Uplink signal synchronization method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides an uplink signal synchronization method and a communication device. A terminal device receives first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating a first duration, the first duration being an effective duration of synchronization information, and the synchronization information being used for uplink signal synchronization; and the terminal device performs uplink signal synchronization according to second indication information within a first duration after receiving the second indication information, the uplink signal synchronization comprising time domain offset compensation and / or frequency domain offset compensation, and the second indication information being used for indicating synchronization information. The communication reliability can be improved.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202110897533.4, and the filing date of the original application is August 5, 2021. The entire content of the original application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to an uplink signal synchronization method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] Satellite communication has the characteristic of wide coverage compared with terrestrial communication. Satellite communication will be introduced into the fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system to provide communication services for some areas such as the ocean and forests. In addition, satellites, as base stations, are not easily affected by natural disasters or external damage, have high reliability, and can provide communication guarantees during natural disasters. th However, different from terrestrial base stations, satellites move relatively fast relative to the ground. At present, the synchronization method of the uplink signal between the terminal device and the terrestrial base station cannot be directly applied to the terminal device and the satellite base station. How to keep the uplink signal synchronized between the terminal device and the satellite base station to ensure communication reliability is a problem to be solved at present.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an uplink signal synchronization method and a communication device, which can improve the reliability of communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, an uplink signal synchronization method is provided. This method can be executed by a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or for) the terminal device.

[0007] The method includes: the terminal device receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first duration, and the first duration is the valid duration of synchronization information for uplink signal synchronization; the terminal device performs uplink signal synchronization according to the second indication information within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, and the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation and / or frequency domain offset compensation, and the second indication information is used to indicate synchronization information.

[0008] According to the above solution, the terminal device obtains the valid duration of the synchronization information, considers the synchronization information valid within the valid duration of the synchronization information, and performs uplink signal synchronization based on the synchronization information. It can reduce the situation that the terminal device fails to synchronize due to the expiration of the synchronization information without knowing it, and reduce the waste of communication resources in the case of out-of-step. On the other hand, it can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device caused by frequently obtaining synchronization information.

[0009] ​In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the synchronization information includes one or more of the following:

[0010] Time domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite of the terminal device and the reference point, change information of the time domain offset compensation information, ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the terminal device, positioning information, frequency domain offset compensation information, position information of the reference point, position information of the network device, or timing information.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device sends third indication information, and the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following information: the moving speed information of the terminal device, the ephemeris derivation ability information of the terminal device, or a second duration, where the ephemeris derivation ability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris, and the second duration is the effective duration of the synchronization information determined by the terminal device.

[0012] According to the above solution, the terminal device provides the speed information and / or ability information of the terminal device to the network through the third indication information, so that the network device can determine the effective duration of the synchronization information based on the information provided by the terminal device, and improve the accuracy of determining the effective duration of the synchronization information.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the third indication information is carried in Message 3 of the random access procedure.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes:

[0015] After the terminal device receives the first duration of the second indication information, it receives fourth indication information on a first resource, and the fourth indication information is used to update the synchronization information, and the first resource is used to carry the fourth indication information.

[0016] According to the above solution, the terminal device receives the updated synchronization information after receiving the first duration of the second indication information, so that the terminal device can obtain the updated synchronization information in time to maintain uplink signal synchronization.

[0017] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device is in a connected state with the network, and the method further includes: if the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, entering an idle state; the terminal device receives system information, and the system information includes synchronization information.

[0018] According to the above solution, for a terminal device that cannot obtain system information in the connected state, the network notifies the terminal device of the updated system information through the fourth indication information, which can enable the terminal device to maintain the connected state and achieve data communication with the network. If the fourth indication information is not received, the terminal device can enter the idle state to obtain the system information containing synchronization information, so that the terminal device can obtain the synchronization information in time and reduce the occurrence of uplink out-of-sync situations.

[0019] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, the terminal device sends feedback information, where the feedback information is used to indicate that the fourth indication information is not received, and, the entering the idle state includes: entering the idle state after sending the feedback information.

[0020] According to the above solution, if the fourth indication information is not received, the terminal device can send feedback information to notify the network that the fourth indication information is not received. The network can determine, according to the predefined information, that the terminal device cannot send and receive communication data when entering the idle state without receiving the fourth indication information. The network can not send downlink data to the terminal device or schedule the terminal device to send uplink data, so as to reduce resource waste.

[0021] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the entering the idle state includes: determining that the transmission times of the fourth indication information are greater than or equal to the maximum transmission times and the fourth indication information is not received; entering the idle state.

[0022] According to the above solution, the network can send the fourth indication information to the terminal device multiple times to increase the probability that the terminal device receives the fourth indication information. When the fourth indication information reaches the maximum transmission times, the terminal device enters the idle state.

[0023] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the entering the idle state includes: determining that uplink signal out-of-sync occurs or radio link failure occurs; entering the idle state.

[0024] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, the terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

[0025] According to the above solution, in the case where the terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information, it can obtain uplink synchronization information by initiating a random access procedure.

[0026] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device is in a connected state with the network, and the terminal device initiates a random access process, including: after the terminal device enters the idle state, it initiates a contention-based random access process.

[0027] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, sending feedback information, where the feedback information is used to indicate that the fourth indication information has not been received, and the random access process is initiated after sending the feedback information.

[0028] According to the above solution, if the fourth indication information is not received, the terminal device can send feedback information to notify the network that the fourth indication information has not been received, and the network can determine, according to predefined information, that the terminal device performs a random access process when the fourth indication information is not received. This enables the network device and the terminal device to reach a consensus and avoid unnecessary resource waste.

[0029] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device initiates a random access process, including: the terminal device receives a fifth indication information, where the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the terminal device initiates a non-contention random access process; the terminal device initiates a non-contention random access process according to the fifth indication information.

[0030] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device initiates a random access process, including: when the retransmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum retransmission count, the terminal device initiates the random access process.

[0031] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, initiating the random access process includes: determining that uplink signal out-of-synchronization occurs or a radio link failure occurs; initiating the random access process.

[0032] According to the above solution, when the terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information, it can be considered that uplink signal out-of-synchronization occurs or a radio link failure occurs, so that the terminal device can initiate a random access process to obtain synchronization information.

[0033] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: if the terminal device receives the fourth indication information, it performs uplink signal synchronization according to the fourth indication information within the first duration after receiving the fourth indication information.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the synchronization information includes one or more of the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite, the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, or the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, and the method further includes: receiving sixth indication information for indicating a third duration, where the third duration is the valid duration of the location information of the terminal device; after the third duration after the terminal device updates the location information, receiving location information; if no location information is received on the resource for carrying the location information after the third duration, the terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

[0035] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the synchronization information includes the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite and / or the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, and the method further includes: receiving seventh indication information for indicating a fourth duration, where the fourth duration is the valid duration of the ephemeris information of the serving satellite; after the fourth duration after the terminal device receives the ephemeris information, receiving updated ephemeris information; if no updated ephemeris information is received on the resource for carrying the updated ephemeris information after the fourth duration, the terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

[0036] According to the above solution, the network device can configure an effective duration for the terminal device respectively for different types of synchronization information, and the terminal device obtains the corresponding updated information based on the effective duration of each type of synchronization information. This can avoid the situation where the effective durations of different synchronization information are different, causing the terminal device to frequently obtain other non-expired synchronization information due to the expiration of one type of synchronization information.

[0037] In a second aspect, an uplink signal synchronization method is provided, and this method can be executed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or for) the network device.

[0038] The method includes: the network device sending first indication information to a first terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first duration, and the first duration is the valid duration of synchronization information for uplink signal synchronization; the network device sending second indication information to the first terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the synchronization information.

[0039] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the synchronization information includes one or more of the following:

[0040] The time-domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite and the reference point, the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, the ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the terminal device, location information, frequency-domain offset compensation information, the location information of the reference point, the location information of the network device, or timing information.

[0041] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device determines that the effective duration of the synchronization information is the first duration according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device.

[0042] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device determines the first duration according to the ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the first terminal device; or, the network device determines the first duration according to the minimum capability of the terminal device to derive the ephemeris and / or the maximum moving speed information of the terminal device, where the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris.

[0043] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device receives third indication information from the first terminal device, and the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following information: the moving speed information of the terminal device, the ephemeris derivation capability information of the terminal device, or a second duration, where the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris, and the second duration is the effective duration of the synchronization information determined by the terminal device.

[0044] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the fourth indication information is carried in Message 3 of the random access procedure.

