Timing synchronization method, device, user equipment, base station and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to a timing synchronization method, device, user equipment, base station and storage medium. The method includes: when the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, the UE performs at least one of the following: the UE notifies the network side that the UE fails to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite; the UE starts a second preset timer; the UE triggers the radio resource control RRC reconstruction process; the UE stops obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite; the UE enters an idle state. The use of this method can improve the communication reliability of the user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a timing synchronization method, device, user equipment, base station and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Artificial satellites (hereinafter referred to as satellites) have the advantages of wide coverage and little impact from natural disasters and physical attacks. They have been used in mobile communication networks. Ground base stations can provide communication services to user devices in the satellite coverage area through satellites.

[0003] After the user equipment accesses the satellite coverage area, it needs to obtain the satellite's timing synchronization. The so-called timing synchronization means that the user equipment adjusts the time base to the same reference point as the satellite to achieve reliable communication. In related technologies, in order to obtain the satellite's timing synchronization, the user equipment will continuously search for the satellite's synchronization signal for a long time.

[0004] When the UE cannot obtain the synchronization signal of the target satellite, it will affect the UE's access to the target satellite, which may cause the UE to be disconnected from the network and affect data transmission. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a timing synchronization method, apparatus, user equipment, base station, and storage medium, which can improve the communication reliability of the user equipment and avoid the UE being disconnected from the network, thereby affecting data transmission.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a timing synchronization method. The timing synchronization method is applied to a user equipment UE, and the method includes:

[0007] When the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, the UE performs at least one of the following:

[0008] The UE notifies the network side that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0009] The UE starts a second preset timer;

[0010] The UE triggers a radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0011] The UE stops acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0012] The UE enters an idle state.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0014] After reaching the first time, the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first time includes any one of the following:

[0016] The time when the target satellite starts providing service;

[0017] a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0018] The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0019] In one of the embodiments, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0020] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0021] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0022] In one of the embodiments, the UE failing to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite includes at least one of the following:

[0023] The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0024] The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0025] The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0026] The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0027] The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite;

[0028] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0029] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0030] In one of the embodiments, the first preset timer starts when the first time is reached.

[0031] In one embodiment, the method further comprises at least one of the following:

[0032] After the UE receives the cell change command, if the first preset timer is in a running state, the UE stops the running of the first preset timer;

[0033] After the UE successfully acquires the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

[0034] In one embodiment, the preset time is at least one of the following:

[0035] The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0036] The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0037] In one of the embodiments, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0038] The UE triggers a random access process;

[0039] The UE acquires downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0040] If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

[0041] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0042] When a timer closing condition is met, the UE closes the second preset timer;

[0043] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

[0044] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0045] The UE receives at least one of the following information sent by the network side:

[0046] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0047] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0048] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0049] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0050] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0051] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0052] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0053] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a timing synchronization method. The timing synchronization method is used for a base station, and the method includes:

[0054] If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0055] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0056] Send at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0057] Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0058] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0059] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0060] Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0061] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0062] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0063] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0064] In one of the embodiments, after determining that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0065] Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0066] Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0067] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a timing synchronization device. The timing synchronization device is arranged in a UE, and the device includes:

[0068] The first execution module is configured to execute at least one of the following when evaluating that a target satellite synchronization failure condition is met:

[0069] Notifying the network side that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0070] Starting a second preset timer;

[0071] Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0072] Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization;

[0073] Enter idle state.

[0074] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a timing synchronization device. The timing synchronization device is arranged in a base station, and the device comprises:

[0075] The determination module is configured to determine that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite if a notification that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite is obtained.

[0076] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a user equipment. The user equipment includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: the memory is used to store a computer program; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0077] When the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, at least one of the following is performed:

[0078] Notifying the network side that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0079] Starting a second preset timer;

[0080] Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0081] Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization;

[0082] Enter idle state.

[0083] In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to:

[0084] After the first time is reached, the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite is started.

[0085] In one embodiment, the first time includes any one of the following:

[0086] The time when the target satellite starts providing service;

[0087] a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0088] The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0089] In one of the embodiments, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0090] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0091] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0092] In one of the embodiments, the UE failing to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite includes at least one of the following:

[0093] The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0094] The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0095] The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0096] The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0097] The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite;

[0098] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0099] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0100] In one of the embodiments, the first preset timer starts when the first time is reached.

[0101] In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0102] After receiving the cell change command through the transceiver, if the first preset timer is in a running state, stopping the operation of the first preset timer;

[0103] After successfully acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

[0104] In one embodiment, the preset time is at least one of the following:

[0105] The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0106] The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0107] In one of the embodiments, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0108] Triggering a random access process;

[0109] Acquiring downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0110] If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

[0111] In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to:

[0112] If the timer closing condition is met, closing the second preset timer;

[0113] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

[0114] In one embodiment, the transceiver is used to:

[0115] Receive at least one of the following information sent by the network:

[0116] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0117] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0118] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0119] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0120] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0121] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0122] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0123] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a base station. The base station includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor: the memory is used to store a computer program; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations:

[0124] If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0125] In one embodiment, the transceiver is used to:

[0126] Send at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0127] Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0128] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0129] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0130] Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0131] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0132] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0133] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0134] In one of the embodiments, after determining that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite, the transceiver is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0135] Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0136] Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0137] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0138] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, wherein the chip includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and when the chip is running, the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0139] The above-mentioned timing synchronization method, device, user equipment, base station and storage medium set the target satellite synchronization failure condition. When the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, it indicates that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite. The UE stops searching for the synchronization signal of the target satellite and executes at least one of the following: the UE notifies the network side that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite; the UE starts a second preset timer; the UE triggers the radio resource control RRC reconstruction process; the UE stops obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite; the UE enters the idle state. In this way, it is possible to avoid the communication interruption caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite for a long time when the timing synchronization of the target satellite fails, which further leads to the inability to access the target satellite, thereby disconnecting from the network, affecting data transmission, and causing poor communication reliability of the UE. The embodiment of the present application improves the communication reliability of the UE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0140] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of satellite movement of an exemplary semi-static cell;

[0141] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an implementation environment of a timing synchronization method in an embodiment;

[0142] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a timing synchronization method in an embodiment;

[0143] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a timing synchronization method in another embodiment;

[0144] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a timing synchronization method in another embodiment;

[0145] Figure 6 is a structural block diagram of a timing synchronization device in an embodiment;

[0146] Figure 7 It is a structural block diagram of a timing synchronization device in another embodiment;

[0147] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment in an embodiment;

[0148] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a base station in an embodiment;

[0149] Fig.10 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0150] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0151] Artificial satellites (hereinafter referred to as satellites) have the advantages of wide coverage and little impact from natural disasters and physical attacks. They have been used in mobile communication networks. Ground base stations can provide communication services to user devices in the satellite coverage area through satellites.

