Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device. The method comprises the following steps: a terminal can receive resource configuration information and first information from a first satellite; the resource configuration information is used for configuring uplink resources, and the first information is used for determining whether the terminal is located in a first range. And after the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, if the terminal is located in the first range, the terminal can use the uplink resource to send an RRC request to the second satellite. Through the method, after entering the coverage range of the second satellite, the terminal can send the RRC request to the second satellite according to the uplink resource configured by the resource configuration information, and the terminal does not need to send a random access signal or receive an RAR, so that the communication time delay of the terminal during cross-satellite access can be shortened, and the user experience can be improved. Network congestion caused by simultaneous random access of a large number of terminals is avoided or reduced, and the access efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In non-terrestrial networks (NTN), as the satellite moves, the satellite that can provide services to the terminal may change. Exemplarily, in time period 1, satellite 1 can provide services to terminals 1 to M; in time period 2, satellite 2 can provide services to terminals 1 to M, and M is a positive integer. If the coverage of satellite 1 and satellite 2 is discontinuous, time period 1 and time period 2 are also discontinuous. In this way, between the end time of time period 1 and the start time of time period 2, no satellite provides services to terminals 1 to M. After terminals 1 to M enter the coverage of satellite 2, multiple terminals from terminal 1 to terminal M may need to re-initiate the random access process, causing delays in communication. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a communication method and device for improving the efficiency of random access and shortening the communication delay of a terminal during cross-satellite access.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device, and the first device can be a terminal or a module in the terminal (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor), and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The following is an explanation using the first device as a terminal as an example. The method may include: the terminal may receive resource configuration information and first information from a first satellite. Among them, the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources, and the first information is used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range. After the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, if it is determined that the terminal is within the first range according to the first information, the terminal may use the uplink resources to send an RRC request to the second satellite.

[0005] Through this method, after entering the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information, thereby realizing random access. In this method, the terminal does not need to send a random access signal or receive an RAR, thereby shortening the communication delay of the terminal during cross-satellite access, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0006] In addition, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether to use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the change in its own position. Specifically, when the terminal is within the first range, the terminal uses the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite. In this way, the second satellite can point the antenna of the second satellite to the terminal according to the first range, so as to receive the RRC request from the terminal, thereby avoiding or reducing access failures caused by terminal movement, shortening the communication delay of the terminal when accessing across satellites, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0007] In one possible design, the first information can be used to indicate a distance threshold. If the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is within the first range; and / or, if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is outside the first range. The first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage of the second satellite. Through this design, the first information can be used to indicate the distance threshold, so that the terminal can quickly and accurately determine whether the terminal is within the first range based on the first information. Moreover, in this design, the first information only needs to indicate the distance threshold, and the overhead is relatively small.

[0008] In one possible design, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite. With this design, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether to use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the change in its own position. When the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal cannot use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite, and can directly send a random access signal to the second satellite, thereby avoiding or reducing access failures caused by terminal movement, shortening the communication delay of the terminal during cross-satellite access, and improving access efficiency.

[0009] In a possible design, the terminal may send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment, where the first moment is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal. Since the first moment is related to the identifier of the terminal, the identifiers of different terminals are different, and therefore, the first moments determined by different terminals are also likely to be different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0010] In one possible design, the first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal, and the second information. The second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration. With this design, the terminal can quickly and accurately determine the first moment.

[0011] In a possible design, the terminal may also receive second information from the first satellite or the second satellite. With this design, the terminal may quickly and accurately obtain the second information. Furthermore, since the second information is received by the terminal in real time, the network side may configure appropriate second information for the terminal, thereby improving the flexibility of configuration.

[0012] In one possible design, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment satisfies the following formula:

[0013] (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*Tdelay)

[0014] Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second moment is the moment at which the terminal sends a random access signal determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite. In this design, the terminal can be divided into N terminal groups according to the terminal identifier. The moments at which terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals are different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device, and the second device can be a first satellite or a module in the first satellite (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor), and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first satellite. The following is an example of the second device being the first satellite. The method may include: the first satellite sends resource configuration information to the terminal, and the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources. The first satellite also sends first information to the terminal, so that after the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, if the terminal determines that the terminal is within the first range according to the first information, the RRC request sent by the terminal to the second satellite is carried based on the uplink resource.

[0016] In one possible design, the first information may be used to indicate a distance threshold. If the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is within the first range; and / or, if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is outside the first range. The first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage of the second satellite.

[0017] In one possible design, the first satellite may send second information to the terminal, and the second information, the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, and the identifier of the terminal may be used to determine a first moment, where the first moment is the moment when the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite, and the random access signal is sent after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite and when the terminal is outside the first range. Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration.

[0018] In one possible design, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment satisfies the following formula:

[0019] (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*Tdelay)

[0020] Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second moment is the moment for sending the random access signal determined by the terminal according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite.

[0021] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device, and the first device can be a terminal or a module in the terminal (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor), and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The following is an explanation using the first device as a terminal as an example. The method may include: the terminal generates a random access signal. After the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal may send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment. The first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0022] By using this method, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment. Since the first moment is related to the identifier of the terminal, and the identifiers of different terminals are different, the first moments determined by different terminals are also likely to be different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0023] In one possible design, the first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal, and the second information. The second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration. With this design, the terminal can quickly and accurately determine the first moment.