[0045] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device sends fourth indication information after the first duration, and the fourth indication information is used to update the synchronization information.

[0046] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device determines the period of the discontinuous reception operation of the first terminal device and / or the activation time of the discontinuous reception operation according to the first duration; the network device sends configuration information to the first terminal device, and the configuration information is used to configure the discontinuous reception operation, and the configuration information includes indication information for indicating the period and / or the activation time.

[0047] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the discontinuous reception operation is the discontinuous reception operation when the terminal device is in the connected state.

[0048] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the synchronization information includes one or more of the time-domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite and the reference point, the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, and the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, and the method further includes: the network device sending sixth indication information to the first terminal device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate a third duration, and the second duration is the valid duration of the location information of the first terminal device.

[0049] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining the third duration according to the moving speed of the first terminal device or the maximum moving speed of the terminal device.

[0050] In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the synchronization information includes the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite and / or the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, and the method further includes: sending seventh indication information to the first terminal device, where the seventh indication information is used to indicate a fourth duration, and the fourth duration is the valid duration of the ephemeris information of the serving satellite.

[0051] In a third aspect, an uplink signal synchronization method is provided, and the method can be executed by a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or for) the terminal device.

[0052] The method includes: the terminal device receiving configuration information from the network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a first resource, the first resource is used to receive synchronization information, and the synchronization information is used to perform uplink signal synchronization; the terminal device receiving the synchronization information on the first resource.

[0053] According to the above solution, the first terminal device can request synchronization information based on requirements or obtain synchronization information on semi-static resources, which can avoid uplink out-of-step caused by the terminal device being unable to obtain synchronization information and improve the reliability of communication.

[0054] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the synchronization information includes one or more of the following:

[0055] The time-domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite of the terminal device and the reference point, the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, the ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the terminal device, location information, frequency-domain offset compensation information, the location information of the reference point, or timing information.

[0056] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device sending request information to the network device, where the request information is used to request the synchronization information.

[0057] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the first resource is a periodic resource or a semi-static resource.

[0058] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the configuration information configures a plurality of resources for carrying synchronization information, the period sizes of the plurality of resources are different and / or the frequency-domain resources are different, the plurality of resources include the first resource, and the terminal device receives the synchronization information on the first resource, including: the terminal device receives first indication information, where the first indication information is used to activate the first resource among the plurality of resources; the terminal device receives the first indication information on the first resource.

[0059] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device sends second indication information, where the second indication information is used to indicate the moving speed information of the terminal device and / or the ephemeris derivation capability information of the terminal device, where the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an uplink signal synchronization method is provided, and the method can be executed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) configured in (or for) the network device.

[0061] The method includes: sending configuration information to a first terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure a first resource, and the first resource is used to carry synchronization information; sending the synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource.

[0062] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the synchronization information includes one or more of the following:

[0063] Time-domain offset compensation information between a serving satellite and a reference point, variation information of the time-domain offset compensation information, ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the terminal device, positioning information, frequency-domain offset compensation information, position information of the reference point, or timing information.

[0064] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the network device receives request information from the first terminal device, where the request information is used to request the synchronization information.

[0065] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the first resource is a periodic resource or a semi-static resource.

[0066] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the configuration information configures a plurality of resources for carrying synchronization information, and the cycle sizes and / or frequency domain resources of the plurality of resources are different. Sending the synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource includes: sending first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to activate the first resource among the plurality of resources; and sending the synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource.

[0067] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: determining the cycle size of the first resource according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device.

[0068] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the synchronization information includes the ephemeris of the serving satellite, and the method further includes: determining the cycle size of the first resource according to the ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the first terminal device; or determining the cycle size of the first resource according to the minimum capability of the terminal device to derive the ephemeris and / or the maximum moving speed information of the terminal device.

[0069] In combination with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the first terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the moving speed information of the first terminal device and / or the ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device, where the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or the ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris.

[0070] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may include modules corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect and any one of the first aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a transceiver unit, configured to receive first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate a first duration, and the first duration is the effective duration of synchronization information for uplink signal synchronization; and a processing unit, configured to perform uplink signal synchronization according to the second indication information within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, where the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation and / or frequency domain offset compensation, and the second indication information is used to indicate the synchronization information.

[0071] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may include modules corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect and any one of the second aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a processing unit configured to determine a first duration, where the first duration is the valid duration of synchronization information for uplink signal synchronization; and a transceiver unit configured to send first indication information to a first terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the first duration. The transceiver unit is further configured to send second indication information to the first terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate synchronization information for uplink signal synchronization, and the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation and / or frequency domain offset compensation.

[0072] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may include modules corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect and any one of the third aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a transceiver unit configured to receive configuration information from a network device, where the configuration information is used to configure a first resource for receiving synchronization information for performing uplink signal synchronization; a processing unit configured to determine the first resource according to the configuration information; and the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the synchronization information on the first resource.

[0073] In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device may include modules corresponding one by one to the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the fourth aspect and any one of the fourth aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In one design, the device includes: a processing unit configured to determine a first resource for carrying synchronization information; a transceiver unit configured to send configuration information to a first terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure the first resource; and the transceiver unit is further configured to send the synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource.

[0074] In a ninth aspect, a communication device including a processor is provided. The processor may implement the methods in the first aspect or the third aspect and any possible implementation manner in the first aspect or the third aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory and may be configured to execute instructions in the memory to implement the methods in the first aspect or the third aspect and any possible implementation manner in the first aspect or the third aspect.

[0075] Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces, without limitation.

[0076] In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device. When the communication device is a terminal device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0077] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a terminal device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, and the processor may be a logic circuit.

[0078] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0079] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor. The processor can implement the methods in the above second aspect or fourth aspect and any possible implementation manner in the second aspect or fourth aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory and can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the methods in the above second aspect or fourth aspect and any possible implementation manner in the second aspect or fourth aspect.

[0080] Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces, without limitation.

[0081] In one implementation, the communication device is a network device. When the communication device is a network device, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0082] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a network device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a network device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface, and the processor may be a logic circuit.

[0083] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0084] In an eleventh aspect, a processor is provided, including: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit the signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the methods in the first aspect to the fourth aspect and any possible implementation manner in the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0085] In the specific implementation process, the above-mentioned processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits, etc. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Moreover, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times respectively. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation manners of the processor and various circuits.

[0086] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instruction). When the computer program is run, it causes the computer to execute the methods in the above first aspect to the fourth aspect and any possible implementation manners in the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0087] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instruction). When it runs on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the methods in the above first aspect to the fourth aspect and any possible implementation manners in the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0088] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes at least one of the foregoing network devices and at least one of the foregoing terminal devices. Description of the Drawings

[0089] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication network applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0090] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication network applicable to the embodiments of the present application;

[0091] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of an uplink synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0092] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an uplink synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0093] Figure 5 is another schematic diagram of an uplink synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0094] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of an uplink synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application;

[0095] Figure 7It is a schematic flowchart of the uplink synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application

[0096] Figure 8 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] Figure 9 It is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] Figure 10 It is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0099] Next, the technical solutions in the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0100] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0101] Terms such as "first" and "second" in the specification, claims, and the above-mentioned accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0102] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5G systems or New Radio (NR), Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), and future communication systems such as the sixth-generation mobile communication system, etc. This application does not make any limitations in this regard.

[0103] In the NTN network, the satellite can achieve transparent payload transmission or regenerative payload transmission.

[0104] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of the NTN network applicable to the embodiments of this application. As Figure 1 shown, the User Equipment (UE) communicates with the terrestrial base station through the User-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (Uu) interface. The satellite can achieve transparent payload transmission between the user and the terrestrial base station. The satellite and the NTN gateway can be regarded as remote radio units of the terrestrial base station, realizing functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification of signals, and the signal waveform remains unchanged. The forwarding of the satellite is transparent to the terminal device.

[0105] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of an architecture of the NTN network applicable to the embodiments of this application. As Figure 2 shown, the satellite can achieve non-transparent payload transmission (or called regenerative payload transmission). The satellite has some or all of the functions of the base station and can be called a satellite base station, realizing functions such as radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, amplification, demodulation / decoding, switching or routing, encoding / modulation, etc. The satellite base station communicates with the UE through the Uu interface.

[0106] Next, for Figure 1 , Figure 2The various network elements and the corresponding interfaces between network elements are described as follows:

[0107] UE: It can also be called a terminal device, which can access the network through the air interface and initiate services such as calls and Internet access.

