Communication method, communication device and communication equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device and communication equipment, is used for improving the communication performance of beam hopping communication, and belongs to the technical field of communication. In the method, a ground access network device adjusts the sending time of target data according to a feed transmission delay determined in real time, or a satellite adjusts the beam position switching time of a beam according to the feed transmission delay determined in real time, so that the time when the target data arrives at the satellite is matched with the beam position switching time of the beam of the satellite; in this way, the target terminals located within the coverage range of the first beam position and the second beam position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station, and the communication performance of beam hopping communication is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In the field of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communications, transmission equipment on airborne or satellite-borne aircraft is usually used as a relay node to forward data sent by ground base stations to terminals, and forward data sent by terminals to ground base stations. In NTN communication networks, the coverage of a single satellite is very wide, reaching thousands or even tens of thousands of square kilometers, and the coverage of a single beam can reach tens or even thousands of square meters. Therefore, in order to support wide-area coverage, a single satellite is usually equipped with hundreds or even thousands of beams, which brings huge challenges to the satellite's payload.

[0003] In order to alleviate the contradiction between small single satellite payload and wide coverage, beam hopping technology can be used. A single satellite is equipped with only a small number of beams (such as dozens of beams), and the beams serve all ground areas covered by a single satellite in a time-sharing manner. Among them, a beam can switch beam positions at regular intervals according to set rules, and aim at different beam positions at different times, so that one beam can serve multiple beam positions, improving the cell coverage capability of the beam.

[0004] In a satellite communication system that supports beam hopping, when a ground base station sends data to a target terminal, if the satellite's related beam has switched beam positions when the data reaches the satellite from the ground base station, leaving the beam position corresponding to the ground area where the target terminal belongs, or the satellite's related beam has not switched beam positions and has not yet reached the beam position corresponding to the ground area where the target terminal belongs, the target terminal cannot completely receive the data sent by the ground base station, and cannot parse and obtain the correct data. In this case, how to enable the target terminal to accurately and completely receive the data sent by the ground base station is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, a communication apparatus and a communication device, which can enable a target terminal to accurately and completely receive data sent by a ground access network device in a satellite communication system supporting beam hopping.

[0006] In the first aspect, a communication method is provided, the execution subject of the method can be a ground access network device or a chip, chip system or circuit located in the ground access network device, and the method can be implemented by the following steps: predicting the sending time of sending target data to the target terminal, and when the sending time is reached, transmitting the target data to the target terminal through the target beam of the satellite. The sending time of the target data is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the wave position switching time of the satellite's target beam; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, the wave position switching time is the time point when the target beam switches from the first wave position to the second wave position, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position.

[0007] The communication method provided by the present application, the ground access network device can adjust the sending time of the target data according to the real-time changing feed transmission delay and the wave position switching time of the satellite's target beam, and transmit the target data to the target terminal through the satellite at the sending time of the target data, or send the target data to the satellite at the sending time of the target data. Among them, if the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position, the ground access network device can adjust the sending time of the target data so that the time when the target data arrives at the satellite is before the wave position switching time of the target beam, so that the satellite can forward the target data to the target terminal within the first wave position coverage range through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the first wave position coverage range can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position, the ground access network device can adjust the sending time of the target data so that the time when the target data arrives at the satellite is after the wave position switching time of the target beam, so that the satellite can forward the target data to the target terminal within the second wave position coverage range through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the second wave position coverage range can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. Through the above process, the timing of the target data arriving at the satellite can be matched with the switching moment of the satellite's target beam, so that the target terminals within the coverage range of the first beam and the second beam can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station, thereby improving the communication performance of beam hopping communication.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the ground access network equipment can determine the position of the satellite based on the satellite's ephemeris information, determine the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite based on the position of the ground access network equipment and the position of the satellite, and determine the feed transmission delay based on the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the ground access network equipment can schedule the data to be sent according to the set scheduling time slot. In the process of scheduling the data to be sent according to the set scheduling time slot, the target data in the data to be sent can be cached and wait for the sending time to arrive before transmitting the target data to the satellite.

[0010] Through the above method, the ground access network equipment can ensure that the target data is transmitted to the satellite at the target data sending time by caching the target data before the target data sending time is reached.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the ground access network equipment may adjust the scheduling time slot for the data to be sent according to the sending time, and transmit the target data to the satellite at the sending time of the target data according to the adjusted scheduling time slot.

[0012] By using the above method, the ground access network equipment adjusts the scheduling time slot for the data to be sent, which can ensure that the target data is transmitted to the satellite at the time of sending the target data. This method does not need to cache the target data, and when the amount of data to be sent is large, it can save a lot of cache space and avoid affecting other functions of the ground access network equipment due to excessive cache occupation.

