the multiple third time windows. The number of time units in different third time windows among the multiple third time windows may be the same or different.

[0096] 305. The first network device performs channel estimation based on uplink reference signals received over multiple time units, and decodes uplink transmissions received over multiple time units based on the channel estimation result.

[0097] The specific implementation of steps 301 to 302, 304 and 305 is described below.

[0098] 1. Specific implementation method for step 301

[0099] Optionally, the first time window may be determined based on the first set. The time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity.

[0100] Optionally, the number of the first set may be one or more. When the number of the first set is one, the number of time windows included in the first set may be one or more, which is not limited in this application; the following text only takes the case where the number of time windows included in the first set is one as an example for schematic description.

[0101] The first time window is determined based on the first set, and there are several implementation methods, specifically:

[0102] 1. When the number of the first set is one, the first time window can be determined based on the time window in the first set and the seventh time window. Among them, the seventh time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device. It should be noted that the number of repetitions supported by a certain device (such as a terminal device or a first network device, etc.) mentioned in this application refers to the number of repetitions of uplink transmission supported by the device. For a terminal device, it can be described as the number of repetitions of uplink transmission supported by the terminal device. For a network device (such as a first network device or a second network device), it can be described as the number of repetitions of uplink reception supported by the network device.

[0103] Optionally, the seventh time window can be called an antenna switching window. The antenna switching window refers to the length of time for antenna switching after completing one or more uplink transmissions. Taking the uplink transmission as PUSCH as an example, the terminal device can repeatedly transmit the uplink service data of the PUSCH. Generally, the terminal device can switch the antenna when completing one or more repeated transmissions for the PUSCH. Assuming that the number of repetitions of PUSCH1 to PUSCH3 are 2, 4 and 8 respectively, and PUSCH1 to PUSCH3 occupy 1 time slot respectively, then there can be 3 antenna switching windows, which can be 2 time slots, 4 time slots and 8 time slots respectively.

[0104] Optionally, the seventh time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured for the first network device, which can also be understood as: the seventh time window is determined based on the maximum number of repetitions configured for the first network device.

[0105] Optionally, the first time window can be determined based on the time window in the first set and the seventh time window, which can be understood as: the first time window is the average value, minimum value, maximum value or median of the time window obtained by dividing the time window in the first set based on the seventh time window. Exemplarily, the seventh time window is 10 time slots, the time window in the first set is 16 time slots, and the time window in the first set can be divided into 2 time windows, and the 2 time windows are 10 time slots and 6 time slots respectively. The first time window can be the average value of the 2 time windows, that is, 8 time slots. Or, the first time window can be the minimum value of the 2 time windows, that is, 6 time slots. Or, the first time window can be the maximum value of the 2 time windows, that is, 10 time slots.

[0106] 2. When the number of the first set is one, the first time window can be determined based on the time window in the first set and the eighth time window. Optionally, the eighth time window is determined based on the maximum TA change rate and the common TA change rate of the beam where the terminal device is located. Among them, the first time window can be determined based on the time window in the first set and the eighth time window, which can be understood as: the first time window can be the average value, minimum value, maximum value or median of the time window obtained by dividing the time window in the first set based on the eighth time window.

[0107] 3. When there are multiple first sets, the first time window may be an average value, a minimum value, a maximum value or a median value of the time windows included in at least one first set among the multiple first sets.

[0108] It should be noted that any one of the above methods 1-3 can be used alone as an implementation method for determining the first time window. Alternatively, at least two of the above methods 1-3 can be combined to determine the first time window. For example, when the number of the first set is multiple, the first time window can be determined based on the average value of the time windows included in at least one first set of multiple first sets and the seventh time window. For another example, when the number of the first set is multiple, the first time window can be determined based on the average value of the time windows included in at least one first set of multiple first sets and the eighth time window. The above are just a few simple examples, and there are other combinations, which are not limited in this application.

[0109] Optionally, the first set may be indicated to the first network device by the terminal device through third information. The third information may be carried in an RRC message (such as a terminal capability information (UE capability information) message). In this case, the third information may also be referred to as capability information.

[0110] Optionally, when the number of the first set is one, the first set corresponds to one relative position. When the number of the first set is multiple, different first sets correspond to different relative positions.