[0152] R18 (R is the abbreviation of Release, which means version in Chinese) NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) supports a scenario where the PCI (Physical Cell Identifier) ​​is unchanged. In this scenario, when the base station provides services to the same coverage area through two consecutive satellites, the frequency and PCI of the cell are not changed, so that the UE configuration can be maintained and frequent cell switching can be avoided.

[0153] In the PCI unchanged NTN scenario, for example, for the Quasi-Earth-Fixed (semi-static) cells in the NGSO (Non-GeoStationary Orbit) system, through the design and deployment of the network architecture, the base station serving a certain coverage area can remain unchanged, and the multiple satellites providing services continue to provide services for the coverage area as the satellites move. In this way, since the ground base station does not change, the purpose of changing the satellite providing services while the cell configuration does not change can be achieved, that is, the PCI and frequency of the cell do not change.

[0154] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of satellite movement of an exemplary semi-static cell.

[0155] like Figure 1As shown, at time T1, base station 1 provides services for area A through satellite 1, where the PCI of cell 1 in area A is PCI1 and the frequency of cell 1 is F1; at time T2, base station 1 continues to provide services for area A through satellite 2, and base station 1 can configure the PCI and frequency of the cells in area A served by satellite 1 and satellite 2 to be the same, that is, at time T2, the PCI of cell 1 in area A is still PCI1 and the frequency of cell 1 is still F1, so that the cell resources remain unchanged. In this scenario, the UE does not need to trigger the cell switching process due to the change of the serving satellite, that is, the UE in area A believes that the cell has not changed.

[0156] Currently, both satellite hard switch and satellite soft switch can support the above PCI unchanged scenario.

[0157] Please continue to see Figure 1 For satellite hard switch, at time T1, satellite 1 provides services to area A, and satellite 2 has not yet started to provide services to area A. At time T2, satellite 1 has stopped providing services to area A, and satellite 2 starts to provide services to area A. Time T2 will not be earlier than time T1. That is, in the satellite hard switch scenario, there is no time when satellite 1 and satellite 2 provide services to area A at the same time.

[0158] For the satellite soft switch scenario, assume that satellite 1 provides services for region A at time T1, and satellite 2 provides services for region A at time T2. Time T2 is earlier than time T1, that is, satellite 2 has started to provide services for region A at time T1.

[0159] However, due to the different positions of different satellites, when the UE changes the satellite providing services, the propagation delay of the UE receiving services through the source satellite is different from the propagation delay of the UE receiving services through the target satellite. Therefore, the UE needs to re-acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite. The so-called timing synchronization means that the user equipment adjusts the time base to be consistent with the satellite according to the same reference point to achieve reliable communication.

[0160] In the Soft switch scenario, the UE can start acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite at any time after the target satellite provides coverage. In the related technology, in order to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE will continuously search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite. However, in some special scenarios (for example, the UE leaves the coverage of the target satellite, for example, the coverage of the target satellite is not exactly the same as that of the source satellite), if the UE continues to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite, the normal communication of the UE may be interrupted, and it cannot quickly connect to a new satellite or base station when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE, and thus loses the connection.

[0161] Therefore, in order to avoid the UE continuously searching for the synchronization signal of the target satellite for a long time, causing a long communication interruption, and losing the connection when the source satellite stops serving, the embodiment of the present application needs to discuss how to determine whether the timing synchronization of the target satellite is successfully acquired and the behavior of the UE after the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0162] The following is an illustrative description of the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application in combination with the implementation environment that may be involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0163] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an implementation environment of a timing synchronization method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, in this implementation environment, the base station provides network services for area A through the source satellite and the target satellite. There is cell 1 in area A, and the UE in cell 1 can search for reference signals of the source satellite and the target satellite.

[0164] exist Figure 2 In the implementation environment shown, in the Soft switch scenario, the source satellite starts to provide services for area A earlier than the target satellite starts to provide services for area A, the source satellite stops providing services for area A later than the target satellite starts to provide services for area A, and the source satellite stops providing services for area A earlier than the target satellite stops providing services for area A, that is, during the movement of the source satellite and the target satellite, there is an overlap between the time period in which the source satellite provides services to area A and the time period in which the target satellite provides services to area A. Providing services here may refer to providing coverage (including providing normal services, or providing partial services (for example, only broadcasting reference signals, not providing system information, etc.), wherein the overlapping time period may be that the source satellite provides partial services and the target satellite provides normal services, or the target satellite provides partial services and the source satellite provides normal services, or both the source satellite and the target satellite provide normal services), or normal services may be provided.

[0165] For example, Figure 1 For example, at time T1, the UE is connected to the base station through the source satellite. At time T2, the UE is connected to the base station through the target satellite and starts to provide coverage for the area where the UE is located. That is, starting from time T2, the source satellite and the target satellite provide coverage for this area at the same time, until the source satellite stops providing services to the UE, and only the target satellite provides services to the UE.

[0166] Among them, the base station can be a base station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or a base station (NodeB, NB) in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), or an evolved base station (Evolutional Node B, eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a relay station or access point, or a base station in a 5G network, etc., which is not limited here.

[0167] UE can be a wireless terminal, which can be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to users, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing equipment connected to a wireless modem. A wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, referred to as RAN). A wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges language and / or data with a radio access network. A wireless terminal can also be called a system, a subscriber unit (Subscriber Unit), a subscriber station (Subscriber Station), a mobile station (Mobile Station), a mobile station (Mobile), a remote station (Remote Station), a remote terminal (Remote Terminal), an access terminal (Access Terminal), a user terminal (User Terminal), a user agent (User Agent), a user device (User Device or User Equipment), which is not limited here.

[0168] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0169] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, a timing synchronization method is provided, which is described by taking the method applied to a UE as an example, and includes the following steps 301:

[0170] Step 301: When the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, the UE performs at least one of the following:

[0171] The UE notifies the network side that the UE has failed to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite;

[0172] The UE starts a second preset timer;

[0173] UE triggers the Radio Resource Control (RRC) reestablishment process;

[0174] UE stops acquiring timing synchronization with the target satellite;

[0175] The UE enters the idle state.