[0108] Base station: It can be a ground base station as shown in Figure 1 or a satellite base station as shown in Figure 2 It can provide wireless access services, schedule wireless resources for access terminals, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols, etc.

[0109] Core network (CN): It is responsible for services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. It consists of multiple functional network elements and can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. Among them, the core network can be divided into user plane function and control plane function according to functions. The user plane function can include user plane function (UPF) network elements, which are mainly responsible for externally connecting to the data network (DN) through the N6 interface, as well as packet routing and forwarding of the user plane, packet filtering, and performing functions related to quality of service (QoS) control, etc. The control plane function can include access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements and session management function (SMF) network elements. The AMF network elements are mainly responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management, etc. The SMF network elements are mainly responsible for session management, terminal device address management and allocation, dynamic host configuration protocol function, selection and control of user plane functions, etc.

[0110] Next generation (NG) interface: The interface between the base station and the core network, which mainly exchanges NAS and other signaling of the core network, as well as user service data.

[0111] Satellite radio interface (SRI) interface: The feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. In Figure 2 the SRI interface can be implemented as part of the NG interface to achieve communication and interaction between the satellite and the core network.

[0112] Xn interface: There can be multiple base stations in the network. The base stations communicate with each other through the Xn interface. The Xn interface is mainly used for signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations during processes such as handover of terminal devices.

[0113] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile terminal, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical treatment, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. It should be understood that the specific form of the terminal device in the present application is not limited.

[0114] The terminal device may also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, so as to realize an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection. The IoT technology can achieve massive connection, deep coverage, and power saving of the terminal through, for example, narrow band (NB) technology.

[0115] The network device in the embodiments of the present application may be a device with wireless transceiver functions in an access network. Such a device includes, but is not limited to: base stations, satellites, satellite base stations, evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. The device may also be a network node that constitutes a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), etc. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific form of the network device.

[0116] Different from terrestrial communication, the round-trip delay (RTD) and round-trip delay difference of signal transmission between a satellite base station and a terminal device are much greater than those of terrestrial communication. For example, when the cell diameter in a terrestrial cellular network is 350 kilometers (km), the maximum round-trip delay within the cell is 1.17 milliseconds (ms). The round-trip transmission time of a geostationary satellite is up to several hundred ms, and the round-trip transmission delay of a low-earth orbit satellite is also up to several tens of ms.

[0117] To achieve uplink synchronization, in terrestrial communication, the terminal device performs timing advance (TA) according to the indication of the network side. The timing advance amount is related to the round-trip transmission delay. In satellite communication, the terminal device can determine the round-trip delay (RTD) between the terminal device and the satellite base station based on the ephemeris information of the satellite base station and the GNSS signals provided by the navigation satellites in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). For example, the terminal device obtains the position of the satellite base station according to the ephemeris information and deduces the change of the position of the satellite base station. And the terminal device determines its own position information according to the GNSS signal, thereby calculating the communication link length between the satellite base station and the terminal device, and determining the RTD of signal transmission between the satellite base station and the terminal device according to the communication link length. In addition, for a transparent satellite base station, the terminal device can perform uplink signal synchronization through the information provided by the terrestrial base station. The terrestrial base station can provide the terminal device with common TA information, and the common TA information is the RTD between the reference point and the satellite. Among them, the reference point can be the satellite, or the terrestrial base station or other points on the communication link. The terminal device can determine the TA between the terminal device and the satellite base station according to the RTD between the terminal device and the terrestrial base station and the common TA information. The terrestrial base station can broadcast the common TA information and the ephemeris information of the satellite base station through the system message.

[0118] If the parameter update for the terminal device to perform uplink signal synchronization is not timely, uplink out-of-step will occur. However, some types of terminal devices may not continuously monitor the system message according to their different states. For example, the terminal devices in the Internet of Things do not monitor the system message when in the connected state, resulting in the terminal device may experience uplink out-of-step due to the expiration of the previously obtained ephemeris information and / or common TA information. On the other hand, the terminal device can deduce the change of the parameter within a certain period of time based on the obtained relevant parameters of uplink synchronization. If the update period of the system message is less than the deduction time of the terminal device, the terminal device will be triggered to perform unnecessary system message monitoring within its deduction ability, increasing the power consumption. Especially for low-power terminal devices, the power consumption requirement may not be met. The present application proposes a closed-loop update mechanism for synchronization information for synchronization. The terminal device obtains the effective duration of the synchronization information, considers the synchronization information valid within the effective duration of the synchronization information, and performs uplink signal synchronization based on the synchronization information. It can reduce the situation that the terminal device is unaware of out-of-step caused by the expiration of the synchronization information, and reduce the waste of communication resources in the case of out-of-step. On the other hand, it can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device caused by frequently obtaining synchronization information.

[0119] The uplink signal synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] Embodiment 1

[0121] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of an uplink synchronization method 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0122] S310, the network device sends first indication information to the first terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate a first duration, and the first duration is the valid duration of the synchronization information.

[0123] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first indication information from the network device.

[0124] The network device may be a terrestrial access network device (such as a terrestrial base station to which the first terminal device is connected) or a satellite access network device.

[0125] For example, the first terminal device establishes a communication connection with a terrestrial base station, and the satellite base station provides a transparent transmission communication service. The terrestrial base station may send the first indication information to the network device to notify the valid duration of the synchronization information.

[0126] For another example, the first terminal device establishes a communication connection with a satellite base station, and the satellite base station notifies the first terminal device of the valid duration of the synchronization information by the first indication information.

[0127] Among them, the synchronization information is used for the synchronization of the uplink signal. The first terminal device performing uplink signal synchronization includes performing time-domain offset compensation and / or frequency-domain offset compensation on the uplink signal. The synchronization information may include one or more of the following:

[0128] Time-domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite of the first terminal device and the reference point, change information of the time-domain offset compensation information, ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the first terminal device, positioning information, frequency-domain offset compensation information, position information of the reference point, position information of the network device, or timing information.

[0129] The above time-domain offset compensation information may be common TA information, and the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information may be used for the first terminal device to derive the change of the time offset compensation information by itself and update the time-domain offset compensation information. The change information of the time-domain offset compensation information may be the change rate of the time-domain offset compensation information, that is, the first derivative, or a higher-order derivative.

[0130] The above positioning information may include time window information for the terminal device to receive GNSS signals, and / or assisted positioning information provided by the network device for assisting the terminal device to obtain position information.

[0131] The location information of the aforementioned network device may be the location information of the network device that sends the first indication information to the first terminal device, or in other words, the location information of the access network device that establishes a wireless communication connection with the first terminal device. The network device may be a terrestrial base station or a satellite base station.

[0132] The aforementioned timing information may include parameter information for enhancing timing accuracy. Based on the timing information, the first terminal device can improve the timing accuracy, and further improve the accuracy of uplink signal synchronization.

[0133] Before the network device sends the first indication information to the first terminal device, it is necessary to determine the effective duration of the synchronization information, that is, the first duration, according to relevant parameters.

[0134] Optionally, the network device may determine the first duration according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device.

[0135] For example, if the synchronization information includes time domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite and the reference point, the network device may determine the change rate of the common TA information according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device, and determine the effective duration of the synchronization information according to the change rate of the common TA information.

[0136] Optionally, the network device may determine the first duration according to the ephemeris derivation ability information of the terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the terminal device.

[0137] As a non-limiting example, the ephemeris derivation ability information may include the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or the ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris.

[0138] In one implementation, the network device determines the first duration according to the ephemeris derivation ability information of the first terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the first terminal device.

[0139] Optionally, the first terminal device sends a third indication information to the network device, and the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following information:

[0140] The ephemeris derivation ability information of the first terminal device, the moving speed information of the first terminal device or the second duration.

[0141] Correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the first terminal device. Wherein, the second duration is the effective duration of the synchronization information recommended by the terminal device.

[0142] For example, the synchronization information may include the ephemeris information of the serving satellite. After the network device obtains the ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device through the third indication information, it may determine the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris, and based on this maximum duration, it may determine the valid duration of the synchronization information.

[0143] Optionally, the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris may be divided into multiple capability levels, each capability level corresponding to a maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris, and the third indication information specifically indicates the capability level. The network device may determine that the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris is the duration corresponding to the capability level indicated by the third indication information.

[0144] For example, the correspondence between the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris and the capability level may be as shown in Table 1. If the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris is 10 s, the terminal device may send the third indication information to the network device in Message 3 (Msg3) during the random access procedure. The third indication information may indicate the capability level 1 corresponding to 10 s. After receiving the third indication information sent by the first terminal device, the network device determines that the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris is 10 s according to the capability level 1 indicated by the third indication information. Or, if the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris is 20 s, and the network device receives the third indication information sent by the first terminal device indicating that the ephemeris derivation capability information level is 3, it thus determines that the maximum duration for the first terminal device to derive the ephemeris is 20 s.