[0111] It should be noted that the relative position mentioned in the present application may include an elevation angle and / or a movement speed. Exemplarily, the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device may include an elevation angle and / or a movement speed of the terminal device relative to the first network device. The following takes the first network device as a satellite as an example to illustrate the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the satellite. Figure 4As shown, at a given moment, the angle between the line of sight from point p on the earth to the satellite and the horizon of point p is the elevation angle of the satellite. Generally, the elevation angle of a satellite is used to describe the position of the satellite passing over the terminal device at a certain moment. When the elevation angle is 90 degrees, it means that the satellite is directly above the terminal device, and the satellite does not provide service to the terminal device at this time. Exemplarily, the elevation angle of the satellite can be determined based on one or more of the location information of the terminal device (such as latitude and longitude, etc.), the height of the satellite from the ground, the orbital angle of the satellite, and the specific position of the satellite in the orbit (such as latitude and longitude, etc.). Alternatively, the elevation angle of the satellite can be converted based on angle information such as the satellite's opening angle and / or the center angle.

[0112] Optionally, when different first sets correspond to different relative positions, it can also be described as: different first sets correspond to different capability levels, and one capability level corresponds to one relative position.

[0113] Optionally, the time window included in the first set may be determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the first network device.

[0114] Among them, the timing advance change rate of a certain network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) mentioned in this application can be determined based on the ephemeris information of the network device and the public timing advance change rate. The Doppler change rate of the network device can be determined based on the ephemeris information of the network device, the public timing advance change rate and the frequency band in which the terminal device operates. The ephemeris information of a certain network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) mentioned in this application may include at least one of the following: the orbital angle of the network device, the movement speed of the network device, the right ascension of the ascending node, the major semi-axis of the orbital ellipse, the eccentricity of the orbital ellipse, the perigee angular distance, etc.

[0115] Optionally, the ephemeris information and the common timing advance change rate of the first network device may be indicated to the terminal device by the first network device through the eighth information. The eighth information may be system information blocks 19 (SIB19), or the eighth information is carried in SIB19.

[0116] 2. Specific implementation of step 302

[0117] The second information is used to determine the second time window, which can be implemented in the following ways:

[0118] 1. The number of the first set is one, and the second information is used to indicate the difference value between the second time window and the time window in the first set.

[0119] 2. There are multiple first sets, and different first sets correspond to different index values. The second information includes the index value of one of the multiple first sets. For example, the second information includes the index value of the first set with the largest index value or the smallest index value among the multiple first sets. Or, the second information includes the index value of any one of the multiple first sets. The multiple first sets correspond one-to-one to the multiple index values. The one-to-one correspondence (i.e., the one-to-one correspondence between the multiple first sets and the multiple index values) can be predefined or preconfigured.

[0120] 3. The second information is used to indicate the difference value between the second time window and the first time window.

[0121] 4. The second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and the fourth time window, where the fourth time window is the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time. In this case, the second time window can be considered as the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. In the case where the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes last time, the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity that the terminal device can report. This can be called the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time.

[0122] 5. The second information includes the second time window. That is, the terminal device can indicate the second time window to the network device so that the network device can quickly determine the third time window.

[0123] It can be seen that for any of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 4, the indication overhead can be saved.

[0124] Optionally, when the second information is used to indicate the differential value between the second time window and the time windows in the first set, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device, which may include: when the differential value between the second time window and the time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0125] The first differential value is a predefined or preconfigured differential value, or the first differential value is indicated by the first network device to the terminal device. Exemplarily, the first differential value may be 1 time slot or 2 time slots, which is not limited here.

[0126] Optionally, when the second information is used to indicate the differential value between the second time window and the first time window, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device, which may include: when the differential value between the second time window and the first time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0127] Optionally, when the second information is used to indicate the differential value between the second time window and the fourth time window, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device, which may include: when the differential value between the second time window and the fourth time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value, the terminal device sends the second information to the first network device.

[0128] The third time window is determined based on the second time window, and there are several implementation methods, specifically:

[0129] 1. The third time window is less than or equal to the second time window. For example, when the first time window is less than the second time window, the third time window is less than or equal to the second time window. Exemplarily, the first time window is 5 time slots and the second time window is 10 time slots. Assume that the number of third time windows is 3. The three third time windows can all be 10 time slots or 8 time slots, etc. This can ensure that the performance advantage of JCE is maximized.

