A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and device, the method comprises: a terminal can receive resource configuration information and first information from a first satellite. The resource configuration information is used for configuring an uplink resource, and the first information is used for determining whether the terminal is located in a first range. After the terminal enters a coverage range of a 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 the terminal enters the coverage range of the second satellite, the terminal can send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the uplink resource configured by the resource configuration information, the terminal does not need to send a random access signal and does not need to receive a RAR, so that the communication delay of the terminal during cross-satellite access can be shortened, network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access can be avoided or reduced, and access efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), the satellites capable of providing services to terminals may change as satellites move. For example, during time period 1, satellite 1 can provide services to terminals 1 through M; during time period 2, satellite 2 can provide services to terminals 1 through M, where M is a positive integer. If the coverage areas of satellite 1 and satellite 2 are discontinuous, then time periods 1 and 2 are also discontinuous. Thus, between the end of time period 1 and the beginning of time period 2, no satellite provides services to terminals 1 through M. After terminals 1 through M enter the coverage area of ​​satellite 2, multiple terminals among them may need to re-initiate random access procedures, causing communication delays. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve the efficiency of random access and shorten the communication latency of terminals when accessing across satellites.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be applied to a first device, which may be a terminal or a module within the terminal (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The following description uses a terminal as an example of the first device. The method may include: the terminal receiving resource configuration information and first information from a first satellite. 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 area of ​​a second satellite, if the first information determines that the terminal is within the first range, the terminal can use uplink resources to send an RRC request to the second satellite.

[0005] Using this method, after entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, the terminal can send an RRC request to the second satellite according to the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information, thereby achieving random access. In this method, the terminal does not need to send a random access signal or receive a RAR, thus shortening the communication latency of the terminal when accessing across satellites, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, and improving access efficiency.

[0006] Furthermore, after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, it can determine whether to send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information based on its own position changes. Specifically, the terminal only sends an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information when it is within the first range. In this way, the second satellite can point its antenna towards the terminal according to the first range, thereby receiving the RRC request from the terminal. This can avoid or reduce access failures caused by terminal movement, shorten communication latency when the terminal accesses across satellites, avoid or reduce network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, and improve access efficiency.

[0007] In one possible design, the first information can be used to indicate a distance threshold. If the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the distance threshold, the terminal is within the first range; and / or, if the distance between the first location and the second location is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal is outside the first range. Here, the first location is the terminal's position when it leaves the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, and the second location is the terminal's position when it enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite. With this design, the first information can be used to indicate the distance threshold, allowing the terminal to quickly and accurately determine whether it is within the first range based on the first information. Furthermore, in this design, the first information only needs to indicate the distance threshold, resulting in lower overhead.

[0008] In one possible design, after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if it is determined from 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 entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, the terminal can determine whether to use the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite based on its own position change. When the terminal is outside the first range, it cannot use the uplink resources configured in 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. This avoids or reduces access failures caused by terminal movement, shortens communication latency during cross-satellite access, and improves access efficiency.

[0009] In one possible design, the terminal can send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment, which is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier. Since the first moment is related to the terminal's identifier, and different terminals have different identifiers, the first moment determined by different terminals is also likely to be different. This can avoid or reduce network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, thereby improving access efficiency.

[0010] In one possible design, the first time point is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and second information. 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. This design allows the terminal to quickly and accurately determine the first time point.

[0011] In one possible design, the terminal can also receive second information from a first or second satellite. This design allows the terminal to acquire the second information quickly and accurately. Furthermore, since the second information is received by the terminal in real time, the network side can configure appropriate second information for the terminal, improving configuration flexibility.

[0012] In one possible design, the time interval between the first and second moments conforms to the following formula:

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

[0014] Where UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as `delayTimer`, which is a coefficient related to the first duration. The second time is the time at which the terminal transmits the random access signal, determined by the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite. In this design, terminals can be divided into N terminal groups based on their identifiers. Terminals in different groups transmit random access signals at different times, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access and improving access efficiency.

[0015] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second device. The second device can be a first satellite or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within the first satellite, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first satellite. The following description uses the first satellite as an example of the second device. The method may include: the first satellite sending resource configuration information to a terminal, the resource configuration information being used to configure uplink resources. The first satellite also sends first information to the terminal, so that after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if the terminal determines that it is within a first range based on the first information, then the terminal carries an RRC request sent to the second satellite based on the uplink resources.

