Satellite communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a satellite communication method and device. The method can be applied to the field of satellite communication. The method comprises the following steps: receiving extension configuration information; receiving first duration indication information; and expanding the first effective duration and / or expanding the second effective duration according to the expansion configuration information and the first duration indication information. According to the method, the effective duration of the position information for uplink synchronization or mobility management can be respectively determined, and the communication efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Satellite communications have their own unique advantages over ground communications, such as providing a wider coverage area; satellite base stations are not easily damaged by natural disasters or external forces. If satellite communications are introduced in future communications, communication services can be provided to areas such as oceans and forests that are not covered by ground communication networks; the reliability of communications can be enhanced, such as ensuring that airplanes, trains, and users of these transportations receive better communication services; more data transmission resources can be provided for communications, and the speed of the network can be increased. Therefore, supporting communications with both the ground and satellites at the same time is an inevitable trend in future communications, and it has relatively large benefits in terms of wide coverage, reliability, multiple connections, and high throughput.

[0003] At present, satellite communication has been introduced in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard as a communication scenario for the 5th generation (5G) communication, called non-terrestrial network (NTN). NTN can not only support various types of 5G terminals, but also support terminals of the Internet of Things (IoT). The biggest feature of satellite communication is high mobility and large communication delay. Therefore, compared with the ground, the terminal needs to synchronize based on location information (such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or ephemeris information) on the basis of uplink synchronization, and also needs to perform mobility management based on the location information. Since the location information changes over time, it has a certain effective duration, and uplink synchronization or mobility management can be guaranteed within the effective duration. However, if the effective duration is set too conservatively, the location information will still be in a valid state but exceed the effective duration, and uplink synchronization or mobility management cannot be performed, resulting in reduced communication efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which can respectively determine the effective duration of location information used for uplink synchronization or mobility management, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a first communication device, which may be a terminal device or a chip in a terminal device or a functional module in a terminal device, and the method includes: receiving extended configuration information; receiving first duration indication information; extending the first effective duration and / or extending the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0006] In this embodiment, the validity period of the location information of the uplink synchronization or the mobility management may be determined respectively.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a second communication device, wherein the second communication device is a network device or a chip in a network device or a functional module in a network device, and the method includes: sending extended configuration information; sending first duration indication information.

[0008] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information. The first extended configuration information is used to extend the first effective duration, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend the second effective duration. The first effective duration is the effective duration of the location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second effective duration is the effective duration of the location information used for mobility management.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first duration indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0010] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, configured to execute the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The first communication device includes a unit having the function of executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0011] Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a terminal device or a chip, and the chip may be applied to a terminal device, etc.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, configured to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The second communication device includes a unit having the function of executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0013] Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a network device or a chip, and the chip may be applied to a network device, etc.

[0014] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, the first communication device comprising a processor, configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located outside the first communication device.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located in the first communication device.

[0017] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. Exemplarily, the first communication device may be a chip.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive a signal or send a signal. Exemplarily, the transceiver can be used to receive the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the first communication device can be a terminal device.

[0019] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, the second communication device comprising a processor, configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located outside the second communication device.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located in the second communication device.

[0022] In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. Exemplarily, the second communication device may be a chip.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the second communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive a signal or send a signal. Exemplarily, the transceiver can be used to send extended configuration information and send first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the second communication device can be a network device.

[0024] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0025] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0026] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect to be executed.

[0027] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0028] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or a computer code. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0029] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or a computer code. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0030] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect is executed.

[0031] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect is executed.

