Satellite communication method and device

Abstract

A satellite communication method and device can be applied to the technical field of communication. The method comprises that a first communication device can send first indication information and / or second indication information in combination with channel information between the first communication device and a second communication device. If the channel information satisfies the first condition, the second communication device can receive the first reference signal by using the configuration information of the first reference signal, and performs channel estimation by using the first reference signal, thereby effectively improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result. And if the channel information satisfies a second condition, the second communication device can receive the second reference signal by using the configuration information of the second reference signal, and performs channel estimation by using the second reference signal, so that the pilot frequency overhead can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the method can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result on the basis of reducing the pilot frequency overhead.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] To achieve a truly global seamless network coverage, the construction of non-terrestrial networks (NTN) has been proposed in the 5th generation (5G) mobile network. In recent years, low earth orbit (LEO) satellites located 200 kilometers (km) to 2000 km above the ground have attracted extensive attention in the academic and industrial communities. In recent years, some companies have planned to build giant LEO constellations, including thousands or even tens of thousands of LEO satellites. As the scale of the satellite constellation increases, there will be more than one satellite within the visible range of the terminal device. The improvement of system capacity by single satellite transmission is limited. To effectively improve the capacity of the satellite overlapping coverage area, the satellite system is gradually evolving from single satellite transmission to multi-satellite cooperative transmission.

[0003] In multi-satellite cooperative transmission, multiple satellites can communicate with the terminal device. For example, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the signals transmitted by multiple satellites may overlap when they reach the terminal device. However, due to the long communication distance between the satellite and the terminal device, the signals transmitted between different satellites and the terminal device may be subject to greater interference, which may lead to inaccurate channel estimation results obtained based on these highly interfered signals.

[0004] Based on this, how to improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of this application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which can effectively improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a satellite communication method. The method is applied to a first communication device, and the first communication device includes a satellite base station, or a chip or functional module that can be disposed in the satellite base station, etc. The method includes:

[0007] Obtain channel information between a first communication device and a second communication device; when the channel information meets a first condition, send first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a first reference signal, and the configuration information includes a time-domain resource for transmitting the first reference signal, and the time-domain resource includes M time-domain units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; send the first reference signal, and the phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the M time-domain units for transmitting the first reference signal is a first phase offset value.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present application, when the channel information meets the first condition, the first communication device sends the first reference signal using the configuration information of the first reference signal. Since the phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the M time-domain units is the first phase offset value, when the second communication device performs channel estimation based on the first reference signal, the first phase offset value can be used to reduce the influence of interference received by the signal during transmission on the accuracy of channel estimation, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result. And when the channel information meets the first condition, channel estimation is performed using the first reference signal, so that the first reference signal can be reasonably utilized.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the first phase offset value is adjustable.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present application, by adjusting the first phase offset value, such as adjusting the phase of the first reference signal sent by the first communication device, the phases of inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI) can be regulated, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result obtained when the second communication device performs channel estimation.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the first phase offset value is determined based on the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device.

[0012] In a possible implementation, signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two of the M time-domain units are all generated based on the same sequence.

[0013] In the embodiments of the present application, the signals transmitted on any two of the M time-domain units are generated based on the same sequence, which means that for any two time-domain units, for the same frequency-domain unit, the signal carried on this frequency-domain unit is generated based on the same sequence. For the same frequency-domain unit, the signals transmitted on each time-domain unit are generated based on the same sequence (such as called the generation sequence or the original sequence), so that interference can be better eliminated during the channel estimation process, and the accuracy of the channel estimation result can be improved.

[0014] In a possible implementation manner, the value of M is determined by the number of the first communication devices for joint transmission that serve the second communication device.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information of the first reference signal indicated by the first indication information includes: the configuration information for activating the first reference signal indicated by the first indication information.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, for example, the first indication information can indicate whether to activate the configuration information of the first reference signal through 1 bit. For another example, the first indication information can indicate the configuration information for activating the first reference signal through 1 bit.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the configuration information of the first reference signal indicated by the first indication information includes: the configuration information of the first reference signal within the first time period indicated by the first indication information.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the first time period through the first indication information, the first communication device can be enabled to send the first reference signal within the first time period, and it can be default to send the second reference signal after this first time period. Thus, the reference signal can be automatically adjusted, and further a trade-off can be made between the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: when the channel information meets the second condition, sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the second reference signal, and the configuration information includes the time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal, and the time-domain resources include N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2; sending the second reference signal.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, since N may be less than M, the pilot overhead of the second reference signal is small. Using the second reference signal can reduce the pilot overhead, and using the first reference signal can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result. The first communication device sends different reference signals under different conditions satisfied by the channel information. For example, when the channel information satisfies the first condition, the first reference signal is sent, and when the channel information satisfies the second condition, the second reference signal is sent. Thus, fully considering the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation result, balancing the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation result, an accurate channel estimation result can be obtained with a small pilot overhead.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information for indicating the configuration information of the second reference signal includes: the second indication information for indicating the configuration information for activating the second reference signal.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, for example, the second indication information can indicate whether to activate the configuration information of the second reference signal by 1 bit. For another example, the second indication information can indicate the configuration information for activating the second reference signal by 1 bit.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, the second indication information for indicating the configuration information of the second reference signal includes: the second indication information for indicating the configuration information of the second reference signal within the second time duration.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, by configuring the second time duration for the second indication information, the second communication device can send the second reference signal within the second time duration and can default to sending the first reference signal after the second time duration. Thus, the reference signal can be automatically adjusted, and further a trade-off can be made between the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, when the channel information satisfies the first condition, sending the first indication information includes: sending indication information, where the indication information includes the first indication information and the second indication information, the first indication information corresponds to the channel information satisfying the first condition, the second indication information corresponds to the channel information satisfying the second condition, the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the second reference signal, and the configuration information includes the time domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal, and the time domain resources include N time domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device may configure the first indication information and the second indication information simultaneously based on different conditions that the channel information may satisfy. For example, the first indication information may be used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal within the first time period, and the second indication information may be used to indicate the configuration information of the second reference signal within the second time period. Thus, the first reference signal and the second reference signal are pre-configured through one indication information.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the value of N is determined by the number of antenna ports for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0028] In a possible implementation manner, obtaining the channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device includes at least one of the following: receiving feedback information from the second communication device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the channel information; or, obtaining the channel information based on the location information and ephemeris information of the second communication device; or, obtaining the channel information based on the motion information and ephemeris information of the second communication device.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the channel information includes channel change information, and the channel information satisfying the first condition includes: the channel change information satisfies at least one of the following: the attitude change amount of the second communication device is greater than the change amount threshold; the change in the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRP threshold; the reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRQ threshold; the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the SINR threshold; the block error rate (BLER) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the BLER threshold; the change in the throughput rate on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the throughput rate threshold.

[0030] In an embodiment of the present application, when the channel information changes rapidly, the first reference signal is used for channel estimation, which can effectively improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result. When the channel information changes slowly, the second reference signal is used for channel estimation. Since the channel changes slowly, the second communication device can reuse the channel estimation result obtained based on the first reference signal to estimate the scalar channel estimation result. Thus, not only the accuracy of the channel estimation result is improved, but also the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation result are compromised.

[0031] Second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a satellite communication method, which is applied to a second communication device. The first communication device includes a terminal device, or a chip or functional module that can be disposed in the terminal device, etc. The method includes:

[0032] Receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a first reference signal. The configuration information includes a time-domain resource for transmitting the first reference signal. The time-domain resource includes M time-domain units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; receiving the first reference signal based on the first indication information. A phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the M time-domain units for transmitting the first reference signal is a first phase offset value; determining a channel estimation result between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the first reference signal.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first phase offset value is adjustable.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first phase offset value is determined based on a value of a frequency offset that occurs when a signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device.

[0035] In a possible implementation, signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two of the M time-domain units are all generated based on the same sequence.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the value of M is determined by the number of first communication devices for joint transmission that serve the second communication device.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the first indication information for indicating the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information for activating the first reference signal.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first indication information for indicating the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal within a first time period.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a second reference signal. The configuration information includes a time-domain resource for transmitting the second reference signal. The time-domain resource includes N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2; receiving the second reference signal.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the receiving of the first indication information includes: receiving indication information, where the indication information includes first indication information and second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a second reference signal. The configuration information includes time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal, and the time-domain resources include N time-domain units, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the value of N is determined by the number of antenna ports used for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending feedback information, where the feedback information is used to indicate channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device; or sending location information of the second communication device; or sending motion information of the second communication device.

[0043] For the description of the second aspect, reference may be made to the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0044] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device for performing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation. The first communication device includes a module for performing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation.

[0045] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device for performing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation. The second communication device includes a module for performing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation.

[0046] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a first communication device. The first communication device includes a processor for performing the method shown in the above first aspect or any possible implementation. The processor is used to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method shown in the above first aspect or any possible implementation is executed.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the memory is located outside the above first communication device.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the memory is located inside the above first communication device.

[0049] In an 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.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the first communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving information or sending information.

[0051] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a second communication device, which includes a processor for executing the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner. The processor is used to execute a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner is executed.

[0052] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located outside the second communication device.

[0053] In a possible implementation manner, the memory is located inside the second communication device.

[0054] In an 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.

[0055] In a possible implementation manner, the second communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving information or sending information.

[0056] In a 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 is coupled to the interface; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for executing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner.

[0057] 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 is coupled to the interface; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for executing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner.

[0058] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, which when running on a computer, causes the method shown in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner to be executed.

[0059] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which when running on a computer, causes the method shown in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner to be executed.

[0060] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which when running on a computer, causes the method shown in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect or any possible implementation manner to be executed.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes a first communication device and / or a second communication device. The first communication device is configured to execute the method shown in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, and the second communication device is configured to execute the method shown in the above second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. Description of the Drawings

[0062] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 3a FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a first reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 3b FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a first reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 3c FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a second reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 3d FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a second reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 4a FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a first reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Figure 4b FIG. is a schematic diagram of a first reference signal received by a second communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic flowchart of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic diagram of dynamic change of a reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 7a FIG. is a schematic diagram of a data detection process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Figure 7b FIG. is a schematic diagram of a data detection process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figure 8 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0077] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of the present application, the present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0078] Terms such as "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of the present application are only used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device, etc. that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally further includes steps or units not listed, or optionally further includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices, etc.