[0145] Table 1

[0146] Ephemeris derivation ability information level Maximum ephemeris derivation duration 0 5s 1 10s 2 15s 3 20s 4 25s … …

[0147] For another example, the valid period of the terminal device location is related to the moving speed of the terminal device. The network device may obtain the moving speed information of the first terminal device through the third indication information, and determine the valid duration of the terminal device location information according to the moving speed information, so that the terminal device may determine to perform uplink signal synchronization based on the location information within the valid duration, and update the location information in time after the valid duration.

[0148] For another example, the first terminal device may determine the effective duration of the synchronization information, i.e., the second duration, according to the derivation ability of the first terminal device for the synchronization information, such as the ephemeris derivation ability information. And report the effective duration of the synchronization information recommended by the first terminal device to the network device through the third indication information. After receiving the third indication information, the network device may determine the first duration with reference to the second duration recommended by the first terminal device. The first duration may be the same as the second duration, or if the network device determines that the second duration is inappropriate based on other parameters, the first duration may be different from the second duration. The other parameters may be the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device, etc., but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0149] Optionally, the third indication information may be carried in the information sent by the first terminal device to the network device during the random access process. As an example but not limitation, the third indication information may be carried in message 3 during the random access process.

[0150] In another implementation manner, the network device determines the first duration according to the lowest ability of the terminal device to derive the ephemeris and / or the maximum moving speed information of the terminal device.

[0151] Among them, the lowest ability of the terminal device to derive the ephemeris may be the derivation ability of a low-ability terminal device.

[0152] The network device may determine the first duration based on the derivation ability of the low-ability terminal device and / or the maximum moving speed of the terminal device. The first duration may be considered as the effective duration of the synchronization information applicable to all terminal devices. Optionally, the first indication information may be broadcast information, and the terminal devices connected to the network device may receive the broadcast information to determine the effective duration of the synchronization information.

[0153] S320, the first terminal device performs uplink signal synchronization according to the second indication information within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the synchronization information.

[0154] Among them, the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation and / or frequency domain offset compensation.

[0155] Optionally, the second indication information may be carried in the system message.

[0156] After the first terminal device receives the first indication information and determines that the effective duration of the synchronization information is the first duration, then after the first terminal device receives the second indication information for indicating the synchronization information, it performs uplink signal synchronization according to the synchronization information indicated by the second indication information within the first duration.

[0157] According to the above solution, the synchronization information is considered valid within the effective duration of the synchronization information, and the uplink signal is synchronized based on the synchronization information. This can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device caused by frequently obtaining synchronization information. On the other hand, it can reduce the situation where the terminal device is unaware of being out of sync due to the expiration of the synchronization information, and reduce the waste of communication resources in the out-of-sync situation.

[0158] After the first terminal device receives the second indication information for the first duration, it receives the fourth indication information on the first resource, and the fourth indication information is used to update the synchronization information.

[0159] After the first duration, the first terminal device may determine that the synchronization information indicated by the second indication information may be invalid, and then receive the fourth indication information to obtain the updated synchronization information. The fourth indication information may indicate the updated synchronization information, or the fourth indication information indicates the parameter information for the calculation method used to update the synchronization information, so that the terminal device updates the calculation method according to the parameter information and determines the updated synchronization information according to the updated calculation method. However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0160] In one implementation, the fourth indication information may be carried in the system message.

[0161] That is to say, the first terminal device may stop receiving the system message within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, and obtain the updated synchronization information by receiving the system message after the first duration.

[0162] In another implementation, the fourth indication information may be dedicated information sent by the network device to the first terminal device for updating the synchronization information.

[0163] For example, the first terminal device is a terminal device of the IoT. The terminal device of the IoT can only obtain the synchronization information by receiving the system message when it is in the radio resource control (RRC) idle state. The first terminal device needs to enter the RRC connected state to send the uplink signal. If the first terminal device performs uplink signal synchronization according to the synchronization information within the first duration after obtaining the synchronization information. After the first duration after the first terminal device obtains the synchronization information, if the first terminal device is still in the connected state, the first terminal device cannot receive the system message. The network device may send the fourth indication information to the first terminal device when the first terminal device is in the connected state, and the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information to obtain the updated synchronization information. This enables the first terminal device to obtain the synchronization information through the system message without switching to the idle state.

[0164] Optionally, the first resource for carrying the fourth indication information may be pre-configured by the network for the first terminal device. Alternatively, the network device may send the fourth indication information periodically, and the fourth indication information within each period is used to indicate the latest synchronization information. The first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, but receives the fourth indication information in the next period of the fourth indication information after the first duration to obtain the updated synchronization information.

[0165] Optionally, the period of the fourth indication information may be determined according to one or more of the first duration, the ephemeris derivation capability of the first terminal device, the maximum moving speed of the first terminal device, the lowest derivation capability of the terminal device for deriving the ephemeris, the maximum moving speed of the terminal device, the satellite orbital altitude of the serving satellite, or the cell elevation angle of the serving satellite.

[0166] Optionally, it may be stipulated that the terminal device can obtain the system message related to the synchronization information when it is in the connected state, and the system message includes the fourth indication information.

[0167] For example, it may be stipulated that the terminal device in the IoT can obtain the system message related to the synchronization information when it is in the connected state. Then, the terminal device in the IoT receives the system message related to the synchronization information in the connected state after the first duration after receiving the second indication information, and the system message includes the fourth indication information.

[0168] If the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the fourth indication information within the first duration after receiving the fourth indication information.

[0169] In one implementation, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device may enter the idle state and receive the system message in the idle state.

[0170] The following introduces the optional implementation for the first terminal device to enter the idle state when it does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource.

[0171] Optionally, the first terminal device is in the connected state with the network. If the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device enters the idle state and receives the system message in the idle state, and the system message includes the synchronization information.

[0172] In the embodiments of the present application, that the terminal device does not receive an information may be considered that the terminal device does not detect the information, or it may be considered that the terminal device detects the information but does not read the content of the information because the decoding is not successful.

[0173] For example, the first terminal device cannot receive system messages in the connected state. The network device sends a fourth indication message for updating synchronization information to the terminal device in the connected state. If the terminal device does not receive the fourth indication message on the first resource, the terminal device can enter the idle state and receive system messages in the idle state to obtain updated synchronization information.

[0174] Optionally, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication message on the first resource, the first terminal device can determine that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure has occurred, enter the idle state, and receive system messages in the idle state. The system messages include synchronization information.

[0175] For example, the synchronization information indicated by the second indication message includes one or more of common TA information, change information of common TA information, or ephemeris information of serving satellites. As Figure 4 shown, the first terminal device can receive the second indication message through a system information block (SIB). Before that, the first terminal device also receives GNSS information, which includes positioning information. Within a first duration after receiving the SIB, the first terminal device performs synchronization of uplink signals according to the synchronization information and positioning information in the SIB, and sends uplink data on the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). After the first duration after receiving the SIB, the first terminal device receives the fourth indication message. If the fourth indication message is not received, the first terminal device determines that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure has occurred, and enters the idle state to receive system messages to obtain synchronization information.

[0176] If the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication message on the first resource, the first terminal device can consider that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure has occurred, thereby triggering the first terminal device to enter the idle state to receive system messages to obtain synchronization information. However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0177] Optionally, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication message on the first resource, the first terminal device sends feedback information, which is used to indicate that the fourth indication message has not been received.

[0178] The first terminal device can notify the network device through the feedback information that the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication message.

[0179] Optionally, after sending the feedback information, the first terminal device enters the idle state and receives system messages in the idle state. The system messages include synchronization information.

[0180] The network device receives the feedback information from the first terminal device, and based on the feedback information, it can determine that the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication information and has entered the idle state.

[0181] For example, after the network device receives the feedback information from the first terminal device and determines that the first terminal device has entered the idle state, the network device may not schedule the uplink signals (such as uplink information and / or uplink data) sent by the first terminal device or may not send downlink signals (such as downlink information and / or downlink data) to the first terminal device. However, this application is not limited to this.

[0182] Optionally, if the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication information, the first terminal device may determine that uplink out-of-sync or radio link failure has occurred and enter the idle state.

[0183] Optionally, if the transmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum transmission count, the first terminal device enters the idle state and receives the system message in the idle state, where the system message includes synchronization information.