[0032] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to execute the method shown in the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 2c is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 4 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the present application will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0042] The terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units that are not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units that are inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0043] The "embodiment" mentioned in this article means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It can be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0044] In the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three and more than three, and "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" means that two relationships may exist, such as only A exists, only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0045] The method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication systems, such as Figure 1 As shown, the communication system may include terminal equipment, satellites, and ground stations (also called gateway stations or signal gateway stations). Figure 1 Only one satellite and one ground station are shown. In actual use, a multi-satellite and / or multi-ground station architecture may be adopted as needed. Each satellite may provide services to one or more terminal devices, each satellite may correspond to one or more ground stations, each ground station may correspond to one or more satellites, and so on, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0046] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver functions. The terminal device can communicate with an access network device (or also referred to as an access device) in a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent or user device, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal device may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it may also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship, etc.). In one possible implementation, the terminal device may be a handheld device with wireless communication function, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a sensor, a terminal in the Internet of Things, a terminal in the Internet of Vehicles, a drone, a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) network, and any form of terminal device in the future network, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the terminal devices may also communicate with each other through device-to-device (D2D), machine-to-machine (M2M), etc. The terminal device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also be a device in the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT network may include, for example, a vehicle network. Among them, the communication methods in the vehicle network system are collectively referred to as vehicle to other devices (vehicle to X, V2X, X can represent anything), for example, the V2X may include: vehicle to vehicle (vehicle to vehicle, V2V) communication, vehicle to infrastructure (vehicle to infrastructure, V2I) communication, vehicle to pedestrian (vehicle to pedestrian, V2P) communication or vehicle to network (vehicle to network, V2N) communication, etc.

[0047] The ground station can be used to connect the satellite to the base station, or the satellite to the core network. The satellite can provide wireless access services for the terminal device, schedule wireless resources to the accessed terminal device, provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc. As an example, the satellite can be a base station that uses artificial earth satellites and high-altitude aircraft as wireless communications, such as evolutionary NodeB (eNB) and next generation node B (gNB). As another example, the satellite can also serve as a relay for these base stations, transparently transmitting the signals of these base stations to the terminal devices.

[0048] Therefore, in some implementations of the present application, such as in a satellite transparent transmission scenario, the network device can be Figure 1 The base station shown (may also be referred to as a ground base station). Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. For example, a terminal device can access the network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and the network equipment can be deployed on a ground base station. The satellite is connected to the ground station via a wireless link. The ground station and the ground base station are connected to the core network via wired or wireless. There can be a wireless link between satellites. Figure 2a In the system shown, the satellite may have a transparent forwarding function. In other implementations of the present application, for example, in a satellite regeneration scenario, the network device may be Figure 1 Satellites shown. Figure 2b Schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. For example, a terminal device can access a network through an air interface (the air interface can be various types of air interfaces, such as a 5G air interface, etc.), and a network device can be deployed on a satellite (such as a satellite regeneration mode), such as a base station or part of a base station function deployed on a satellite, and signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations can be completed between satellites, such as Figure 2c shown.

[0049] For example, Figure 2a to Figure 2c The various network elements and their interfaces in the network can be shown as follows:

[0050] Terminal devices can access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, surf the Internet and other services. Base stations can be used to provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources to access terminal devices, provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc. Ground stations can be responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellites and the core network. The core network can be used for user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication or billing, etc. The core network can be composed of multiple functional units, such as functional entities including control plane and data plane. For example, Figure 2a to Figure 2c The core network shown may include access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF) and user plane function (UPF). For example, AMF may be responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. UPF may be responsible for managing the transmission of user plane data, traffic statistics, etc. Figure 2a to Figure 2cThe air interface shown can be understood as a wireless link between a terminal and a base station, or a wireless link between a satellite and a ground station; the Xn interface can be understood as an interface between base stations, which is mainly used for signaling interaction such as switching; the NG interface can be used as an interface between a base station and a core network, which is used to interact with the core network's non-access stratum (NAS) and other signaling, as well as user service data. In systems with different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may be different, and the embodiments of this application will not be shown one by one.

[0051] The satellite may be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite of a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO), or a high altitude platform station (HAPS). The specific type of the satellite is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0052] In some deployments of network devices, the network device may include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In other deployments of network devices, the CU may also be divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In some other deployments of network devices, the network device may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific deployment method of the network device. Exemplarily, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of the present application may be an access network device in the ORAN, or a module in the access network device. In the ORAN system, the CU may also be referred to as an open (open, O)-CU, the DU may also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP may also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU may also be referred to as an O-RU. The deployment methods of the network devices listed here are only examples. With the evolution of standard technologies, network devices may have other deployment forms.