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

[0017] In one possible design, the first satellite may send second information to the terminal. This second information, the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, and the terminal's identifier can be used to determine a first moment, which is the moment when the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite. This random access signal is sent after the terminal has entered the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, but when the terminal is outside the first coverage area. Optionally, 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.

[0018] In one possible design, the time interval between the first and second moments conforms to the following formula:

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

[0020] Where UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as `delayTimer`, which is a coefficient related to the first duration. The second time is the time at which the terminal determines the transmission of the random access signal based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite.

[0021] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be applied to a first device, which can be a terminal or a module within the terminal (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The following description uses a terminal as an example of the first device. The method may include: the terminal generating a random access signal. After the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​a second satellite, the terminal can send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment. This first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

[0022] Using this method, after a terminal enters the coverage area of ​​a second satellite, it can send a random access signal to the second satellite at the first possible moment. Since the first moment is related to the terminal's identifier, and different terminals have different identifiers, the first moment determined by different terminals is also likely to be different. This can avoid or reduce network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, thereby improving access efficiency.

[0023] In one possible design, the first time point is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and second information. 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. This design allows the terminal to quickly and accurately determine the first time point.

[0024] In one possible design, the terminal can receive second information. This design allows the terminal to quickly and accurately acquire 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, improving configuration flexibility.

[0025] In one possible design, the time interval between the first and second moments conforms to the following formula:

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

[0027] Where UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as `delayTimer`, which is a coefficient related to the first duration. The second time is the time at which the terminal transmits the random access signal, determined by the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite. In this design, terminals can be divided into N terminal groups based on their identifiers. Terminals in different groups transmit random access signals at different times, thereby avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access and improving access efficiency.

[0028] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a third device. The third device can be a second satellite or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within the second satellite, or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second satellite. The following description uses a first device as an example of a terminal. The method may include: the second satellite receiving a random access signal sent by the terminal at a first moment, where the first moment is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

[0029] In one possible design, the first time step is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and second information. 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.

[0030] In one possible design, the second satellite can send a second message to the terminal.

[0031] In one possible design, the time interval between the first and second moments conforms to the following formula:

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

[0033] Where UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, mod represents the modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as `delayTimer`, which is a coefficient related to the first duration. The second time is the time at which the terminal determines the transmission of the random access signal based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite.

[0034] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a terminal or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within a terminal, or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The communication device possesses the functions described in the first or third aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first or third aspect above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or hardware executing corresponding software.

[0035] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable 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 described in the first or third aspect above.

[0036] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor that can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first or third aspect above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design of the first or third aspect above when the computer programs or instructions are executed.

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

[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 to perform the methods in any possible design of the first or third aspect described above.

[0039] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a satellite or a module within a satellite (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor), or a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the satellite's functions. This communication device possesses the functions described in the second or fourth aspects above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second or fourth aspects above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or hardware executing corresponding software.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and an interface unit. The interface unit can be used to transmit and receive signals to enable 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 described in the second or fourth aspect above.

[0041] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor that can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the second or fourth aspect above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design of the second or fourth aspect above, when executed.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which may store the necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in the second or fourth aspect described above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design of the second or fourth aspect described above.

[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 to perform the methods in any possible design of the second or fourth aspect described above.

[0044] Understandably, in the fifth or sixth aspect described above, the processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. Furthermore, there can be one or more processors, and one or more memories. The memory can be integrated with the processor or separated from it. In specific implementations, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or disposed on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the arrangement of the memory and processor.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include the communication apparatus described in the fifth aspect and the communication apparatus 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. As 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] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, a method in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above is implemented.

[0047] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code, wherein when the computer program code is run, a method in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above is implemented.

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

[0049] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the second, fourth to tenth aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design in the first or third aspect mentioned above. Where there is overlap, no further discussion will be given. Attached Figure Description

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

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

[0052] Figure 3 An architecture diagram of the third communication system provided in this application;

[0053] Figure 4 The architecture diagram of the fourth communication system provided in this application;

[0054] Figure 5 The architecture diagram of the fifth communication system provided in this application;

[0055] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the discontinuous coverage scenario provided in this application;

[0056] Figure 7 A flowchart of a communication method provided in this application;

[0057] Figure 8 A flowchart of another communication method provided in this application;

[0058] Figure 9 A structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application;

[0059] Figure 10 A structural diagram of another communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as NR systems), NTN communication systems, and future evolutionary communication systems (such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems). This communication system can be applied to machine-to-machine (M2M) networks, machine-type communication (MTC) networks, or other networks.

