Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication method and device, which are used for improving NTN (Network Temporary Network) positioning precision. The method may comprise: a terminal device receiving a combing number for combing a frequency domain resource of a random access signal, the random access signal being used for positioning the terminal device; and the terminal equipment sends the random access signal, and the frequency domain position for sending the random access signal is determined based on the comb number and the frequency domain resource. Based on the communication method, the equivalent bandwidth of the random access signal is expanded by combing the frequency domain resource of the random access signal, so that the positioning precision can be improved, and the positioning error can be reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources on a satellite platform, a drone platform, or a high-altitude communication platform to provide communication services. Terrestrial 5th generation (5G) networks and satellite networks are integrated to meet the diverse business needs of users everywhere.

[0003] These business needs include obtaining the location information of terminal devices quickly and accurately. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and device to improve the positioning accuracy of NTN.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device. The communication device can be a terminal device or a component (such as a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, an assembly, a module, or a functional module) in a terminal device. The method can include: receiving a comb number of frequency domain resources for combing a random access signal, the random access signal being used for positioning of a terminal device; and transmitting the random access signal, a frequency domain location of the random access signal being determined based on the comb number and the frequency domain resources.

[0006] Based on the above communication method, the equivalent bandwidth of the random access signal is expanded by combing the frequency domain resources of the random access signal, which can improve the positioning accuracy and reduce the positioning error.

[0007] In one possible design, the comb number can be received by: receiving the comb number from a ground network device; or receiving the comb number from a non-terrestrial network (NTN) network device. In this way, the terminal device can flexibly obtain the comb number.

[0008] In one possible design, the comb number is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, the first bandwidth being determined based on the positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth being a transmission bandwidth of the first signal configured; or the comb number is determined based on a first mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship including a mapping relationship between the comb number and at least one of: a subcarrier spacing, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or the positioning accuracy. In this way, the comb number can be flexibly and accurately determined.

[0009] In a possible design, the frequency domain position for sending the random access signal is determined according to the comb number, a starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and a number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resource of the configured random access signal. In this way, the terminal device can accurately determine the frequency domain position for sending the random access signal after the comb splitting.

[0010] In a possible design, the frequency domain position for sending the random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, where starting frequency domain positions of adjacent time domain symbols are the same, or starting frequency domain positions of different time domain symbols are different; the random access signal occupies adjacent frequency domain positions with an interval of N subcarriers on any time domain symbol, where the N is less than 1 of the comb number. In this way, the terminal device can flexibly select a suitable comb splitting manner based on positioning accuracy and positioning implementation complexity.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device. The communication device can be a satellite, or can be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, an assembly, a module, or a functional module) in a satellite. The method can include: determining a comb number for comb splitting a frequency domain resource of a random access signal, where the random access signal is used for positioning of a terminal device; and receiving the random access signal, where a frequency domain position of the random access signal is determined based on the comb number and the frequency domain resource.

[0012] Based on the above communication method, the equivalent bandwidth of the random access signal is expanded by comb splitting the frequency domain resource of the random access signal, so that the positioning accuracy can be improved and the positioning error can be reduced.

[0013] In a possible design, the comb number can be determined by: directly determining the comb number; or receiving the comb number from a ground network device. In this way, the acquisition manner of the comb number can be flexibly selected based on regeneration or transparent transmission of the satellite.

[0014] In a possible design, the comb number is sent to the terminal device. In this way, in the case where the satellite directly determines the comb number, the comb number can be sent to the terminal device.

[0015] In a possible design, the comb number is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth is a transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal; or the comb number is determined based on a first mapping relationship, where the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the comb number and at least one of the following: a subcarrier spacing, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy. In this way, the comb number can be flexibly and accurately determined.

[0016] In one possible design, the frequency domain position for receiving the random access signal is determined based on the comb division, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the configured frequency domain resources of the random access signal. This allows the satellite to accurately determine the frequency domain position for receiving the combed random access signal.

[0017] In one possible design, the frequency domain position for receiving the random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction. This allows the satellite to flexibly select a suitable comb fractionation method based on positioning accuracy and positioning implementation complexity.

[0018] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a communication device, which can be an access network device or a component within the access network device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, component, module, or functional module, etc.). The method may include: determining a comb score of frequency domain resources for combing random access signals used for positioning of a terminal device; and transmitting the comb score to a satellite and the terminal device.

[0019] Based on the above method, terminal devices and satellites can expand the equivalent bandwidth of random access signals by combing through the frequency domain resources of random access signals, which can improve positioning accuracy and reduce positioning errors.