[0176] When the target satellite is moving, after the target satellite covers a certain area, the UE in the area can start to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, the UE starts to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite.

[0177] If the UE successfully searches for the synchronization signal of the target satellite, the UE can parse the synchronization signal and successfully obtain the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0178] However, in some special scenarios, for example, the coverage of the source satellite and the target satellite cannot completely overlap, the UE leaves the coverage of the target satellite or there is a wireless failure between the UE and the target satellite, etc., the UE may not be able to successfully search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite, that is, the UE is currently unable to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite. In order to avoid unnecessary interruptions caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite for a long time, for example, the UE cannot access the target satellite after the source satellite stops serving, thereby losing the connection, or the UE cannot simultaneously receive the data transmission of the source satellite when searching for the synchronization signal of the target satellite, thereby causing data transmission interruption, in an embodiment of the present application, the UE needs to determine whether the UE fails to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0179] Exemplarily, in the embodiment of the present application, the UE evaluates whether a target satellite synchronization failure condition is met. If the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, it indicates that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0180] Possible implementation methods of the target satellite synchronization failure condition will be introduced in the following embodiments. Here, the possible behaviors of the UE when the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met are first introduced.

[0181] When the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, the UE performs at least one of the following:

[0182] 1) The UE notifies the network that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0183] Optionally, the UE notifies the network side through the source satellite that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Exemplarily, the UE may report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information to the network side through the source satellite, and the network side may determine that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite after receiving the target satellite synchronization failure indication information.

[0184] Exemplarily, when evaluating whether the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met or before the UE evaluates the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE may also detect whether the first indication information sent by the network is received, and the first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports the target satellite synchronization failure indication information. If the UE determines that the target satellite synchronization failure indication information needs to be reported based on the first indication information, the UE reports the target satellite synchronization failure indication information to the network side through the source satellite. Otherwise, if the UE does not receive the first indication information, or receives the first indication information indicating that the UE does not report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information, the UE does not report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information, or does not evaluate the target satellite synchronization failure condition.

[0185] Optionally, the UE may also notify the network side in an implicit manner that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Exemplarily, the UE may report target satellite synchronization success indication information to the network side when the timing synchronization of the target satellite is successfully acquired, and may not report target satellite synchronization failure indication information to the network side when the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite. In this way, if the network side does not receive the target satellite synchronization success indication information sent by the UE under specified conditions, such as when the specified time arrives or the timer of the preset duration times out, the network side determines that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and the purpose of the UE notifying the network side that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite can also be achieved.

[0186] In the above implicit notification method, exemplarily, when evaluating whether the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met or before the UE evaluates the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE can also detect whether the second indication information sent by the network is received, and the second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports the target satellite synchronization success indication information. If the UE determines that the target satellite synchronization success indication information needs to be reported based on the second indication information, the UE will report the target satellite synchronization success indication information through the source satellite when the timing synchronization of the target satellite is successfully acquired. Under specified conditions, such as before a specified time or when a timer of a preset duration times out, if the network side does not receive the target satellite synchronization success indication information sent by the UE, it can also be known that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Otherwise, if the UE does not receive the second indication information, or receives the second indication information indicating that the UE does not report the target satellite synchronization success indication information, the UE does not report the target satellite synchronization success indication information, or does not evaluate the target satellite synchronization failure condition.

[0187] After the UE notifies the network side that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE may also receive a cell change command or an RRC release command sent by the network side. The cell change command is used to instruct the UE to access other cells from the current cell (the UE executes the cell change command immediately after receiving it, or the cell change command is a conditional cell change command, and the UE executes the cell change to access the target cell when the execution condition is satisfied), and the RRC release command is used to instruct the UE to release the connection with the source satellite or the source cell; in this way, if the UE receives the cell change command, it selects the corresponding target cell for access or accesses after evaluating that the condition is satisfied according to the instruction of the cell change command; if the UE receives the RRC release command, it releases the communication connection with the source satellite (the currently connected satellite) or the source cell (the current cell) according to the instruction of the RRC release command, thereby avoiding unnecessary interruption caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite when the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, when it cannot access the target satellite.

[0188] 2) The UE stops acquiring timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0189] As described above, if the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, it indicates that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Therefore, the UE stops obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, the UE stops searching for the synchronization signal of the target satellite, thereby avoiding unnecessary power consumption caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite when the UE fails to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0190] 3) The UE starts a second preset timer.

[0191] In a possible implementation, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE may also start a second preset timer. Before the second timer times out, the UE may try again to obtain timing synchronization with the target satellite, thereby improving the success rate of timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0192] Exemplarily, before starting the second preset timer, the UE may also receive configuration information of the second preset timer sent by the network side (the network side may provide it by broadcast or dedicated signaling, or both broadcast and dedicated signaling are supported), and the UE configures the second preset timer in the UE based on the configuration information of the second preset timer. Or the configuration information of the second preset timer is specified by the protocol, for example, a possible implementation method is that the protocol specifies that the duration of the second preset timer is an integer (for example, 2) times the period of the synchronization signal broadcast by the target satellite.

[0193] In a possible implementation mode, the UE does not need to start the second preset timer, but just continues to search for n times the synchronization signal period, where n is a positive integer, and the value of n can be provided by the network configuration (provided by broadcast or dedicated signaling, or supported by both broadcast and dedicated signaling), or specified by the protocol.

[0194] 4) UE triggers the radio resource control (RRC) re-establishment process.

[0195] Optionally, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, that is, when the UE determines that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE may also trigger the RRC reestablishment process.

[0196] It is understandable that if there is a wireless failure between the UE and the target satellite, the UE cannot successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Therefore, the UE can trigger the RRC reconstruction process to restore the wireless failure between the UE and the target satellite caused by wireless link failure, reconfiguration failure, integrity check failure, etc. by starting the RRC reconstruction process.

[0197] One implementation method is that when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition: the RRC reconstruction process is triggered immediately, or the UE triggers the RRC reconstruction process when the source satellite stops service, or the UE determines the specific time to trigger the RRC reconstruction process based on the UE implementation before the source satellite stops service.