[0053] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. A person of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions and network architecture provided in the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0054] There is currently a short-term connection communication method, in which the terminal device initiates random access and exits the connection state after sending uplink data. During this process, the location information (such as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information) obtained by the terminal device before random access is always valid. In other words, the GNSS information is valid until the terminal device exits the RRC connection state. Even if the terminal device moves, the GNSS deviation caused by the movement can meet the synchronization requirements. For IoT-type terminal devices, since IoT services have the characteristics of short packet periodic transmission, the above-mentioned short-term connection communication method can be effectively applied to terminal devices with short packet periodic transmission characteristics.

[0055] However, the location information obtained by the terminal device in the above method has a certain validity duration. When the location information expires, the terminal device can no longer maintain the connection and needs to exit the connected state and enter the idle state. The terminal device performs random access multiple times to enter the connected state and exit the connected state, which will result in excessive signaling overhead. Alternatively, when the terminal device is in the connected state for a long time, the location information will expire, so the terminal device needs to re-acquire the location information. However, when the terminal device re-acquires the location information, there may be a situation where communication and GNSS measurement cannot be performed at the same time, such as the terminal device may not be able to communicate when performing GNSS measurement.

[0056] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned effective duration can be a duration determined by the terminal device based on its movement speed or based on its relative position relationship with the satellite (for example, whether it is in the central area or the edge area covered by the satellite) or based on information such as its relative speed with the satellite, and then reported by the terminal device to the network device. However, when the terminal device determines the above-mentioned effective duration, it generally determines the effective duration in a more conservative manner, resulting in a shorter effective duration, which is insufficient to support long-term continuous communication of the terminal device. Alternatively, when the terminal device determines the effective duration based on information such as movement speed, it does not take into account the communication duration required, which also causes the effective duration to be less than the communication duration, which is insufficient to support long-term continuous communication of the terminal device.

[0057] In addition, the location information can also be used for mobility management. For mobility management, the location information also has a certain validity period. However, the validity period of the location information required for uplink synchronization and the location information required for mobility management may be different.

[0058] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method and apparatus, which respectively sets the valid duration of location information for uplink synchronization and mobility management to improve communication efficiency.

[0059] The satellite communication method shown below (such as Figure 3 ), the first communication device may be a terminal device or a chip disposed in the terminal device or a functional module in the terminal device, and the second communication device may be a network device or a chip disposed in the network device or a functional module in the network device. As shown above, the network device may include an access network device or module under the O-RAN architecture. For a detailed description of the terminal device and the network device, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2a to Figure 2c For the convenience of description, the following may use terminal devices and network devices as examples when referring to specific examples, but this should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0060] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0061] S301: The second communication device sends extended configuration information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the extended configuration information.

[0062] The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information.

[0063] The first extended configuration information is used to extend the first effective duration, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend the second effective duration.

[0064] The first valid duration is the valid duration of the location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second valid duration is the valid duration of the location information used for mobility management.

[0065] S302: The second communication device sends first duration indication information. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the first duration indication information.

[0066] The first duration indication information is used to indicate the first duration.

[0067] S303: The first communication device extends the first effective duration and / or extends the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0068] S302 and S303 can be repeated multiple times. That is, the first communication device can receive the first duration indication information multiple times, and extend the effective duration once each time the first duration indication information is received, and the extension can be performed multiple times. It should be noted that the first communication device receives the first duration indication information and extends it within the first effective duration or the second effective duration.

[0069] Optionally, before S301, the method further includes:

[0070] S304: The second communication device determines extended configuration information.

[0071] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0072] S305: The first communication device determines a first effective duration and / or a second effective duration.

[0073] Optionally, the first communication device sends the first valid duration and / or the second valid duration to the second communication device.

[0074] This step is before S302, and the sequence with S301 is not limited.