[0061] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0062] The method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to NTN communication systems. Figure 1 This paper illustrates the architecture of an NTN communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system may include a terminal, a first access network device, and a second access network device. The communication link between the first and second access network devices is a feedback link (or power supply link); the communication link between the second access network device and the terminal is a service link.

[0063] The first access network device can be a gateway station (also known as a ground station, earth station, signaling station, gateway, or gateway station) or a base station.

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

[0065] Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites or Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. There are no restrictions here.

[0066] In this embodiment, the communication mode of the second access network device may include two modes: regenerative mode and transparent mode. When the communication mode of the second access network device is regenerative mode, the second access network device can act as a base station for wireless communication. For example, 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 transparent mode, the second access network device can perform frequency conversion forwarding of signals.

[0067] It should be understood that Figure 1Only one first access network device and one second access network device are shown. In actual use, an architecture with multiple first access network devices and / or one second access network device can be adopted as needed. Each second access network device can provide services to one or more terminals, and 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. This application does not specifically limit the scope of the application.

[0068] In this 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] A terminal can be a device that provides wireless communication capabilities, such as handheld devices or in-vehicle devices with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, satellite mobile terminals, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, and smart glasses), in-vehicle devices (e.g., cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, 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. Wireless terminals in the home (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, flying devices (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), terminals in the 5th generation (5G) network, or terminals in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc., are not limited to these in this application embodiment. As an example and not a limitation, in this application embodiment, the terminal can also be a mobile terminal (MT) in an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node.When an IAB node faces its parent node, it can be considered an endpoint, in which case the IAB node acts as the MT (Mediator).

[0070] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal can be the terminal itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

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

[0072] In one possible scenario, access network equipment can 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 access network equipment in an NTN communication system; that is, it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite, etc. Access network equipment can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a cloud RAN (CRAN) scenario. Access network equipment can also be equipment that functions as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Optionally, access network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the access network equipment can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0073] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with each access network device implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, access network devices can be central units (CUs), duplexes (DUs), CUs (control planes, CPs), CUs (user planes, UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that access network devices can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or devices comprising both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as access network devices within the RAN (RAN) or the CN (core network), without limitation.

[0074] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0075] In this embodiment, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the access network device can be the access network device itself; or it can be a device that supports the access network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0076] Access network devices and terminals can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network devices and terminals.

[0077] In this application, core network equipment refers to network elements included in the core network portion of a mobile communication system. For example, core network equipment includes network function (NF) network elements and user plane function (UPF) network elements within the core network portion. Core network equipment enables terminals to access different data networks and performs services such as billing, mobility management, session management, and user plane forwarding. Currently, some examples of NF network elements include: unified data management (UDM) network elements, unified data repository (UDR) network elements, network exposure function (NEF) network elements, application function (AF) network elements, policy control function (PCF) network elements, access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, and network repository function (NRF) network elements.

[0078] Figure 2 This application illustrates a satellite communication system in transparent transmission mode to which embodiments of this application apply. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the satellite can adopt a non-Generation 3 Partnership (GPP) approach. rd The satellite accesses the network via a non-3GPP radio protocol (Non-3GPP Radio Protocol). The satellite can relay signals between the terminal and the satellite ground station. Communication connections can be established between the terminal and the satellite, and between the satellite and the satellite ground station, through the Non-3GPP radio protocol interface. The satellite ground station may contain an access point. Communication between the satellite ground station and the core network (CN) can be via NG interfaces (e.g., N2 and / or N3 interfaces), and communication between the CN and the data network (DN) can be via the N6 interface.

[0079] Figure 3 This illustrates another satellite communication system in a transparent transmission mode to which embodiments of this application are applicable. For example... Figure 3As shown, satellites can access networks via the NR wireless protocol. Satellites can relay signals between terminals and satellite ground stations. A communication connection can be established between the terminal and the satellite via the NR wireless protocol interface, and between the satellite and the satellite ground station via an NR wireless protocol interface (e.g., the Uu interface). The satellite ground station can act as a base station. The interfaces between the satellite ground station, CN, and DN are... Figure 2 The same applies, so I will not repeat it here.