[0013] In the second aspect, a communication method is provided, and the execution subject of the method can be a satellite or a chip, a chip system or a circuit located in a satellite. The satellite is used to forward the target data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal. The method can be implemented by the following steps: predicting the wave position switching moment of the target beam of the satellite, and switching the target beam from the first wave position to the second wave position at the wave position switching moment. The wave position switching moment is determined based on the feed transmission delay and the acquired sending moment of the target data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal; the feed transmission delay is determined based on the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position.

[0014] The communication method provided by the present application determines the time when the target data arrives at the satellite according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data, and predicts the wave position switching time of the target beam according to the time when the target data arrives at the satellite, so that the wave position switching time of the satellite's target beam can be adjusted in real time, so that the timing of the target data arriving at the satellite matches the satellite's beam switching timing. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position, the satellite can adjust the wave position switching time of the target beam to after the target data arrives at the satellite, and when the target data arrives at the satellite, the target data can be sent to the target terminal within the coverage range of the first wave position through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the first wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position, the satellite can adjust the wave position switching time of the target beam to before the target data arrives at the satellite, and the target beam is switched from the first wave position to the second wave position. When the target data arrives at the satellite, the target data can be sent to the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. Through the above process, the target terminals within the coverage of the first waveband and the second waveband can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground access network equipment, thereby improving the communication performance of beam hopping communication.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the satellite may adjust the beam position switching interval of the satellite's target beam according to the beam position switching moment.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the satellite can determine the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite based on the location of the ground access network device and the location of the satellite, determine the distance between the satellite and the reference point based on the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and determine the feed transmission delay based on the distance between the satellite and the reference point. The reference point is located between the satellite and the ground access network device, and the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device is fixed. The wave position switching time is determined based on the sending time of the target data, and the sending time of the target data refers to the time when the ground access network device sends the target data to the satellite, and the sending time is determined based on the feed static delay obtained by the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include a module for executing any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include a module for executing any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0019] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor implements any one of the methods provided in the first aspect.

[0020] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be run on the processor, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor implements any one of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0021] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include a terrestrial access network device and a satellite. The terrestrial access network device may be used to execute any of the methods provided in the first aspect; and the satellite may be used to execute any of the methods provided in the second aspect.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute any one of the methods provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0023] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer executable instructions, which are used to enable a computer to execute any one of the methods provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0024] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the third to ninth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the beneficial effects in the first or second aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario of an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of interaction between a ground access network device and a satellite provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a communication timing provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 6A schematic diagram of another interaction between a ground access network device and a satellite provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a satellite performing wave position switching provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 8 A structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Fig. 9 A structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the implementation method section of the present application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0037] Before introducing the specific solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, some terms in the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, and the terms in the present application are not limited.

[0038] (1) Non-terrestrial networks (NTN): Networks that use transmission equipment on airborne or satellite-borne vehicles as relay nodes or base stations.

[0039] (2) Beam-hopping (BH): beams can switch beam positions at regular intervals according to a set rule or pattern, aiming at different beam positions at different times, so that one beam can serve multiple beam positions, improving the cell coverage capability of the beam. With beam-hopping technology, a small number of beams can serve all ground areas covered by a single satellite in a time-sharing manner.

[0040] In the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" refers to two or more than two. In view of this, in the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, one, two or more. For example, including at least one means including one, two or more, and there is no restriction on which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B and C, then A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C may be included. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the previously associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0041] Unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of the multiple objects.

[0042] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the field of NTN communication, which usually uses transmission equipment on airborne or satellite-borne aircraft as relay nodes or base stations. Since airborne or satellite-borne aircraft have a wide range of service coverage capabilities and can reduce sensitivity to physical attacks and natural disasters, non-terrestrial networks can promote 5G services in areas where ground-based 5G network services cannot be covered, such as isolated or remote mountainous areas, on airplanes or ships, and in areas where ground-based 5G network services are insufficient, such as suburban and rural areas, to improve and compensate for the performance of ground-based networks in an economical and efficient manner.

[0043] Non-terrestrial networks provide network services to machine to machine (M2M) devices or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or passengers on mobile platforms to ensure service availability anywhere, especially critical communications, future railway / maritime / aviation communications, and provide efficient multicast / broadcast resources to transmit data to user terminals at the edge of the network to achieve scalability of 5G networks. Among them, mobile platforms can be passenger vehicles, aircraft, ships, high-speed trains or buses, etc. Non-terrestrial network components in 5G systems can play a role in the following areas: transportation, public safety, media and entertainment, e-health, energy, agriculture, finance, automobiles, etc.