[0130] 2. The terminal device sends the fifth information to the first network device, and the fifth information is used to indicate the fifth time window, which is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device. The third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window. Exemplarily, the fifth time window is 4 time slots, the second time window is 16 time slots, and the second time window can be divided into 4 third time windows, and the 4 third time windows are all 4 time slots. This combines the fifth time window determined by the number of repetitions configured by the first network device to determine the third time window, which can better ensure the smooth implementation of JCE, thereby improving the reliability of JCE.

[0131] Optionally, the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device, which can be understood as: the fifth time window is determined based on the maximum number of repetitions configured by the first network device and the ability of switching antennas supported by the terminal device. Optionally, the fifth time window can be called an antenna switching window.

[0132] The third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, and there are several implementation methods, specifically:

[0133] 1. The third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window. For example, when the first time window is larger than the second time window, the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window. Exemplarily, the second time window is 6 time slots, the first time window is 8 time slots, and the first time window can be divided into 2 third time windows, and the 2 third time windows are 6 time slots and 2 time slots respectively. Another exemplary example is that the second time window is 6 time slots, and the 2 first time windows are 8 time slots each, and each of the 2 first time windows can be divided into 2 third time windows, and the 2 third time windows are 6 time slots and 2 time slots respectively. Therefore, 4 third time windows can be obtained in this way.

[0134] 2. The terminal device sends the fifth information to the first network device, and the fifth information is used to indicate the fifth time window, and the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device. The third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window. Exemplarily, the fifth time window is 4 time slots, the second time window is 10 time slots, and the first time window is 16 time slots. The first time window can be divided into 2 sixth time windows. The 2 sixth time windows are 10 time slots and 6 time slots respectively. For the time windows of 10 time slots in the 2 sixth time windows, they can be divided into 3 third time windows, and the 3 third time windows are 4 time slots, 4 time slots and 2 time slots respectively. For the time windows of 6 time slots in the 2 sixth time windows, they can be divided into 2 third time windows, and the 2 third time windows are 4 time slots and 2 time slots respectively. Therefore, 5 third time windows can be obtained in this way. This combines the fifth time window determined by the number of repetitions configured by the first network device to determine the third time window, which can better ensure the smooth implementation of JCE and thus improve the reliability of JCE.

[0135] 3. Specific implementation of step 303

[0136] Optionally, the fourth information is used to indicate a third time window. The number of the third time windows may be multiple, which can be understood as one of the following:

[0137] 1. The fourth information is used to indicate the largest third time window among multiple third time windows.

[0138] 2. The fourth information is used to indicate the smallest third time window among multiple third time windows.

[0139] 3. The fourth information is used to indicate any third time window among multiple third time windows.

[0140] It should be pointed out that the above methods 1-3 are examples of some possible implementation methods, and there are other implementation methods, which are not listed here one by one.

[0141] 4. Specific implementation of step 305

[0142] The channel estimation result mentioned in step 305 may include, for example, at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc. In the present application, the process of decoding the uplink transmission received on multiple time units based on the channel estimation result is not limited.

[0143] Optionally, the method may also include: the terminal device receives sixth information from the second network device, the sixth information is used to determine the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device; the terminal device sends seventh information to the second network device, the seventh information is used to indicate the second set.

[0144] Optionally, the sixth information is used to determine the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device, including: the sixth information is used to indicate the ephemeris information and the common timing advance change rate of the second network device. The sixth information may be SIB19, or the sixth information is carried in SIB19.

[0145] The time window included in the second set is determined based on the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device, and the time window included in the second set is the maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity.

[0146] Optionally, the number of the second set may be one or more. When the number of the second set is one, the number of time windows included in the second set may be one or more, which is not limited in this application; the following description will only be schematically described by taking the number of time windows included in the second set as one as an example.

[0147] Optionally, when the number of the second sets is one, the second set corresponds to one relative position. When the number of the second sets is multiple, different second sets correspond to different relative positions. Optionally, when different second sets correspond to different relative positions, it can also be described as: different second sets correspond to different capability levels, and one capability level corresponds to one relative position.

[0148] Optionally, the seventh information may be carried in an RRC message (such as a UE capability information message). In this case, the seventh information may also be referred to as capability information.