[0079] The "embodiment" mentioned herein means that the specific features, structures or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The phrase appears in various positions in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art can explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0080] In the present application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "a plurality" 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 there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist at the same time. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" means that there can be two relationships, 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 both A and B exist at the same time. The character " / " generally means that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (one) of the following" or a similar expression means any combination of these items. For example, at least one (one) of a, b or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a, b and c".

[0081] In this application, "indication" may include direct indication, indirect indication, display indication, and implicit indication. When it is described that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0082] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is called the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, but not limited to, the information to be indicated can be directly indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated, etc. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be indicated by indicating other information, where there is an association relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. It can also only indicate a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or pre-agreed. For example, the arrangement order of each piece of information pre-agreed (such as protocol regulations) can also be used to implement the indication of specific information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. In addition, the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole, or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending periods and / or sending opportunities of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0083] In this application, "send" and "receive" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood that the destination of the information is XX, which can include directly sending through the air interface, and also include indirectly sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood that the source of the information is YY, which can include directly receiving from YY through the air interface, and can also include indirectly receiving from YY through the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be carried out between devices, for example, between a network device and a terminal device, or can be carried out within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components within a device, between modules, between chips, between software modules or hardware modules through a bus, trace or interface.

[0084] In a terrestrial cellular mobile communication system, through the cooperation of multiple base stations, the rate performance of users at the cell edge can be significantly improved. This technology is also known as coordinated multi-point (CoMP) technology. In CoMP, multiple base stations can cooperate with each other to jointly serve certain terminal devices. CoMP has various implementation methods, including dynamic point selection (DPS), coordinated scheduling (CS), coordinated beamforming (CBF), joint transmission (JT), etc.

[0085] DPS means that different base stations use different time resources to serve terminal devices, and the terminal device can dynamically select different base stations for communication. CS means that different base stations use different frequency resources to serve terminal devices at the same time, and the terminal device can communicate with different base stations on different subcarriers. In addition, CoMP also supports different base stations to serve terminal devices on the same time-frequency resources. In CBF, only the base station of one cell sends useful signals to the terminal device, and the base stations of adjacent cooperative cells adjust the beamforming vectors to reduce interference to the terminal device. In JT, multiple base stations are allowed to send useful signals to the terminal device. At this time, there are two transmission modes: coherent JT (CJT) and non-coherent JT (NCJT). In CJT, multiple base stations send the same useful signals to the terminal device, which can achieve the best system performance, but requires ideal backhaul between base stations, and the system implementation is difficult. In NCJT, multiple base stations send different useful signals to the terminal device, and the backhaul between base stations can be non-ideal, reducing the system implementation difficulty, but there is a certain performance loss compared with CJT.

[0086] In satellite communication, due to the long distance between satellites, it is difficult to ensure ideal backhaul between satellites, which makes the implementation of CJT difficult. Compared with CJT, NCJT relaxes the requirement of ideal backhaul between satellites and is more suitable for actual system implementation. Therefore, the multi-satellite NCJT scenario is the focus in the embodiments of this application. Of course, on the basis of not considering ideal backhaul between satellites (or relaxing the requirement of ideal backhaul between satellites), the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the multi-satellite CJT scenario. With the progress of the standard, if other similar technologies appear subsequently, the method provided in the embodiments of this application is also applicable to other technologies that appear subsequently.

[0087] However, there are obvious differences between multi-satellite NCJT in satellite communications and multi-base station NCJT in land mobile communications. The following uses the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation method adopted by land mobile communications and NTN as an example to explain the difference between multi-satellite NCJT in satellite communications and multi-base station NCJT in land mobile communications.

[0088] For land mobile communications, since the distance between ground base stations is relatively short, the time delay difference between signals sent by different base stations to the terminal equipment is small, and this time delay difference can be protected by the cyclic prefix (CP). In addition, since the ground base stations are stationary, the terminal equipment can move at a relatively low speed (relative to NTN), and the Doppler frequency shift difference between signals sent by different base stations to the terminal equipment is small, and this Doppler frequency shift difference can be protected by the subcarrier spacing. In this way, when signals sent by different base stations reach the terminal equipment, no inter-subcarrier interference will be generated, and the terminal equipment can use the frequency domain receiver to process signals from different base stations.

[0089] However, for NTN communication, due to the long distance between the satellite and the ground, and the satellite is always in a high-speed moving state, the delay difference of the signals sent by different satellites (or satellite base stations) to the terminal device side may far exceed the CP, and the Doppler frequency shift difference of the signals sent by different satellites to the terminal device side will be at the same order of magnitude as the subcarrier spacing, which makes the signals sent by different satellites reach the Doppler frequency shift difference side. Inter-symbol interference (ISI) will be generated in the time domain and inter-carrier interference (ICI) will be generated in the frequency domain. Therefore, when the terminal device determines the channel estimation result between the terminal device and the satellite based on the signal sent by a certain satellite, the signals sent by other satellites will interfere with the signals of the aforementioned satellite, which will cause the above channel estimation result to be inaccurate. The terminal device needs to use the channel estimation result to calculate the airspace receiver to receive signals from multiple satellites. Therefore, inaccurate channel estimation results will lead to inaccurate calculation of the airspace receiver on the terminal device side, which will then lead to the terminal device's ability to suppress interference signals between satellites, resulting in a decrease in system throughput performance.

[0090] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a satellite communication method and apparatus, which can effectively improve the accuracy of channel estimation results. Exemplarily, channel estimation results of multiple satellites can be obtained with a relatively small pilot overhead, and a trade-off is considered between the pilot overhead and the accuracy of the channel estimation results. Exemplarily, the first reference signal involved in the embodiments of the present application can effectively improve the accuracy of channel estimation, and the second reference signal can effectively reduce the pilot overhead. Exemplarily, the phase of the first reference signal involved in the embodiments of the present application is adjustable, and the accuracy of the channel estimation results can be effectively improved by adjusting the phase of the first reference signal.

[0091] The communication system involved in the embodiments of the present application is introduced below.

[0092] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication system. The method provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to an internet of things (IoT) system, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything) in a vehicle network, a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system; or can be applied to an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th-generation (5G) communication system, a 6th-generation (6G) communication system or a future communication system, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, V2X can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, communication between a vehicle and a pedestrian (V2P) or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc. For example, communication between terminal devices can be through device-to-device (D2D) technology, machine-to-machine (M2M) technology or V2X technology, etc.

[0093] The communication apparatus involved in the embodiments of the present application is introduced below.

[0094] (1) Terminal device

[0095] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. 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 can also be referred to as a 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 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or it can also be deployed on water, including ships, etc.; or it can also be deployed in the air, such as airplanes, balloons, or satellites, etc. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can be a handheld device, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, sensor, terminal in the Internet of Things, terminal in the vehicle-to-everything network, drone, any form of terminal device in the fifth-generation (5G) network and future networks, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In yet another possible implementation, the terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in unmanned driving, wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in a smart city, or wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0096] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device; or it can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement such functions, such as a chip system or a functional module, etc. This device can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can also include chips and other discrete devices. For ease of description, in the following when referring to some examples, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device is taken as a UE to describe the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0097] (2) Network device

[0098] A network device can be a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication services for terminal devices. This network device can also be referred to as an access network device, an access device, a RAN device, etc. Exemplarily, the network device can be a next generation node B (gNB), a next generation evolved node B (ng-eNB), or a network device in 6G communication, etc. The network device can be any device with wireless transceiver functions, including but not limited to the base stations shown above (including base stations deployed on satellites). The network device can also be a device with base station functions in 6G. As an example, the network device can be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. in a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. As another example, the network device can be a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. As yet another example, the network device can be a wearable device or a vehicle-mounted device that can provide wireless communication services. As yet another example, the network device can also be a small station, a transmission reception point (TRP) (or can also be referred to as a transmission point), etc. In systems of different radio access technologies, the names of communication devices with network device functions may vary, and the embodiments of this application will not list them one by one.

[0099] In some deployments of the network device, the network device can include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). In some other deployments of the network device, the CU can be further divided into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). In some other deployments of the network device, the network device can also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific deployment methods of the network device. Exemplarily, when the network device is an ORAN architecture, the network device shown in the embodiments of this application can be an access network device in ORAN or a functional module, etc. In an ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open (O)-CU, the DU can also be referred to as an O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, etc. The deployment methods of the network device listed here are only examples, and with the evolution of standard technologies, there may be other deployment forms for the network device.

[0100] The network device in the embodiments of the present application may include a network device deployed on a satellite (such as a satellite base station), may also include a network device deployed on a gateway, and may also include a network device deployed on the ground (such as a ground base station). In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the network device may be the network device; it may also be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system or a functional module, etc. This device may be installed in the network device or used in matching with the network device. For ease of description, in the following when referring to some specific examples, the device for implementing the functions of the network device is taken as a satellite base station as an example to describe the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0101] (3) Ground station

[0102] The ground station can be used to connect the satellite and the base station, or the satellite and the core network. The ground station can also be referred to as a gateway or an earth station or a gateway station or a gateway (gateway), etc. One or more satellites can be connected to one or more ground network devices (such as ground base stations) through one or more gateways, which is not limited herein. The link between the satellite and the terminal is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the gateway is called the feeder link. If the network device and the gateway are separately deployed, then the delay of the feeder link can include two parts: the delay from the satellite to the gateway and the delay from the gateway to the network device.

[0103] (4) Satellite

[0104] The satellite can be a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or low earth orbit (LEO) satellite (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific type of the satellite.

[0105] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a transparent transmission scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication system in a regeneration scenario provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0106] When the satellite operates in the transparent mode, the satellite has the function of transparent relay forwarding. The gateway has the function of a network device (such as a base station) or part of the function of a network device (such as a base station). At this time, the gateway can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station). Or, the network device (such as a base station) can be deployed separately from the gateway. Then, the delay of the feeder link includes two parts: the delay from the satellite to the gateway and the delay from the gateway to the gNB. The following discussion of the transparent mode takes the case where the gateway and the gNB are together or in close proximity as an example. For the case where the gateway and the gNB are far apart, the feeder link delay can be obtained by adding the delay from the satellite to the gateway and the delay from the gateway to the gNB.