[0020] In one possible design, the comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy and the second bandwidth is the transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal; alternatively, the comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, which includes a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy. This allows for flexible and accurate determination of the comb score.

[0021] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a component within a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, component, module, or functional module, etc.). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functions.

[0022] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit, which may perform the functions of the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0023] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect described above. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0024] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be a satellite or a component within a satellite (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, component, module, or functional module, etc.). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functions.

[0025] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit, which may perform the functions of the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0026] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect described above. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0027] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be an access network device or a component within an access network device (e.g., a processor, chip, chip system, circuit, component, module, or functional module, etc.). This communication device has the functionality to implement the methods described in the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect. The functionality can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the described functions.

[0028] In one possible design, the communication device may include a processing unit, and optionally a transceiver unit, which may perform the functions of the methods described in the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect, which will not be elaborated here.

[0029] In one possible design, the communication device includes one or more processors, and optionally also includes a memory and / or a transceiver. The transceiver is used to send and receive data, messages, or information, and to communicate with other devices in the system. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions in the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect described above. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0030] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a terminal device and a satellite. The terminal device can be used to implement the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect. The satellite can be used to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect.

[0031] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include a terminal device, a satellite, and an access network device. The terminal device can be used to implement the methods described in the first aspect or various possible design examples of the first aspect. The satellite can be used to implement the methods described in the second aspect or various possible design examples of the second aspect. The access network device can be used to implement the methods described in the third aspect or various possible design examples of the third aspect.

[0032] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first aspect and any possible design of the embodiments of this application, or in the second aspect and any possible design of the embodiments of this application, or in the third aspect and any possible design of the embodiments of this application. Exemplarily, the computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer. For example, but not limited to, the computer-readable medium can include a non-transient computer-readable medium, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code having the form of instructions or data structures and accessible to a computer.

[0033] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, to be performed.

[0034] In one aspect, this application also provides a chip or chip system, including one or more processors, the processors being coupled to at least one memory for reading and executing program instructions stored in the memory to enable the chip or chip system to implement the methods described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect.

[0035] For the various aspects of the above-mentioned fourth to eleventh aspects and the technical effects that may be achieved by each aspect, please refer to the above description of the technical effects that may be achieved by the various possible solutions of the first aspect or the first aspect, or the various possible solutions of the second aspect or the second aspect, or the various possible solutions of the third aspect or the third aspect. It will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0036] FIG. 1A A schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in this application;

[0037] FIG. 1B A schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in this application;

[0038] FIG. 1C A schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0039] FIG. 1D A schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0040] FIG. 1E A schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in this application;

[0041] FIG. 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in this application;

[0042] FIG. 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application;

[0043] FIG. 4 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in this application;

[0044] FIG. 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the frequency domain resources of a combing random access signal provided in this application;

[0045] FIG. 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in this application;

[0046] FIG. 7 A structural diagram of a communication device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0047] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve NTN positioning accuracy. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, their implementations can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0048] In the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0049] In the description of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0050] In the description of this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. " / " means "or", for example, a / b means a or b.

[0051] To more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the communication methods and devices provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to non-terrestrial networks (NTN) communication scenarios. In NTN communication scenarios, non-terrestrial access network devices such as drones, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and satellites can provide terminal devices with services such as data transmission and voice communication. Furthermore, NTN communication scenarios may also include other non-terrestrial access network devices, which are not limited in this application. NTN communication scenarios can also support various mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, or future communication systems, etc., which are not limited here.

[0053] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to, but is not limited to, at least one of the following communication systems: fourth-generation (4G) communication systems (e.g., LTE systems), fifth-generation (5G) communication systems (e.g., NR systems), or various future communication networks. The communication method provided in this application can also be applied to fields such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle networking, autonomous driving, or assisted driving.

[0054] For example, FIG. 1A This is a possible communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. For example... FIG. 1A As shown, the communication system may include at least one access network device (such as...) FIG. 1A 110a, 110b, and 110c may also include at least one terminal device (such as...) FIG. 1A (120a-120g in the original text). The terminal devices can be mobile or fixed. Each access network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with terminal devices located within that coverage area. Access network devices can be interconnected with each other, with terminal devices, and with each other via wired or wireless means. FIG. 1A This is just a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices.

[0055] The embodiments of this application can be applied to communication systems that integrate terrestrial and non-terrestrial communication systems, which can also be called NTN communication systems.

[0056] The terrestrial communication system can be, for example, an LTE system, a 5G system, or various future communication systems, etc., without limitation here.