[0198] In an optional implementation method, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, it determines that there is unfinished business or there is data to be transmitted or being transmitted before triggering the RRC reconstruction. The UE triggers the RRC reconstruction process, otherwise the RRC reconstruction process is not triggered. Optionally, the process of entering the idle state can be triggered.

[0199] After the RRC re-establishment is completed, the UE can establish the RRC connection again.

[0200] 5)UE enters idle state.

[0201] In other possible implementations, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, it can also enter the idle state, which can also avoid unnecessary interruptions and excess power consumption caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite when the target satellite fails to obtain the timing synchronization. One implementation method is that when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition: immediately trigger the process of entering the idle state, or when the source satellite stops serving, the UE triggers the process of entering the idle state, or the UE determines the time of specifically triggering the process of entering the idle state based on the UE implementation before the source satellite stops serving.

[0202] An optional implementation method is that when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, it determines whether there is any unfinished business before triggering the process of entering the idle state, or if there is no data to be transmitted or being transmitted, the UE triggers the process of entering the idle state, otherwise it triggers the RRC reconstruction process.

[0203] It should be noted that when the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, the UE can execute any one of the above steps 1)-5) or multiple steps of the above steps 1)-5). For example, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, it can notify the network side that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and can also stop obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and so on.

[0204] The above embodiment sets the target satellite synchronization failure condition. When the UE evaluates that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, it indicates that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and the UE executes at least one of the following: the UE notifies the network side that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite; stops obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite; the UE starts a second preset timer; the UE triggers the radio resource control RRC reconstruction process; the UE stops obtaining the timing synchronization of the target satellite; and the UE enters an idle state. In this way, it is possible to avoid communication interruption and unnecessary power consumption caused by the UE continuing to search for the synchronization signal of the target satellite for a long time when the UE fails to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, thereby causing the UE to lose connection with the network when the source satellite stops serving. The above embodiment improves the communication reliability of the UE.

[0205] based on Figure 3 The embodiment shown, see Figure 4 This embodiment relates to the timing when the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite. Figure 4In the timing synchronization method of this embodiment, step 401 is included before step 301:

[0206] Step 401: After reaching the first time, the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0207] The UE monitors whether the first time has been reached. If the first time has been reached, the UE starts to execute a process of acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, the UE starts to search for a synchronization signal of the target satellite.

[0208] The first time includes any of the following:

[0209] 1) The time when the target satellite starts providing service.

[0210] Optionally, the first time may be the time when the target satellite starts to provide service.

[0211] The target satellite starts to provide services may refer to the target satellite providing coverage to the area where the UE is located (providing coverage may include providing normal services or only providing partial services, such as only broadcasting synchronization signals) or providing services, or the target satellite starts to provide services may also refer to the target satellite providing coverage to the cell where the UE is located (i.e., the cell providing services to the UE) (providing coverage may include providing normal services or only providing partial services, such as only broadcasting synchronization signals) or providing services.

[0212] When the time when the target satellite starts to provide services is reached, that is, when the target satellite starts to provide services, the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0213] 2) A second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts to provide service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE.

[0214] Optionally, the first time may be the second time, and the second time may be a time within a target time period between the time when the target satellite starts to provide services and the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE. For example, the time when the target satellite starts to provide services is T1, and the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE is T2, and T2 is later than T1, then the second time may be a time between T1 and T2.

[0215] Exemplarily, the second time may be a time selected by the UE within a target time period between the time when the target satellite starts to provide services and the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE, that is, the specific implementation time is selected based on the UE implementation. Optionally, the UE may select the second time from the above target time period according to a preset selection strategy (for example, according to data transmission conditions, or configured measurement gap conditions, etc.), and optionally, the UE may also randomly select the second time from the above target time period, and the manner in which the UE selects the second time is not limited.

[0216] 3) A third time configured by the network side for the UE, where the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0217] Optionally, the first time may also be a third time configured by the network side for the UE. After reaching the third time, the UE starts to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0218] Exemplarily, the UE can receive third time information sent by the network side (provided by broadcast or dedicated signaling, or supported by both broadcast and dedicated signaling), where the third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite, i.e., the third time.

[0219] In this way, the first time can be determined through any of the above three implementation modes. After reaching the first time, the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite. The method of determining the first time is highly flexible.

[0220] The process of the UE performing timing synchronization to acquire the target satellite may include at least one of the following:

[0221] UE obtains downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0222] UE obtains uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0223] The UE obtains the system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0224] The UE obtains the synchronization signal block SSB message broadcast by the target satellite;

[0225] UE obtains the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0226] The UE obtains TA (Time Advanced, maximum time advance) related information broadcast by the target satellite, such as TAcommon (common timing advance value) and the like.

[0227] After the first time is reached, the UE starts to execute at least one of the above-mentioned processes for acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite. During the process of acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE needs to evaluate whether the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met. The following is an introduction to possible implementation methods of the target satellite synchronization failure condition.

[0228] Exemplarily, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0229] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0230] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0231] The following describes the two possible target satellite synchronization failure conditions mentioned above.

[0232] In a possible implementation, after the first time is reached, the UE starts the process of acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite. The UE may also start a first preset timer to limit the duration for the UE to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite through the first preset timer.

[0233] Exemplarily, before starting the first preset timer, the UE may also receive configuration information of the first preset timer sent by the network side, and the UE configures the first preset timer in the UE based on the configuration information of the first preset timer.

[0234] Exemplarily, the duration of the first preset timer is specified by the protocol, for example, the protocol specifies that the duration of the first timer is an integer multiple (for example, 2 times) of the synchronization signal period of the target satellite or the source satellite or the serving cell. In this way, if the first preset timer times out and the UE has not successfully acquired the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, that is, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0235] Among them, the timeout period of the optional first timer is earlier than the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE. In this way, when the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and the UE determines that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met. Optionally, the UE can notify the network side through the source satellite that the UE has failed to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0236] Exemplarily, the UE does not need to start the first timer. After the first time is reached, the UE obtains the timing synchronization of the target satellite within a preset time, and the preset time length is an integer multiple n of the synchronization signal period of the target satellite or the source satellite or the serving cell, where the value of n can be specified by the protocol or provided by the network configuration method. If the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite within the preset time, it is considered that the target satellite is synchronized.

[0237] Optionally, when the first time is reached, the UE starts the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and after the UE starts the first preset timer, if the UE receives a cell change command sent by the network side, if the first preset timer is in a running state, the UE stops the operation of the first preset timer.