[0044] Non-ground network communications that use transmission equipment on space-borne vehicles as relay nodes or base stations can be called satellite communications. The following uses satellite communications as an example to illustrate that the combination of satellite communications and 5G technology is a major trend. In the future, satellites may carry 5G communication base stations to provide high-speed communication services to ground user terminals. Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite communication network. Figure 1 As shown, a gateway 10 is connected to a ground base station 20, a satellite 30 is connected to the gateway 10, and the signal of the ground base station 20 is transmitted to the satellite 30 through the gateway 10. The gateway 30 may be an NTN gateway, which is responsible for sending the signal of the ground base station 20 to the satellite 30. The ground base station 20 and the gateway 10 may be collectively referred to as ground access network equipment. The function of the satellite 30 is signal relay or signal forwarding, that is, after receiving the signal of the ground base station 20, the satellite 30 only performs radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, but does not perform data processing. The satellite 30 may forward the signal of the ground base station 20 to the terminal 40 on the ground, and forward the signal sent by the terminal 40 to the ground base station 20. Among them, the communication link between the satellite 30 and the terminal 40 may be referred to as a service link, and the communication link between the satellite 30 and the ground base station 20 may be referred to as a feeder link.

[0045] Figure 1 The network architecture shown can be called a transparent satellite based NG-RAN architecture. In the transparent network architecture, the base station is still on the ground, and the satellite in the air only plays the role of signal forwarding. The data sent by the ground base station is transmitted to the terminal on the ground via the satellite.

[0046] Some communication networks also include core networks, such as Figure 2 As shown, the communication network includes a core network (CN) 11, a ground access network device 21, a satellite 31 and a terminal 41. A gateway may be provided between the ground access network device 21 and the satellite 31, and the unit composed of the ground access network device 21 and the satellite 31 may be referred to as a new air interface radio access network (NR-radio access network, NR-RAN). The communication network may include an interface between the core network 11 and the NG-RAN, and an interface between the NG-RAN and the terminal 41.

[0047] The satellite 31 may also be replaced by other flying objects in the air. In the transparent transmission network architecture, the satellite is a relay node that forwards the signal of the ground base station to the terminal on the ground.

[0048] The ground access network equipment 21 may include a ground base station and a gateway. The ground base station may be understood as a device deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminals. For example, it may be an eNodeB, a base station (gNodeB or gNB) that meets the 5G standard. Among them, gNB may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, wearable devices, and vehicle-mounted devices. gNB may also be a transmission and reception point (TRP) and a transmission measurement function (TMF). gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) integrated on the gNB.

[0049] The terminal 41 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), which may include various handheld devices with wireless communication functions, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The UE may also be a mobile station (MS), a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device (handset), a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, etc.

[0050] The core network 11 may be a 5G core network. The network elements included in the core network 11 include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a session management function (SMF) and a user plane function (UPF). The main functions of the core network 11 may include non-access stratum (NAS) signaling security, access layer security control, access authentication, access authorization, registration area management and other mobility management functions.

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2The satellite network architecture shown is only an exemplary illustration, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned satellite network architecture, but can also be applied to other NTN architectures, or new wireless network architectures that will appear in future communication developments.

[0052] In the transparent transmission network architecture, the role of the satellite is to achieve frequency conversion and wireless frequency amplification, which is equivalent to an analog RF repeater. Therefore, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feeder link to the service link and vice versa. Figure 3 As shown, the Q / V antenna in the satellite receives data sent by the ground access network equipment from the feeder link, transmits the received data to the Q / V intermediate frequency, and after frequency conversion in the satellite, it is transmitted to the Ku intermediate frequency, and then transmitted from the Ku intermediate frequency to the Ku antenna, and then sent to the terminal on the ground via the service link.

[0053] Satellites communicate with terminals on the ground through beams. Usually, one beam focuses on one wave position. For a satellite equipped with 64 beams, the satellite can cover 64 wave positions, and the coverage of 64 wave positions is very limited. In order to increase the coverage of the satellite without increasing the number of beams, beam hopping technology can be used to make the same beam aim at different wave positions at different times in a time-sharing manner. Beam hopping can usually be achieved in two ways. One way is that the satellite scans the wave positions at a fixed frequency, and the ground base station timely schedules the user terminal of the corresponding wave position according to the frequency of the satellite scanning the wave position. Another way is that a beam control link is established between the ground base station and the satellite, and the ground base station sends the beam weight or beam indication information to the satellite in real time. The satellite controls the beam direction in real time according to the indication information sent by the ground base station. Both of the above methods require the ground base station to be synchronized with the satellite to match the timing of data arrival at the satellite and satellite beam switching.