[0149] In a possible implementation, the terminal device sending the seventh information to the second network device may include: when the relative position of the terminal device to the first network device is different from the relative position of the terminal device to the second network device, the terminal device sending the seventh information to the second network device. For example, when the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device is different from the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the second network device, and / or when the movement speed of the terminal device relative to the first network device is different from the movement speed of the terminal device relative to the second network device, the terminal device sends the seventh information to the second network device.

[0150] It can be seen that in the above implementation, the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, such as the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device becomes smaller. This means that the terminal device needs to make timing adjustments frequently, resulting in a smaller time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. That is, the phase continuity of the first time window cannot be maintained. Therefore, the terminal device can send a second information for determining the second time window to the first network device, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. For example, the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity is adjusted from the first time window to the third time window. In this way, both the uplink synchronization and the phase continuity requirements are met, thereby ensuring the smooth implementation of JCE and improving the reliability of JCE. Similarly, when the elevation angle of the terminal device relative to the first network device becomes larger, the terminal device may not need to make timing adjustments frequently, resulting in a larger time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity. In order to maximize the performance advantage of JCE, the terminal device can send a second information for determining the second time window to the first network device, so that the terminal device and the first network device can update the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity.

[0151] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the present application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. It is understandable that in order to realize the above functions, the above-mentioned implementation devices include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, 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 the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the present application.

[0152] The embodiment of the present application can divide the terminal device or network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according 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 software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0153] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 500 can be applied to the above Figure 3 In the method shown in the embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, the communication device 500 includes: a processing module 501 and a transceiver module 502. The processing module 501 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 502 can be a transceiver or a communication interface. The communication device can be used to implement the terminal device or network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) involved in any of the above method embodiments, or to implement the function of the network element involved in any of the above method embodiments. The network element or network function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). Optionally, the communication device 500 can also include a storage module 503 for storing program code and data of the communication device 500.

[0154] In one example, when the communication device is used as a terminal device or a chip used in a terminal device, the steps performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiment are performed. The transceiver module 502 is used to specifically perform Figure 3The sending and / or receiving actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiment, for example, support the terminal device to perform other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 501 can be used to support the communication device 500 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiment, for example, support the terminal device to perform other processes of the technology described herein.

[0155] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 502 is used to: receive first information from a first network device, the first information is used to indicate a first time window, and the first time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; when the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, send second information to the first network device, the second information is used to determine a second time window, and the second time window is used to determine a third time window, and the third time window is the maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

[0156] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is also used to send third information to the first network device, where the third information is used to indicate the first set, where a time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; the first time window is determined based on the first set.

[0157] Optionally, when sending the second information to the first network device, the transceiver module 502 is used to: send the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the time window in the first set is greater than or equal to the first differential value; or send the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the first time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value; or send the second information to the first network device when the differential value between the second time window and the fourth time window is greater than or equal to the first differential value; wherein the first differential value is a predefined or preconfigured differential value, or the first differential value is indicated by the first network device to the terminal device.

[0158] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is further used to receive fourth information from the first network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate a third time window.

[0159] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is also used to send fifth information to the first network device, the fifth information is used to indicate a fifth time window, and the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; the third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

[0160] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is also used to: receive sixth information from the second network device, the sixth information is used to determine the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device; send seventh information to the second network device, the seventh information is used to indicate a second set, the time window included in the second set is determined based on the timing advance change rate and / or Doppler change rate of the second network device, and the time window included in the second set is the maximum time window supported by the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the second network device is a network device after the terminal device performs a cell switch or the second network device is a network device after the terminal device is about to perform a cell switch.

[0161] In another example, when the communication device is used as a network device (such as a first network device or a second network device, etc.) or a chip used in a network device (such as a first network device or a second network device, etc.), and executes the steps performed by the network device (such as a first network device or a second network device, etc.) in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 502 is used to specifically execute Figure 3 The sending and / or receiving actions performed by the network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) in the embodiment, for example, support the network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) to perform other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 501 can be used to support the communication device 500 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiment, for example, support the network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) to perform other processes of the technology described herein.

[0162] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 502 is used to: send first information to a terminal device, the first information is used to indicate a first time window, and the first time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; receive second information from the terminal device, the second information is information sent by the terminal device when the relative position of the terminal device and the first network device changes, and the second information is used to determine a second time window, and the second time window is used to determine a third time window, and the third time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; wherein the third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

[0163] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is also used to receive third information from the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate a first set, where the time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device for maintaining phase continuity; the first time window is determined based on the first set.