[0184] The network device sends the fourth indication information to the first terminal device multiple times. When the first terminal device determines that the transmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum transmission count and the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication information, the first terminal device enters the idle state to receive the system message.

[0185] Optionally, the maximum transmission count of the fourth indication information can be pre-configured.

[0186] In one example, the network device pre-configures multiple resources for receiving the fourth indication information. The network device sends the fourth indication information on the multiple resources. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information on the multiple resources. If the fourth indication information is not received on any of the multiple resources, the first terminal device determines that the transmission count of the fourth indication information has reached the maximum count and enters the idle state to receive the system message. Optionally, the first terminal device sends feedback information to the network device before entering the idle state.

[0187] For example, the network device periodically sends the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information within each period is used to indicate the latest synchronization information. The multiple resources are respectively the resources for carrying the fourth indication information within multiple periods. The first terminal device receives the fourth indication information in the next period after the first duration of receiving the second indication information. If not received, it receives the fourth indication information in the next period after that. If the first terminal device fails to successfully receive the fourth indication information within the maximum number of periods pre-configured by the network device, the first terminal device enters the idle state to receive the system message.

[0188] In another example, when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device sends feedback information to the network device. After receiving the feedback information, the network device sends the fourth indication information to the first terminal device again until the first terminal device determines that the transmission count of the fourth indication information has reached the maximum count, and then the first terminal device enters the idle state to receive the system message. In this example, the maximum transmission count can be referred to as the maximum retransmission count. However, if the first terminal device receives the retransmitted fourth indication information once, the first terminal device performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the fourth indication information within the first duration after receiving the retransmitted fourth feedback information.

[0189] For example Figure 5 As shown, within the first duration after receiving the SIB, the first terminal device performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the synchronization information in the SIB and the positioning information included in the GNSS information, sends uplink data on the PUSCH. After the first duration after receiving the SIB, the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information. If the fourth indication information is not received (for example, the fourth indication information is detected but not successfully decoded), the first terminal device sends feedback information and receives the retransmission information of the fourth indication information. If the retransmitted fourth indication information is still not received, the first terminal device sends feedback information again and receives the retransmitted fourth indication information again. If it is still not received, and if the maximum retransmission count of the fourth indication information is 3 times, the first terminal device determines that the transmission count of the fourth indication information has reached the maximum transmission count. The first terminal device can send feedback information again and then enter the idle state to receive the SIB.

[0190] According to the above solution, when the terminal device does not obtain the fourth indication information for updating the synchronization information, the terminal device can enter the idle state to receive the system message to obtain the uplink synchronization information, reducing the situation of uplink out-of-sync of the terminal device.

[0191] Optionally, if the transmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum transmission count, the first terminal device determines that uplink out-of-sync or radio link failure has occurred and enters the idle state to receive the system message.

[0192] In another implementation, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device can initiate a random access procedure.

[0193] The following introduces an optional implementation of the first terminal device initiating a random access procedure when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource.

[0194] Optionally, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device initiates the random access procedure.

[0195] For example, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device may consider uplink out-of-sync and initiate a random access procedure to obtain uplink synchronization information.

[0196] Optionally, if the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, the first terminal device sends feedback information, which is used to indicate that the fourth indication information has not been received.

[0197] In one example, when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, after sending the feedback information, a random access procedure is initiated. So that after the network device receives the feedback information, it is determined that the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication information, and the first terminal device will initiate a random access procedure.

[0198] In another example, when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information on the first resource, after sending the feedback information, if the network device receives the feedback information and determines that the first terminal device has not received the fourth indication information, the network device sends the fifth indication information to the first terminal device, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate that the first terminal device initiates a non-competitive random access procedure. After receiving the fifth indication information, the first terminal device initiates a non-competitive random access procedure according to the fifth indication information.

[0199] The first terminal device initiating a non-competitive random access procedure means that the first terminal device sends a random access signal to the network device on the dedicated random access resource pre-allocated by the network for the first terminal device.

[0200] In another example, when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information, it sends feedback information and initiates a contention-based random access procedure. Optionally, after sending the feedback information, the first terminal device enters the idle state and initiates a contention-based random access procedure in the idle state.

[0201] The first terminal device initiating a non-competitive random access procedure means that the first terminal device selects a random access resource from the set of public random access resources pre-configured by the network and sends a random access signal to the network. If the resource is not selected and sent a random access signal by other terminal devices at the same time, it can be considered that the first terminal device has successfully contended for the random access resource; if the resource is selected and sent a random access signal by other terminal devices at the same time, it is considered that the first terminal device has a contention conflict for the random access resource. Contention conflict resolution can be performed.

[0202] Optionally, when the retransmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum retransmission count, the first terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

[0203] Optionally, when the first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information, or when it does not receive the fourth indication information and the retransmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum retransmission count, uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure can be considered to have occurred, and the first terminal device can initiate a random access procedure to obtain uplink synchronization. Optionally, the first terminal device can enter the idle state and initiate a random access procedure.

[0204] For example, the first terminal device is a terminal device in the IoT. The terminal device in the IoT does not listen for system messages after random access. If it does not receive the fourth indication information within the first duration after receiving the second indication information, and the retransmission count of the fourth indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum retransmission count and it still fails to correctly decode the fourth indication information, the first terminal device considers uplink out-of-synchronization to have occurred and enters the idle state to initiate a random access procedure.

[0205] According to the above solution, when the terminal device does not obtain the fourth indication information for updating synchronization information, the terminal device can perform a random access procedure to obtain uplink synchronization information through the random access procedure.

[0206] Optionally, the first duration can be the maximum duration of the timer corresponding to the synchronization information. After obtaining the first duration through the first indication information, the first terminal device sets the maximum duration of the timer to the first duration, starts the timer after receiving the second indication information, and performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the second indication information during the running of the timer. After the timer stops timing, it receives the fourth indication information on the first resource to obtain updated synchronization information. If the first terminal device receives the fourth indication information, the first terminal device restarts the timer and performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the fourth indication information during the running of the timer.

[0207] Optionally, the network device can determine the discontinuous reception (DRX) period and / or activation time of the first terminal device according to the first duration. DRX operations can be used to save the power consumption of the terminal device. The first terminal device performs DRX operations periodically. A period of time at the start of each period is the activation time of DRX. The first terminal device listens for control information during the activation time of each period and does not listen for control information outside the activation time to reduce power consumption. The network device sends configuration information for discontinuous reception to the first terminal device. The configuration information includes indication information for indicating the period and / or activation time of the discontinuous reception. The first terminal device performs the discontinuous reception operation according to the configuration information. Optionally, the discontinuous reception operation is a connected mode DRX (CDRX) operation.

[0208] The network device determines the cycle and / or activation time of DRX according to the first duration, so that the first terminal device can receive the fourth indication information within the activation time of DRX when the valid duration of the synchronization information expires, realizing the update of the synchronization information.

[0209] For example Figure 6 As shown, within the first duration after the first terminal device receives the second indication information, it performs synchronization of the uplink signal based on the second indication information. Since the first terminal device performs CDRX operation, the first terminal device sends uplink data on the PUSCH within the activation time of CDRX. The CDRX cycle configured by the network device for the first terminal device is determined according to the first duration. For example, the first duration can be an integer multiple of the CDRX cycle. So that the first terminal device can receive the fourth indication information within the activation time within one CDRX cycle after the end of the first duration, which can reduce the situation that the first terminal device cannot receive the fourth indication information because it is not within the activation time of CDRX.

[0210] Embodiment 2

[0211] Embodiment 2 of the present application proposes that for different types of synchronization information, the valid durations corresponding to different types of synchronization information can be indicated respectively. It should be noted that Embodiment 1 can be implemented in combination, and the same or similar parts of Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 can refer to the description in Embodiment 1.

[0212] In one example, the network device can configure the valid duration of the first synchronization information as the first duration and the valid duration of the second synchronization information as the third duration for the first terminal device respectively. The first synchronization information may include one or more of the time domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite, the change information of the time domain offset compensation information, or the ephemeris information of the serving satellite. The second synchronization information may include positioning information. For example, the positioning information may be the time window information for receiving GNSS signals or the positioning assistance information for assisting the terminal device to determine its own position, or the positioning information may be the GNSS signal from the navigation satellite. If the positioning information is the GNSS signal, the third duration may be the time window for the terminal device to receive the GNSS signal.