[0054] In a transparent transmission network architecture that supports beam hopping, when a ground access network device sends data to a target terminal, if the relevant beam of the satellite has switched its beam position and left the beam position corresponding to the ground area to which the target terminal belongs when the data reaches the satellite from the ground access network device, or the relevant beam of the satellite has not yet switched its beam position and has not yet reached the beam position corresponding to the ground area to which the target terminal belongs, then the target terminal cannot completely receive the data sent by the ground access network device, and cannot parse and obtain the correct data.

[0055] Based on this, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that enables ground access network equipment to achieve synchronization with a satellite. The communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0056] In some embodiments, the terrestrial access network device may dynamically adjust the time of sending data based on the change in the distance between the terrestrial access network device and the satellite, so as to synchronize the terrestrial access network device with the satellite. Figure 4 The flow chart of interaction between the ground access network equipment and the satellite is shown as an example. Figure 4 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0057] S401, the ground access network device determines the feed transmission delay according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite.

[0058] When processing delays, the embodiments of the present application take into account the high-speed movement of satellites, and the length of the feeder link between the satellite and the ground access network equipment also changes rapidly. Changes in the length of the feeder link will affect the data transmission duration between the ground access network equipment and the satellite, causing the data transmission duration between the ground access network equipment and the satellite to change continuously. In this embodiment, the ground access network equipment can determine the feed transmission delay in real time based on the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite, and changes in the feed transmission delay can reflect changes in the data transmission duration between the ground access network equipment and the satellite.

[0059] Exemplarily, the ground access network device is configured with the ephemeris information of the satellite, and the position of the satellite can be determined in real time based on the ephemeris information of the satellite. The position of the satellite refers to the spatial position of the satellite, including the altitude of the satellite. The ground access network device stores its own position, and the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite can be determined in real time based on the position of the ground access network device and the position of the satellite. The ground access network device can determine the feed transmission delay based on the quotient obtained by dividing the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite by the data transmission speed; wherein the data transmission speed is the speed of light. The feed transmission delay is used to characterize the time required for data to reach the satellite from the ground access network device.

[0060] S402, the ground access network equipment determines the sending time of the target data according to the feed transmission delay and the beam position switching time of the target beam of the satellite.

[0061] The target beam can be any of the multiple beams equipped by the satellite. The beam switching moment is the time point when the satellite beam switches from the first beam to the second beam. The target data is the data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first beam or the second beam.

[0062] For example, Figure 5As shown, the ground access network equipment can send data to each terminal according to the downlink (DL) timing. Taking the sending of target data to the target terminal located in the ground area covered by the second wave position as an example, before sending the target data, the ground access network equipment can respectively determine the following information: on-board forwarding delay, feed transmission delay, Q / V radio frequency (RF) processing delay, NR intermediate frequency, common public radio interface (CPRI), L1 processing delay, L2 scheduling delay. Among them, Q / V refers to different frequency bands, the Q band antenna operates in the 12-18 GHz frequency band, and the V band antenna operates in the 30-300 MHz frequency band. The on-board forwarding delay refers to the duration of the satellite forwarding data, that is, the duration from the satellite receiving data through the receiving antenna to the satellite sending data through the transmitting antenna, also known as the on-board Trf fixed value. The feed transmission delay is determined in step S401 and can be called Tcpri feed / dynamic. Q / V RF processing delay refers to the time it takes for the Q / V antenna of the ground access network equipment to process data, and can also be called the ground Q / V Trf fixed value. NR intermediate frequency can also be called Trf-NR, CPRI can also be called Tphy, and Trf-NR and Tphy can be called joint calibration. L1 processing delay can also be called Tphy timing processing, and L2 scheduling delay can also be called Tmac timing processing.

[0063] The ground access network equipment is configured with the satellite's beam switching rules, or the ground access network equipment can obtain the beam switching rules from the satellite, and the beam switching rules can include the wave position switching time of each beam of the satellite. The satellite, as a remote module of the ground access network equipment, can forward the target data sent by the ground access network equipment to the target terminal. Based on the wave position switching time of the satellite's beam, the ground access network equipment can determine the time point when the satellite's beam switches from the first wave position to the second wave position, and further determine the time point when the satellite can send the target data. For example, Figure 5 As shown, the transmitting antenna of the satellite can perform data transmission in the nth time slot (slot N) of DL and send the target data. The ground access network equipment can determine the sending time T0 of the target data according to the determined on-board forwarding delay, feed transmission delay, Q / V RF processing delay, NR intermediate frequency, CPRI, L1 processing delay, L2 scheduling delay and other information, and send the target data at time T0 before DL slot N to ensure that the satellite can send the target data in the DL slot N time slot that matches the beam position switching time.