[0238] Optionally, when the first time is reached, the UE starts the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and after the UE starts the first preset timer, if the UE successfully acquires the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped, that is, the UE has successfully acquired the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and therefore there is no need to evaluate whether the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met.

[0239] In another possible implementation, after reaching the first time, the UE starts the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite. The UE may not start the first preset timer, but instead sets a preset time to limit the duration for the UE to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0240] In this way, if the preset time is reached and the UE has not successfully acquired the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, that is, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0241] The preset time is at least one of the following: the time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE; and a fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0242] Optionally, when the preset time is the time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE, when the preset time arrives and the UE has not successfully acquired the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE determines that the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, and optionally, the UE can trigger the reconstruction process.

[0243] Optionally, the fourth time is used to indicate the deadline for the UE to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, the UE acquires the timing synchronization of the target satellite before the fourth time. When the fourth time arrives, if the UE has not successfully acquired the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, that is, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0244] Exemplarily, the UE can receive fourth time information sent by the network side (provided by broadcast or dedicated signaling, or supported by both broadcast and dedicated signaling), and the fourth time information is used to indicate the deadline for the UE to obtain timing synchronization of the target satellite, that is, the fourth time.

[0245] In an embodiment of the present application, the fourth time configured by the network side for the UE may be in the UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) time format, or in the form of SFN (System Frame Number), HSFN (Hyper-SFN), Slot (time slot) or OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols (one implementation method is based on the timing system of the current service cell or source satellite), etc.

[0246] Among them, the fourth time can be an absolute time configured by the network side according to the timing system of the source satellite; or, the fourth time can also be a relative time configured based on a reference time, and the reference time includes the time when the target satellite starts to provide services, the first time when the UE starts to execute the process of acquiring timing synchronization of the target satellite, or the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE.

[0247] In the case where the reference time includes the time when the target satellite starts to provide services, the fourth time may be obtained by adding the first preset time to the time when the target satellite starts to provide services.

[0248] In the case where the reference time includes the first time, the fourth time may be obtained by adding the second preset time to the first time.

[0249] In the case where the reference time includes the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE, the fourth time may be the time when the source satellite stops providing services to the UE minus the third preset time to obtain the fourth time.

[0250] There is no limitation on the specific configuration of the fourth time.

[0251] In this way, through the above implementation method, when the first preset timer times out and the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it can be determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, or, when the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it can also be determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition.

[0252] In the embodiment of the present application, corresponding to the process of the UE acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, including at least one of the following:

[0253] The UE fails to successfully acquire the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0254] The UE fails to successfully acquire the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0255] The UE does not obtain the system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0256] The UE fails to obtain the synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0257] The UE fails to obtain the reference signal of the target satellite;

[0258] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0259] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0260] The reference signal of the target satellite may be a reference signal sent by the target satellite configured by the network.

[0261] In this way, when the first preset timer times out and the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, or when the preset time is reached and the UE fails to successfully obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition. The setting method of the target satellite synchronization failure condition is simple and easy to implement. By setting the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the phenomenon of unnecessary communication interruption of the UE can be improved, and it is ensured that the UE can maintain the connection with the source cell or access the new target cell before or after the source satellite stops serving, thereby avoiding disconnection from the network and improving the communication reliability of the UE.

[0262] In one embodiment, based on the above embodiment, this embodiment relates to a related implementation of the second preset timer. In step 301 of the timing synchronization method of this embodiment, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the timing synchronization method of this embodiment further includes at least one of the following three items:

[0263] 1) UE triggers the random access procedure.

[0264] In an embodiment of the present application, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE may also start a second preset timer. Before the second timer times out, the UE may try again to obtain timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0265] As described above, the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, which may mean that the UE fails to successfully obtain the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite. In this way, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE may trigger a random access process after starting the second preset timer. The random access process is an important process for the UE to achieve uplink synchronization in a mobile communication system. By triggering the random access process, the UE obtains the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite or a new satellite. Exemplarily, before the UE triggers the random access process, it may also detect whether the third indication information sent by the network side is received. The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access process to access the target satellite. If the third indication information is received, the random access process is triggered.

[0266] 2) The UE obtains the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0267] Optionally, the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, which may mean that the UE fails to successfully obtain the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite. In this way, when the UE evaluates that the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, the UE can obtain the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite after starting the second preset timer.

[0268] Exemplarily, the UE does not need to start the second preset timer. After the UE determines that the synchronization with the target satellite has failed, the UE obtains the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite within a preset time. The preset time length is an integer multiple n of the synchronization signal period of the target satellite or the source satellite or the service cell, where the value of n can be specified by the protocol or provided by the network configuration method.

[0269] 3) If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, it executes the random access process.

[0270] Optionally, the UE meets the target satellite synchronization failure condition, which may also mean that the UE has successfully acquired the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, but the UE has not successfully acquired the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite. At this time, the UE performs a random access process after starting the second preset timer to acquire the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0271] In the above embodiment, by starting the second preset timer, the UE can try again to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite or access a new satellite before the second timer times out, thereby reducing the UE interruption time.

[0272] Optionally, in step 301 of the timing synchronization method of this embodiment, before the UE starts the second preset timer, the timing synchronization method of this embodiment further includes:

[0273] Step A1: UE receives an indication that it does not need to perform random access RACH.

[0274] The UE receives an indication that it does not need to perform random access RACH, that is, the UE is configured with a RACH-less indication. In the related art, the UE can access the target satellite without performing a random access process. In an embodiment of the present application, in order to improve the success rate of timing synchronization between the UE and the target satellite, as described above, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the UE may still trigger a random access process to obtain the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0275] In one implementation, after the UE starts the second preset timer, if the timer closing condition is met, the UE may close the second preset timer.

[0276] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or the UE completes the random access process.

[0277] After the UE starts the second preset timer, if the second preset timer has not timed out, the UE successfully obtains the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE completes the random access process, the UE obtains the SIB1 message of the target satellite, the UE obtains the SSB message of the target satellite, and the UE obtains the reference signal of the target satellite; the UE obtains the ephemeris information of the target satellite, and / or the UE obtains the TA information of the target satellite, and the UE turns off the second preset timer, wherein, exemplarily, the TA information can be carried in a signaling sent by the network side to the UE through the target satellite, and the signaling can, for example, be a signaling in the random access process. If the UE receives the signaling through the target satellite, the signaling can be parsed to obtain the TA information.