[0213] For example, the first synchronization information includes common TA information and ephemeris information. The common TA information is the change information of the time-domain offset compensation information and / or the domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite. The network device sends first indication information to the first terminal device to notify the first terminal device that the effective duration of the first synchronization information is the first duration. The second synchronization information is the GNSS signal from the navigation satellite. The network device also sends sixth indication information to the first terminal device, and the sixth indication information is used to indicate that the effective duration of the second synchronization information is the third duration.

[0214] The first terminal device can start a first timer after receiving the first synchronization information. The maximum duration of the first timer is the first duration. During the operation of the first timer, the first terminal device determines the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite according to the common TA information in the first synchronization information. And the first terminal device determines the position of the serving satellite according to the ephemeris information in the first synchronization information. After the first timer stops timing, the first terminal device receives indication information from the network device for updating the first synchronization information.

[0215] In one implementation, the indication information for updating the first synchronization information can be carried in the dedicated indication information for the network device to send to the terminal device to update the first synchronization information. For example, the network can pre-configure resources for transmitting the dedicated indication information for the first terminal device, and the first terminal device receives the dedicated indication information on the resources.

[0216] If the first terminal device does not receive the indication information for updating the first synchronization information, or the transmission times of the indication information are greater than or equal to the maximum transmission times, the first terminal device enters the idle state to receive system messages to obtain the updated first synchronization information.

[0217] Alternatively, if the first terminal device does not receive the indication information for updating the first synchronization information, or the transmission times of the indication information are greater than or equal to the maximum transmission times, the first terminal device initiates a random access procedure. Optionally, when the first terminal device does not receive the indication information for updating the first synchronization information, or the transmission times of the indication information are greater than or equal to the maximum transmission times, the first terminal device determines that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure occurs, thereby initiating a random access procedure to obtain the updated first synchronization information.

[0218] For example, if the first terminal device is unable to receive system messages in the connected state, after the first timer stops timing, the network device sends the indication information for updating the first synchronization information to the first terminal device. If the first terminal device receives the indication information, the first terminal device starts the first timer and determines the common TA information and the position of the serving satellite according to the updated first synchronization information during the operation of the first timer. If the first terminal device does not receive the indication information, or the transmission times of the indication information are greater than or equal to the maximum transmission times, and the first terminal device is still in the connected state, the first terminal device determines that uplink out-of-step or radio link failure has occurred, enters the idle state, and initiates a random access process to obtain the updated first synchronization information.

[0219] In another implementation, the indication information for updating the first synchronization information may be carried in a system message. Optionally, the system message may be a system message dedicated to satellite communication.

[0220] For example, it may be specified that the first terminal device can receive the system message dedicated to satellite communication in the connected state, and the system message includes the first synchronization information. After the first timer stops, the first terminal device receives the system message dedicated to satellite communication and obtains the updated first synchronization information.

[0221] The first terminal device may obtain the GNSS signal (i.e., the second synchronization information) from the navigation satellite, determine the position information of the terminal device according to the GNSS signal, and the terminal device starts the second timer, and the maximum duration of the second timer is the third duration. The first terminal device performs synchronization of the uplink signal by combining the obtained common TA information, the position of the serving satellite, and its own position information determined according to the GNSS signal.

[0222] After the second timer stops timing, the first terminal device receives the GNSS signal again and determines its own position information. If the GNSS signal is received, the first terminal device starts the second timer. If the GNSS signal is not obtained, the first terminal device initiates a random access process. Optionally, the first terminal device determines that uplink out-of-step or radio link failure has occurred and initiates a random access process to re-obtain synchronization with the network.

[0223] For example, the first terminal device may be a terminal device of IoT, and the first terminal device performs long-term data transmission. The network device may indicate the third duration for the first terminal device. When the third duration expires, if the first terminal device determines that it needs to receive the GNSS signal, the first terminal device stops data transmission and receives the GNSS signal from the navigation satellite.

[0224] That is to say, after receiving the first synchronization information and the second synchronization information respectively, the first terminal device starts corresponding timers, and considers the synchronization information valid during the running of the corresponding timers. When one of the timers stops timing, the first terminal device will obtain the updated information of the corresponding synchronization information. If the first synchronization information is not obtained, the first terminal device can receive the system message to obtain the updated first synchronization information, or consider that uplink out-of-sync or radio link failure occurs and initiate a random access procedure. If the second synchronization information is not obtained, the first terminal device can consider that uplink out-of-sync or radio link failure occurs and initiate a random access procedure.

[0225] In another example, the network device can configure the valid duration of the common TA information, that is, the first duration, and the valid duration of the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, that is, the fourth duration, for the first terminal device respectively.

[0226] For example, the network device sends the first indication information to the first terminal device, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the valid duration of the common TA information is the first duration, and the network device sends the seventh indication information to the first terminal device, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate that the valid duration of the ephemeris information of the serving satellite is the fourth duration. The first terminal device can start the first timer after receiving the common TA information, and during the running of the first timer, determine the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite according to the common TA information. And after the first timer stops timing, receive the indication information from the network device for indicating the updated common TA information. If the indication information is received, start the first timer, and during the running of the first timer, determine the time-domain offset compensation information between the reference point and the serving satellite according to the updated common TA information.

[0227] Optionally, if the first terminal device cannot receive the system message in the connected state, the indication information for indicating the updated common TA information can be dedicated indication information. Or it can be stipulated that the first terminal device can receive the system message related to the synchronization information in the connected state, then the indication information can be carried in the system message, and the system message can be the synchronization information related system message for carrying the common TA information.

[0228] If the first terminal device does not receive the indication information, or the transmission count of the indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum transmission count, the first terminal device can enter the idle state from the connected state to receive the system message to obtain the updated common TA information. Alternatively, if the first terminal device does not receive the indication information, or the transmission count of the indication information is greater than or equal to the maximum transmission count, the first terminal device can consider that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure has occurred and initiate a random access procedure. The random access procedure can be a non-competitive random access procedure triggered by the network device or a contention-based random access procedure initiated when the terminal device enters the idle state.

[0229] The process for the first terminal device to obtain ephemeris information is similar to the process of obtaining common TA information, that is, it determines whether to obtain updated ephemeris information based on the fourth duration. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here. That is to say, the first terminal device maintains an effective time for the common TA information and the ephemeris information respectively according to the indication of the network device. When the effective time of one of the information expires, it receives the corresponding updated information. And if the updated information is not received, it enters the idle state to obtain the updated information through the system message or considers that uplink out-of-synchronization or radio link failure has occurred and initiates a random access procedure. Among them, the first terminal device not receiving the updated information can be that it does not receive the updated information once or the updated information transmission reaches the maximum transmission count and still fails to successfully receive the updated information.

[0230] In another example, the network device can configure an effective duration for the common TA information, the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, and the positioning information respectively. For example, the effective duration of the common TA information is the first duration, the effective duration of the positioning information is the third duration, and the effective duration of the ephemeris information is the fourth duration. The first terminal device obtains the corresponding updated information when the effective duration of one of the synchronization information among the common TA information, the ephemeris information of the serving satellite, and the positioning information expires. For each type of synchronization information, the implementation manner provided in Embodiment 1 can be adopted. For the sake of brevity, it will not be elaborated here.

[0231] According to the above solution, the network device can configure an effective duration for the terminal device for different types of synchronization information respectively, and the terminal device obtains the corresponding updated information based on the effective duration of each synchronization information. It can avoid the situation that due to different effective durations of synchronization information, the terminal device frequently obtains other non-expired synchronization information because one synchronization information has expired.

[0232] Embodiment 3

[0233] The terminal device can determine that the effective duration of the synchronization information is the second duration according to its own ephemeris derivation ability information and / or moving speed information. Optionally, the synchronization information can include one or more of the following information:

[0234] Time domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite of the first terminal device and the reference point, change information of the time domain offset compensation information, ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the first terminal device, positioning information, frequency domain offset compensation information, location information or timing information of the reference point.

[0235] In one implementation, the terminal device may receive first indication information from the network device, where the first indication information indicates that the effective duration of the synchronization information determined by the network device is a first duration. After the terminal device receives second indication information, it receives the updated synchronization information according to the shortest duration among the second duration and the first duration. The second indication information is used to indicate the synchronization information.

[0236] For example, after the terminal device receives the first indication information, it compares the magnitudes of the first duration and the second duration, determines the shortest duration among the first duration and the second duration as the actual effective duration of the synchronization information, and performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the second indication information within the actual effective duration after receiving the second indication information. After the first terminal device receives the second indication information for the actual effective duration, it receives fourth indication information. Optionally, the network device may periodically send the fourth indication information. The first terminal device does not receive the fourth indication information within the actual effective duration after receiving the second indication information, and receives the fourth indication information within the transmission period of the next fourth indication information after the actual effective duration.