[0107] When the satellite operates in the regenerative mode, the satellite has data processing capabilities, has the function of a network device (such as a base station) or part of the function of a network device (such as a base station). At this time, the satellite can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station).

[0108] The satellite can communicate wirelessly with the terminal through broadcast communication signals, navigation signals, etc. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication services, navigation services, positioning services, etc. for the terminal device through multiple beams. For example, each satellite uses multiple beams to cover the service area, and the relationship between different beams can be one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division.

[0109] (5) Core network (CN).

[0110] The core network device is a device set on the ground and capable of communicating with the NTN devices in the NTN system. The CN device is a network element included in the CN part of the mobile communication system. The CN device can connect the terminal device to different data networks and perform services such as authentication, charging, mobility management, session management, policy control, and user plane forwarding. The CN device can be a CN device in the current mobile communication system (such as the 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system) or a CN device in a future mobile communication system. In mobile communication systems of different standards, the names of CN devices with the same function may vary. However, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific names of CN devices with each function.

[0111] For example, in the 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, i.e., Long Term Evolution (LTE), the network element responsible for functions such as access control, security control, and signaling coordination is the Mobility Management Entity (MME); the network element serving as the local mobility management anchor is the Serving Gateway (S-GW); the network element serving as the anchor for handover to an external data network and responsible for Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation is the Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway (P-GW); the network element storing user-related data and subscription data is the Home Subscriber Server (HSS); and the network element responsible for policy and charging functions is called the Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) network element.

[0112] For another example, in the 5G mobile communication system, according to specific logical function divisions, the core network can be divided into a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP). Among them, the network elements responsible for control plane functions in the CN can be collectively referred to as control plane network elements, and the network elements responsible for user plane functions can be collectively referred to as user plane network elements. Specifically, in the user plane, the network element serving as the interface to the data network and responsible for functions such as user plane data forwarding is the User Plane Function (UPF) network element. In the control plane, the network element responsible for access control and mobility management functions is called the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element; the network element responsible for session management and execution of control policies is called the Session Management Function (SMF) network element; the network element responsible for functions such as managing subscription data and user access authorization is called the Unified Data Management (UDM) network element; the network element responsible for charging and policy control functions is called the Policy Control Function (PCF) network element; and the network element responsible for transmitting the requirements of the application side to the network side is the Application Function (AF) network element.

[0113] The following takes the first communication device and the second communication device as examples to describe the method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The first communication device may be a communication device that sends a reference signal, and the second communication device is a communication device that receives the reference signal. Alternatively, the first communication device may also be referred to as a sending end, which may be a communication device for sending a reference signal, and the second communication device may also be referred to as a receiving end, which may be a communication device for receiving a reference signal. The specific names of the first communication device and the second communication device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. As an example, in the regeneration mode of a satellite, the first communication device may be a satellite, and the second communication device may be a terminal device. As another example, in the transparent transmission mode of a satellite, the first communication device may be a ground base station, and the second communication device may be a terminal device. The specific forms of the first communication device and the second communication device are not listed one by one here. In the embodiments of the present application, the number of first communication devices for joint transmission serving the second communication device may be 2, 3, or more than 3, etc.

[0114] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions and network architecture provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0115] The following introduces the terms involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0116] 1. Reference signal

[0117] To obtain the channel estimation result, a classic method is that the transmitting end periodically sends pilots known to the receiving end, and the receiving end calculates the channel estimation value based on the received signal and the known pilots. Specifically, taking the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in 5G NR as an example, the satellite sends the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) known to the UE to the UE, and the UE performs channel estimation based on the received signal and the known DMRS sequence. For example, in multi-satellite NCJT, satellite 1 sends DMRS1 to the UE, and satellite 2 sends DMRS2 to the UE. From the previous analysis, it can be seen that the DMRSs sent by different satellites still have the problem of time-frequency asynchrony when reaching the UE side, that is, inter-symbol interference (ISI) is generated in the time domain and inter-carrier interference (ICI) is generated in the frequency domain. During the channel estimation process, ISI and ICI will make the acquisition of the channel estimation result inaccurate, which will further lead to inaccurate calculation of the spatial domain receiver, resulting in a poor ability of the spatial domain receiver to suppress the (asynchronous) interference of non-synchronous satellites, and ultimately leading to a decline in the system throughput performance. Thus, it can be seen that the acquisition of the channel estimation result has become a bottleneck restricting the multi-satellite transmission performance, and accurately obtaining the channel estimation result is a necessary condition for achieving multi-satellite gain.

[0118] The reference signal in the embodiments of the present application can be used for channel estimation. The reference signal may include, but is not limited to, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI) reference signal (RS), synchronization signal block (SSB) (or Synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block)), tracking reference signal (TRS), phase tracking reference signal (PTRS), cell reference signal (CRS), sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. With the progress of the standard, other types of reference signals for channel estimation may appear in the future, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0119] The first reference signal and the second reference signal involved below can be for the same type of reference signal, or the first reference signal and the second reference signal involved below can also be for different types of reference signals. For example, the types of both the first reference signal and the second reference signal can be DMRS. Another example is that the type of the first reference signal can be DMRS and the type of the second reference signal can be CSI-RS, etc., which will not be listed one by one here. Whether the types of the first reference signal and the second reference signal are the same or not, the methods shown below are applicable. For ease of description, in some examples below, the reference signal is taken as DMRS for illustration, but it should not be construed as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0120] 2. Time-frequency resources

[0121] In a wireless communication system, the resources for transmitting reference signals can include time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources. The resources for transmitting reference signals can also be referred to as the resources occupied by the reference signals.

[0122] Generally speaking, the units for measuring the size (or referred to as size) of time-domain resources can include at least one of radio frames, subframes, slots, mini slots, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. Of course, other units may appear subsequently with the progress of the standard, and the embodiments of the present application do not make limitations.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, the time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal include M time-domain units, and the time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal can include N time-domain units. The size of the time-domain resources corresponding to one time-domain unit among the M time-domain units is the same as the size of the time-domain resources corresponding to one time-domain unit among the N time-domain units. Exemplarily, the size of the time-domain resources corresponding to the above-mentioned one time-domain unit can also be replaced by the duration of one time-domain unit, or the time length of one time-domain unit, or the size of one time-domain unit, etc., which will not be listed one by one here. Exemplarily, one time-domain unit can include one or more OFDM symbols. Of course, the OFDM symbols shown here are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application do not make limitations on the size of the time-domain resources corresponding to one time-domain unit. For ease of description, in specific examples below, it is illustrated by taking the size of one time-domain unit equal to one OFDM symbol.

[0124] Generally speaking, the units for measuring the size of frequency-domain resources may include at least one of resource element (RE), resource block (RB), channel, sub-channel, sub-carrier, or bandwidth part (BWP). Of course, other units may appear subsequently with the progress of the standard, which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0125] The frequency-domain units shown below may include one or more REs, or one or more RBs, etc. For ease of description, in the following specific examples, it is assumed that the size of one frequency-domain unit is equal to one RE for illustration.

[0126] Exemplarily, the specific sizes of the time-domain unit and the frequency-domain unit can be determined in combination with the generation process of the reference signal. As shown below, when the first communication device carries signals in units of REs when generating the reference signal, for example, the size of the time-domain unit can be equal to one OFDM symbol (only an example), and the size of the frequency-domain unit can be equal to one sub-carrier (only an example). The RE shown here is only an example. In specific implementations, the smallest unit for carrying signals can also be other units, which will not be listed one by one here.

[0127] 3. First Reference Signal and Second Reference Signal

[0128] Generally speaking, when the first communication device transmits a reference signal, it can generate signals carried on different REs by combining the generation sequence of the reference signal and the time-frequency resources used to transmit the reference signal, such as complex numbers (including real numbers). For example, after the first communication device generates multiple complex numbers, it can carry different complex numbers on the corresponding REs. When the signal carried on the RE is a complex number, the phase of the complex number will be involved. Therefore, the differences between the first reference signal and the second reference signal will be introduced from the following aspects: the time-domain resources used to transmit the reference signal, the generation sequence of the reference signal, and the phase difference of the signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units. It can be understood that the complex numbers shown here are not only generated based on the generation sequence. The first communication device can also combine other parameters to finally generate the signals carried on the REs.

[0129] (1) Differences in Time-Domain Resources

[0130] The time-domain resources used to transmit the first reference signal may include M time-domain units. The time-domain resources used to transmit the second reference signal may include N time-domain units. Both M and N are positive integers.

[0131] In the embodiments of the present application, the time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal and the time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal are different resources. For example, the starting positions of M time-domain units are different from those of N time-domain units. The ending positions of the M time-domain units are different from those of the N time-domain units. For another example, there is no intersection between the M time-domain units and the N time-domain units. That is to say, there is no overlap between the time-domain resources corresponding to the M time-domain units and the time-domain resources corresponding to the N time-domain units. However, the size of one time-domain unit in the M time-domain units is the same as that of one time-domain unit in the N time-domain units. Exemplarily, the M time-domain units are continuous, and the N time-domain units are continuous.

[0132] Difference 1a, M is greater than or equal to N. Exemplarily, M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2.

[0133] For example, the time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal may include 3 OFDM symbols. Figure 3a and Figure 3b is a schematic structural diagram of a first reference signal provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 3a Exemplarily shows the situation of the signals transmitted within one time slot. Figure 3b Exemplarily shows the situation of the signals transmitted within two time slots. The abscissa represents time, and the ordinate represents frequency. Figure 3a and Figure 3b One square in can represent one RE. For example, Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, the first two OFDM symbols within each time slot can be used to transmit PDCCH. The third OFDM symbol to the fourteenth OFDM symbol within this time slot can be used to transmit PDSCH. The third OFDM symbol to the fifth OFDM symbol within this time slot can be used to transmit the first reference signal. The black squares in the third OFDM symbol to the fifth OFDM symbol within this time slot indicate that the corresponding RE carries signals, and the white squares in the third OFDM symbol to the fifth OFDM symbol within this time slot indicate that the corresponding RE does not carry signals. For example, Figure 3a and Figure 3b As shown, the time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal may include 3 OFDM symbols. Figure 3a and Figure 3b The white squares shown in and are only examples. For example, in a specific implementation, the M time-domain units for transmitting the first reference signal may also transmit valid data. For example, Figure 3a and Figure 3bValid data can be carried in the white squares on the third OFDM symbol within a time slot. At this time, the data carried on the fourth and fifth OFDM symbols within this time slot can be obtained by phase rotation based on the valid data carried on the third OFDM symbol. Exemplarily, the phase rotation method can refer to the first phase offset value shown below. For example, the phase relationship of the data carried on different OFDM symbols can be similar to the phase difference of the first reference signal on different time domain units.