[0278] Optionally, after successfully acquiring the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE turns off the second preset timer and triggers a random access process to acquire the uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0279] When the second preset timer times out and the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE may trigger the RRC reestablishment process or enter the idle state.

[0280] Optionally, if the UE successfully acquires timing synchronization of the target satellite before the first preset timer expires or before the preset time is reached, and the UE is configured with a RACH-less indication, that is, the UE does not need to trigger a RACH process when accessing the target satellite, the UE accesses the target satellite in a RACH-less manner and transmits data through the target satellite.

[0281] In one embodiment, based on the above embodiment, the timing synchronization method of this embodiment further includes the following step A2:

[0282] Step A2: The UE receives at least one of the following information sent by the network side:

[0283] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0284] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0285] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports the target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0286] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0287] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0288] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0289] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0290] Exemplarily, the UE may receive at least one of the above information sent by the network side through the source satellite. The above information may be implemented through system information or dedicated signaling. The system information may be configured through broadcasting. The signaling may be, for example, RRC layer signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) layer signaling, or physical layer signaling, etc. Part of the information may be sent through system information, part of the information may be sent through dedicated signaling, or all of the information may be sent through system information or dedicated signaling. Part of the information or all of the information may also support both broadcasting and dedicated signaling. No limitation is imposed.

[0291] For the functions of the above information, please refer to the relevant description of the above embodiments. Among the above information, the network side may send one or more of the above information to the UE. When sending multiple information, there may be multiple combinations, and the combination of each information is not limited here.

[0292] In the embodiment of the present application, the configuration information of the first preset timer is at least used to instruct the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer, and the configuration information of the first preset timer may also instruct the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information or the target satellite synchronization success indication information; the first indication information is at least used to instruct the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information, and the first indication information may also be used to instruct the UE to start the first preset timer. The second indication information is at least used to instruct the UE to report the target satellite synchronization success indication information, and the second indication information may also be used to instruct the UE to start the first preset timer. The fourth time information is at least used to indicate the deadline for the UE to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and the fourth time information may also instruct the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information or the target satellite synchronization success indication information; the configuration information of the second preset timer is at least used to instruct the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer, and the configuration information of the second preset timer may also instruct the UE to fall back to the random access process to access the target satellite; the third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back to the random access process to access the target satellite, and the third indication information may also be used to instruct the UE to configure the second preset timer.

[0293] For example, the UE receives the configuration information of the first preset timer and the first indication information, or only receives the configuration information of the first preset timer (the configuration information also instructs the UE to start the first preset timer and instructs the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information), or only receives the first indication information (the first indication information also instructs the UE to start the first preset timer and instructs the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information), the UE will start the first preset timer and report whether to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite in accordance with the above-mentioned embodiment, otherwise the UE will not perform the reporting process.

[0294] For example, the UE receives configuration information of the second preset timer and third indication information, and the third indication information instructs the UE to roll back the random access process to access the target satellite. The UE will start the second preset timer in the manner of the above embodiment and roll back the random access process, otherwise it will not roll back.

[0295] For example, the UE is configured with fourth time information to indicate the deadline for the UE to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite, and is configured with first indication information to instruct the UE to report the target satellite synchronization failure indication information. The UE will report whether to obtain the timing synchronization of the target satellite in accordance with the method of the above embodiment, otherwise the UE will not perform the reporting process.

[0296] In the above embodiment, when the first preset timer times out or reaches the preset time and the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the UE stops acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite and notifies the network side that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, or the UE starts the second preset timer to fall back to the random access process, or the UE triggers the RRC re-establishment process, or the UE enters the idle state, thereby realizing the judgment of whether the timing synchronization of the target satellite is successfully acquired and the determination of the behavior of the UE after the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite in the NTN PCI unchanged scenario, thereby improving the communication reliability of the UE.

[0297] All of the above are optional in the NTN PCI unchanged scenario. The optional scenario is the satellite softchange scenario. The source satellite is the current serving cell of the UE, and the target satellite is the next serving satellite connected to the same base station with the same PCI and frequency. But it is not limited to this scenario.

[0298] In one embodiment, Figure 5 As shown, a timing synchronization method is provided, which is described by taking the method applied to a base station as an example, and includes the following steps 501:

[0299] Step 501: If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0300] In one embodiment, based on Figure 5 The embodiment described above may further include step B1 before step 501:

[0301] Step B1: sending at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0302] Configuration information of the first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0303] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0304] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports the target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0305] Configuration information of the second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0306] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0307] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0308] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0309] In one embodiment, based on Figure 5 In the embodiment described above, after step 501, at least one of the following may also be included:

[0310] Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0311] Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0312] For specific limitations on the timing synchronization method for a base station, please refer to the limitations on the timing synchronization method for a UE above, which will not be repeated here.

[0313] It should be understood that, although the various steps in the above flowchart are displayed in sequence according to the indication of the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence according to the order indicated by the arrows. Unless there is a clear description in this article, the execution of these steps is not strictly limited in order, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least a part of the steps in the above flowchart may include multiple steps or multiple stages, and these steps or stages are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily to be carried out in sequence, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0314] In one embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, a timing synchronization device is provided, which is arranged in a UE, and the device includes:

[0315] The first execution module 601 is configured to execute at least one of the following when evaluating that a target satellite synchronization failure condition is met:

[0316] Notifying the network side that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0317] Starting a second preset timer;

[0318] Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0319] Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization;

[0320] Enter idle state.

[0321] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0322] The second execution module is used to start the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite after the first time is reached.

[0323] In one embodiment, the first time includes any one of the following:

[0324] The time when the target satellite starts providing service;

[0325] a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0326] The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0327] In one of the embodiments, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0328] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0329] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0330] In one of the embodiments, the UE failing to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite includes at least one of the following:

[0331] The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0332] The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0333] The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0334] The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0335] The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite;

[0336] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0337] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0338] In one of the embodiments, the first preset timer starts when the first time is reached.