[0237] For another example, after the terminal device receives the second indication information, it starts two timers, where the durations of the two timers are the first duration and the second duration respectively. After any one of the two timers stops timing, the terminal device receives the fourth indication information.

[0238] According to the above solution, the terminal device and the network device respectively determine an effective duration of the synchronization information based on the information obtained by themselves, and the terminal device determines the time for updating the synchronization information according to the shortest duration among the two effective durations, making the effective duration of the synchronization information more accurate.

[0239] In another implementation, the terminal device may receive first indication information from the network device, where the first indication information indicates that the effective duration of the synchronization information determined by the network device is a first duration. After the terminal device receives the second indication information, when the shortest duration among the second duration and the first duration expires, it determines that a radio link failure has occurred and initiates a random access procedure to obtain uplink synchronization information.

[0240] In another implementation, the terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate that the effective duration of the synchronization information determined by the terminal device is the second duration.

[0241] Optionally, the terminal device may receive trigger information from the network device, where the trigger information is used to indicate applying the second duration as the valid duration of the synchronization information. The terminal device synchronizes the uplink signal according to the second indication information within the second duration after receiving the second indication information, and after the second duration, receives the fourth indication information.

[0242] Optionally, the terminal device may apply the second duration after a preset duration after sending the third indication information.

[0243] For example, the terminal device may consider that after a preset duration after sending the third indication information, the network device has received the third indication information, and both parties may reach a consensus on the second duration. Therefore, the terminal device applies the second duration after a preset duration after sending the third indication information, that is, uses the second duration as the valid duration of the synchronization information. The terminal device synchronizes the uplink signal according to the second indication information within the second duration after receiving the second indication information, and after the second duration, receives the fourth indication information.

[0244] According to the above solution, the terminal device can determine the valid duration of the synchronization information and notify the network device. The network device can determine whether the valid duration is appropriate. If the valid duration is appropriate, the network device can trigger the terminal device to apply the valid duration of the synchronization information through trigger information. It can be that the network device and the terminal device reach a consensus on the valid duration.

[0245] It should be noted that in the third embodiment, some or all of the implementation manners in the foregoing first and second embodiments are combined for implementation, and for the same or similar parts in the third embodiment and the foregoing embodiments, reference may be made to the descriptions in the foregoing embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0246] Embodiment 4

[0247] Figure 7 It is another schematic flowchart of the uplink signal synchronization method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0248] S710, the network device sends configuration information to the first terminal device, where the configuration information is used to configure the first resource, and the first resource is used to carry the synchronization information.

[0249] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the configuration information from the network device and determines the first resource for receiving the synchronization information according to the configuration information.

[0250] The synchronization information is used for the first terminal device to perform uplink signal synchronization, and the synchronization information may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

[0251] Time domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite and the reference point, change information of the time domain offset compensation information, ephemeris information of the serving satellite of the terminal device, positioning information, frequency domain offset compensation information, location information or timing information of the reference point.

[0252] Optionally, before S710, the first terminal device sends request information to the network device, and the request information is used to request the network device to send the synchronization information. The network device sends the configuration information to the first terminal device in response to the request from the first terminal device.

[0253] In one implementation, the configuration information may be DCI. That is, the network device dynamically schedules the first resource to send synchronization information to the first terminal device. After receiving the configuration information, the first terminal device determines that the network device has dynamically scheduled the first resource to send synchronization information. Optionally, the first terminal device may send request information to the network device based on requirements, and the network device sends the configuration information to the first terminal device in response to the request from the first terminal device.

[0254] In another implementation, the configuration information is an RRC message, the first resource is a periodic resource or a semi-static resource, and the network device configures the periodic or semi-static first resource for the first terminal device through the configuration information. The first terminal device may receive synchronization information on the first resource and perform uplink signal synchronization. Optionally, the first terminal device may, based on requirements, send request information to the network device if the first terminal device needs the network to provide the periodic or semi-static first resource, and the network device sends the configuration information to the first terminal device in response to the request from the first terminal device.

[0255] Among them, a semi-static resource refers to a resource that appears at a certain period after being activated.

[0256] Optionally, the first resource is a periodic resource or a semi-static resource, and the network device may determine the period size of the first resource according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device.

[0257] For example, the synchronization information includes time domain offset compensation information between the serving satellite and the reference point. The network device may determine the change rate of the common TA information according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the reference point and / or the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device, and determine the period size of the first resource according to the change rate of the common TA information.

[0258] Optionally, the network device may determine the period size of the first resource according to the ephemeris derivation ability information of the terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the terminal device.

[0259] As an example and without limitation, the ephemeris derivation capability information may include the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, where the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris.

[0260] In one implementation, the network device determines the period size of the first resource according to the ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the first terminal device.

[0261] Optionally, the first terminal device sends third indication information to the network device, where the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following items of information:

[0262] The ephemeris derivation capability information of the first terminal device, the moving speed information of the first terminal device, or a second duration.

[0263] Correspondingly, the network device receives the third indication information from the first terminal device. Here, the second duration is the effective duration of the synchronization information recommended by the terminal device.

[0264] S720, the network device sends synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource.

[0265] Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the synchronization information from the network device on the first resource.

[0266] S730, the terminal device performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the synchronization information.

[0267] Optionally, the first resource may be a semi-persistent resource. Before the network device sends synchronization information to the first terminal device on the first resource, the network device sends first indication information to the first terminal device, where the first indication information is used to activate the first resource. Correspondingly, after receiving the first indication information, the first terminal device determines that the first resource is activated. The network device sends synchronization information on the first resource, and the first terminal device receives synchronization information on the first resource.

[0268] Optionally, the configuration information may configure multiple resources for carrying synchronization information, where the period sizes and / or frequency domain resources of the multiple resources are different, and the first indication information may be specifically used to activate the first resource among the multiple resources.

[0269] The network device may configure multiple semi-static resources for carrying synchronization information, activate one of the resources according to requirements, that is, the first resource, and notify the first terminal device. The first terminal device receives synchronization information from the network device on the activated first resource and performs synchronization of the uplink signal according to the synchronization information.

[0270] For example, the first terminal device may be a terminal device in the IoT. The first terminal device cannot receive system messages in the connected state, but can receive synchronization information on the first resource when in the connected state to maintain synchronization with the uplink signal.

[0271] According to the above solution, the first terminal device can request synchronization information based on requirements or obtain synchronization information on semi-static resources, which can avoid uplink out-of-step caused by the terminal device being unable to obtain synchronization information and improve the reliability of communication.

[0272] Above, in combination with Figures 2 to 7 The method provided in the embodiments of the present application has been described in detail. Below, in combination with Figures 8 to 10 The apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail. To implement each function in the method provided in the embodiments of the present application, each network element may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a certain function among the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0273] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 8 shown, the communication apparatus 1200 may include a transceiver unit 1220.

[0274] In a possible design, the communication apparatus 1200 may correspond to the terminal device in the above method embodiment, or be configured in (or used for) a chip in the terminal device, or other apparatuses, modules, circuits, or units that can implement the method of the terminal device.

[0275] It should be understood that the communication apparatus 1200 may correspond to the terminal device in the methods 300 and 600 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus 1200 may include units for executing Figures 3 to 7 , Figure 10 The methods executed by the terminal device in the methods 300 and 600. And each unit in the communication apparatus 1200 and the above other operations and / or functions respectively implement the corresponding processes of the methods 300 and 600 in Figure 3 , Figure 7 The methods 300 and 600.

[0276] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1200 may further include a processing unit 1210, and the processing unit 1210 may be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0277] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1200 is a chip configured in (or for) a terminal device, the transceiver unit 1220 in the communication device 1200 may be an input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may be a processor in the chip.

[0278] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage unit 1230, which may be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 1210 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform corresponding operations.

[0279] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1220 in the communication device 1200 may be implemented through a communication interface (such as a transceiver or an input / output interface), for example, it may correspond to Figure 9 the transceiver 1310 in the terminal device 1300 shown in. The processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may be implemented through at least one processor, for example, it may correspond to Figure 9 the processor 1320 in the terminal device 1300 shown in. The processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may also be implemented through at least one logic circuit. The storage unit 1230 in the communication device 1200 may correspond to Figure 9 the memory in the terminal device 1300 shown in.

[0280] It should also be understood that the specific processes for each unit to execute the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0281] In another possible design, the communication device 1200 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiment. For example, it may be a chip configured in (or for) a network device, or other devices, modules, circuits or units that can implement the method of the network device.