[0134] Generally speaking, the first reference signal can have the same configuration in each time slot for transmitting the first reference signal. For example, Figure 3b As shown, within time slot i and time slot i + 1 for transmitting the first reference signal, the time domain units for transmitting the first reference signal are both 3. The offset of the first reference signal relative to the starting OFDM symbol of a time slot is both 2 OFDM symbols.

[0135] For another example, the time domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal can include 2 OFDM symbols, or 1 OFDM symbol. Figure 3c and Figure 3d are schematic diagrams of the structure of a second reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3c Exemplarily shows the situation of the signal transmitted within a time slot. Figure 3d Exemplarily shows the situation of the signal transmitted within two time slots. For example, Figure 3c and Figure 3d As shown, the time domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal within a time slot can include 1 OFDM symbol. Figures 3a to 3d is shown by taking a time slot including 14 OFDM symbols as an example, but it should not be construed as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application. For other descriptions of Figure 3c and Figure 3d can refer to Figure 3a or Figure 3b , which will not be elaborated here.

[0136] For the current standard, N = 1 or N = 2. Therefore, hereinafter, when referring to the second reference signal, N = 1 or N = 2 is taken as an example for illustration. However, with the progress of the standard, situations such as N = 3 or N = 4 may occur in the future. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard. Regardless of how the value of N changes, any value of N that conforms to the characteristics of the second reference signal shown in the embodiments of the present application falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0137] Difference 1b, the value of M is related to the number of first communication devices for joint transmission serving the second communication device. The value of N is related to the number of antenna ports for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0138] As shown above, the method shown in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a joint transmission scenario. Therefore, for example, the value of M can be determined by the number of first communication devices for joint transmission serving the second communication device. Exemplarily, taking one time domain unit as one OFDM symbol, if the number of first communication devices is m, then M can be equal to m or m + 1. m is an integer greater than or equal to 2. Of course, when the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is applied to other applicable scenarios (such as a scenario that is not a joint transmission scenario), the value of M is not limited thereto. At this time, the value of M can be greater than or equal to N.

[0139] The value of N can be determined by the number of antenna ports for transmitting the second reference signal. The value of N can depend on the number of antenna ports of the first communication device for transmitting the second reference signal. For ease of description, the following takes the number of antenna ports as x and one time domain unit as one OFDM symbol as an example for illustration. As an example, when 1 ≤ x ≤ 4, N = 1. As another example, when 5 ≤ x ≤ 8, N = 2. As yet another example, when 1 ≤ x ≤ 6, N = 1. As yet another example, when 7 ≤ x ≤ 12, N = 2. Generally speaking, an antenna port can be defined as the channel experienced by one OFDM symbol transmitted on an antenna port can be inferred from the channel experienced by another OFDM symbol transmitted on the same antenna port. Or, an antenna port can be defined as when an OFDM symbol is transmitted through an antenna port, the channel it experiences is the same as the channels experienced by other OFDM symbols transmitted through this antenna port. For example, when two OFDM symbols are transmitted on the same antenna port, these two OFDM symbols need to use the same beam, otherwise the channels experienced by these two OFDM symbols will be different. For example, an antenna port can represent a beam used by a transmitting end (such as the first communication device). The above definitions of an antenna port are only examples, and relevant descriptions of an antenna port can also refer to standards or protocols, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0140] (2) Differences in phase differences

[0141] The phase difference refers to the phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units. Therefore, in related descriptions involving phase differences, M can be greater than or equal to 2, and N can be greater than or equal to 2.

[0142] Difference 2: The phase differences between signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units among the M time domain units for transmitting the first reference signal can all be the first phase offset value. It can be understood that there is no phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units among the N time domain units for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0143] The phase difference shown in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as phase shift or phase offset or time phase factor (TPF), etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific name.

[0144] Figure 4a It is a schematic structural diagram of a first reference signal provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 4a Exemplarily, the structures of the first reference signals transmitted by two satellites are shown. However, whether it is satellite 1 or satellite 2, the characteristics of the first reference signal conform to the characteristics in difference 2.

[0145] For example Figure 4a taking satellite 1 in DMRS,1 as an example, if the signal carried on the first OFDM symbol is X the signal carried on the second OFDM symbol is * represents multiplication. For satellite 1, the above ψ1 may be the first phase offset value.

[0146] For example Figure 4a taking satellite 2 in DMRS,2 as an example, if the signal carried on the first OFDM symbol is X the signal carried on the second OFDM symbol is For satellite 2, the above ψ2 may be the first phase offset value.

[0147] For satellite 1, the above X DMRS,1 refers to the signal set carried on different frequency domain units corresponding to an OFDM symbol used by satellite 1 to transmit the first reference signal, or a multi-dimensional vector corresponding to different frequency domain units of an OFDM symbol. For satellite 2, the above X DMRS,2 refers to the signal set carried on different frequency domain units corresponding to an OFDM symbol used by satellite 2 to transmit the first reference signal, or a multi-dimensional vector corresponding to different frequency domain units of an OFDM symbol.

[0148] In the embodiments of the present application, the phase difference between the signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units is a first phase offset value. Thus, when the terminal device performs channel estimation, it can reduce the impact of interference during signal transmission on the accuracy of channel estimation by setting the first phase offset value, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result obtained through channel estimation. For example, the phase of the signals transmitted on different time domain units can be adjusted, or the first phase offset value can be adjusted, so that when the terminal device performs channel estimation based on the first reference signal, the interference part in the channel estimation formula can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving the accuracy of channel estimation and then the accuracy of the channel estimation result obtained through channel estimation.

[0149] Exemplarily, the first phase offset value is adjustable. Thus, the first communication device can adjust the first phase offset value according to actual needs, and then reduce the impact of interference in the channel estimation process through the first phase offset value, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result obtained through channel estimation.

[0150] The following takes the second reference signal as DMRS as an example to illustrate the differences in the signals carried on different frequency domain units corresponding to the second time domain unit. For example, in 5G NR, the time-frequency resource position of DMRS can satisfy the following formula:

[0151]

[0152] where k represents the frequency domain resource index, l represents the time domain resource index, represents the index of the starting OFDM symbol of DMRS in a time slot, and l′ = 0, 1. r(2n + k′) represents the generated sequence (or called the original sequence) related to k′. Where n = 0, 1, ….

[0153] Exemplarily, the value of k can satisfy the following formula:

[0154]

[0155] w f (k′), w t (l′) and the values of Δ are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 below. In Table 1 and Table 2, p represents the antenna port number, w f (k′) represents the value related to the frequency domain resource index, such as the fixed coefficient multiplied by the original sequence in the frequency domain. w t (l′) represents the value related to the time domain resource index, such as the fixed coefficient multiplied by the original sequence in the time domain. For example, when p = 1001 and k′ = 0, w f (k′) = +1; when k′ = 1, w fr(k′) = -1. That is, when the time-domain resource index is fixed, the phases of the signals carried on different frequency-domain resources are different.

[0156] Table 1

[0157]

[0158]

[0159] Table 2

[0160]

[0161] In the embodiments of the present application, for a certain time-domain unit among N time-domain units, the phases of the signals transmitted on different frequency-domain units may not be the same. Therefore, it can be understood that there is no phase difference between the signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the N time-domain units. Still taking Table 1 and Table 2 as examples, when p = 1004, for the same frequency-domain resource (such as k′ = 0), the signals carried on different time-domain resources are obtained based on the following parameters in sequence: +1 and the generated sequence, -1 and the generated sequence. Another example is when p = 1003. For the same frequency-domain resource (such as k′ = 0), the signals carried on different time-domain resources are obtained based on the following parameters in sequence: +1 and the generated sequence, +1 and the generated sequence. Since r(2n + k′) represents the generated sequence related to k′, therefore, for the same frequency-domain unit, there is no phase difference between the signals carried on adjacent time-domain units.

[0162] (3) Differences in generated sequences

[0163] Difference 3: The signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two time-domain units among M time-domain units are all generated based on the same sequence. For the relevant description of the generated sequence of the second reference signal, reference can be made to the above formula (1) or Difference 2, which will not be elaborated here.

[0164] For the first reference signal, the description of the same sequence can refer to the above X DMRS,1 or X DMRS,2 description, which will not be elaborated here.

[0165] In the embodiments of the present application, the signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two time-domain units are generated based on the same sequence. Thus, when the first communication device generates the first reference signal, it can combine the first phase offset value to reduce or eliminate the interference in the channel estimation formula and improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0166] In the embodiments of the present application, the differences between the first reference signal and the second reference signal can meet at least one of the above differences. The first reference signal may also be referred to as an asynchronous (Async) reference signal, and the second reference signal may also be referred to as a normal reference signal. Taking the reference signal as DMRS as an example, the first reference signal may be referred to as asynchronous DMRS, and the second reference signal may be referred to as normal DMRS. The specific names of the first reference signal and the second reference signal are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0167] In the embodiments of the present application, the value of M may be included in the configuration information of the first DMRS, or the value of M may be determined by both communication parties based on a predetermined rule. For example, the predetermined rule may be a method for determining M. For the relevant description of M, reference may be made to the above difference 1b, which will not be elaborated here. The specific setting method of the value of N is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0168] 4. The first phase offset value

[0169] The first phase offset value may be related to the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device. For example, the first phase offset value may be determined based on the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device. Thus, when the terminal device performs channel estimation, the satellite can set the first phase offset value to reduce the impact of the frequency offset of the signal on the channel estimation accuracy, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0170] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application can be applied to joint transmission. For example, the number of the first communication devices serving the terminal device may be m. For example, all m first communication devices can send useful signals to the terminal device. For example, the time-domain resources occupied by the useful signals respectively sent by these m first communication devices may overlap, or the frequency-domain resources of the signals respectively sent by these m first communication devices when reaching the second communication device side may overlap. For example, when m = 2, at least part of the time-domain resources occupied by the useful signal sent by the first communication device #1 overlaps with the time-domain resources occupied by the useful signal sent by the first communication device #2, or at least part of the frequency-domain resources of the useful signal sent by the first communication device #1 when reaching the second communication device side overlaps with the frequency-domain resources of the useful signal sent by the first communication device #2 when reaching the second communication device side.