[0075] The effective duration of this step refers to the initial effective duration. In subsequent steps, the initial effective duration is extended to obtain an updated effective duration.

[0076] Extending the effective duration can be understood as adding an extended duration to the end time of the original effective duration to obtain an updated effective duration. In other words, the end time of the original effective duration is postponed to another time to obtain an updated effective duration. In other words, operations allowed to be executed within the original effective duration can be allowed to be executed within a period of time after the original effective duration expires, such as uplink synchronization or mobility management.

[0077] The following is a detailed description of the method:

[0078] The first extended configuration information may include at least one of the following:

[0079] 1. First extended indication information

[0080] The first extension indication information is used to indicate whether to allow extension of the effective time period.

[0081] Exemplarily, the first extension indication information is "1" indicating that extension of the effective time is allowed, and the first extension indication information is "0" indicating that extension of the effective time is not allowed.

[0082] 2. First allowable extension time

[0083] The first allowed extension duration is used to indicate the maximum duration that the effective duration is allowed to extend.

[0084] The first allowed extension duration may be indicated by a start time and an end time, or by a start time and a duration, or by other means, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0085] Optionally, the start time can be agreed upon as the end time of the original effective duration, without displaying an indication.

[0086] 3. The first allowed extension times

[0087] The first allowed extension times is used to indicate the maximum number of times the effective duration is allowed to be extended.

[0088] Similarly, the second extended configuration information may include at least one of the following: second extended indication information, second allowed extended duration, and second allowed extended times. The implementation method may refer to the first extended configuration information, and will not be described in detail.

[0089] In the above S302, the first duration is used to determine the extended duration.

[0090] Optionally, the extended duration is the first duration.

[0091] Optionally, when the first duration is infinite (infinity), the extended duration is a first value. The first value may be a value agreed upon in a protocol, or a value sent by the second communication device to the first communication device, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0092] Optionally, the first duration indication information in S302 is a time advance command (TAC). The first duration indicated by the first duration indication information is the effective duration of the TAC. Exemplarily, the effective duration of the TAC can be configured by the second communication device through RRC signaling, or by the second communication device through media access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling. For example, before S302, the second communication device sends an RRC signaling carrying the effective duration of the TAC or a MAC-CE signaling carrying the effective duration of the TAC, and correspondingly, the first communication device receives the RRC signaling or the MAC-CE signaling. Exemplarily, the effective duration of the TAC may be a value between 500ms and 1024ms, such as 500ms, 750ms, 1200ms, 1920ms, 2560ms, 5120ms, 10240ms, etc., which are not listed here one by one. Of course, the effective durations of the TAC listed here are only examples and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0093] Generally, the second communication device can detect the uplink timing deviation error of the first communication device according to the uplink signal sent by the first communication device, and instruct the first communication device to adjust the timing advance through the closed-loop timing deviation. The first communication device can ensure uplink synchronization through the adjustment of the uplink timing advance, and the adjustment of the uplink timing advance can be calculated according to the position of the first communication device and the position of the second communication device, and the first communication device can also perform fine adjustment according to the closed-loop timing deviation indicated by the second communication device.

[0094] Exemplarily, if the uplink timing offset error detected by the second communication device is less than or equal to a certain threshold, the second communication device may send a TAC to the first communication device, so that the first communication device may extend the effective duration based on the TAC.

[0095] S303 can also be understood as the first communication device determining whether to extend the effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information; if yes, determining the extended duration and extending it; if no, not extending it. Or it can be understood as the first communication device determining the first effective duration and / or the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. The effective duration here is the updated effective duration.

[0096] According to different contents of the extended configuration information, S303 may include the following three implementation methods:

[0097] Implementation method 1: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and second extended configuration information.

[0098] The first communication device may extend the first effective duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information, and may extend the second effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0099] The first extended configuration information may be different from the second extended configuration information, and in this case, the first effective duration may be different from the second effective duration, that is, the effective duration of the location information used for uplink synchronization may be different from the effective duration of the location information used for mobility management. Setting different effective durations for different uses of location information can make communication more flexible and improve communication efficiency.