[0024] In a possible design, the terminal can receive the second information. With this design, the terminal can quickly and accurately obtain the second information. Furthermore, since the second information is received by the terminal in real time, the network side can configure appropriate second information for the terminal, thereby improving the flexibility of configuration.

[0025] In one possible design, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment satisfies the following formula:

[0026] (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*Tdelay)

[0027] Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second moment is the moment at which the terminal sends a random access signal determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite. In this design, the terminal can be divided into N terminal groups according to the terminal identifier. The moments at which terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals are different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a third device, and the third device can be a second satellite or a module in the second satellite (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor), and can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the second satellite. The following is an example of the first device being a terminal. The method may include: the second satellite receives a random access signal sent by the terminal at a first moment, and the first moment is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0029] In one possible design, the first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal, and the second information, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration.

[0030] In one possible design, the second satellite may send second information to the terminal.

[0031] In one possible design, the time interval between the first moment and the second moment satisfies the following formula:

[0032] (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*Tdelay)

[0033] Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second moment is the moment for sending the random access signal determined by the terminal according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal or a module in a terminal (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor), or a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the function of implementing the first or third aspect above. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operation involved in the first or third aspect above, and the module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware.

[0035] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to achieve communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations involved in the first aspect or the third aspect above.

[0036] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be used to couple with a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or the third aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0037] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or the third aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0038] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the first aspect or the third aspect above.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be a satellite or a module in a satellite (such as a circuit, chip, chip system or processor), or a logical node, logic module or software that can implement all or part of the satellite functions. The communication device has the function of implementing the second aspect or the fourth aspect above. For example, the communication device includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect above, and the module or unit or means may be implemented by software, or by hardware, or the corresponding software may be implemented by hardware.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to achieve communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor, which can be used to couple with a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, and the memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second aspect or the fourth aspect. The processor can execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the communication device implements the method in any possible design of the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method in any possible design of the second aspect or the fourth aspect above.

[0044] It can be understood that in the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect above, the processor can be implemented by hardware or by software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, which is implemented by reading the software code stored in the memory. In addition, the above processors can be one or more, and the memories can be one or more. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be separately set from the processor. In the specific implementation process, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be set on different chips respectively. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the setting method of the memory and the processor.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect. For example, the communication system includes a terminal and a first satellite; wherein the terminal is used to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the first satellite is used to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect. For another example, the communication system includes a terminal and a second satellite; wherein the terminal is used to execute the communication method provided in the third aspect, and the second satellite is used to execute the communication method provided in the fourth aspect.

[0046] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above is implemented.

[0047] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method in any possible design of any aspect of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above is implemented.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any possible design of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0049] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second aspect and the fourth to the tenth aspect can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in any of the first aspect or the third aspect, and the repetitions will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 An architectural diagram of the first communication system provided in this application;

[0051] Figure 2An architectural diagram of a second communication system provided in this application;

[0052] Figure 3 An architectural diagram of a third communication system provided for this application;

[0053] Figure 4 An architectural diagram of the fourth communication system provided by this application;

[0054] Figure 5 An architectural diagram of a fifth communication system provided in this application;

[0055] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a non-continuous coverage scenario provided for this application;

[0056] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication method provided for this application;

[0057] Figure 8 A flow chart of another communication method provided by the present application;

[0058] Fig. 9 A structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

[0059] Fig.10 A structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiment of the present application. The technical solution in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as long term evolution (LTE) system), fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as NR system), NTN communication system, and future evolved communication system (such as sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system). The communication system can be applied to machine to machine (M2M) network, machine type communication (MTC) or other networks.

[0061] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the figures. In addition, combinations of these schemes may also be used.

[0062] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the NTN communication system. Figure 1 The architecture of an NTN communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication system may include a terminal, a first access network device, and a second access network device. The communication link between the first access network device and the second access network device is a feedback link (or feeder link); the communication link between the second access network device and the terminal is a service link.

[0063] The first access network device may be a gateway station (also called a ground station, earth station, gateway station, gateway or gateway station) (gateway) or a base station.

[0064] The second access network device may be a satellite (or satellite base station) or a high altitude platform station (HAPS). The satellite may include at least one of the following: a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite (or geosynchronous orbit satellite) or a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO). The non-geostationary orbit satellite may include at least one of the following:

[0065] Medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. No limitation is made here.

[0066] In an embodiment of the present application, the communication mode of the second access network device may include a regenerative mode and a transparent mode. When the communication mode of the second access network device is the regenerative mode, the second access network device may serve as a base station for wireless communication. Exemplarily, the second access network device may include a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a distributed unit (DU), etc. When the communication mode of the second access network device is the transparent mode, the second access network device may perform frequency conversion forwarding on the signal.