[0282] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 may correspond to the network device in the method 300, 600 according to the embodiments of the present application. The communication device 1200 may include units for executing Figure 3 、 Figure 7 the methods executed by the network device in the methods 300, 600 in. And each unit in the communication device 1200 and the above other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing Figure 3 、 Figure 7 the corresponding processes of the methods 300, 600 in.

[0283] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a processing unit 1210, which may be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0284] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1200 is a chip configured in (or used in) a network device, the transceiver unit 1220 in the communication device 1200 may be an input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may be a processor in the chip.

[0285] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage unit 1230, which may be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 1210 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform corresponding operations.

[0286] It should be understood that when the communication device 1200 is a network device, the transceiver unit 1220 in the communication device 1200 may be implemented through a communication interface (such as a transceiver or an input / output interface), for example, it may correspond to Figure 10 the transceiver 1410 in the network device 1400 shown in. The processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may be implemented through at least one processor, for example, it may correspond to Figure 10 the processor 1420 in the network device 1400 shown in, and the processing unit 1210 in the communication device 1200 may be implemented through at least one logic circuit.

[0287] It should also be understood that the specific processes for each unit to execute the above corresponding steps have been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, they will not be repeated here.

[0288] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the terminal device 1300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The terminal device 1300 can be applied to a system such as Figure 1 shown, and perform the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 1300 includes a processor 1320 and a transceiver 1310. Optionally, the terminal device 1300 further includes a memory. Among them, the processor 1320, the transceiver 1310, and the memory can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1320 is used to execute the computer program in the memory to control the transceiver 1310 to transmit and receive signals.

[0289] The above-mentioned processor 1320 and the memory may be integrated into a processing device, and the processor 1320 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory to implement the above functions. Specifically, the memory may also be integrated in the processor 1320 or independent of the processor 1320. The processor 1320 may correspond to Figure 8 the processing unit in.

[0290] The above transceiver 1310 can correspond to Figure 8 the transceiver unit in. The transceiver 1310 can include a receiver (or receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0291] It should be understood that Figure 9 the terminal device 1300 shown is capable of implementing Figure 3 , Figure 7 the processes related to the terminal device in the method embodiments shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the terminal device 1300 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0292] The above processor 1320 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the terminal device described in the previous method embodiments, and the transceiver 1310 can be used to execute the actions of the terminal device sending to or receiving from the network device described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the previous method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0293] Optionally, the above terminal device 1300 may further include a power supply for supplying power to various devices or circuits in the terminal device.

[0294] In addition, in order to make the functions of the terminal device more complete, the terminal device 1300 may further include input / output devices, such as one or more of an input unit, a display unit, an audio circuit, a camera, and a sensor, etc. The audio circuit may further include a speaker, a microphone, etc.

[0295] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The network device 1400 can be applied to a system such as Figure 1 shown, and execute the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. As Figure 10 shown, the network device 1400 includes a processor 1420 and a transceiver 1410. Optionally, the network device 1400 further includes a memory. Among them, the processor 1420, the transceiver 1410, and the memory can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor 1420 is used to execute the computer program in the memory to control the transceiver 1410 to transmit and receive signals.

[0296] The above-mentioned processor 1420 and the memory can be integrated into a processing device. The processor 1420 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory to implement the above functions. Specifically, in implementation, the memory can also be integrated in the processor 1320 or independent of the processor 1420. The processor 1420 can correspond to Figure 8 the processing unit therein.

[0297] The above-mentioned transceiver 1410 can correspond to Figure 8 the transceiver unit therein. The transceiver 1410 can include a receiver (or called a receiver, receiving circuit) and a transmitter (or called a transmitter, transmitting circuit). Among them, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0298] It should be understood that Figure 10 the network device 1400 shown can implement Figure 3 , Figure 7 each process related to the network device in the method embodiments shown. The operations and / or functions of each module in the network device 1400 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0299] The above-mentioned processor 1420 can be used to execute the actions implemented inside the network device described in the previous method embodiments, while the transceiver 1410 can be used to execute the actions of the network device sending to or receiving from the terminal device described in the previous method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the previous method embodiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0300] The embodiment of the present application also provides a processing device, including a processor and a (communication) interface; the processor is used to execute the method in any of the above method embodiments. It should be understood that the above processing device can be one or more chips.

[0301] According to the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code. When the computer program code is executed by one or more processors, it causes the device including the processor to execute Figure 3 , Figure 7 the methods in the embodiments shown.

[0302] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present invention are generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a terminal device, a core network device, a machine learning device, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium.

[0303] According to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which, when run by one or more processors, causes a device including the processor to execute Figure 3 、 Figure 7 the methods in the embodiments shown.

[0304] According to the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a system including one or more of the foregoing network devices. The system may further include one or more of the foregoing terminal devices.

[0305] In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the displayed or discussed couplings or direct couplings or communication connections to each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect couplings or communication connections of the devices or units can be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0306] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0307] As described above, it 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 within the technical scope disclosed by the present application can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the said claims.

Claims

1. An uplink signal synchronization method, applied to the terminal side, characterized in that Comprising: Receiving first indication information and second indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate the valid duration of first information, and the second indication information is used to indicate the first information, and the first information includes common timing advance (TA) information and ephemeris information of a serving satellite; Performing uplink signal synchronization according to the first information within the valid duration, where the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information further includes the change rate of the common TA information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in a system information block SIB.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending third indication information, where the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following information: The moving speed information of the terminal device, the ephemeris derivation ability information of the terminal device, or a second duration, where the ephemeris derivation ability information includes the maximum duration for deriving the ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive the ephemeris, and the second duration is the valid duration of the first information determined by the terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The third indication information is carried in message 3 of the random access procedure.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further includes: After receiving the valid duration, receiving fourth indication information on a first resource, where the fourth indication information is used to update the first information, and the first resource is used to carry the fourth indication information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Being in a connected state with the network, and the method further includes: If the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, entering the idle state; Receiving system messages, where the system messages include the first information.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein The method further includes: If the fourth indication information is not received on the first resource, the terminal device initiates a random access procedure.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the fourth indication information is received, performing uplink signal synchronization according to the fourth indication information within the valid duration after receiving the fourth indication information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving sixth indication information, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate a third duration, and the third duration is the valid duration of the position information of the terminal device; Receiving positioning information after the third duration after updating the position information; If the positioning information is not received on the resource for carrying the positioning information after the third duration, initiating a random access procedure.

11. A time synchronization method, applied to the network side, characterized in that, Comprising: Sending first indication information to a terminal device, where the first indication information is used to indicate the valid duration of first information, and the first information includes common timing advance TA information and ephemeris information of a serving satellite; Sending second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information is used to indicate the first information, and the first information is used for uplink signal synchronization, and the uplink signal synchronization includes time domain offset compensation.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The first information further includes the change rate of the common TA information.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in a system information block SIB.

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The method further includes: Determining the valid duration according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and a reference point and / or according to the positional relationship between the serving satellite and the network device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The method further includes: Determine the effective duration according to the ephemeris derivation capability information of the terminal device and / or the moving speed information of the terminal device; or, Determine the effective duration according to the lowest capability of the terminal device to derive ephemeris and / or the maximum moving speed information of the terminal device, wherein the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, and the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive ephemeris.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein The method further includes: Receiving third indication information from the terminal device, where the third indication information is used to indicate one or more of the following information: The moving speed information of the terminal device, the ephemeris derivation capability information of the terminal device, or a second duration, wherein the ephemeris derivation capability information includes the maximum duration for deriving ephemeris and / or an ephemeris derivation model, the ephemeris derivation model is used to determine the maximum duration for the terminal device to derive ephemeris, and the second duration is the effective duration of the first information determined by the terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein The third indication information is carried in Message 3 of the random access procedure.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending a fourth indication information after sending the second indication information, where the fourth indication information is used to update the first information.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending a sixth indication information to the terminal device, where the sixth indication information is used to indicate a third duration, and the third duration is the effective duration of the location information of the terminal device.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: Determine the third duration according to the moving speed of the terminal device or the maximum moving speed of the terminal device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit; The transceiver unit is configured to send and receive information under the control of the processing unit; the processing unit is configured to read code instructions and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit; The transceiver unit is configured to send and receive information under the control of the processing unit; the processing unit is configured to read code instructions and execute the method according to any one of claims 11 to 19.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising at least one processor, coupled to a memory; The memory is used to store programs or instructions; The at least one processor is used to execute the programs or instructions so that the device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instruction is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or instruction runs on the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction runs on the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

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