[0339] In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one of the following:

[0340] A first stopping module, configured to stop the operation of the first preset timer if the first preset timer is in a running state after the UE receives a cell change command;

[0341] The second stopping module is used to stop the operation of the first preset timer after the UE successfully acquires the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0342] In one embodiment, the preset time is at least one of the following:

[0343] The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0344] The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0345] In one of the embodiments, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the apparatus further includes at least one of the following:

[0346] A first trigger module, used to trigger a random access process;

[0347] An acquisition module, used to acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0348] The second trigger module is used to execute a random access process if the UE successfully obtains the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0349] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0350] A closing module, configured to close the second preset timer when a timer closing condition is met;

[0351] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

[0352] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0353] The receiving module is used to receive at least one of the following information sent by the network side:

[0354] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0355] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0356] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0357] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0358] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0359] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0360] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0361] For the specific definition of the timing synchronization device, please refer to the definition of the timing synchronization method for UE in the above text, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above timing synchronization device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the UE in hardware form, or can be stored in the memory in the UE in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0362] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, a timing synchronization device is provided, which is arranged in a base station, and the device comprises:

[0363] The determination module 701 is configured to determine that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite if a notification that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite is obtained.

[0364] In one embodiment, the device further comprises:

[0365] The first sending module is configured to send at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0366] Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0367] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0368] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0369] Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0370] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0371] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0372] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0373] In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one of the following:

[0374] A second sending module, configured to send a cell change command to the UE, wherein the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0375] The third sending module is used to send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0376] For the specific definition of the timing synchronization device, please refer to the definition of the timing synchronization method for the base station above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above-mentioned timing synchronization device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above-mentioned modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the base station in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory in the base station in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0377] In one embodiment, Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 The user equipment shown includes: a processor 800, a transceiver 810, and a memory 820. The transceiver 810 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processor 800.

[0378] exist Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking together various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 800 and memory represented by memory 820. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface.

[0379] The transceiver 810 may be a plurality of components, including a transmitter and a receiver, and provides a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, etc. For different user devices, the user interface 830 may also be an interface capable of externally connecting or internally connecting required devices, and the connected devices include but are not limited to a keypad, a display, a speaker, a microphone, a joystick, etc.

[0380] The processor 800 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 820 can store data used by the processor 800 when performing operations.

[0381] Optionally, the processor 800 may be a CPU (central processing unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), and the processor 800 may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0382] The processor 800 calls the program stored in the memory 820 to execute the following steps according to the obtained executable instructions:

[0383] When the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, at least one of the following is performed:

[0384] Notifying the network side that the UE has failed to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0385] Starting a second preset timer;

[0386] Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0387] Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization;

[0388] Enter idle state.

[0389] In one embodiment, the processor 800 is further configured to:

[0390] After the first time is reached, the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite is started.

[0391] In one embodiment, the first time includes any one of the following:

[0392] The time when the target satellite starts providing service;

[0393] a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0394] The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0395] In one of the embodiments, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0396] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0397] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0398] In one of the embodiments, the UE failing to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite includes at least one of the following:

[0399] The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0400] The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0401] The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0402] The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0403] The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite;

[0404] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0405] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0406] In one of the embodiments, the first preset timer starts when the first time is reached.

[0407] In one embodiment, the processor 800 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0408] After receiving the cell change command through the transceiver 810, if the first preset timer is in a running state, stopping the operation of the first preset timer;

[0409] After successfully acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

[0410] In one embodiment, the preset time is at least one of the following:

[0411] The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0412] The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0413] In one embodiment, after starting the second preset timer, the processor 800 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0414] Triggering a random access process;

[0415] Acquiring downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0416] If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

[0417] In one embodiment, the processor 800 is further configured to:

[0418] If the timer closing condition is met, closing the second preset timer;

[0419] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

[0420] In one embodiment, the transceiver 810 is used to:

[0421] Receive at least one of the following information sent by the network:

[0422] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0423] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0424] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0425] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0426] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0427] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0428] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0429] Fig. 9 The schematic diagram of the structure of the base station provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows. The base station may include a processor 900, a transceiver 910 and a memory 920. The transceiver 910 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 900.

[0430] Among them, Fig. 9 In the embodiment of the present invention, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking together various circuits of one or more processors represented by processor 900 and memory represented by memory 920. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and are therefore not further described herein. The bus interface provides an interface.

[0431] The transceiver 910 may be a plurality of components, i.e., a transmitter and a receiver, and provides a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium, such as a wireless channel, a wired channel, an optical cable, etc. The processor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 920 may store data used by the processor 900 when performing operations.

[0432] The processor 900 may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor 900 may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0433] The processor 900 calls the program stored in the memory 920 to execute the following steps according to the obtained executable instructions:

[0434] If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0435] In one embodiment, the transceiver 910 is used to:

[0436] Send at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0437] Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0438] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0439] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0440] Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0441] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0442] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0443] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0444] In one of the embodiments, after determining that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the transceiver 910 is further configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0445] Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0446] Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0447] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0448] When the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, at least one of the following is performed:

[0449] Notifying the network side that the UE has failed to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite;

[0450] Starting a second preset timer;

[0451] Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process;

[0452] Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization;

[0453] Enter idle state.

[0454] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0455] After the first time is reached, the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite is started.

[0456] In one embodiment, the first time includes any one of the following:

[0457] The time when the target satellite starts providing service;

[0458] a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0459] The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0460] In one of the embodiments, the target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following:

[0461] When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0462] When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0463] In one of the embodiments, the UE failing to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite includes at least one of the following:

[0464] The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0465] The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0466] The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite;

[0467] The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite;

[0468] The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite;

[0469] The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite;

[0470] The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

[0471] In one of the embodiments, the first preset timer starts when the first time is reached.

[0472] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, at least one of the following is also achieved:

[0473] After receiving the cell change command, if the first preset timer is in a running state, stopping the operation of the first preset timer;

[0474] After the UE successfully acquires the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

[0475] In one embodiment, the preset time is at least one of the following:

[0476] The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE;

[0477] The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

[0478] In one of the embodiments, after the UE starts the second preset timer, the computer program further implements at least one of the following when executed by the processor:

[0479] The UE triggers a random access process;

[0480] The UE acquires downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0481] If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

[0482] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0483] When a timer closing condition is met, the UE closes the second preset timer;

[0484] The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

[0485] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0486] The UE receives at least one of the following information sent by the network side:

[0487] Configuration information of a first preset timer;

[0488] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0489] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0490] Configuration information of a second preset timer;

[0491] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0492] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0493] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0494] In one embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0495] If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

[0496] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0497] Send at least one of the following information to the UE:

[0498] Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer;

[0499] The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information;

[0500] The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information;

[0501] Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer;

[0502] The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite;

[0503] The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite;

[0504] The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

[0505] In one embodiment, after determining that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite, the computer program further implements at least one of the following when executed by the processor:

[0506] Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process;

[0507] Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

[0508] Fig.10 It is a schematic structural diagram of the chip of an embodiment of the present application. Fig.10 The chip 1000 shown includes a processor 1010, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0509] Alternatively, if Fig.10 As shown, the chip 1000 may further include a memory 1020. The processor 1010 may call and run a computer program from the memory 1020 to implement the method in the embodiment of the present application.