[0171] As described above, signals sent by different first communication devices arrive at the terminal device side, causing ISI in the time domain and ICI in the frequency domain. Therefore, when the signal sent by the first communication device reaches the terminal device, the frequency domain resources of the signal may be shifted, and the time domain resources may also be shifted. For example, the time-frequency resources corresponding to the signal sent by the first communication device when it reaches the terminal device may not completely overlap with the time-frequency resources occupied by the signal at the sending end, and may partially overlap or not overlap at all.

[0172] In the embodiments of the present application, by adjusting the first phase offset value, such as adjusting the phase of the first reference signal sent by the first communication device, the phases of ISI and ICI can be regulated, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result obtained by the terminal device during channel estimation.

[0173] The first phase offset value may be related to the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device, including: the first phase offset value is related to the first frequency difference, and the first frequency difference is the difference between the frequency offsets that occur when the signals of different first communication devices are respectively transmitted to the second communication device. For example, the first frequency difference may be the difference between the frequency offsets that occur when the signals of two first communication devices among m first communication devices are respectively transmitted to the second communication device.

[0174] Exemplarily, the first phase offset value ψ may satisfy the following formula:

[0175]

[0176] where m represents the number of first communication devices serving the terminal device. π is a constant. β D2,1 can be calculated based on the first frequency difference. For example, β D2,1 can be calculated based on the Doppler effect, and β D2,1 can be the difference between the phase offset values that occur when the signals of two different first communication devices are respectively transmitted to the terminal device, and q1 can be a positive integer.

[0177] Exemplarily, when m = 2, q1 can be an odd number, such as q1 being +1, -1, +3, -3, +5, or -5, etc. For example, ψ = β D2,1 + π.

[0178] β D2,1 can satisfy the following formula:

[0179] β D2,1 = 2πf D2,1 ·T sym (4)

[0180] where π is a constant, f D2,1 is the first frequency difference, and Tsym is the duration of a time domain unit. For example, where N c is the number of subcarriers, N g is the CP length, Δf is the subcarrier spacing, and T sym can be the duration of a time domain unit including the CP.

[0181] Further, when m = 2, for example, for the first communication device #1, the first communication device #1 can send the first reference signal #1 to the second communication device, and the phase difference between the signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units among the M time domain units for transmitting the first reference signal #1 is ψ1. For the first communication device #2, the first communication device #2 can send the first reference signal #2 to the second communication device, and the phase difference between the signals transmitted on adjacent time domain units among the M time domain units for transmitting the first reference signal #2 is ψ2. Exemplarily, ψ1 and ψ2 satisfy the following formula:

[0182]

[0183] In the embodiments of the present application, since the setting of ψ1 corresponding to the first communication device #1 takes into account the influence of the frequency offset of the signal of the second communication device #2 during transmission on the signal of the first communication device #1, the setting of the first phase offset value can be more reasonable, and then the interference caused by the signal of the second communication device #2 can be better eliminated during the subsequent channel estimation process, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0184] 5. Channel estimation

[0185] Illustrate the process by which the second communication device obtains the channel estimation result using the first reference signal. Of course, the channel estimation method shown below is only an example and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application. In specific implementations, the method or formula for performing channel estimation using the first reference signal may also be other similar methods or formulas, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. For ease of description, the following takes m = 2 and M = 3 as examples when referring to specific examples.

[0186] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the first reference signal received by the second communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 4b Each box in Figure 4bExemplarily, three time-domain units are shown. The signal received by the second communication device from the first communication device #1 is the first reference signal #1, and the signal received by the second communication device from the first communication device #2 is the first reference signal #2. During the transmission of the first reference signal #1, part of the signal carried on the third time-domain unit is not affected by the first communication device #2. For Figure 4b example, the signals sent by the first communication device #1 on different time-domain units can be X DMRS,1 , The signals sent by the first communication device #2 on different time-domain units can be X DMRS,2 , Since the transmission processes of the first reference signal #1 and the first reference signal #2 are affected by some factors, such as Doppler effect, the signals received by the second communication device will have a phase shift.

[0187] Exemplarily, the channel estimation result between the first communication device #1 and the second communication device can satisfy the following formula:

[0188]

[0189] Wherein, is the channel estimation result on a certain frequency-domain unit between the first communication device #1 and the second communication device. Both formula (6) and formula (7) illustrate the channel estimation method taking a certain frequency-domain unit as an example, but it should not be construed as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application. DMRS 1 is the signal sequence used to generate the first reference signal #1, r 1,0 is the signal carried on the first time-domain unit among the 3 time-domain units, r 1,0 The corresponding signal can be expressed as DMRS 1, r 1,1 is the signal carried on the second time-domain unit among the 3 time-domain units, is the correction value corresponding to r 1,1 , r 1,1 The corresponding signal can be expressed as ψ1 is the first phase shift value of the first communication device #1, and the correction value corresponding to r 1,0 is 1.

[0190] Next, formula (6) is analyzed to illustrate how the method provided by the embodiments of the present application improves the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0191] Since the first reference signal #1 received by the second communication device from the first communication device #1 respectively corresponds to the signals carried on 3 time-domain units, as shown below: Since these signals are affected during transmission, such as by Doppler effects, the signals received by the second communication device will undergo a phase shift. The first reference signal #2 received by the second communication device from the first communication device #2 corresponds to the signals carried on 3 time-domain units, as follows: The meanings of the relevant parameters can be seen in the descriptions in the foregoing formulas and will not be elaborated here. Therefore, r 1,1 the interference W received r1,1 and r 1,0 the interference W received r1,0 can satisfy Transform this formula, for example, multiply both sides of this formula by After that, we can get: Also, since Therefore Therefore

[0192] The above formula (6) can be further transformed into: where P r1,0 can be regarded as the valid signal in r 1,0 , and P r1,1 can be regarded as the valid signal in r 1,1 . Also, since Therefore Also, since the signal corresponding to r 1,1 is Therefore The phase of P r1,1 can be compensated.

[0193] Exemplarily, the channel estimation result between the first communication device #2 and the second communication device can satisfy the following formula:

[0194]

[0195] where r 2,1 is the signal carried on the second time-domain unit among the 3 time-domain units, and r 2,2 is the signal carried on the third time-domain unit among the 3 time-domain units. Here, the signals on the second time-domain unit and the third time-domain unit are used to calculate the channel estimation result because: The signal transmitted by the first communication device #2 on the first time-domain unit among the 3 time-domain units is partially affected by the first communication device #1. The specific process of channel estimation will not be elaborated here.

[0196] As can be seen from the above analysis, by applying the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, during the subsequent channel estimation process, the interference received by the signal can be eliminated, thereby improving the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0197] The following describes the method involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0198] Figure 5 It is a schematic flowchart of a satellite communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 For each communication device or term involved in [reference to the above text, which will not be elaborated here. As Figure 5 shown, the method includes:

[0199] 501. The first communication device obtains channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0200] As an example, the channel information may be channel change information between the first communication device and the second communication device. The channel change information can be used to measure the speed or magnitude of channel change. The speed of channel change may be the change of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device within a certain time period.

[0201] As another example, the channel information may be channel quality information between the first communication device and the second communication device. The channel quality information can be used to measure the quality of the channel. The quality of the channel may be the quality of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device at different times.

[0202] For the relevant description of the channel information, reference can also be made to the description of step 502 below, which will not be elaborated here first. The following describes the method for the first communication device to obtain the channel information.

[0203] As an example, the second communication device may send feedback information to the first communication device, and the first communication device may receive the feedback information from the second communication device. The feedback information can be used to indicate the channel information. For example, the feedback information can be used to feedback the channel change information or the channel quality information. For another example, the feedback information can be used to indicate whether the channel information meets the first condition. For another example, the feedback information can be used to indicate that the channel information meets the first condition or the second condition. The specific form of the channel information indicated by the feedback information is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0204] As another example, the first communication device may obtain the channel information based on the location information and ephemeris information of the second communication device.

[0205] As yet another example, the first communication device may obtain the channel information based on the motion information of the second communication device and the ephemeris information.

[0206] Exemplarily, the second communication device may report location information or motion information to the first communication device. Then, the first communication device determines the channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device by combining the location information or motion information and ephemeris information.

[0207] For the relevant descriptions of the first communication device obtaining channel information, reference can also be made to Examples 1 to 3 below, and details will not be elaborated here one by one.

[0208] 502. When the channel information meets the first condition, the first communication device sends first indication information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first indication information.

[0209] The channel information meeting the first condition may include: the channel change information meets the first condition, or the channel quality information meets the first condition. Of course, when the channel information is different, the first condition will also be different. For example, the first condition that the channel change information meets and the first condition that the channel quality information meets can be different.

[0210] As an example, the channel change information meeting the first condition may include at least one of the following:

[0211] 1A. The attitude change amount of the second communication device is greater than the change amount threshold. Generally speaking, when the attitude changes, it means that the beam direction sent through the antenna panel of the terminal device will also change, which may cause the signal of the beam to change. Therefore, when the attitude change amount of the terminal device is greater than the change amount threshold, it means that the channel change between the second communication device and the first communication device will also be relatively fast, such as greater than a certain threshold. Exemplarily, the UE can obtain the attitude change amount D att =(D x , D y , D z ), when the change amount ‖D att ‖>D th,1 , it is considered that the attitude change is large.

[0212] 1B. The change in the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRP threshold. For example, the above resources may include beams. Exemplarily, the UE measures the change in RSRP P RSRP =(p PSRP1 , p RSRP2 ), when ‖P PSRP ‖>P th,1 , it can be considered that the channel change is relatively fast. For example, P RSRP =p PSRP1 -pRSRP2 , or, P RSRP = p PSRP2 -p RSRP1 . Wherein, p PsRP1 represents the RSRP on the first beam, and p PSRP2 represents the RSRP on the second beam. For example, the feedback information reported by the UE may indicate this P RSRP . Again, for example, the feedback information reported by the UE may indicate ‖P PSRP ‖ > P th,1 . Regarding the specific form of the feedback information, it will not be listed one by one here. The first beam and the second beam may be beams transmitted by the UE at different times.