[0067] It should be understood that Figure 1Only one first access network device and one second access network device are shown. In actual use, the architecture of multiple first access network devices and / or one second access network device can be adopted as needed. Among them, each second access network device can provide services to one or more terminals, each second access network device can correspond to one or more first access network devices, and each first access network device can correspond to one or more second access network devices, which is not specifically limited in this application.

[0068] In the present application, a terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent or user device.

[0069] The terminal may be a device that provides a wireless communication function, such as a handheld device with a wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. At present, some examples of terminals are: mobile phones, satellite mobile terminals, cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile Internet devices (MID), wearable devices (such as smart watches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), vehicle-mounted devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed railways, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point of sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. The present invention relates to a wireless terminal (e.g., a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electric meter, etc.) in a home, an intelligent robot, a robotic arm, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a flying device (e.g., an intelligent robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), a terminal in a 5th generation (5G) network, or a terminal in a public land mobile network (PLMN) to be evolved in the future, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal may also be a mobile terminal (MT) in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.When the IAB node faces its parent node, it can be regarded as a terminal. In this case, the IAB node plays the role of MT.

[0070] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device for realizing the function of the terminal can be a terminal; it can also be a device that can support the terminal to realize the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in combination with the terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0071] In the present application, access network equipment is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminals, and terminals can communicate with core network equipment through access network equipment. As a node in the wireless access network, the access network equipment can also be called a base station, a radio access network (RAN) node (or device), and an access point (AP). The communication system may include multiple access network devices, and the multiple access network devices can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of access network equipment and terminals are relative. For example, network element #A can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station and access RAN through network element #B. For those terminals that access RAN through network element #A, network element #A is a base station; but for network element #B, network element #A is a terminal.

[0072] In one possible scenario, the access network device may be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a gNB, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an IAB node, a mobile switching center, or an access network device in an NTN communication system, that is, it may be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite, etc. The access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud RAN (CRAN) scenario. The access network device may also be a device that functions as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, Internet of Vehicles communication, drone communication, or machine communication. Optionally, the access network device may also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or an onboard device, etc. For example, the access network device in the vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0073] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, and different access network devices respectively implement part of the functions of the base station. For example, the access network device may be a centralized unit (CU), DU, CU-control plane (CP), CU-user plane (UP), or radio unit (RU), etc. CU and DU may be set separately, or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RU may be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It is understandable that the access network device may be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, CU may be divided into an access network device in an access network RAN, or CU may be divided into an access network device in a core network CN, without limitation here.

[0074] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are described as examples in this application. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0075] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device for realizing the function of the access network device may be the access network device; or it may be a device capable of supporting the access network device to realize the function, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the access network device or used in combination with the access network device.

[0076] The access network equipment and terminals can be fixed or movable. The access network equipment and terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network equipment and terminals.

[0077] In the present application, the core network device is a network element included in the core network part of the mobile communication system. For example, the core network device is a network function (NF) network element and a user plane function (UPF) network element included in the core network part. The core network device can connect the terminal to different data networks, and perform services such as billing, mobility management, session management, and user plane forwarding. At present, some examples of NF network elements are: unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, application function (AF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element, etc.

[0078] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission mode applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, satellites can use non-3GPP (3 rd The satellite can forward signals between the terminal and the satellite ground station. A communication connection can be established between the terminal and the satellite, and between the satellite and the satellite ground station through a non-3GPP radio protocol interface. The satellite ground station can include an access point. The satellite ground station can communicate with the core network (CN) through the NG interface (such as the N2 interface and / or the N3 interface, etc.), and the CN can communicate with the data network (DN) through the N6 interface.

[0079] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows another satellite communication system in transparent transmission mode applicable to the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3As shown, the satellite can access the network through the NR wireless protocol. The satellite can forward signals between the terminal and the satellite ground station. The terminal and the satellite can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface, and the satellite and the satellite ground station can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface (such as the Uu interface). The satellite ground station can be a base station. The interface between the satellite ground station, CN and DN is similar to Figure 2 The same is not repeated here.

[0080] Figure 4 FIG. 2 shows a satellite communication system in a regeneration mode applicable to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the satellite is equipped with a base station, and the satellite ground station is also equipped with a base station. The terminal and the satellite can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface (such as the Uu interface), and the satellite and the satellite ground station can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface (such as the Xn interface). The interface between the satellite ground station, CN, and DN is similar to Figure 2 The same, no further description is given here. Figure 4 In the satellite communication system shown, the satellite ground station may be a gateway instead of a base station.

[0081] Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows another satellite communication system in a regeneration mode to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable. Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the satellite is equipped with a DU and the satellite ground station contains a CU. The terminal and the satellite can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface (such as the Uu interface), and the satellite and the satellite ground station can establish a communication connection through the NR wireless protocol interface (such as the F1 interface). The interface between the satellite ground station, CN, and DN is similar to Figure 2 The same is not repeated here.

[0082] The following first explains the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection claimed by the present application.

[0083] (1) Random access:

[0084] Random access is the process initiated by the terminal to achieve uplink synchronization between the terminal and the access network device after the terminal and the access network device have achieved downlink synchronization. Random access can be divided into contention-based random access and non-contention-free random access, which are described below.