[0164] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is further used to send fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate the third time window.

[0165] Optionally, the transceiver module 502 is also used to receive fifth information from the terminal device, the fifth information is used to indicate a fifth time window, and the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; the third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

[0166] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device or the network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) is a chip, the transceiver module 502 can be a communication interface, a pin or a circuit, etc. The communication interface can be used to input the data to be processed to the processor, and can output the processing results of the processor to the outside. In a specific implementation, the communication interface can be a general purpose input output (GPIO) interface, which can be connected to multiple peripheral devices (such as a display (LCD), a camera (camera), a radio frequency (RF) module, an antenna, etc.). The communication interface is connected to the processor via a bus.

[0167] The processing module 501 may be a processor that can execute computer-executable instructions stored in the storage module to enable the chip to execute Figure 3The method involved in the illustrated embodiment. Further, the processor may include a controller, an operator and a register. Exemplarily, the controller is mainly responsible for instruction decoding and sends a control signal for the operation corresponding to the instruction. The operator is mainly responsible for performing fixed-point or floating-point arithmetic operations, shift operations, and logical operations, etc., and may also perform address operations and conversions. The register is mainly responsible for saving register operands and intermediate operation results temporarily stored during the execution of instructions. In a specific implementation, the hardware architecture of the processor may be an ASIC architecture, a microprocessor without interlocked piped stages architecture (MIPS) architecture, an advanced RISC machines (ARM) architecture, or a second processor (NP) architecture, etc. The processor may be single-core or multi-core. The storage module may be a storage module within the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc. The storage module may also be a storage module located outside the chip, such as a ROM or other types of static storage devices, RAM, etc. that can store static information and instructions.

[0168] It should be noted that the functions corresponding to the processor and the interface can be implemented through hardware design, software design, or a combination of hardware and software, and there is no limitation here.

[0169] Figure 6 A structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. It is understandable that the communication device 610 includes necessary means such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, which are appropriately configured together to implement the present solution. The communication device 610 may be the above-mentioned terminal device or network device (such as a first network device or a second network device, etc.), or a component (such as a chip) in these devices, to implement the method described in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The communication device 610 includes one or more processors 611. The processor 611 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and the communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device (such as a terminal device, a network device (such as a first network device or a second network device, etc.), or a chip, etc.), execute the software program, and process the data of the software program.

[0170] Optionally, in one design, the processor 611 may include a program 613 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction), and the program 613 may be executed on the processor 611 to enable the communication device 610 to perform the method described in the above embodiment. In another possible design, the communication device 610 includes a circuit ( Figure 6 (not shown), the circuit is used to implement the functions of the terminal device, network device (such as the first network device or the second network device, etc.) in the above embodiments. Optionally, the communication device 610 may include one or more memories 612, on which a program 614 (sometimes also referred to as code or instruction) is stored, and the program 614 can be executed on the processor 611, so that the communication device 610 performs the method described in the above method embodiment.

[0171] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 611 and / or the memory 612. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0172] Optionally, the communication device 610 may further include a transceiver 615 and / or an antenna 616. The processor 611 may also be sometimes referred to as a processing unit, and controls the communication device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device (e.g., a first network device or a second network device, etc.)). The transceiver 615 may also be sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or a transceiver, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver function of the communication device through the antenna 616.

[0173] The embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, the communication device includes at least one processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; at least one processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions in the memory, so that Figure 3 The method of any one of the embodiments is performed.

[0174] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions. When the computer instructions are executed, the computer executes the following Figure 3 The method of any one of the embodiments.

[0175] The present application also provides a computer program product, comprising: a computer program code, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to execute the following Figure 3 The method of any one of the embodiments.

[0176] The embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, the chip includes at least one processor and an interface, the processor is used to read and execute instructions stored in the memory, when the instructions are executed, the chip executes as follows Figure 3 The method of any one of the embodiments.

[0177] The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the embodiments of the present application. In addition, each network element unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software network element units.