[0080] Figure 4 This illustration shows a satellite communication system in regenerative mode to which embodiments of this application apply. For example... Figure 4 As shown, both the satellite and the satellite ground station carry base stations. The terminal and the satellite can establish a communication connection via an NR wireless protocol interface (e.g., the Uu interface), and the satellite and the satellite ground station can establish a communication connection via an NR wireless protocol interface (e.g., the Xn interface). The interfaces between the satellite ground station, CN, and DN are... Figure 2 The same applies, so I won't repeat it here. Optional, in... Figure 4 In the satellite communication system shown, the satellite ground station can be a gateway, but does not include a base station.

[0081] Figure 5 This illustrates another satellite communication system in a regeneration mode to which embodiments of this application are applicable. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the satellite carries a DU, and the satellite ground station contains a CU. The terminal and the satellite can establish a communication connection via an NR wireless protocol interface (e.g., the Uu interface), and the satellite and the satellite ground station can establish a communication connection via an NR wireless protocol interface (e.g., the F1 interface). The interfaces between the satellite ground station, CN, and DN are... Figure 2 The same applies, so I will not repeat it here.

[0082] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0083] (1) Random access:

[0084] Random access is a process initiated by the terminal to achieve uplink synchronization with the access network equipment after downlink synchronization has been achieved. Random access can be divided into contention-based random access and contention-free random access, which will be described below.

[0085] Contention-based random access, also known as four-step random access, involves the terminal sending a random access signal, including a preamble, to the access network device. The access network device detects the preamble and estimates the time delay from the terminal to the access network device, thus determining the timing advance (TA). The access network device then sends a random access response (RAR) to the terminal, which includes the TA and the uplink scheduling time-frequency resource locations configured by the access network device for the terminal. The terminal sends a radio resource control (RRC) request at the time-frequency resource locations included in the RAR; this RRC request is also known as message 3 (Msg3). Upon receiving the RRC request, the access network device sends a contention resolution message to the terminal, thus completing the random access process.

[0086] Contention-free random access, also known as two-step random access, involves a terminal sending a preamble based on instructions from the access network device. Upon receiving the preamble, the access network device sends a random access command (RAR) to the terminal, thus completing the random access process.

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

[0088] (3) Resources: In this application, resources may include time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources. For example, time-domain resources may include resources on subframes, time slots or symbols; frequency-domain resources may include resources on resource blocks (RBs) or resource block groups (RBGs).

[0089] (4) Discontinuous coverage:

[0090] In NTN (Network Networking), multiple satellites can provide continuous coverage. However, due to the long satellite launch cycle, some areas may experience discontinuous coverage between launch and the completion of continuous coverage network deployment. For example... Figure 6As shown, during time period 1, M terminals (e.g., terminals 1 to M) are within the coverage area of ​​satellite 1; that is, during time period 1, satellite 1 can provide services to terminals 1 to M. As the satellite moves, these M terminals will move out of the coverage area of ​​satellite 1, thus losing service. Services will only be available to these M terminals again when satellite 2 moves over them, i.e., when the M terminals are within the coverage area of ​​satellite 2.

[0091] After the M terminals enter the coverage area of ​​satellite 2, multiple terminals from terminal 1 to terminal M may have network access requests, thus requiring the random access procedure to be re-initiated, causing communication delays. Furthermore, after the M terminals enter the coverage area of ​​satellite 2, a large number of terminals may simultaneously initiate random access procedures, leading to network congestion.

[0092] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7 As shown, the method includes:

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

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

[0095] The terminal can be a connected terminal; in other words, there is an RRC connection between the terminal and the first satellite. This allows the first satellite to send resource configuration information to the connected terminal without needing to send resource configuration information to all terminals that will leave the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0096] This resource configuration information can be used to configure uplink resources. These uplink resources can be used by the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering its coverage area. For example, the resource configuration information may include indication information for the uplink resource. For instance, 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, and the time domain information indicates the time domain location of the uplink resource (e.g., the start frame and / or the start symbol). This configuration information can be carried in a conventional message or in a new message; this application does not limit this.