[0085] Contention-based random access can also be called 4-step random access. In contention-based random access, the terminal can send a random access signal to the access network device, and the random access signal includes a preamble. The access network device can detect the preamble and estimate the delay from the terminal to the access network device based on the preamble, thereby determining the timing advance (TA). The access network device sends a random access response (RAR) to the terminal, and the RAR includes TA, the time-frequency resource location of the uplink scheduling configured by the access network device for the terminal, etc. The terminal sends a radio resource control (RRC) request at the time-frequency resource location included in the RAR. The RRC request can also be called message 3 (Msg3). After receiving the RRC request, the access network device can send a contention resolution message to the terminal to complete the random access.

[0086] Non-contention-based random access is also called two-step random access. In non-contention-based random access, the terminal can send a preamble according to the instruction of the preamble from the access network device. After receiving the preamble, the access network device sends a RAR to the terminal, thereby completing the random access.

[0087] (2) Connected state, also called RRC connected state. When the terminal device is in the connected state, there is an RRC connection between the terminal device and the access network device, and the two can communicate through the RRC connection.

[0088] (3) Resources: In the present application, resources may include time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources. For example, time domain resources may include resources on a subframe, a time slot, or a symbol; frequency domain resources may include resources on a resource block (RB) or a resource block group (RBG).

[0089] (4) Non-continuous coverage:

[0090] In NTN, multiple satellites can provide services to achieve continuous coverage. Due to the long satellite launch cycle, some areas may be in a non-continuous coverage state from satellite launch to the completion of continuous coverage networking. For example, Figure 6As shown in the figure, in time period 1, M terminals (e.g., terminal 1 to terminal M) are within the coverage of satellite 1; that is, in time period 1, satellite 1 can provide services for terminal 1 to terminal M. As the satellite moves, the M terminals will move out of the coverage of satellite 1 and lose service. Until satellite 2 moves over the M terminals, that is, the M terminals are within the coverage of satellite 2, the M terminals can be provided with services by satellite 2.

[0091] After the M terminals enter the coverage of satellite 2, multiple terminals from terminal 1 to terminal M may have network access requirements, and thus need to re-initiate the random access process, causing communication delays. In addition, after the M terminals enter the coverage of satellite 2, a large number of terminals may simultaneously initiate random access processes, resulting in network congestion.

[0092] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. Figure 7 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

[0093] S701: A first satellite sends resource configuration information to a terminal; correspondingly, the terminal receives the resource configuration information from the first satellite.

[0094] Optionally, when the terminal is about to leave the coverage of the first satellite, the first satellite may send the resource configuration information to the terminal. Exemplarily, if the first satellite determines that the terminal leaves the coverage of the first satellite after a duration of 1, the first satellite may send the resource configuration information to the terminal. The basis for the first satellite to determine that the terminal leaves the coverage of the first satellite after a duration of 1 may include one or more of the ephemeris of the first satellite, the moving speed of the terminal, and the moving direction of the terminal. Duration 1 may be pre-configured, for example, specified by a protocol; it may also be determined by the first satellite; it may also be determined by other devices (for example, core network devices) and then notified to the first satellite.

[0095] The terminal may be a terminal in a connected state; in other words, there is an RRC connection between the terminal and the first satellite. In this way, the first satellite can send resource configuration information to the terminal in a connected state, without sending resource configuration information to all terminals that will leave the coverage of the first satellite, thereby saving signaling overhead.

[0096] The resource configuration information can be used to configure uplink resources. The uplink resources can be used by the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering the coverage of the second satellite. Exemplarily, the resource configuration information may include indication information of the uplink resource. For example, the resource information may include: frequency domain offset information and time domain information. The frequency domain offset information indicates the frequency offset between the uplink resource and the center frequency point, and the time domain information indicates the time domain position of the uplink resource (e.g., the starting frame, and / or the starting symbol). The configuration information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, and the present application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0097] In some implementations, in order to enable the second satellite to receive the RRC request from the terminal through the uplink resource, the second satellite may learn that the uplink resource is used for the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering the coverage of the second satellite. In some examples, after the first satellite configures the uplink resource for the terminal, it may notify the second satellite that the uplink resource is used for the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering the coverage of the second satellite. In other examples, the uplink resource is a resource configured by the second satellite for the terminal for sending an RRC request. After configuring the uplink resource, the second satellite notifies the first satellite of the uplink resource, and then the first satellite may execute step S701.

[0098] S702: A first satellite sends first information to a terminal; correspondingly, the terminal receives the first information from the first satellite.

[0099] Optionally, when the terminal is about to leave the coverage of the first satellite, the first satellite may send the first information to the terminal. Exemplarily, if the first satellite determines that the terminal leaves the coverage of the first satellite after a duration of 1, the first satellite may send the first information to the terminal. The specific content of the first satellite determining that the terminal leaves the coverage of the first satellite after a duration of 1 can be referred to S701, which is not repeated here.

[0100] The first information can be used to determine whether the terminal is within the first range. In this way, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine whether the terminal is within the first range based on the first information. The specific content of the first information being used to determine whether the terminal is within the first range will be described in the following methods a1 and a2, which will not be expanded here. The first information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message. The first information and resource configuration information can be carried in the same message or in different messages. When the first information and resource configuration information are carried in different messages, the execution order of S701 and S702 is not limited.