[0064] In DL slot N, the satellite beam switches to the second beam position. At this time, the uplink (UL) data sent by the target terminal also needs to reach the satellite. Figure 5 As shown, the timing of DL slot N data transmission is aligned with the timing of UL slot N data arrival. Similar to the ground access network equipment, the target terminal can determine the following information: the terminal's air interface advance Ta and the terminal's processing and transmission delay K2. Among them, Ta=2Tuu=T1+Tm, Tuu can be called air interface delay KTa or UL authorized (grant) air interface delay KTa, T1 can be determined based on the satellite's ephemeris information, and Tm can be determined based on the residual of signal measurement. The terminal can determine the time point UL slot N when the satellite can receive uplink data, and send uplink data at time Tn before UL slot N to ensure that the satellite can receive uplink data in the UL slot N time slot, so that the satellite's DL slot N data transmission is aligned with the timing of UL slot N data arrival.

[0065] S403, the ground access network equipment sends target data to the satellite.

[0066] The ground access network equipment transmits the target data to the satellite at the time when the target data is sent.

[0067] In some embodiments, the ground access network device can schedule the data to be sent in an orderly manner according to the set scheduling time slot (slot), for example, each slot schedules one data to be sent, that is, each slot outputs one data to be sent to the sending queue of the radio frequency module of the ground access network device for preparation for sending. In the process of scheduling the data to be sent, the target data in the data to be sent can be cached, for example, the target data can be cached in the radio frequency module, waiting for the sending time to arrive, and transmitting the target data to the satellite.

[0068] It is understandable that the closer the satellite is to the ground access network equipment, the smaller the feed transmission delay is, and the ground access network equipment can send the target data later; the farther the satellite is from the ground access network equipment, the greater the feed transmission delay is, and the ground access network equipment can send the target data earlier. At the farthest point between the satellite and the ground access network equipment, the ground access network equipment can send the target data according to the set scheduling time slot without caching the target data. The closer the distance between the satellite and the ground access network equipment, the longer the ground access network equipment can cache the target data.

[0069] In other embodiments, the ground access network device can adjust the scheduling time slot for the data to be sent according to the sending time of the target data, and transmit the target data to the satellite according to the adjusted scheduling time slot at the sending time of the target data; or the ground access network device can adjust the scheduling time slot for the data to be sent according to the real-time determined feed transmission delay, and transmit the target data to the satellite according to the adjusted scheduling time slot at the sending time of the target data. For example, when the distance between the satellite and the ground access network device is from far to near, the ground access network device can gradually extend the length of the scheduling time slot, and gradually extend the length of a scheduling time slot from 1.0 slot to 1.1 slot, 1.2 slot, 1.3 slot, etc., so that the ground access network device can schedule the next data to be sent later and later. On the contrary, when the distance between the satellite and the ground access network device is from near to far, the ground access network device can gradually shorten the length of the scheduling time slot, and gradually shorten the length of a scheduling time slot from 1.3 slot to 1.0 slot, 0.9 slot, 0.8 slot, etc., so that the ground access network device can schedule the next data to be sent earlier and earlier. The ground access network equipment can ensure that the target data is transmitted to the satellite at the time when the target data is sent by adjusting the scheduling time slot in real time.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the ground access network device can predict the sending time of sending target data to the target terminal, and when the sending time is reached, the target data is transmitted to the target terminal through the target beam of the satellite. The sending time of the target data is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the wave position switching time of the target beam of the satellite; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, the wave position switching time is the time point when the target beam switches from the first wave position to the second wave position, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position.

[0071] Exemplarily, if the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position, the ground access network device can adjust the target data transmission time so that the target data arrives at the satellite before the wave position switching time of the target beam, so that the satellite can forward the target data to the target terminal within the first wave position coverage through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the first wave position coverage can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position, the ground access network device can adjust the target data transmission time so that the target data arrives at the satellite after the wave position switching time of the target beam, so that the satellite can forward the target data to the target terminal within the second wave position coverage through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the second wave position coverage can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the ground access network device adjusts the sending time of the target data according to the real-time changing feed transmission delay and the wave position switching time of the satellite's beam, and transmits the target data to the satellite at the sending time of the target data, so that the timing when the target data arrives at the satellite matches the satellite's beam switching timing, so that the target terminals within the coverage range of the first wave position and the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground access network device.

[0073] In other embodiments, the satellite may dynamically adjust the beam position switching timing based on the change in the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, so as to synchronize the ground access network device with the satellite. Figure 6 The flow chart of interaction between the ground access network equipment and the satellite is shown as an example. Figure 6 As shown, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0074] S601, the satellite determines the feed transmission delay according to the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite.