[0510] The memory 1020 may be a separate device independent of the processor 1010 , or may be integrated into the processor 1010 .

[0511] Optionally, the chip 1000 may further include an input interface 1030. The processor 1010 may control the input interface 1030 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may obtain information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0512] Optionally, the chip 1000 may further include an output interface 1040. The processor 1010 may control the output interface 1040 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, may output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0513] Optionally, the chip 1000 can be applied to the network element device in the embodiment of the present application, and the chip 1000 can implement the corresponding processes implemented in the various methods in the embodiment of the present application, which will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0514] It should be understood that the chip 1000 mentioned in the embodiment of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0515] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiments can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as floppy disk, hard disk, tape, magneto-optical disk (MO), etc.), optical storage (such as CD, DVD, BD, HVD, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid state drive (SSD)), etc.

[0516] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0517] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A timing synchronization method, characterized in that: Applied to user equipment UE, the method includes: When the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, at least one of the following is performed: Notifying the network side that the UE has failed to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite; Starting a second preset timer; Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process; Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization; Enter idle state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: After the first time is reached, the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite is started.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first time includes any one of the following: The time when the target satellite starts providing service; a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE; The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following: When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, including at least one of the following: The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite; The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite; The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first preset timer starts when the first time arrives.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises at least one of the following: After receiving the cell change command, if the first preset timer is in a running state, stopping the operation of the first preset timer; After successfully acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The preset time is at least one of the following: The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE; The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After starting the second preset timer, the method further includes at least one of the following: Triggering a random access process; Acquiring downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite; If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: If the timer closing condition is met, closing the second preset timer; The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receive at least one of the following information sent by the network: Configuration information of a first preset timer; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information; The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information; Configuration information of a second preset timer; The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite; The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

12. A timing synchronization method, characterized in that: Applied to a base station, the method comprises: If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send at least one of the following information to the UE: Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information; The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information; Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer; The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite; The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that After determining that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite, the method further includes at least one of the following: Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process; Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

15. A timing synchronization device, characterized in that: Set in UE, the device includes: The first execution module is configured to execute at least one of the following when evaluating that a target satellite synchronization failure condition is met: Notifying the network side that the UE fails to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite; Starting a second preset timer; Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process; Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization; Enter idle state.

16. A timing synchronization device, characterized in that: Set at a base station, the device includes: The determination module is configured to determine that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite if a notification that the UE has failed to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite is obtained.

17. A user equipment, characterized in that: Including memory, transceiver, processor: A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: When the target satellite synchronization failure condition is met, at least one of the following is performed: Notifying the network side that the UE has failed to acquire timing synchronization of the target satellite; Starting a second preset timer; Triggering the radio resource control RRC reestablishment process; Stop acquiring the target satellite timing synchronization; Enter idle state.

18. The user equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that: The processor is further configured to: After the first time is reached, the process of acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite is started.

19. The user equipment according to claim 18, characterized in that The first time includes any one of the following: The time when the target satellite starts providing service; a second time, where the second time is a time within a target time period between a time when the target satellite starts providing service and a time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE; The network side configures a third time for the UE, and the third time is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

20. The user equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that The target satellite synchronization failure condition includes at least one of the following: When the first preset timer times out, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; When the preset time is reached, the UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

21. The user equipment according to claim 20, characterized in that The UE fails to successfully acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, including at least one of the following: The UE fails to successfully acquire downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite; The UE fails to successfully acquire uplink timing synchronization of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain a system information block type 1 SIB1 message of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain a synchronization signal block (SSB) message of the target satellite; The UE fails to acquire a reference signal of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain the ephemeris information of the target satellite; The UE fails to obtain the TA information of the target satellite.

22. The user equipment according to claim 20, characterized in that The first preset timer starts when the first time arrives.

23. The user equipment according to claim 20, characterized in that The processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following: After receiving the cell change command through the transceiver, if the first preset timer is in a running state, stopping the operation of the first preset timer; After successfully acquiring the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the operation of the first preset timer is stopped.

24. The user equipment according to claim 20, characterized in that The preset time is at least one of the following: The time when the source satellite stops providing service to the UE; The fourth time configured by the network side for the UE.

25. The user equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that After starting the second preset timer, the processor is further configured to perform at least one of the following: Triggering a random access process; Acquiring downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite; If the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, a random access process is performed.

26. The user equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that The processor is further configured to: If the timer closing condition is met, closing the second preset timer; The timer closing condition includes that the UE successfully acquires the downlink timing synchronization of the target satellite, or that the UE completes the random access process.

27. The user equipment according to claim 17, characterized in that The transceiver is used for: Receive at least one of the following information sent by the network: Configuration information of a first preset timer; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information; The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information; Configuration information of a second preset timer; The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite; The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

28. A base station, characterized in that: Including memory, transceiver, processor: A memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data under the control of the processor; and a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: If a notification is obtained that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, it is determined that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite.

29. The base station according to claim 28, characterized in that The transceiver is used for: Send at least one of the following information to the UE: Configuration information of a first preset timer, used for the UE to configure the first preset timer according to the configuration information of the first preset timer; The first indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization failure indication information; The second indication information is used to indicate whether the UE reports target satellite synchronization success indication information; Configuration information of a second preset timer, used by the UE to configure the second preset timer according to the configuration information of the second preset timer; The third indication information is used to instruct the UE to fall back on the random access procedure to access the target satellite; The third time information is used to indicate the time when the UE starts to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite; The fourth time information is used to indicate a deadline for the UE to acquire timing synchronization with the target satellite.

30. The base station according to claim 28, characterized in that After determining that the UE fails to acquire the timing synchronization of the target satellite, the transceiver is further configured to perform at least one of the following: Sending a cell change command to the UE, where the cell change command is used to instruct the UE to perform a cell change process; Send an RRC connection release message to the UE.

31. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 are implemented.

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