[0101] S703: After the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the terminal is within the first range, the terminal sends an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information; correspondingly, the second satellite receives the RRC request sent by the terminal using the uplink resources.

[0102] Optionally, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the terminal has a network access requirement and the terminal is located within the first range, the terminal may send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information.

[0103] pass Figure 7 In the method shown, after entering the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information, thereby realizing random access. In this method, the terminal does not need to send a random access signal or receive an RAR, thereby shortening the communication delay of the terminal during cross-satellite access, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0104] In addition, in a discontinuous coverage scenario, the position of the terminal may change significantly from leaving the coverage of the first satellite to entering the coverage of the second satellite. In this way, when the terminal sends an RRC request through the reserved uplink resources, the second satellite may not be able to receive the RRC request. For example, when the terminal leaves the coverage of the first satellite, the terminal is located at the edge of the coverage of the first satellite. The first satellite configures uplink resources for the terminal based on the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite. When the second satellite moves over the terminal, the second satellite will try to receive the RRC request from the terminal on the uplink resources configured for the terminal based on the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite. If the position of the terminal changes significantly, the antenna of the second satellite cannot point to the terminal. Specifically, since the antenna direction of the second satellite is directional, if the position of the terminal changes significantly, the terminal may no longer be within the pointing range of the antenna of the second satellite. Therefore, if the position of the terminal changes significantly, the second satellite may not be able to receive the RRC request from the terminal, resulting in the terminal being unable to access.

[0105] pass Figure 7In the method shown, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether to use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the change in its own position. Specifically, when the terminal is within the first range, the terminal uses the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite. In this way, the second satellite can point the antenna of the second satellite to the terminal according to the first range, so as to receive the RRC request from the terminal, thereby avoiding or reducing access failures caused by terminal movement, shortening the communication delay of the terminal when accessing across satellites, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0106] As mentioned above, the first information may be used to determine whether the terminal is located within the first range. There are multiple ways to determine whether the terminal is located within the first range, for example, way a1 or way a2.

[0107] Method a1:

[0108] The first information may be used to indicate a distance threshold. If the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is within the first range; and / or, if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is outside the first range. In this way, after receiving the first information, the terminal may determine whether the terminal is within the first range based on the first information.

[0109] In some possible methods, the first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage of the second satellite. Optionally, in this method, the terminal may send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information when entering the coverage of the second satellite or within a duration 2 after entering the coverage of the second satellite. The duration 2 may be pre-configured, for example, specified by a protocol; may be determined by the terminal; or may be determined by other devices (for example, the first satellite or the second satellite) and then notified to the terminal.

[0110] In some other possible methods, the first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it determines to access the second satellite. Optionally, in this method, the terminal may send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information when it determines to access the second satellite or within a time period 3 after it determines to access the second satellite. The time period 3 may be pre-configured, for example, specified by a protocol; may be determined by the terminal; or may be notified to the terminal by other devices (for example, the first satellite or the second satellite) after determination.

[0111] There are many ways for the first information to indicate the distance threshold, which are illustrated below. In some examples, the first information may include the distance threshold. For example, the first information includes: 50 meters, indicating that the distance threshold is 50 meters. In other examples, there is a correspondence between the first information and the distance threshold. For example, the correspondence between at least one candidate distance threshold and at least one index is shown in Table 1. If the first information includes index 0, the distance threshold is 50 meters. If the first information includes index 1, the distance threshold is 100 meters.

[0112] Table 1

[0113] index Candidate distance threshold 0 50 meters 1 100 meters

[0114] It should be understood that when the first information is used to determine whether the terminal is located within the first range through method a1, the first information is also used to determine whether the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold; S703 can be replaced by: after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal uses the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite; the following step A1 can be replaced by: after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite.

[0115] In some possible approaches, less than in approach a1 may be replaced by less than or equal to, and / or greater than or equal to may be replaced by greater than.

[0116] Through mode a1, the first information can be used to indicate the distance threshold, so that the terminal can quickly and accurately determine whether the terminal is located within the first range according to the first information. In addition, in this mode, the first information only needs to indicate the distance threshold, and the overhead is small.

[0117] Method a2:

[0118] The first information is used to indicate the first range. In this way, the terminal can determine whether the terminal is within the first range based on the first information. In some examples, the first information may directly indicate the first range. For example, the first information includes the coordinate range of the first range. In other examples, the first information may include information that has a corresponding relationship with the first range. For example, the first information indicates the administrative area corresponding to the first range, for example, Town A, and the first range is the range of the administrative area.

[0119] Through manner a2, the first information can be used to indicate the first range, so that the terminal can quickly and accurately determine whether the terminal is located within the first range according to the first information.

[0120] Some possible ways are Figure 7The method also includes step A1:

[0121] Step A1: After the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite; correspondingly, the second satellite receives the random access signal from the terminal. That is, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal can initiate random access, which can be contention-based random access or non-contention-based random access.