[0213] 1C. The reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRQ threshold. Exemplarily, the UE measures the change in RSRQ on different beams P RSRQ = (p PSRQ1 , p RSRQ2 ), when ||P PSRQ || > P th,2 , it can be considered that the channel changes relatively fast. Such as P RSRQ = p PSRQ1 - p RSRQ2 , or, P RSRQ = p PSRQ2 - p RSRQ1 . Wherein, p PSRQ1 represents the RSRQ on the first beam, and p PSRQ2 represents the RSRQ on the second beam.

[0214] 1D. The signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the SINR threshold. Of course, the SINR shown here can also be replaced by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Exemplarily, the UE measures the change in SINR on different beams P SINR = (p SINR1 , p sINR2 ), when ‖P SINR ‖ > P th,3 , it can be considered that the channel changes relatively fast. Such as P SINR = p SINR1 - p SINR2 , or, P SINR = p SINR2 - p SINR1 . Wherein, p SINR1Indicates the SINR on the first beam, p SINR2 Indicates the SINR on the second beam.

[0215] 1E. The block error rate (BLER) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the BLER threshold. Exemplarily, the UE measures the BLER change B d =(B1, B2) on different beams. When ‖B d ‖>B th,1 it is considered that the channel changes rapidly.

[0216] 1F. The throughput change on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the throughput threshold. Exemplarily, the UE measures the throughput change rate R d =(R1, R2) on different beams. When ‖R d ‖>R th,1 it is considered that the channel changes rapidly.

[0217] The above-mentioned rapid channel change means that the channel change between the first communication device and the second communication device within a certain time period is greater than a certain threshold. Similarly, the smaller channel change shown below means that the channel change between the first communication device and the second communication device within a certain time period is less than a certain threshold. For the specific value of this certain threshold, the embodiments of the present application do not make limitations. When the channel change is equal to a certain threshold, it can be considered that the channel change is small, or it can be considered that the channel change is rapid. Of course, the threshold for determining rapid channel change and the threshold for determining slow channel change can be the same or different, and the embodiments of the present application do not make limitations on this.

[0218] In the embodiments of the present application, when the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device changes rapidly (such as the channel change is greater than a certain threshold), the first communication device can configure a first reference signal and send the first reference signal. Thus, after the second communication device receives the first reference signal, it can perform channel estimation in combination with the first phase offset value, which can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0219] As another example, the change in channel quality information satisfying the first condition may include:

[0220] 1G. The channel quality between the first communication device and the second communication device is less than the quality threshold.

[0221] In the embodiments of the present application, when the channel quality between the first communication device and the second communication device is less than the quality threshold, the first communication device can configure a first reference signal and send the first reference signal. Thus, after the second communication device receives the first reference signal, it can perform channel estimation in combination with the first phase offset value, which can improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result.

[0222] When the channel information satisfies at least one of the above 1A to 1G, the first communication device may send first indication information.

[0223] The following introduces the specific manner in which the first communication device sends the first indication information.

[0224] As an example, the first indication information may include configuration information of a first reference signal. For example, the first indication information may include time-domain resources or frequency-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal, etc.

[0225] As another example, the first indication information may include an index of the configuration information of the first reference signal. For example, the second communication device may store the configuration information of the first reference signal or the configuration information of the second reference signal. For example, before the first communication device sends the first indication information, it may indicate to the second communication device the relationship between the configuration information of the first reference signal and the index, and the relationship between the configuration information of the second reference signal and the index. Then the second communication device stores the relationship between the configuration information of the first reference signal and the index, and the relationship between the configuration information of the second reference signal and the index. Thus, after the second communication device receives the first indication information, it can obtain the configuration information of the first reference signal based on the above relationship and the first indication information.

[0226] As yet another example, the first indication information may be used to indicate activating the configuration information of the first reference signal. For example, the first indication information may include an indication for activating the configuration information of the first reference signal. For example, the indication for activating the configuration information of the first reference signal may occupy 1 bit. For example, if the value of the indication is 1, it means activating the configuration information of the first reference signal. For another example, if the value of the indication is 0, it means activating the configuration information of the second reference signal. For example, the second communication device may store the configuration information of the first reference signal or the configuration information of the second reference signal.

[0227] As yet another example, the first indication information may be used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal within a first time period. For example, the first communication device predicts the channel information in combination with the UE's location information and ephemeris information, and then determines the first time period in combination with the channel information. Thus, the UE can receive the first reference signal using the configuration information of the first reference signal within the first time period. The start time of the first time period shown here may be the time when the first communication device sends the first indication information, or the time when the second communication device receives the first indication information, or the first indication information indicates the start time of the first time period, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0228] As an example, the first indication information may be carried in RRC signaling.

[0229] As another example, the first indication information may be carried in the DCI.

[0230] As yet another example, the first indication information may be carried in the MAC CE.

[0231] For other descriptions of RRC signaling, DCI, and MAC CE, reference may be made to Examples 1 to 3 below, and details are not described herein again.

[0232] 503. The first communication device sends a first reference signal. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first reference signal.

[0233] Exemplarily, the first communication device may send the first reference signal based on the configuration information of the first reference signal. For example, the first communication device may send the first reference signal on the time-frequency resources for transmitting the first reference signal.

[0234] 504. The second communication device determines the channel estimation result between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the first reference signal.

[0235] The method for the second communication device to perform channel estimation may refer to the description of the above term "channel estimation".

[0236] In the embodiments of the present application, after the first communication device configures the first reference signal for the UE, the first communication device may send the first reference signal within a period of time.

[0237] As an example, when the first indication information indicates a first duration, the first communication device may send the first reference signal within the first duration. After the first duration, the first communication device may send a second reference signal. The second communication device may automatically activate the configuration information of the second reference signal and receive the second reference signal based on the configuration information of the second reference signal.

[0238] As another example, the above first indication information may be included in the indication information. The indication information may include the first indication information and the second indication information. For example, the indication information may indicate to activate the configuration information of the first reference signal within the first duration and activate the configuration information of the second reference signal within the second duration; or, the indication information may indicate that the UE receives the first reference signal based on the configuration information of the first reference signal within the first duration and receives the second reference signal based on the configuration information of the second reference signal within the second duration. Thus, the UE may receive reference signals using different configuration information in different time periods based on the indication information. The above first indication information may correspond to the case where the channel information satisfies the first condition, and the second indication information may correspond to the case where the channel information satisfies the second condition.

[0239] As another example, the first communication device may send the first reference signal until the configuration information needs to be updated. The first communication device may send second indication information to the second communication device. As in steps 505 to 507 below.

[0240] In a possible implementation, Figure 5 the method shown may further include:

[0241] 505. When the channel information meets the second condition, the first communication device sends second indication information. The second indication information may be used to indicate the configuration information of the second reference signal. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second indication information.

[0242] The channel information meeting the second condition may include: the channel change information meets the second condition, or the channel quality information meets the second condition.

[0243] Exemplarily, the channel information meeting the second condition may include at least one of the following:

[0244] 2A. The attitude change amount of the second communication device is less than the change amount threshold.

[0245] 2B. The RSRP change on different resources for signal transmission is less than the RSRP threshold.

[0246] 2C. The RSRQ change on different resources for signal transmission is less than the RSRQ threshold.

[0247] 2D. The SINR on different resources for signal transmission is less than the SINR threshold.

[0248] 2E. The BLER on different resources for signal transmission is less than the BLER threshold.

[0249] 2F. The throughput rate on different resources for signal transmission is less than the throughput rate threshold.

[0250] 2G. The channel quality between the first communication device and the second communication device is greater than the quality threshold.

[0251] For the related descriptions of 2A to 2G, reference may be made to the descriptions of 1A to 1G above, which will not be elaborated here. It should be noted that the respective thresholds in 2A to 2G and the corresponding thresholds in 1A to 1G may be the same or different, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0252] 506. The first communication device sends the second reference signal. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the second reference signal.

[0253] Exemplarily, the first communication device may send the second reference signal based on the configuration information of the second reference signal. For example, the first communication device may send the second reference signal on the time-frequency resources for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0254] In the embodiments of the present application, when the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device changes slowly (for example, the channel change is less than a certain threshold), or the channel quality is greater than the quality threshold, the first communication device may configure and send the second reference signal. Since the time-domain resources occupied by the second reference signal may be less than those occupied by the first reference signal, the pilot overhead can be reduced accordingly.

[0255] 507. The second communication device determines the channel estimation result between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the second reference signal.

[0256] Taking the reference signal as DMRS as an example, in the embodiments of the present application, the network device may configure different DMRSs as the UE attitude or the channel changes at different speeds. For example, Figure 6 as shown, when the UE attitude or the channel changes rapidly, the network device may send the first DMRS. When the UE attitude or the channel changes slowly, the network device may send the second DMRS. Thus, the accuracy of the channel estimation result and the pilot overhead can be balanced. Figure 6 The speed of channel change is represented by the change in the direction of the panel. For example, when the channel changes rapidly, the direction of the panel changes, and when the channel changes slowly, the direction of the panel can be considered unchanged.

[0257] The above steps 501 to 504 may be combined with each other, or may be split into separate embodiments. For example, the above steps 501 to 504 may be separate embodiments, or steps 501, 505 to 507 may be separate embodiments, etc. These embodiments may be executed independently of each other, or may be executed in combination. Details are not listed here one by one.

[0258] The method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below with m = 2 as an example. When m = 2, the network devices performing joint transmission may include a primary network device and a secondary network device. Exemplarily, an RRC connection may be established between the primary network device and the UE, and the secondary network device may send an uplink signal to the UE. For ease of description, the following will use the primary satellite (such as satellite 1) and the secondary satellite (such as satellite 2) as examples, and use the reference signal as DMRS as an example. In the following examples, an RRC connection is established between the primary satellite (such as satellite 1) and the UE, and the secondary satellite (such as satellite 2) and satellite 1 may cooperate to provide non-coherent joint transmission for the UE.

[0259] Example 1

[0260] 11) When the UE detects a large change in attitude or channel, the UE can send feedback information to Satellite 1.