[0097] In some implementations, in order for the second satellite to receive RRC requests from the terminal via the uplink resource, the second satellite can be informed that the uplink resource is used by the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering its coverage area. In some examples, after configuring the uplink resource for the terminal, the first satellite can notify the second satellite that the uplink resource is used by the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering its coverage area. In other examples, the uplink resource is a resource configured by the second satellite for the terminal to send RRC requests. After configuring the uplink resource, the second satellite notifies the first satellite of the uplink resource, and then the first satellite can execute step S701.

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

[0099] Optionally, when the terminal is about to leave the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, the first satellite may send first information to the terminal. For example, if the first satellite determines that the terminal will leave its coverage area after a duration of 1, the first satellite may send first information to the terminal. The specific details of how the first satellite determines that the terminal will leave its coverage area after a duration of 1 can be found in S701, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] The first information can be used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range. Thus, upon receiving the first information, the terminal can determine whether it is within the first range based on the first information. The specific content of the first information used to determine whether the terminal is within the first range will be explained in methods a1 and a2 below, and will not be elaborated 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 area 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 in 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 area of ​​the second satellite, if the terminal has a network access requirement and the terminal is located within the first range, the terminal can use the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information to send an RRC request to the second satellite.

[0103] pass Figure 7 The method shown allows the terminal to send an RRC request to the second satellite after entering its coverage area, based on the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information, thereby achieving random access. In this method, the terminal does not need to send a random access signal or receive a RAR, thus shortening the communication latency when accessing across satellites, avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, and improving access efficiency.

[0104] Furthermore, in discontinuous coverage scenarios, the terminal's location may change significantly from leaving the coverage area of ​​the first satellite to entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite. In this case, when the terminal sends an RRC request using reserved uplink resources, the second satellite may not be able to receive it. For example, when the terminal leaves the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, it may be located at the edge of that coverage area. The first satellite allocates uplink resources to the terminal based on its location when it leaves the first satellite's coverage area. When the second satellite moves over the terminal, it will attempt to receive the RRC request from the terminal using the allocated uplink resources, based on the terminal's location when it left the first satellite's coverage area. If the terminal's location changes significantly, the second satellite's antenna may not be pointing towards the terminal. Specifically, because the second satellite's antenna is directional, if the terminal's location changes significantly, the terminal may no longer be within the antenna's pointing range. Therefore, if the terminal's location 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 the network.

[0105] pass Figure 7The method described above allows the terminal to determine whether to send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information after entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, based on its own position changes. Specifically, the terminal only sends an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information when it is within the first range. This allows the second satellite to point its antenna towards the terminal based on the first range, thereby receiving the RRC request from the terminal. This helps avoid or reduce access failures caused by terminal movement, shortens communication latency during cross-satellite access, avoids or reduces network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously attempting random access, and improves access efficiency.

[0106] As mentioned above, the first information can be used to determine whether the terminal is within the first range. There are multiple ways to determine this, such as method a1 or method a2.

[0107] Method a1:

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

[0109] In some possible approaches, the first location is the terminal's location when leaving the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, and the second location is the terminal's location when entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite. Optionally, in this approach, the terminal may send an RRC request to the second satellite using uplink resources configured with resource configuration information when entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite or within a duration of 2 after entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite. The duration of 2 may be pre-configured, for example, as specified in the protocol; it may also be determined by the terminal; or it may be determined and notified to the terminal by other devices (e.g., the first or second satellite).

[0110] In other possible approaches, the first location is the terminal's location when it leaves the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, and the second location is the terminal's location when it determines it wants to access the second satellite. Optionally, in this approach, the terminal may send an RRC request to the second satellite using uplink resources configured with resource configuration information when it determines it wants to access the second satellite, or within a duration of 3 after determining it wants to access the second satellite. The duration of 3 may be pre-configured, for example, as specified in the protocol; it may also be determined by the terminal; or it may be notified to the terminal by other devices (e.g., the first or second satellite).

[0111] There are several ways in which the first information indicates the distance threshold, and examples are given below. In some examples, the first information may include the distance threshold. For example, if the first information includes "50 meters," it means 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 within the first range via method a1, the first information is also used to determine whether the distance between the first location and the second location is less than a distance threshold; S703 can be replaced by: after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the distance threshold, the terminal sends an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured by the resource configuration information; step A1 below can be replaced by: after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if the distance between the first location and the second location is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite.