[0100] Implementation method 2: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information.

[0101] The first communication device may extend the first effective duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0102] Optionally, the first communication device may also extend the second effective duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. The second effective duration is extended in the same manner as the first effective duration; or it can be understood that the first effective duration and the second effective duration are the same effective duration, and the durations of the two are the same, and both can be represented by one effective duration, that is, regardless of the purpose of the location information, a unified effective duration is set. This implementation can reduce information transmission overhead and simplify the communication process.

[0103] Implementation method 3: the extended configuration information includes second extended configuration information.

[0104] The first communication device may extend the second effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0105] Optionally, the first communication device may also determine to extend the first effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information. This implementation is similar to implementation 2 and will not be described in detail.

[0106] According to different contents of the first extended configuration information, “extending the first valid duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information” may include the following three implementation modes:

[0107] Implementation method 1: The first extended configuration information includes first extended indication information.

[0108] When the first extension indication information indicates that the extension of the effective duration is not allowed, the first communication device does not extend the first effective duration, or the extension duration is understood to be 0, and the extended first effective duration is still the original first effective duration. At this time, it is not necessary to determine according to the first duration indication information, and S302 is not a necessary step.

[0109] When the first extension indication information indicates that the effective duration is allowed to be extended, the first communication device can extend the first effective duration. At this time, the extended duration is determined according to the first duration indication information. Exemplarily, the extended duration is the first duration indicated by the first duration indication information.

[0110] Implementation method 2: The first extended configuration information includes a first allowed extension duration.

[0111] The first communication device determines an extended time period for extending the first effective time period according to the first allowed extended time period and the first time period.

[0112] When the first extended duration determined according to the first duration is less than the first allowed extended duration, the extended duration is the first extended duration. When the first extended duration is greater than the first allowed extended duration, the extended duration is the first allowed extended duration. In other words, the extended duration is determined according to the first duration and does not exceed the first allowed extended duration.

[0113] The method for determining the first extended duration may be combined with the description of S302 in the above embodiment. For example, the first extended duration may be the first duration or the first value, and details will not be repeated here.

[0114] Optionally, the first allowed extension duration is an allowed extension duration relative to the initial effective duration. That is, when the updated effective duration is extended again, the current extension duration needs to be added to the previous extension duration, or it can be understood that the first allowed extension duration needs to be subtracted from the previous extension duration, or it can be understood that the updated effective duration does not exceed the initial effective duration plus the first allowed extension duration.

[0115] This implementation method limits the maximum extension duration to avoid unlimited extension, which results in failure to ensure the validity of the location information.

[0116] Implementation method 3: The first extended configuration information includes a first allowed extension number.

[0117] The first communication device determines an extended time period for extending the first effective time period according to the first allowed extension number and the first time period.

[0118] When the number of times the initial first effective duration has been extended is less than the first allowed extension number, the first effective duration can be further extended this time, and the extended duration is a first extended duration determined according to the first duration. Determining the first extended duration according to the first duration is similar to the above implementation, and will not be repeated.

[0119] When the number of times the initial first effective duration has been extended is greater than or equal to the first allowed extension number, the first effective duration is no longer extended, or the extended duration is understood to be 0, and the extended first effective duration is still the original first effective duration. In this case, it can be determined without the need for the first duration indication information.

[0120] This implementation method limits the maximum number of extensions to avoid unlimited extensions, which results in failure to ensure the validity of the location information.

[0121] The above three implementation modes can be combined with each other. For example, if the first extended configuration information includes the first allowed extension duration and the first allowed extension number, the extension is performed under the condition that the first allowed extension duration and the first allowed extension number are satisfied at the same time. In addition, part of the content included in the first extended configuration information can also be implicitly indicated, or a default value can be agreed in advance. For example, if the first extended configuration information includes the first allowed extension duration and / or the first allowed extension number, the first extended indication information can be implicitly indicated as the allowed extension effective duration.