[0261] The ways for the UE to detect a large change in attitude or channel can refer to the above 1A-1G or 2A-2G, which will not be elaborated here.

[0262] 12) After receiving the feedback information from the UE, Satellite 1 notifies Satellite 2 to enable the configuration information of the first DMRS through the inter-satellite link, and sends the configuration information of the first DMRS to the UE through RRC signaling.

[0263] Exemplarily, Satellite 1 can send a start-up message to Satellite 2, and the start-up message can be used to instruct Satellite 2 to start the first DMRS configuration. For example, the start-up message can be a 1-bit activation message. Another example is that the start-up message can indicate the configuration information used by Satellite 2 when sending the first DMRS.

[0264] Exemplarily, the first DMRS configuration of Satellite 1 may be the same as or different from that of Satellite 2. For example, the generation sequence for Satellite 1 to generate the first DMRS may be different from that of Satellite 2 to generate the first DMRS.

[0265] 13) The UE receives the first DMRS from Satellite 1 and Satellite 2 respectively based on the configuration information of the first DMRS, estimates the channel estimation result based on the first DMRS, calculates the spatial domain receiver, and performs data detection.

[0266] Exemplarily, in order to improve the system performance of multi-satellite NCJT, the UE side can adopt a receiver architecture as Figure 7a shown. Figure 7a It is a schematic diagram of a data detection process provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 7a shown, Satellite 1 sends a single data stream x1 to the UE, and Satellite 2 sends a single data stream x2 to the UE. The UE side is equipped with multiple antennas, and the signals received on each antenna are sampled by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and then connected to two synchronization modules. One synchronization module is synchronized with Satellite 1, and the other synchronization module is synchronized with Satellite 2. Assuming that the signal synchronized with Satellite 1 is r1, the frequency-domain received signals {y 1,k |k = 0, 1,..., N c -1} on each antenna are obtained by performing OFDM demodulation on r1, where k is the sub-carrier index and N c is the number of sub-carriers. Then, the signal d 1,k is obtained by combining y 1,k using the spatial domain receiver w 1,k , and finally d 1,kPerform data detection (such as recovering data from satellite 1 and data from satellite 2). Here, the spatial domain receiver w 1，k functions to suppress interference from non-synchronous satellites and plays an important role in multi-satellite NCJT. For example, the minimum mean square error (MMSE) spatial domain receiver can be expressed as where is the channel estimation value from satellite 1 to the UE, λ1 is the weighting coefficient, is the covariance matrix estimation value of interference plus noise. It can be seen that the design of the spatial domain receiver w 1,k depends on the channel estimation result h 1,k .

[0267] Therefore, by using the first DMRS to improve the accuracy of the channel estimation result, the processing accuracy of the spatial domain receiver can be further improved, thereby improving the accuracy of the UE for data detection.

[0268] Figure 7a The relevant descriptions of serial-to-parallel (S / P), cyclic prefix removal (-CP), fast Fourier transform (FFT), and parallel-to-serial (P / S) in can refer to relevant standards (such as the processing process in the OFDM standard), etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0269] 14) When the UE detects that the attitude or channel changes little, the UE can send feedback information to satellite 1.

[0270] 15) After satellite 1 receives the feedback information from the UE, it notifies satellite 2 to enable the second DMRS configuration through the inter-satellite link. And sends the configuration information of the second DMRS to the UE through the RRC signaling.

[0271] 16) The UE receives the second DMRS from satellite 1 and satellite 2 respectively based on the configuration information of the second DMRS. And uses the previously obtained spatial domain receiver to estimate the scalar channel information and perform data detection.

[0272] The previously obtained spatial domain receiver shown here can be the spatial domain receiver obtained through step 13) above.

[0273] Exemplarily, after the UE performs channel estimation using the first DMRS, the channel estimation results on multiple antennas can be obtained, and then the spatial domain receiver is calculated using the channel estimation results on these multiple antennas. Since the function of this spatial domain receiver is to combine the multi-dimensional signals on multiple antennas into a one-dimensional scalar signal, the UE can reuse the channel estimation results obtained based on the first DMRS, or reuse the spatial domain receiver obtained based on the first DMRS. In this way, the channel after passing through the spatial domain receiver can be regarded as an equivalent channel, and the equivalent channel can be represented as a one-dimensional scalar. Figure 7b is another schematic diagram of the data detection process provided by the application embodiment. As Figure 7b shown, the UE can reuse the spatial domain receiver obtained using the first DMRS, and then estimate the scalar channel information using the signal processed by this spatial domain receiver and use it for the channel equalizer to perform data detection. Regarding Figure 7b the relevant description can refer to Figure 7a and will not be elaborated here.

[0274] In the embodiment of the present application, in the subsequent process, when the UE detects a large change in attitude or a large change in the channel again and sends feedback information to satellite 1, satellite 1 can indicate the UE to reactivate the configuration information of the first DMRS through DCI or MAC CE signaling. For example, the signaling indicating the UE to reactivate the configuration information of the first DMRS can occupy 1 bit.

[0275] In the embodiment of the present application, satellite 1 configures different DMRSs in combination with the speed of channel change, so as to balance the accuracy of channel estimation results and pilot overhead.

[0276] Example 2:

[0277] 21) Satellite 1 sends the configuration information of the first DMRS and the configuration information of the second DMRS to the UE through RRC signaling.

[0278] 22) When the UE detects a large change in attitude or channel, the UE can send feedback information to satellite 1.

[0279] 23) After satellite 1 receives the feedback information from the UE, it notifies satellite 2 to enable the first DMRS configuration through the inter-satellite link. And it notifies the UE to activate the configuration information of the first DMRS through MAC CE signaling.

[0280] Exemplarily, satellite 1 can also notify the UE to activate the configuration information of the first DMRS through DCI.

[0281] 24) The UE receives the first DMRS from satellite 1 and satellite 2 respectively based on the configuration information of the first DMRS. And estimates the satellite channel based on this first DMRS, calculates the spatial domain receiver, and performs data detection.

[0282] 25) When the UE detects that the posture or channel change is small, the UE may send feedback information to Satellite 1.

[0283] 26) After receiving the feedback information from the UE, Satellite 1 notifies Satellite 2 to enable the second DMRS configuration through the inter-satellite link, and notifies the UE of the configuration information for activating the second DMRS through the MAC CE signaling.

[0284] Exemplarily, Satellite 1 may also notify the UE of the configuration information for activating the first DMRS through DCI.

[0285] 27) The UE receives the second DMRS of Satellite 1 and Satellite 2 respectively based on the configuration information of the second DMRS, and uses the previously obtained spatial domain receiver to estimate the scalar channel information and perform data detection.

[0286] For the relevant description of Example 2, reference can be made to Figure 5 or the above Example 1, which will not be elaborated here.

[0287] Example 3

[0288] 31) When the UE's position or movement trajectory is determined, the UE reports the position information or movement trajectory information to Satellite 1.

[0289] 32) After receiving the position information or movement trajectory information of the UE, Satellite 1 may determine the configuration information situation of Satellite 1 and Satellite 2 in a subsequent period of time [T1, T2] in combination with the ephemeris information.

[0290] Exemplarily, Satellite 1 may determine the time for using the configuration information of the first DMRS and the time for using the configuration information of the second DMRS within a period of time [T1, T2]. For example, in the first time period within the period of time [T1, T2], the configuration information of the first DMRS is used, and in the second time period, the configuration information of the second DMRS is used. As described above, the first time period may be a continuous time period, or may also be multiple continuous time periods. As described above, the second time period may be a continuous time period, or multiple continuous time periods.

[0291] 33) Send indication information to Satellite 2 through the inter-satellite link and send indication information to the UE.

[0292] This indication information can be used to indicate the time period for using the configuration information of the first DMRS and the time period for using the configuration information of the second DMRS. For example, Satellite 1 may send it to the UE through RRC.

[0293] As an example, the indication information may include at least one of the following: the number of consecutive time slots of the first DMRS, the number of consecutive time slots of the second DMRS, the period at which the first DMRS appears, and the period at which the second DMRS appears. The number of consecutive time slots of the first DMRS may be the number of time slots occupied by the first DMRS. As Figure 3b shown, the number of consecutive time slots of the first DMRS may be 2 time slots. The number of consecutive time slots of the second DMRS may be the number of time slots occupied by the second DMRS. As Figure 3d shown, the number of consecutive time slots of the second DMRS may be 2 time slots.

[0294] The period at which the first DMRS appears may be understood as the number of time domain units between satellite 1 and satellite 2 for transmitting the first DMRS, such as the number of time slots between satellite 1 and satellite 2 for transmitting the first DMRS. The period at which the second DMRS appears may be understood as the number of time domain units between satellite 1 and satellite 2 for transmitting the second DMRS. Taking Figure 6 as an example, the period at which the first DMRS appears may be 4 time slots, and the period at which the second DMRS appears may be 2 time slots.

[0295] 34) The UE receives the DMRS from satellite 1 and satellite 2 respectively within the time [T1, T2] based on the configuration information of the first DMRS and the configuration information of the second DMRS.

[0296] For example, estimate the satellite channel at the time of the configuration information of the first DMRS, calculate the spatial domain receiver, and perform data detection.

[0297] For another example, at the time of the configuration information of the second DMRS, use the previously calculated spatial domain receiver to estimate the scalar channel information and perform data detection.

[0298] For the relevant description of Example 3, reference may be made to Figure 5 or the above Example 1, which will not be elaborated here.

[0299] The communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below.

[0300] The present application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each functional module may be corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of modules in the present application is illustrative, only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. Below, the communication device of the embodiments of the present application will be Figures 8 to 10 described in detail.

[0301] Figure 8It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the communication device includes a processing module 801 and a transceiver module 802. The transceiver module 802 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 801 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 802 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, a communication module, etc.

[0302] 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 embodiments. At this time, the first communication device can be the network device itself or a chip or functional module that can be configured in the device, etc. The transceiver module 802 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the first communication device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 801 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the first communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0303] Exemplarily, the processing module 801 can be used to obtain channel information; the transceiver module 802 can be used to send or output a first indication information, and send or output a first reference signal.

[0304] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send or output a second indication information. Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 is also used to send or output a second reference signal. Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive or input feedback information, location information or motion information.