[0115] In some possible ways, less than in way a1 can be replaced with less than or equal to, and / or greater than or equal to can be replaced with greater than.

[0116] In method a1, the first information can be used to indicate a distance threshold, allowing the terminal to quickly and accurately determine whether it is within a first range. Furthermore, in this method, the first information only needs to indicate the distance threshold, resulting in lower overhead.

[0117] Method a2:

[0118] The first information is used to indicate a first range. Thus, the terminal can determine whether it is located 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 coordinates of the first range. In other examples, the first information may include information that corresponds to the first range. For example, the first information indicates the administrative region corresponding to the first range, such as town A, where the first range is the area of ​​that administrative region.

[0119] Through method 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 within the first range based on the first information.

[0120] Among some possible ways, Figure 7The method shown also includes step A1:

[0121] Step A1: After the terminal enters the coverage area 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. In other words, after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if the terminal is outside the first range, the terminal can initiate random access, which can be either contention-based or non-contention-based.

[0122] In this way, after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, it can determine whether to send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information based on its own location changes. When the terminal is outside the first coverage area, it cannot send an RRC request to the second satellite using the uplink resources configured in the resource configuration information, but can directly send a random access signal to the second satellite. This avoids or reduces access failures caused by terminal movement, shortens communication latency when accessing across satellites, and improves access efficiency.

[0123] In some possible approaches, in step A1, the terminal may send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment; correspondingly, the second satellite receives the random access signal sent by the terminal at the first moment. The first moment may be determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier, thus allowing the terminal to determine the first moment based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

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

[0125] Terminal identifiers can take various forms. For example, a terminal identifier is related to its 5G S-temporary mobile subscription identifier (5G-S-TMSI). For instance, if the terminal is configured for extended discontinuous reception (eDRX), the terminal identifier is 5G-S-TMSI mod 4096; if the terminal is not configured for eDRX, the terminal identifier is 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024. Here, 'mod' represents the modulo operation.

[0126] Since the first moment is related to the terminal's identifier, and different terminals have different identifiers, the first moment determined by different terminals is also likely to be different. This can avoid or reduce network congestion caused by a large number of terminals accessing the network at the same time, and improve access efficiency.

[0127] In some implementations, the first time point can be determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and second information. Thus, the terminal can determine the first time point based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and the second information. The second information includes at least one of the following:

[0128] 1. Number of terminal groups: This can represent the number of terminal groups within the coverage area of ​​the second satellite.

[0129] 2. First Duration: This can 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 can also have other names, such as delayed access period duration.

[0130] 3. Coefficients related to the first duration: for example, 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16. Coefficients related to the first duration may also have other names, such as delayed access timers.

[0131] The following explains how the terminal obtains the second information. There are several ways for the terminal to obtain the second information, such as method b1 or method b2.

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

[0133] In some examples, the first satellite may send second information to the terminal; correspondingly, the terminal may receive the second information from the first satellite. This second information may be configured by the first satellite, or it may be configured by the second satellite and then notified to the first satellite. 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 area of ​​the first satellite. In this example, the second information, along with resource configuration information and one or more of the first information, may be carried in the same message, or they may be carried in different messages.

[0134] In other examples, the second satellite may send second information to the terminal; correspondingly, the terminal may receive the second information from the second satellite. This second information may be configurable 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 area of ​​the second satellite. For example, the second information may be broadcast by the second satellite, so that the terminal can receive the second information after entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite.

[0135] The second information can be carried in a traditional message or in a new message; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0136] In this way, 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, improving configuration flexibility.

[0137] Method b2: The second information is pre-configured, for example, as specified in the protocol.

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

[0139] The following explains how the first time step can be determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and the second information. There are several ways to determine the first time step based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, the terminal's identifier, and the second information, such as method c1 or method c2.

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

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

[0142] Where UE_ID is the identifier of the terminal, N is the number of terminal groups, and T is the number of terminal groups. delayThe first duration is defined as `delayTimer`, which is a coefficient related to the first duration. The second time point is the moment when the terminal determines to send the random access signal based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite. In other words, the terminal can send the random access signal earlier or later by a duration of 4, where 4 is the time interval.