[0122] In this way, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether to use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the change of its own position. When the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal cannot use the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite, and can directly send a random access signal to the second satellite, thereby avoiding or reducing access failures caused by terminal movement, shortening the communication delay of the terminal when accessing across satellites, and improving access efficiency.

[0123] In some possible ways, in step A1, the terminal may send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first time; accordingly, the second satellite receives the random access signal sent by the terminal at the first time. The first time may be determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal, so that the terminal may determine the first time according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0124] There are multiple ways for the terminal to obtain the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, which are illustrated below. In some examples, after entering the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal can obtain the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite from the second satellite. In other examples, when the terminal is within the coverage of the first satellite, the second satellite can send the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite to the terminal through the first satellite.

[0125] There are many forms of terminal identification. Exemplarily, the terminal identification is related to the 5G S temporary mobile user identification (5G S-temporary mobile subscription identifier, 5G-S-TMSI) of the terminal. For example, if the terminal is configured for extended discontinuous reception (eDRX), the terminal identification is 5G-S-TMSI mod 4096; if the terminal is not configured for eDRX, the terminal identification is 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024. Among them, mod is a modulus operation.

[0126] Since the first moment is related to the terminal identifier, and the identifiers of different terminals are different, the first moments determined by different terminals are also likely to be different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0127] In some implementations, the first moment may be determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal, and the second information. In this way, the terminal may determine the first moment based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal, and the second information. The second information includes at least one of the following:

[0128] 1. Number of terminal groups: may indicate the number of terminal groups within the coverage of the second satellite.

[0129] 2. First duration: may be related to the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) period. For example, the first duration is the SSB period or an integer multiple of the SSB period. The first duration may also have other names, for example, the delayed access period duration.

[0130] 3. A coefficient related to the first duration: for example, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16. The coefficient related to the first duration may also have other names, for example, delayed access timer.

[0131] The following first describes the manner in which the terminal obtains the second information. There are multiple manners in which the terminal obtains the second information, for example, manner b1 or manner b2.

[0132] Mode b1: the terminal can receive the second information.

[0133] In some examples, the first satellite may send the second information to the terminal; accordingly, the terminal may receive the second information from the first satellite. The second information may be configured by the first satellite, or notified to the first satellite after the second satellite is configured. Optionally, in this example, the second information may be sent by the first satellite to the terminal when the terminal is about to leave the coverage of the first satellite. In this example, the second information and one or more of the resource configuration information and the first information may be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0134] In some other examples, the second satellite may send the second information to the terminal; accordingly, the terminal may receive the second information from the second satellite. The second information may be configured by the second satellite. Optionally, in this example, the second information may be sent to the terminal by the second satellite after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite. For example, the second information is broadcast by the second satellite, so that the terminal can receive the second information after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite.

[0135] The second information may be carried in a traditional message or in a new message, and this application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0136] In this way, the terminal can quickly and accurately obtain the second information. In addition, since the second information is received by the terminal in real time, the network side can configure appropriate second information for the terminal, thereby improving the flexibility of configuration.

[0137] Mode b2: The second information is pre-configured, for example, specified by a protocol.

[0138] Optionally, when the second information includes multiple information, the terminal may obtain all the information in the second information through mode b1 or mode b2; or, the terminal obtains a part of the information in the second information through mode b1, and obtains another part of the information in the second information through mode b2. For example, the second information includes: a first duration and a coefficient related to the first duration. The terminal may obtain the first duration and the coefficient related to the first duration through mode b1; or, the terminal may obtain the first duration and the coefficient related to the first duration through mode b2; or, the terminal may obtain the coefficient related to the first duration through mode b1, and obtain the first duration through mode b2.

[0139] The following describes that the first moment can be determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal and the second information. There are multiple ways to determine the first moment based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal and the second information, for example, way c1 or way c2.

[0140] Mode c1: The time interval between the first moment and the second moment conforms to formula (1). Thus, the terminal can determine the first moment according to formula (1).

[0141] (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay ) (1)

[0142] Among them, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, T delayis the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second time is the time at which the terminal determines to send a random access signal according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite. That is, the terminal can send a random access signal in advance or in delay of a time length of 4, where the time length 4 is the time interval.

[0143] In this way, the terminals can be divided into N terminal groups according to their identifiers. The terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals at different times, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time and improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, T delay Same as SSB period, 20 milliseconds (ms), delayTimer is 4, then the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay )=80ms to send a random access signal, that is, the terminal delays 80ms to access. If UE_ID is 4, N is 2, T delay If the delayTimer is 4, the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay )=0ms to send a random access signal. In this way, the terminals identified as odd numbers are divided into one terminal group, and the terminals identified as even numbers are divided into another terminal group. The time when terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals is different.

[0144] Optionally, in the same terminal group, the same coefficient related to the first duration may be configured for different terminals, or different coefficients related to the first duration may be configured for different terminals. When different coefficients related to the first duration are configured for different terminals in the same terminal group, different terminals in the same terminal group send random access signals at different times, thereby further avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, thereby improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, T delay If the delayTimer is 4, the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay )=80ms to send a random access signal, that is, the terminal delays 80ms to access. If UE_ID is 5, N is 2, T delay is 20ms, delayTimer is 8, then the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay In this way, the terminals identified as odd numbers are divided into a terminal group, and different terminals in the terminal group send random access signals at different times.