[0305] Multiplexing Figure 8 In some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiments. At this time, the communication device can be the terminal device itself or a chip or functional module that can be configured in the device, etc. The transceiver module 802 is used to perform the operations related to the transceiver of the second communication device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 801 is used to perform the operations related to the processing of the second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0306] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 can be used to receive or input a first indication information, and receive or input a first reference signal; the processing module 801 can be used to perform channel estimation based on the first reference signal to obtain the channel estimation result between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0307] Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive or input a second indication information. Exemplarily, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive or input a second reference signal. Exemplarily, the processing module 801 can perform channel estimation based on the second reference signal.

[0308] Optionally, in each of the above embodiments, the communication device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 801 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the communication device to implement the foregoing method embodiments. Exemplarily, the storage module can also store the configuration information of the reference signal shown above, etc.

[0309] In each of the above embodiments, the specific descriptions of terms or steps such as the first reference signal, the second reference signal, M time domain units, N time domain units, the first offset value, the configuration information, the first indication information, the second indication information, etc. can refer to the introduction in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein one by one.

[0310] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and the processing module shown in each of the above embodiments are only examples. For the specific functions or steps executed by the transceiver module and the processing module, reference can be made to the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0311] The communication device of the embodiments of the present application has been introduced above. The following introduces the possible product forms of the communication device. Any product form that has the functions of the Figure 8 described communication device falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The following introduction is only for example, and does not limit the product form of the communication device of the embodiments of the present application to this.

[0312] In a possible implementation manner, Figure 8 In the shown communication device, the processing module 801 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 802 can be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 802 can also be a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The sending module and the receiving module are integrated in one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of the present application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, etc. The connection manner between the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of outputting the above information by the processor. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver for transmission by the transceiver. After the above information is output by the processor, other processing may be required before it reaches the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it to the processor. Further, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed otherwise before being input to the processor.

[0313] As Figure 9As shown, the communication device 90 includes one or more processors 920 and a transceiver 910.

[0314] In some embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the above-mentioned first communication device. For example, the processor 920 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 as Figure 8 shown, and the transceiver 910 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 as Figure 8 shown. For specific descriptions of the processor 920 and the transceiver 910, reference can be made to Figure 8 or the method embodiments shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0315] In some other embodiments of the present application, the communication device is used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the above-mentioned second communication device. For example, the processor 920 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 as Figure 8 shown, and the transceiver 910 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 as Figure 8 shown. For specific descriptions of the processor 920 and the transceiver 910, reference can be made to Figure 8 or the method embodiments shown above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0316] In Figure 9 each implementation manner of the communication device shown, the transceiver can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving function (or operation), and the transmitter is used to perform the transmitting function (or operation). And the transceiver is used to communicate with other devices / devices through a transmission medium.

[0317] Optionally, the communication device 90 may further include one or more memories 930 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 930 is coupled to the processor 920. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 920 may cooperate with the memory 930. The processor 920 can execute the program instructions stored in the memory 930. Optionally, at least one of the above one or more memories may be included in the processor.

[0318] In the embodiments of the present application, the specific connection medium between the above-mentioned transceiver 910, processor 920, and memory 930 is not limited. In the embodiments of the present application Figure 9 it is shown that the memory 930, processor 920, and transceiver 910 are connected through a bus 940. The bus is in Figure 9The connection in the [device] is represented by a thick line, and the connection methods between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not limited thereto. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the sake of convenience of representation, Figure 9 it is only represented by a thick line in the [device], but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0319] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor, etc.

[0320] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memories 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 compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. The memory is any storage medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in the present application), but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0321] The processor 920 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of software programs. The memory 930 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 910 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and the processing of radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. The input / output device, such as a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, etc., is mainly used to receive data input by the user and output data to the user.

[0322] After the communication device is powered on, the processor 920 can read the software program in the memory 930, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, after the processor 920 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted, it outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal and then transmits the radio frequency signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 920. The processor 920 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0323] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be arranged independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and the antenna can be independent of the communication device and are arranged in a remote manner.

[0324] The communication device shown in the embodiments of the present application may also have Figure 9 more components, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and the transceiver shown above are only examples. For the specific steps executed by the processor and the transceiver, reference may be made to the methods described above.

[0325] In another possible implementation manner, Figure 8 In the communication device shown, the processing module 801 may be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 802 may be an input / output interface, or also referred to as a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Or the transceiver module 802 may also be a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module may be an output interface, and the receiving module may be an input interface. The sending module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface. As Figure 10 shown, Figure 10 the communication device shown includes a logic circuit 1001 and an interface 1002. That is, the above-mentioned processing module 801 can be implemented by the logic circuit 1001, and the transceiver module 802 can be implemented by the interface 1002. Among them, the logic circuit 1001 may be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system on chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1002 may be a communication interface, an input / output interface, a pin, etc. Exemplarily, Figure 10 is shown taking the above-mentioned communication device as a chip as an example. The chip includes a logic circuit 1001 and an interface 1002.

[0326] In the embodiments of the present application, the logic circuit and the interface may also be coupled to each other. For the specific connection manner between the logic circuit and the interface, the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Exemplarily, the logic circuit 1001 can be used to execute as Figure 8For the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 shown, interface 1002 can be used to execute as Figure 8 the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 shown. For the specific descriptions of the logic circuit 1001 and the interface 1002, reference can be made to Figure 8 the method embodiments shown above or those shown above, and details are not described herein again.

[0327] The communication device shown in the embodiments of the present application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application in the form of hardware, or can also implement the method provided in the embodiments of the present application in the form of software, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0328] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device, and the first communication device and the second communication device can be used to execute the method in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0329] In addition, the present application also provides a computer program, which is used to implement the operations and / or processes executed by each communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0330] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer code is stored. When the computer code runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the operations and / or processes executed by each communication device in the method provided by the present application.

[0331] The present application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer code or a computer program. When the computer code or the computer program runs on a computer, it causes the operations and / or processes executed by each in the method provided by the present application to be executed.

[0332] In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, communication device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the modules is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed coupling or direct coupling or communication connection to each other can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices or modules, or can also be an electrical, mechanical or other form of connection.

[0333] The module described as a separation component may or may not be physically separated. The component shown as a module may or may not be a physical module, that is, it may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0334] In addition, each functional module in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated in a processing module, may exist physically separately for each module, or two or more modules may be integrated in one module. The above-mentioned integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module.

[0335] If the integrated module is implemented in the form of a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes: USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs, and other various media that can store program codes.

[0336] The above is only the specific implementation manner of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and all should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claimed rights.

Claims

1. A satellite communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first communication device, and the method includes: Obtaining channel information between the first communication device and a second communication device; When the channel information meets a first condition, sending first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a first reference signal, and the configuration information includes time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal, and the time-domain resources include M time-domain units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; Sending the first reference signal, and the phase difference between signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the M time-domain units for transmitting the first reference signal is a first phase offset value.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first phase offset value is adjustable.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first phase offset value is determined based on the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that Signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two of the M time-domain units are all generated based on the same sequence.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The value of M is determined by the number of first communication devices serving the second communication device for joint transmission.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that The first indication information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate activating the configuration information of the first reference signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate that the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal within a first time duration.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the channel information meets a second condition, sending second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a second reference signal, and the configuration information includes time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal, and the time-domain resources include N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2; Sending the second reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, When the channel information meets the first condition, sending the first indication information includes: Sending indication information, where the indication information includes the first indication information and the second indication information, the first indication information corresponds to the channel information meeting the first condition, the second indication information corresponds to the channel information meeting the second condition, and the second indication information is used to indicate configuration information of a second reference signal, and the configuration information includes time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal, and the time-domain resources include N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The value of N is determined by the number of antenna ports for sending the second reference signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The obtaining of the channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device includes at least one of the following: Receiving feedback information from the second communication device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the channel information; or, Obtaining the channel information based on the location information of the second communication device and ephemeris information; Or, Obtaining the channel information based on the motion information of the second communication device and ephemeris information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The channel information includes channel change information, and the channel information meeting the first condition includes: the channel change information meets at least one of the following: The attitude change amount of the second communication device is greater than the change amount threshold; The change in the reference signal received power (RSRP) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRP threshold; The reference signal received quality (RSRQ) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the RSRQ threshold; The signal-to-noise ratio (SINR) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the SINR threshold; The block error rate (BLER) on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the BLER threshold; The change in throughput on different resources for transmitting signals is greater than the throughput threshold.

13. A satellite communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a second communication device, and the method includes: Receiving first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of a first reference signal, and the configuration information includes the time-domain resources for transmitting the first reference signal. The time-domain resources include M time-domain units, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; Receiving the first reference signal based on the first indication information. The phase difference between the signals transmitted on adjacent time-domain units among the M time-domain units for transmitting the first reference signal is a first phase offset value; Determining the channel estimation result between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the first reference signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The first phase offset value is adjustable.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The first phase offset value is determined based on the value of the frequency offset that occurs when the signal of the first communication device is transmitted to the second communication device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The signals transmitted on the same frequency-domain unit corresponding to any two of the M time-domain units are all generated based on the same sequence.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 - 16, characterized in that, The value of M is determined by the number of first communication devices for joint transmission that serve the second communication device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that, The first indication information for indicating the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information for activating the first reference signal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13-17, characterized in that, The first indication information for indicating the configuration information of the first reference signal includes: the first indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the first reference signal within a first time period.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of a second reference signal, and the configuration information includes the time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal. The time-domain resources include N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2; Receiving the second reference signal.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that, The receiving of the first indication information includes: Receiving indication information, where the indication information includes the first indication information and the second indication information. The second indication information is used to indicate the configuration information of the second reference signal, and the configuration information includes the time-domain resources for transmitting the second reference signal. The time-domain resources include N time-domain units, and N is a positive integer less than or equal to 2.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The value of N is determined by the number of antenna ports for transmitting the second reference signal.

23. The method according to any one of claims 13-22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending feedback information, where the feedback information is used to indicate the channel information between the first communication device and the second communication device; or, Sending the location information of the second communication device; or, Sending the motion information of the second communication device.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface being coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-12, or the logic circuit is used for performing the method according to any one of claims 13-23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used for storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-23 is executed.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-23 is executed.

29. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system comprises a first communication device and a second communication device, the first communication device being used for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-12, and the second communication device being used for performing the method according to any one of claims 13-23.

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