[0143] In this method, terminals can be divided into N terminal groups based on their identifiers. Terminals in different groups send random access signals at different times, thus avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously attempting random access, and improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, and T... delay With the same SSB period of 20 milliseconds (ms) and delayTimer of 4, the terminal can delay by (UE_ID mod N) * (delayTimer * T). delay The random access signal is sent after a delay of 80ms, meaning the terminal will attempt to access the network after a delay of 80ms. If UE_ID is 4, N is 2, and T... delay If the delayTimer is 4 and the delay timer is 20ms, then the terminal can delay by (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T). delay The random access signal is sent at 0ms. Terminals with odd-numbered identifiers are grouped into one group, and terminals with even-numbered identifiers are grouped into another. Terminals in different groups send the random access signal at different times.

[0144] Optionally, within the same terminal group, different terminals can be configured with the same coefficient related to the first duration, or different coefficients related to the first duration can be configured for different terminals. When different coefficients related to the first duration are configured for different terminals within the same terminal group, the timing of random access signals sent by different terminals within the same terminal group is different, thereby further avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, and improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, T delay If the delayTimer is 4 and the delay timer is 20ms, then the terminal can delay by (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T). delay The random access signal is sent after a delay of 80ms, meaning the terminal will attempt to access the network after a delay of 80ms. If UE_ID is 5, N is 2, and T... delay If the delayTimer is 8 and the delay timer is 20ms, then the terminal can delay by (UE_ID mod N)*(delayTimer*T). delay The random access signal is sent at 160ms. Terminals identified as odd-numbered are grouped into a terminal group, and different terminals within this group send their random access signals at different times.

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

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

[0147] The meanings of the second time point and each parameter in formula (2) can be found in method c1, and will not be repeated here.

[0148] In this method, terminals can be divided into N terminal groups based on their identifiers. Terminals in different groups send random access signals at different times, thus avoiding or reducing network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously attempting random access, and improving access efficiency. For example, if UE_ID is 3, N is 2, and T... delay If the delay is 20ms, then the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*T delay = 20ms to send a random access signal, meaning the terminal will access the network after an 80ms delay. If UE_ID is 4, N is 2, T delay If the delay is 20ms, then the terminal can delay (UE_ID mod N)*T delay The random access signal is sent at 0ms. Terminals with odd-numbered identifiers are grouped into one group, and terminals with even-numbered identifiers are grouped into another. Terminals in different groups send the random access signal at different times.

[0149] This application provides another communication method. Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this 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 area of ​​the second satellite, if the terminal requires network access, it can generate a random access signal. This random access signal can 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 area of ​​the second satellite, the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite at the first instant; correspondingly, the second satellite receives the random access signal sent by the terminal at the first instant. The first instant is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

[0153] The specific details of the terminal sending a random access signal to the second satellite at the first moment can be found in step A1, which explains that the terminal can send a random access signal to the second satellite at the first moment; the specific details of the first moment can be found in step A1, which will not be repeated here.

[0154] pass Figure 8 The method shown allows the terminal to send a random access signal to the second satellite at the first possible moment after entering its coverage area. Since the first possible moment is related to the terminal's identifier, and different terminals have different identifiers, the first possible moment determined by different terminals is likely to be different. This avoids or reduces network congestion caused by a large number of terminals simultaneously performing random access, thus improving access efficiency.

[0155] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal, or a module (e.g., a circuit or chip) in a terminal, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions; or the communication device can be a satellite or a module (e.g., a circuit or chip) in a satellite, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the satellite's functions.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment has the following structure: Figure 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 described below.

[0157] Interface unit 901 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface unit 901 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 900, or to other units within communication device 900. In some embodiments, interface unit 901 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, interface unit 901 can be implemented through interface circuitry, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA).

[0158] The processing unit 902 can be used to support the communication device 900 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 902 can be implemented using one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A 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 shown in this embodiment of the application is described below. The specific functions of the processing unit 902 in this embodiment are described below.

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

[0161] In some possible configurations, the processing unit 902 is also configured to: after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if it is determined from 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] For example, the processing unit 902 is specifically used to: send a random access signal to the second satellite at a first moment through the interface unit 901, the first moment being determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

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

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

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

[0166] In some possible ways, the processing unit 902 is also used to: send second information to the terminal through the interface unit 901, wherein the second information, the time and frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, and the terminal's identifier are used to determine a first moment, wherein the first moment is the moment when the terminal sends a random access signal to the second satellite, wherein the random access signal is sent after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, 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.