[0057] Compared to traditional communication systems, NTN communication systems offer wider coverage and can overcome natural geographical obstacles such as oceans, deserts, and mountains. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional communication systems, NTN systems can serve as an effective supplement. Satellite communication systems can be categorized into three types based on orbital altitude: geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems, medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems. GEO satellite communication systems can also be called geostationary orbit satellite systems or geostationary orbit satellite communication systems. Generally, compared to terrestrial communication, NTN systems exhibit different channel characteristics (e.g., large transmission delay, Doppler frequency offset, etc.). For example, the round-trip delay of a GEO satellite communication system is 238–270 milliseconds (ms), while that of a LEO satellite communication system is 8 ms–20 ms.

[0058] In NTN communication, NTN network devices can operate in two modes: transparent and regenerative. Based on these modes, the NTN communication architecture can be categorized into two types: transparent and regenerative. In transparent architecture, NTN network devices can act as relays or amplifiers, performing functions such as RF filtering and amplification to regenerate physical layer signals. NTN network devices can handle Layer 1 (L1) relaying for physical layer forwarding, and are invisible to higher layers. Regenerative architecture, on the other hand, provides NTN network devices with the processing capabilities of access network devices. For example, in addition to RF filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification, NTN network devices also perform modulation or encoding, demodulation or decoding, switching, and routing functions. For example, satellites in regeneration mode can be further divided into regeneration satellites without inter-satellite links (ISL), or regeneration satellites with inter-satellite links (i.e., satellites do not have inter-satellite links); or regeneration satellites with inter-satellite links (i.e., satellites have interfaces that can directly exchange data, where the inter-satellite link is the Xn port); or regeneration satellites with distributed unit (DU) processing capabilities of access network equipment, in which case the satellite acts as a DU.

[0059] The NTN communication system described in this application may have various architectures. For example, the architecture of the NTN system may be... FIG. 1B to FIG. 1E Any of the architectures shown.

[0060] FIG. 1B A schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application is shown. This NTN communication system architecture can be a transparent satellite communication architecture. FIG. 1B In the architecture shown, terminal devices can communicate with the 5G core network (CN) through the access network, and then connect to the data network (DN) through the 5G CN. Satellites and NTN gateways can act as relay devices between terminal devices and access network equipment, or as remote radio units (RRUs) of access network equipment. The role of the satellite is: radiofrequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification; that is, the satellite mainly acts as an L1 relay, regenerating the physical layer number, and does not have other higher protocol layers. In the transparent satellite communication architecture, the link between the satellite and the terminal device can be called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway or base station can be called the feeder link. FIG. 1B In this process, the satellite replicates the NR Uu radio interface signal from the feed link (between the NTN gateway and the satellite) to the service link (between the satellite and the UE), and vice versa. The satellite radio interface on the feed link transmits the NR-Uu interface signal; that is, the satellite does not terminate the NR Uu interface signal but replicates it. The NTN gateway supports all necessary functions for forwarding the NR-Uu interface signal.

[0061] FIG. 1C A schematic diagram of another NTN communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application is shown, which can be a regenerative communication architecture. FIG. 1C In the architecture shown, the satellite can act as an access network device, forming an access network with the NTN gateway, and communicating with the core network through the NTN gateway. The satellite radio interface (SRI) is the feeder link between the NTN gateway and the satellite. FIG. 1C In this context, the SRI interface can serve as part of the next-generation (NG) network interface to enable communication between the satellite base station and the core network. Additionally, the satellite can provide wireless access services to terminal devices, transmitting NR Uu wireless interface signals between the terminal devices and the satellite. FIG. 1C An exemplary regenerative satellite architecture without inter-satellite links is shown, which has base station processing capabilities, in which the satellite acts as a base station.

[0062] FIG. 1DThis paper illustrates another NTN communication system architecture applicable to embodiments of this application, which features a regenerating satellite with inter-satellite links and base station processing capabilities. In this scenario, the satellite acts as a base station, and an inter-satellite link (ISL) exists. In this regenerating architecture, the link between the satellite and the terminal device is called the service link, and the link between the satellite and the NTN gateway can be called the feeder link.

[0063] FIG. 1E This application illustrates yet another NTN communication system architecture to which embodiments of the present application are applicable, which has a regenerative satellite (NG-RAN with a regenerative satellite based on gNB-DU) with DU processing capabilities of a base station; in this scenario, the satellite acts as a DU.