[0122] In another embodiment, the first communication device may extend the first effective duration according to the value of the first duration. Different values ​​of the first duration correspond to different extended duration determination methods.

[0123] For example, when the first duration is infinite, the extension duration is a first value; when the first duration is finite, no extension is performed or the allowed extension times are K, where K is a positive integer, such as 1.

[0124] The implementation manner in which the first communication device extends the second effective duration according to the second extended configuration information and the first duration indication information is similar to the implementation manner in which the first communication device extends the first effective duration according to the first extended configuration information and the first duration indication information in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated herein.

[0125] It can be understood that the effective duration in the above description includes the first effective duration or the second effective duration, that is, the description of the effective duration is applicable to the first effective duration or the second effective duration.

[0126] It can be understood that the location information in the above description may be Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information.

[0127] The following is an introduction to the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0128] The present application divides the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated modules can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. Figures 4 to 6 The communication device according to the embodiment of the present application is described in detail.

[0129] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the communication device includes a processing unit 901 and a transceiver unit 902. The transceiver unit 902 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 901 is used for data processing. For example, the transceiver unit 902 can also be called an interface, a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0130] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the communication device can be a terminal device or a component (such as a chip or system, etc.) that can be configured in the terminal device. The transceiver unit 902 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the first communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 901 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the first communication device in the above method embodiment. The communication device can be used to execute the steps or functions performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0131] Exemplarily, the transceiver unit 902 is configured to receive extended configuration information; receive first duration indication information;

[0132] The processing unit 901 is configured to extend the first effective duration and / or extend the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0133] The specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiments of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0134] Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage unit, which may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 901 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit so that the communication device implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0135] Reuse Figure 4 In some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to execute the actions executed by the second communication device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the communication device can be a network device or a component that can be configured in a network device. The transceiver unit 902 is used to execute the operations related to the transceiver of the second communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing unit 901 is used to execute the operations related to the device processing of the second communication device in the above method embodiment. The communication device can be used to execute the steps or functions executed by the second communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0136] Exemplarily, the processing unit 901 is configured to determine the extended configuration information;

[0137] The transceiver unit 902 is used to send extended configuration information; send first duration indication information.

[0138] It can be understood that the specific description of the transceiver unit and the processing unit shown in the embodiment of the present application is only an example. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver unit and the processing unit, reference can be made to the above-mentioned method embodiment, which will not be described in detail here.

[0139] The above describes the communication device of the embodiment of the present application, and the following describes the possible product forms of the communication device. It should be understood that any device having the above Figure 4 Any form of product with the functions of the communication device described above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. It should also be understood that the following description is only an example and does not limit the product form of the communication device of the embodiments of the present application to this.

[0140] In one possible implementation, Figure 4 In the communication device shown, the processing unit 901 may be one or more processors, the transceiver unit 902 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver unit 902 may also be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be a transmitter, the receiving unit may be a receiver, and the sending unit and the receiving unit are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiment of the present application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the connection mode of the processor and the transceiver. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be understood as the process of outputting the above information by the processor. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that it is transmitted by the transceiver. After the above information is output by the processor, it may also need to be processed in other ways before it reaches the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be understood as the process of the processor receiving the input information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed in other ways before it is input into the processor.

[0141] like Figure 5 As shown, the communication device 100 includes one or more processors 1020 and a transceiver 1010 .

[0142] Exemplarily, when the communication device is used to execute the steps, methods or functions executed by the first communication device, the transceiver 1010 is used to receive the extended configuration information; receive the first duration indication information;

[0143] The processor 1020 is configured to extend the first effective duration and / or extend the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0144] It is understood that for the specific description of the processor and transceiver, please refer to Figure 4 The description of the processing unit and the transceiver unit shown will not be repeated here.

[0145] exist Figure 5In various implementations of the communication device shown, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, wherein the receiver is used to perform a receiving function (or operation) and the transmitter is used to perform a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is used to communicate with other devices / devices through a transmission medium.