[0075] The satellite stores the location of the ground access network device, or can obtain the location of the ground access network device from the ground access network device. The satellite can determine its own location in real time based on the ephemeris information. Based on the location of the ground access network device and the location of the satellite, the satellite can determine the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite.

[0076] The satellite can determine the feed transmission delay based on the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite.

[0077] S602: The satellite determines the beam position switching time of the satellite's target beam according to the feed transmission delay and the target data sending time.

[0078] The target data is the data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal, and the target data sending time refers to the time when the ground access network device sends the target data to the satellite. The target data sending time can be notified to the satellite by the ground access network device or pre-configured to the satellite; that is, before determining the switching time of the target beam of the satellite according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data, the satellite can first obtain the sending time when the ground access network device sends the target data to be sent to the target terminal. The target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position.

[0079] In an optional embodiment, if Figure 7As shown, a reference point is set between the ground access network device and the satellite, and the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device is fixed. The sending time of the target data is determined by the ground access network device based on the feeding static delay obtained by the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device. Exemplarily, the ground access network device can determine the feeding static delay according to the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device, and determine the sending time of the target data according to the feeding static delay. Since the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device is fixed, the feeding static delay is also fixed, which can be called a fixed delay. For example, the position where the satellite is closest to the ground access network device can be used as a reference point. The satellite can determine the distance between the satellite and the reference point according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and determine the feeding transmission delay according to the distance between the satellite and the reference point and the data transmission speed. When the satellite is closest to the ground access network device, that is, when the satellite is located at the reference point, the feeding transmission delay is the smallest, and the wave position switching moment when the beam switches from the first wave position to the second wave position can be only related to the feeding static delay. The farther the satellite is from the ground access network equipment, the greater the feed transmission delay, and the beam position switching time is related to both the feed static delay and the feed transmission delay.

[0080] The satellite can determine the wave position switching time of the satellite's target beam according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data. Exemplarily, the satellite can determine the time when the target data arrives at the satellite according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position, the satellite can adjust the wave position switching time of the target beam to after the target data arrives at the satellite. When the target data arrives at the satellite, the target data is sent to the target terminal within the coverage range of the first wave position through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the first wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position, the satellite can adjust the wave position switching time of the target beam to before the target data arrives at the satellite. The target beam is first switched from the first wave position to the second wave position. When the target data arrives at the satellite, the target data can be sent to the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position through the target beam, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground base station.

[0081] S603, the ground access network device sends target data to the satellite.

[0082] The ground access network equipment sends the target data to the satellite at the target data sending time. The target data sending time can be determined by the ground access network equipment based on the onboard forwarding delay, feed static delay, Q / V RF processing delay, NR intermediate frequency, CPRI, L1 processing delay, L2 scheduling delay and other information. Since the feed static delay is a fixed delay, the ground access network equipment can send data to the satellite according to the set scheduling time slot.

[0083] S604: At the beam position switching moment of the target beam, the satellite switches the beam position of the target beam.

[0084] The satellite can adjust the wave position switching interval of the satellite's target beam according to the wave position switching moment. Exemplarily, the ground access network device sends data to the satellite according to the set scheduling time slot, and sends one data to the satellite every 1 slot. When the distance between the satellite and the ground access network device is from far to near, the feed transmission delay becomes smaller and smaller, and the data sent by the ground access network device can reach the satellite faster. The satellite can gradually shorten the time interval of the wave position switching, and gradually shorten the time interval of the wave position switching from 1.0 slot to 0.9 slot, 0.8 slot, 0.7 slot, etc., so that the frequency of the wave position switching is faster and faster. On the contrary, when the distance between the satellite and the ground access network device is from near to far, the feed transmission delay becomes larger and larger, and the satellite can gradually extend the time interval of the wave position switching, and gradually extend the time interval of a wave position switching from 0.7 slot to 1.0 slot, 1.1 slot, 1.2 slot, etc., so that the frequency of the wave position switching is slower and slower. Through the above process, the satellite can adjust the time interval of beam position switching in real time so that the timing of target data arriving at the satellite matches the satellite's beam switching timing.

[0085] When the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position, steps S603 and S604 may be performed in order. If the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position, step S604 may be performed first, and then step S603.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the satellite is used to forward the target data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal. The satellite can predict the wave position switching time of the target beam, and at the wave position switching time, switch the target beam from the first wave position to the second wave position. The wave position switching time is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data; the sending time refers to the time when the ground access network device sends the target data to the satellite; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the satellite adjusts the wave position switching time of the satellite's beam in real time according to the real-time changing feed transmission delay, so that the timing when the target data arrives at the satellite matches the satellite's beam switching timing. After the target data arrives at the satellite, the satellite's beam can be switched from the first wave position to the second wave position, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground access network equipment.