[0145] Mode c2: The time interval between the first moment and the second moment may conform to formula (2), so that the terminal may determine the first moment according to formula (1).

[0146] (UE_ID mod N)*T delay (2)

[0147] The meanings of the second moment and the parameters in formula (2) can be referred to in method c1, which will not be described again here.

[0148] In this way, the terminals can be divided into N terminal groups according to their identifiers. The terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals at different times, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time and improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, T delay If it is 20ms, the terminal can delay (UE_ID modN)*T delay =20ms to send a random access signal, that is, the terminal delays 80ms to access. If UE_ID is 4, N is 2, T delay If it is 20ms, the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*T delay =0ms to send a random access signal. In this way, the terminals identified as odd numbers are divided into one terminal group, and the terminals identified as even numbers are divided into another terminal group. The terminals in different terminal groups send random access signals at different times.

[0149] An embodiment of the present application provides another communication method. Figure 8 This is a flow chart corresponding to the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the method includes:

[0150] S801: The terminal generates a random access signal.

[0151] Optionally, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if the terminal has a network access requirement, the terminal may generate a random access signal. The random access signal may be a random access signal in a contention-based random access or a random access signal in a non-contention-based random access.

[0152] S802: After the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite at a first time; accordingly, the second satellite receives the random access signal sent by the terminal at the first time, wherein the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0153] Among them, the specific content of the terminal sending a random access signal to the second satellite at the first moment can refer to the description of the terminal sending a random access signal to the second satellite at the first moment in step A1; the specific content of the first moment can refer to the description of the first moment in step A1, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] pass Figure 8 In the method shown, after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the terminal may send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment. Since the first moment is related to the identifier of the terminal, and the identifiers of different terminals are different, the first moments determined by different terminals are also likely to be different, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals performing random access at the same time, and improving access efficiency.

[0155] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above method embodiment. The function can be implemented by hardware, can be implemented by software, or can be implemented by hardware executing the corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal, or can be a module in a terminal (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the terminal functions; or the communication device can be a satellite or a module in a satellite (such as a circuit or a chip), or can be a logical node, a logical module or software that can realize all or part of the satellite functions.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig. 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes an interface unit 901 and a processing unit 902. The functions of each unit in the communication device 900 are introduced below.

[0157] The interface unit 901 is used to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by receiving information, and the output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface unit 901 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 900, or it can output information to other units in the communication device 900. In some embodiments, the interface unit 901 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input and output interface. In other embodiments, the interface unit 901 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. Among them, the mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc.

[0158] The processing unit 902 can be used to support the communication device 900 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiment. The processing unit 902 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0159] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to Figure 7 The terminal in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processing unit 902 in this implementation manner are introduced below.

[0160] The processing unit 902 is used to receive resource configuration information from the first satellite through the interface unit 901, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; receive first information from the first satellite through the interface unit 901, where the first information is used to determine whether the terminal is located within the first range; after the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, if it is determined that the terminal is within the first range according to the first information, then send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources through the interface unit 901.

[0161] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 902 is further configured to: after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is outside the first range, send a random access signal to the second satellite through the interface unit 901.

[0162] Exemplarily, the processing unit 902 is specifically configured to: send a random access signal to the second satellite through the interface unit 901 at a first time, where the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0163] Optionally, the processing unit 902 is further used to: receive second information from the first satellite or the second satellite through the interface unit 901.

[0164] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to Figure 7 The first satellite in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processing unit 902 in this embodiment are introduced below.

[0165] The processing unit 902 is used to send resource configuration information to the terminal through the interface unit 901, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; the first information is sent to the terminal through the interface unit 901, so that after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is within the first range, the RRC request sent by the terminal to the second satellite is carried by the uplink resource.

[0166] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 902 is further used to: send second information to the terminal through the interface unit 901, the second information, the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, and the identifier of the terminal are used to determine the first moment, the first moment is the moment when the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite, the random access signal is sent after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite and when the terminal is outside the first range, and the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration.

[0167] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to Figure 8 The terminal in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processing unit 902 in this implementation manner are introduced below.

[0168] The processing unit 902 is used to generate a random access signal; after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, the random access signal is sent to the second satellite through the interface unit 901 at a first time, and the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0169] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 902 is further configured to: receive second information through the interface unit 901 .

[0170] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to Figure 8 The second satellite in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processing unit 902 in this implementation manner are introduced below.

[0171] The processing unit 902 is used to: receive a random access signal sent by the terminal at a first time through the interface unit 901, where the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0172] In some possible embodiments, the processing unit 902 is further configured to: send the second information to the terminal through the interface unit 901 .

[0173] For more detailed description of the processing unit 902 and the interface unit 901, please refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The relevant description in the method embodiment shown is directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0174] It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into a processing unit, or may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0175] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0176] In a possible implementation, the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application refers to Fig.10 As shown, the communication device 1000 includes: a processor 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 also includes: an interface circuit 1001 and a memory 1003. The interface circuit 1001, the processor 1002 and the memory 1003 are coupled to each other.