[0146] Optionally, the communication device 100 may further include one or more memories 1030 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1030 is coupled to the processor 1020. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which may be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1020 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1030. The processor 1020 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1030. Optionally, at least one of the one or more memories may be included in the processor.

[0147] The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1010, the processor 1020 and the memory 1030 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the memory 1030, the processor 1020 and the transceiver 1010 are connected via a bus 1040. Figure 5 The connections between the other components are shown in bold lines, which are only for illustration and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 5 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0148] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc., and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0149] In the embodiment of the present application, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), a random access memory (RAM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a read-only memory (ROM) or a portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. The memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as a communication device shown in the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiment of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device that can realize a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0150] The processor 1020 is mainly used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the entire communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program. The memory 1030 is mainly used to store the software program and data. The transceiver 1010 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used to convert the baseband signal and the radio frequency signal and process the radio frequency signal. The antenna is mainly used to send and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input and output devices, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., are mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0151] When the communication device is turned on, the processor 1020 can read the software program in the memory 1030, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be sent wirelessly, the processor 1020 performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs the baseband signal to the RF circuit. The RF circuit performs RF processing on the baseband signal and then sends the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1020. The processor 1020 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0152] In another implementation, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the RF circuit and antenna may be arranged remotely from the communication device.

[0153] It is understandable that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application may also have Figure 5The embodiments of the present application do not limit the number of components and the like. The methods executed by the processor and the transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and the transceiver can refer to the methods described above.

[0154] Exemplarily, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network device, which may include an active antenna unit (AAU) and a baseband processing unit (BBU). The BBU may be a component of a distributed base station, mainly completing baseband processing of signals (such as channel coding, channel demodulation, modulation and demodulation, etc.), providing transmission management and interfaces, managing wireless resources, and providing clock signals and other functions.

[0155] In another possible implementation, Figure 4 In the communication device shown, the processing unit 901 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver unit 902 may be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 902 may be a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be an output interface, the receiving unit may be an input interface, and the sending unit and the receiving unit may be integrated into one unit, such as an input / output interface. Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 The communication device shown includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102. That is, the processing unit 901 can be implemented by the logic circuit 1101, and the transceiver unit 902 can be implemented by the interface 1102. The logic circuit 1101 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1102 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. For example, Figure 6 The above communication device is used as an example of a chip, and the chip includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102 .

[0156] In the embodiment of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific connection method between the logic circuit and the interface.

[0157] Exemplarily, when the communication device is used to execute the method, function or step performed by the above-mentioned first communication device, interface 1102 is used to receive extended configuration information; receive first duration indication information; logic circuit 1101 is used to extend the first effective duration and / or extend the second effective duration according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

[0158] It can be understood that the communication device shown in the embodiment of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of hardware, or can implement the method provided in the embodiment of the present application in the form of software, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0159] for Figure 6 The specific implementation methods of the various embodiments shown can also refer to the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0160] An embodiment of the present application also provides a wireless communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can be used to execute the method in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0161] In addition, the present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0162] The present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0163] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer codes are stored. When the computer codes are executed on a computer, the computer executes the operations and / or processes performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0164] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer codes are stored. When the computer codes are executed on a computer, the computer executes the operations and / or processes performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0165] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the first communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0166] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, the operations and / or processing performed by the second communication device in the method provided by the present application are executed.

[0167] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, or it can be an electrical, mechanical or other form of connection.

[0168] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0169] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0170] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or partly contributed to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, including a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program code.

[0171] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Receive extended configuration information; Receiving first duration indication information; The first valid duration is extended and / or the second valid duration is extended according to the extended configuration information and the first duration indication information.

2. A satellite communication method, characterized in that: The method comprises: Send extended configuration information; Send first duration indication information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first valid duration is a valid duration of location information used for uplink synchronization, and the second valid duration is a valid duration of location information used for mobility management.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The extended configuration information includes first extended configuration information and / or second extended configuration information; the first extended configuration information is used to extend the first effective duration, and the second extended configuration information is used to extend the second effective duration.

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