[0088] Based on the same design concept as the above method embodiment, the present application embodiment also provides a communication device. The communication device can be applied to the above ground access network equipment to implement the functions of the above method embodiment, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 may include a time prediction module 801 and a data sending module 802 .

[0089] The time prediction module 801 can be used to predict the sending time of the target data to the target terminal; wherein the sending time of the target data is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the wave position switching time of the satellite's target beam; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network equipment and the satellite, the wave position switching time is the time point when the target beam switches from the first wave position to the second wave position, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position. The data sending module 802 can be used to transmit the target data to the target terminal through the satellite's target beam when the sending time is reached.

[0090] In some embodiments, the time prediction module 801 can also be used to determine the position of the satellite based on the satellite's ephemeris information before the ground access network device determines the feed transmission delay based on the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and determine the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite based on the position of the ground access network device and the position of the satellite.

[0091] In one embodiment, the data sending module 802 can be specifically used to cache the target data in the data to be sent during the process of scheduling the data to be sent according to the set scheduling time slot, wait for the sending time to arrive, and then transmit the target data to the satellite.

[0092] In another embodiment, the data sending module 802 may be specifically configured to adjust a scheduling time slot for the data to be sent according to the sending time, and transmit the target data to the satellite at the sending time of the target data according to the adjusted scheduling time slot.

[0093] Each functional module in the embodiment of the present application can be integrated into one processor, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0094] Based on the same design concept as the above method embodiment, the present application embodiment also provides a communication device. The communication device can be applied to the above satellite to implement the functions of the above method embodiment, thereby achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment. Fig. 9 As shown, the communication device 900 may include a prediction module 901 and a wave position switching module 902 .

[0095] The prediction module 901 can be used to predict the wave position switching time of the target beam of the satellite. The wave position switching module 902 can be used to switch the target beam from the first wave position to the second wave position at the wave position switching time. The wave position switching time is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the sending time of the target data; the sending time refers to the time when the ground access network device sends the target data to the satellite; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the second wave position.

[0096] In some embodiments, the beam position switching module 902 may also be used to adjust the beam position switching interval of the target beam of the satellite according to the beam position switching time.

[0097] In some embodiments, the prediction module 901 can be specifically used to determine the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite according to the location of the ground access network device and the location of the satellite, determine the distance between the satellite and the reference point according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, and determine the feed transmission delay according to the distance between the satellite and the reference point. The wave position switching time is determined according to the sending time of the target data, and the sending time of the target data refers to the time when the ground access network device sends the target data to the satellite, and the sending time is determined based on the feed static delay obtained by the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device.

[0098] Each functional module in the embodiment of the present application can be integrated into one processor, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0099] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiment, a communication device is also provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be Figure 2The ground access network device 21 shown in FIG. 1 , or the communication device may include Figure 1 The gateway 10 and the ground access network device 20 shown in FIG. The communication device can be used to implement Figure 4 The functions of the method embodiment shown can therefore achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment.

[0100] In some embodiments, the structure of the communication device 1000 can be as follows: Fig.10 As shown, it includes a processor 1001 and a memory 1002 connected to the processor 1001. The processor 1001 and the memory 1002 can be connected to each other through a bus. The processor 1001 can be a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, or other conventional processors. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0101] Among them, the memory 1002 can be used to store software programs and modules, and the processor 1001 executes various functional applications and data processing of the communication device 1000 by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 1002, such as the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0102] The memory 1002 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, at least one application program, etc.; the data storage area may be used to store user data, etc. In addition, the memory 1002 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage devices.

[0103] The processor 1001 in the communication device 1000 is used to run the computer instructions or programs stored in the memory 1002 to perform the functions of any one of the above method embodiments.

[0104] In some embodiments, the processor 1001 may include one or more processing units, and different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors. The processor 1001 may also include a controller, which may generate an operation control signal according to the instruction operation code and the timing signal to complete the control of fetching and executing instructions.

[0105] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 may further include a communication module, and the communication module is used to communicate with other devices in the network.

[0106] It is to be understood that the structure illustrated in the embodiment of the present application does not constitute a specific limitation on the network device. In other embodiments of the present application, the chip may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0107] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiment, a communication device is also provided in the embodiment of the present application. The communication device can be Figure 1 The satellite 30 shown in FIG. 1 may alternatively include Figure 2 The satellite 31 shown in FIG. This satellite can be used to implement Figure 6 The functions of the method embodiment shown can therefore achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment.