[0177] Optionally, the interface circuit 1001, the processor 1002 and the memory 1003 are coupled to each other via a bus 1004. The bus 1004 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.10 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0178] The interface circuit 1001 is used to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by receiving information, and the output information can be replaced by sending information. When outputting information, the interface circuit 1001 can output information to other devices outside the communication device 1000, or can output information to other units in the communication device 1000. Exemplarily, the interface circuit 1001 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input-output interface, and a mobile communication module. Among them, the mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc.

[0179] The processor 1002 may be used to support the communication device 1000 in executing the processing actions in the above method embodiment. When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 1002 may also be used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 902. The processor 1002 may be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor.

[0180] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to Figure 7 The terminal in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processor 1002 in this implementation are introduced below.

[0181] Processor 1002 is used to: receive resource configuration information from the first satellite through interface circuit 1001, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; receive first information from the first satellite through interface circuit 1001, where the first information is used to determine whether the terminal is located within a first range; after the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, if it is determined that the terminal is within the first range according to the first information, then send an RRC request to the second satellite using uplink resources through interface circuit 1001.

[0182] In another embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to Figure 7 The first satellite in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processor 1002 in this implementation manner are introduced below.

[0183] Processor 1002 is used to: send resource configuration information to the terminal through interface circuit 1001, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; send first information to the terminal through interface circuit 1001, so that after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is within the first range, then the RRC request sent by the terminal to the second satellite is carried by the uplink resource.

[0184] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to Figure 8 The terminal in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processor 1002 in this implementation are introduced below.

[0185] Processor 1002 is used to: generate a random access signal; after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, send the random access signal to the second satellite through interface circuit 1001 at a first time, and the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0186] In yet another embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to Figure 8 The second satellite in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The specific functions of the processor 1002 in this implementation manner are introduced below.

[0187] The processor 1002 is configured to: receive, through the interface circuit 1001, a random access signal sent by the terminal at a first time, where the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

[0188] The specific functions of the processor 1002 can refer to the description of the communication method provided in the above embodiments and examples of the present application, and Fig. 9 The specific functional description of the communication device 900 in the embodiment of the present application is shown and will not be repeated here.

[0189] The memory 1003 is used to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions may include a program code, which includes a computer operation instruction. The memory 1003 may include a RAM, and may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk storage. The processor 1002 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 1003, and uses the data stored in the memory 1003 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the above embodiment of the present application. The memory 1003 can be integrated with the processor 1002, or it can be a memory outside the communication device.

[0190] It is understandable that this application Fig.10The memory 1003 in can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (doubledata rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhancedSDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0191] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including computer executable instructions. When the computer program product is run, the method provided in the above embodiments is executed.

[0192] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0193] The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0194] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0195] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing the necessary programs and data for the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0196] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided for in any logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0197] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0198] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0199] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0200] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0201] It is understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0202] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to terminals, including: receiving resource configuration information from a first satellite, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; receiving first information from the first satellite, where the first information is used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range; After the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is located within the first range, a radio resource control RRC request is sent to the second satellite using the uplink resource.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range, including: The first information is used to indicate a distance threshold, and if the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is located within the first range; and / or if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is located outside the first range; The first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage of the second satellite.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Also includes: After the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is outside the first range, a random access signal is sent to the second satellite.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The sending a random access signal to the second satellite comprises: A random access signal is sent to the second satellite at a first time, where the first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first time is determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal, including: The first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, the identifier of the terminal and second information, and the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, the first duration or a coefficient related to the first duration.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that Also includes: The second information is received from the first satellite or the second satellite.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that The time interval between the first moment and the second moment meets the following formula: (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay ) Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of the terminal group, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second time is the time for the terminal to send the random access signal determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite.

8. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the first satellite, including: Sending resource configuration information to the terminal, where the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; The first information is sent to the terminal so that after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite, if it is determined according to the first information that the terminal is located within the first range, a radio resource control RRC request sent by the terminal to the second satellite is carried by the uplink resource.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first information specifically indicates a distance threshold, and if the distance between the first position and the second position is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is located within the first range; and / or if the distance between the first position and the second position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is located outside the first range; The first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage of the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage of the second satellite.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that Also includes: Sending second information to the terminal, where the second information, the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite, and the identifier of the terminal are used to determine a first moment, where the first moment is the moment when the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite, and the random access signal is sent after the terminal enters the coverage of the second satellite and when the terminal is outside the first range, and the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal groups, a first duration, or a coefficient related to the first duration.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The time interval between the first moment and the second moment meets the following formula: (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T delay ) Wherein, UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of the terminal group, mod represents the modulus operation, T delay is the first duration, delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration, and the second time is the time for the terminal to send the random access signal determined according to the time-frequency resources of the preamble code allocated by the second satellite.

12. A communication device, characterized in that: include: An interface unit for receiving and sending information; A processing unit, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 through the interface unit.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is implemented.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises: a computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is implemented.

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