[0178] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software network element unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the part that essentially contributes to the technical solution of the present application, 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 computer device (which can be a personal computer, a terminal device, a cloud server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned methods in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code. The above is only a specific implementation method 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 various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving first information from a first network device, where the first information is used to indicate a first time window, where the first time window is a maximum time window for a terminal device to maintain phase continuity; When the relative position between the terminal device and the first network device changes, sending second information to the first network device, where the second information is used to determine a second time window, where the second time window is used to determine a third time window, where the third time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; The third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending third information to the first network device, where the third information is used to indicate a first set, where the time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device for maintaining phase continuity; The first time window is determined based on the first set.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The number of the first sets is one, and one first set corresponds to one relative position; or, There are multiple first sets, and different first sets correspond to different relative positions.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The time window included in the first set is determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the first network device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The second information is used to determine the second time window, including: The number of the first set is one, and the second information is used to indicate a difference value between the second time window and a time window in the first set; or, There are multiple first sets, different first sets correspond to different index values, and the second information includes the index value of one first set among the multiple first sets; or, The second information is used to indicate a difference value between the second time window and the first time window; or, The second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and a fourth time window, where the fourth time window is the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The sending the second information to the first network device includes: When the difference between the second time window and the time windows in the first set is greater than or equal to the first difference, sending the second information to the first network device; or, When the difference between the second time window and the first time window is greater than or equal to the first difference, sending the second information to the first network device; or, When the difference between the second time window and the fourth time window is greater than or equal to the first difference, sending the second information to the first network device; The first differential value is a predefined or preconfigured differential value, or the first differential value is indicated to the terminal device by the first network device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending fifth information to the first network device, where the fifth information is used to indicate a fifth time window, where the fifth time window is determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; The third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; The third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Fourth information is received from the first network device, where the fourth information is used to indicate the third time window.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving sixth information from a second network device, wherein the sixth information is used to determine a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the second network device; Sending seventh information to the second network device, where the seventh information is used to indicate a second set, where the time window included in the second set is determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the second network device, and the time window included in the second set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device for maintaining phase continuity; The second network device is the network device after the terminal device performs cell switching or the second network device is the network device after the terminal device is about to perform cell switching.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The sixth information is used to determine a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the second network device, including: The sixth information is used to indicate the ephemeris information and the common timing advance change rate of the second network device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending first information to a terminal device, where the first information is used to indicate a first time window, where the first time window is a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; receiving second information from the terminal device, the second information being information sent by the terminal device when a relative position between the terminal device and the first network device changes, the second information being used to determine a second time window, the second time window being used to determine a third time window, the third time window being a maximum time window for the terminal device to maintain phase continuity; The third time window is determined based on the second time window, or the third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information from the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate a first set, where a time window included in the first set is a maximum time window supported by the terminal device for maintaining phase continuity; The first time window is determined based on the first set.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The number of the first set is one, and the first set corresponds to one relative position; or, There are multiple first sets, and different first sets correspond to different relative positions.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The time window included in the first set is determined based on a timing advance change rate and / or a Doppler change rate of the first network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that: The second information is used to determine the second time window, including: The number of the first set is one, and the second information is used to indicate a difference value between the second time window and a time window in the first set; or, There are multiple first sets, different first sets correspond to different index values, and the second information includes the index value of a first set in the first sets; or, The second information is used to indicate a difference value between the second time window and the first time window; or, The second information is used to indicate the difference between the second time window and a fourth time window, where the fourth time window is the maximum time window for maintaining phase continuity reported by the terminal device last time.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving fifth information from the terminal device, the fifth information being used to indicate a fifth time window, the fifth time window being determined based on the number of repetitions configured by the first network device; The third time window is determined based on the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the second time window based on the fifth time window; The third time window is determined based on the first time window and the second time window, including: the third time window is a time window obtained by dividing the sixth time window based on the fifth time window, and the sixth time window is a time window obtained by dividing the first time window based on the second time window.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Send fourth information to the terminal device, where the fourth information is used to indicate the third time window.

18. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a unit or a module for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: The communication device includes at least one processor and a memory; wherein the memory is used to store computer programs or instructions; and the at least one processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory, so that the method described in any one of claims 1 to 17 is executed.

20. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a terminal device and a first network device; The terminal device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The first network device is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 17.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, which, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

23. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes at least one processor and an interface, wherein the processor is used to read and execute instructions stored in a memory, and when the instructions are executed, the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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