[0108] In some embodiments, the structure of the communication device 1100 can be as follows: Fig.11 As shown, it includes a processor 1101 and a memory 1102 connected to the processor 1101. The processor 1101 and the memory 1102 can be connected to each other through a bus. The processor 1101 can be a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, or other conventional processors. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0109] Among them, the memory 1102 can be used to store software programs and modules, and the processor 1101 executes various functional applications and data processing of the communication device 1100 by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 1102, such as the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0110] The memory 1102 may mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, at least one application program, etc.; the data storage area may be used to store user data, etc. In addition, the memory 1102 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage devices.

[0111] The processor 1101 in the communication device 1100 is used to run the computer instructions or programs stored in the memory 1102 to perform the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0112] In some embodiments, the processor 1101 may include one or more processing units, and different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors. The processor 1101 may also include a controller, which may generate an operation control signal according to the instruction operation code and the timing signal to complete the control of fetching and executing instructions.

[0113] In one embodiment, the communication device 1100 may further include a communication module, and the communication module is used to communicate with other devices in the network.

[0114] It is to be understood that the structure illustrated in the embodiment of the present application does not constitute a specific limitation on the network device. In other embodiments of the present application, the chip may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or split certain components, or arrange the components differently. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0115] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiment, the present application embodiment also provides a communication system. The communication system can be Figure 1 or Figure 2 The communication system shown in FIG. 1 may include a ground access network device and a satellite. In some embodiments, the ground access network device may be configured to Fig.10 In the communication device shown, the satellite can be a traditional satellite. The ground access network device can adjust the sending time of the target data according to the real-time determined feed transmission delay and the satellite's beam position switching time, and transmit the target data to the satellite at the target data sending time, so that the timing of the target data arriving at the satellite can match the satellite's beam position switching time. After the target data arrives at the satellite, the satellite's beam can be switched from the first wave position to the second wave position, so that the target terminal within the coverage of the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground access network device. In other embodiments, the satellite can be used Fig.11 The communication equipment shown in the figure can adopt traditional ground access network equipment. The satellite can adjust the wave position switching time of the satellite's beam in real time according to the feed transmission delay, so that the timing of the target data arriving at the satellite matches the satellite's beam switching timing. After the target data arrives at the satellite, the satellite's beam can be switched from the first wave position to the second wave position, so that the target terminal within the coverage range of the second wave position can completely and accurately receive the data sent by the ground access network equipment.

[0116] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer executable instructions. In one embodiment, the computer executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the functions of the above method embodiment.

[0117] The computer executable instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium stores the executable instructions. In one embodiment, the computer executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the functions in the above method embodiment.

[0118] The computer-readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present application may be a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art.

[0119] Computer executable instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transferred from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center by wired or wireless means. The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it may also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc (DVD); it may also be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid state drive.

[0120] In each embodiment of the present application, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, including a series of steps or units. Methods, systems, products or devices are not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0121] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, the present specification and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the schemes defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application.

[0122] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to ground access network equipment, the method comprises: Predicting a sending time of target data to a target terminal, the sending time being determined according to a feed transmission delay and a wave position switching time of a target beam of a satellite; the feed transmission delay being determined according to a distance between the ground access network device and the satellite, the wave position switching time being a time point when the target beam switches from a first wave position to a second wave position, and the target terminal being located in a ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position; When the sending time is reached, the target data is transmitted to the target terminal via the target beam of the satellite.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The distance between the terrestrial access network device and the satellite is determined according to the position of the terrestrial access network device and the position of the satellite.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Before the sending time is reached, the target data is transmitted to the target terminal through the target beam of the satellite, and the method further includes: The data to be sent is scheduled according to the set scheduling time slot, and the target data in the data to be sent is cached.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Before the sending time is reached, the target data is transmitted to the target terminal through the target beam of the satellite, and the method further includes: The scheduling time slot for the data to be sent is adjusted according to the sending time; the data to be sent includes the target data.

5. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a satellite, the method comprises: Predicting the beam position switching time of the target beam of the satellite; the beam position switching time is determined according to the feed transmission delay and the acquired sending time of the target data sent by the ground access network device to the target terminal; the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the ground access network device and the satellite; At the wave position switching moment, the target beam is switched from the first wave position to the second wave position; the target terminal is located in the ground area covered by the first wave position or the second wave position.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that At the moment of the wave position switching, before switching the target beam from the first wave position to the second wave position, the method further includes: According to the beam position switching time, the beam position switching interval of the target beam of the satellite is adjusted.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: A reference point is provided between the ground access network device and the satellite; the distance between the reference point and the ground access network device is fixed; and the feed transmission delay is determined according to the distance between the satellite and the reference point.

8. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a module for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7.

10. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program; and the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program; the processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

12. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system includes a ground access network device and a satellite, wherein the ground access network device is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, or the satellite is used to execute the method as described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Computer executable instructions are stored, and the computer executable instructions are used to enable a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or to execute the method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

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