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

[0168] Processing unit 902 is used to generate a random access signal; after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, it sends the random access signal to the second satellite through interface unit 901 at the first moment, which is determined according to the time and frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

[0169] In some possible ways, the processing unit 902 is also used to receive second information through the interface unit 901.

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

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

[0172] In some possible ways, the processing unit 902 is also used to send second information to the terminal through the interface unit 901.

[0173] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 902 and the interface unit 901 mentioned above, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are directly obtained and will not be repeated here.

[0174] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical entities, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0175] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, 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. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment is described below. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 further 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, processor 1002, and memory 1003 are coupled to each other via bus 1004. Bus 1004 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 10 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0178] Interface circuit 1001 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by receiving information, and output information can be replaced by transmitting information. When outputting information, interface circuit 1001 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1000, or to other units within communication device 1000. For example, interface circuit 1001 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. 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] Processor 1002 can be used to support communication device 1000 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When communication device 1000 is used to implement the above method embodiments, processor 1002 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 902. Processor 1002 can 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. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor.

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

[0181] The processor 1002 is configured to: receive resource configuration information from a first satellite via an interface circuit 1001, the resource configuration information being used to configure uplink resources; receive first information from the first satellite via the interface circuit 1001, the first information being used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range; and after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​a second satellite, if it is determined from the first information that the terminal is within the first range, send an RRC request to the second satellite via the interface circuit 1001 using uplink resources.

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

[0183] The processor 1002 is configured to: send resource configuration information to the terminal via the interface circuit 1001, the resource configuration information being used to configure uplink resources; and send first information to the terminal via the interface circuit 1001, so that after the terminal enters the coverage area 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 based on the uplink resources.

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

[0185] The processor 1002 is used to: generate a random access signal; after the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, send the random access signal to the second satellite through the interface circuit 1001 at the first moment, the first moment being determined based on the time and frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the terminal's identifier.

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

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

[0188] The specific functions of processor 1002 can be found in the descriptions of the communication methods provided in the embodiments and examples of this application above. Figure 9 The specific functional description of the communication device 900 shown in the embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

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

[0190] It is understood that this application Figure 10The memory 1003 can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be 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 (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0191] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions, which, when run, causes the methods provided in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0192] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

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

[0194] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0195] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the devices in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0196] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0197] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0198] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0199] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0200] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0201] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; 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 modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to terminals, including: Receive resource configuration information from the first satellite, the resource configuration information being used to configure uplink resources; Receive first information from the first satellite, the first information being used to determine whether the terminal is within a first range; After the terminal enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if it is determined from the first information that the terminal is within the first range, then the uplink resources are used to send a Radio Resource Control (RRC) request to the second satellite.

2. The method as described in 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. If the distance between the first location and the second location is less than the distance threshold, then the terminal is located within the first range; and / or, if the distance between the first location and the second location is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, then the terminal is located outside the first range. Wherein, the first position is the position of the terminal when it leaves the coverage area of ​​the first satellite, and the second position is the position of the terminal when it enters the coverage area of ​​the second satellite.

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

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Sending a random access signal to the second satellite includes: A random access signal is sent to the second satellite at a first moment, which is determined based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite and the identifier of the terminal.

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

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive the second information from the first satellite or the second satellite.

7. The method as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The time interval between the first time point and the second time point conforms to 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 modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as follows: delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration; the second time is the time at which the terminal sends the random access signal based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first satellite, including: Send resource configuration information to the terminal, wherein the resource configuration information is used to configure uplink resources; The terminal sends first information to the terminal so that after entering the coverage area of ​​the second satellite, if the terminal is determined to be within the first range based on the first information, the terminal sends a Radio Resource Control (RRC) request to the second satellite based on the uplink resources.

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

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, Also includes: The terminal sends second information, the second information, the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite, and the identifier of the terminal to determine a 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 area of ​​the second satellite, when the terminal is outside the first range. 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 as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The time interval between the first and second moments conforms to 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 modulo operation, and T delay The first duration is defined as follows: delayTimer is a coefficient related to the first duration; the second time is the time at which the terminal sends the random access signal based on the time-frequency resources of the preamble allocated by the second satellite.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The interface unit is used to receive and send information; A processing unit is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 via the interface unit.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for performing the method as described in 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, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 is implemented.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer program code, which, when the computer program code is run, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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