[0064] Furthermore, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to scenarios with gNB processed payload based on relay-like architectures that have integrated access and backhaul (IAB) functionality. The satellite serves as the integrated access and backhaul IAB, which will not be illustrated in the figures in this application.

[0065] It should be noted that, FIG. 1B , FIG. 1C , FIG. 1D , FIG. 1E The number of satellites and NTN gateways shown is merely an example and not intended to limit this application. In actual use, an architecture with multiple satellites and / or multiple NTN gateways can be adopted as needed. Each satellite can provide services to one or more terminal devices, and each NTN gateway can correspond to one or more satellites. This application does not specifically limit the number of satellites and / or NTN gateways shown. FIG. 1B , FIG. 1C , FIG. 1D , FIG. 1E This is merely an example of an NTN communication architecture; the NTN communication architecture may also include other specific devices, which are not limited in this application.

[0066] In this application, terminal equipment may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0067] A terminal device can be a device that provides wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Currently, some examples of terminals include: mobile phones, satellite mobile terminals, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), in-vehicle equipment (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, smart point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. Wireless terminals in the home (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, flying devices (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), terminals in 5G networks, or terminals in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc., are not limited to these in this application embodiment. For ease of introduction, the following uses terminal devices as examples to describe the solution of this application. In actual applications, the terminal devices can also be replaced with the various terminals or devices described above.

[0068] This application does not limit the form of the terminal device. The device used to implement the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a module or a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0069] In this application, the access network equipment can be an access network device in the following communication systems: 3GPP-related cellular systems, such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. The access network equipment can also be an access network device in an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), cloud radio access network (CRAN), or WiFi system. The access network equipment can also be an access network device in a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0070] An access network device is a device that provides wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices, enabling them to communicate with core network devices. As a node in a radio access network (RAN), an access network device can also be called a base station, a RAN node (or device), or an access point (AP). A communication system may include one or more access network devices, which can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of access network devices and terminal devices are relative. For example, network element #A can be a helicopter or drone, configured as a mobile base station, accessing the RAN through network element #B. For terminal devices accessing the RAN through network element #A, network element #A is a base station; however, for network element #B, network element #A is a terminal device.

[0071] In one possible scenario, the access network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an high-altitude platform, or an access node in a WiFi system. The access network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the access network device can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or an in-vehicle device. For example, the access network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The access network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device functions.

[0072] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each access network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0073] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0074] In this embodiment, the form of the access network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the access network device can be the access network device itself; it can also be a device that supports the access network device in implementing the function, such as a module or chip system. The device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device.

[0075] Access network equipment and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0076] The communication system and business scenarios (or application scenarios) described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios (or new application scenarios), the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0077] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0078] 1) Combing: When a signal occupies frequency domain resources, it will not fill all resource elements (REs). Like a comb, it will regularly leave some REs empty. Combing allows resources to be shared on the same symbol, and the signal quality of the entire band can be reflected by the number of REs occupied. Based on the number of empty REs, it can be labeled as N-combing, for example: 2-combing and 4-combing, indicating that the number of empty REs between connected signals is 1 and 3, respectively.

[0079] 2) Subcarrier: In an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, frequency domain resources are divided into several sub-resources, and each sub-resource in the frequency domain can be called a subcarrier. A subcarrier can also be understood as the smallest granularity of frequency domain resources.

[0080] 3) Subcarrier spacing (SCS): In an OFDM system, the distance between the center or peak positions of two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, the subcarrier spacing in an LTE system is 15 kHz, while the subcarrier spacing in a 5G NR system can be 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, or 120 kHz, etc.

[0081] 4) Resource block (RB): Also known as physical resource block (PRB), it is the basic unit of frequency resources in an OFDM system. A resource block typically consists of N resource elements (REs), and each resource element is also called a subcarrier. N is typically 12.

[0082] In current NTN communication systems, the need to quickly and accurately obtain the location information of terminal devices and provide location services is becoming increasingly urgent. However, current NTN positioning accuracy is low, and the positioning error is relatively large. Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that expands the equivalent bandwidth of random access signals by dividing the frequency domain resources of the random access signals, thereby improving positioning accuracy and reducing positioning error.

[0083] In the following embodiments, the communication method provided in this application is described in detail using terminal equipment, access network equipment, and satellite as examples. It should be understood that the operations performed by the terminal equipment can also be implemented by a processor, chip, chip system, or functional module, component, or module in the terminal equipment. The operations performed by the access network equipment can also be implemented by a processor, chip, chip system, or functional module, component, or module in the access network equipment, and this application does not limit this. The operations performed by the satellite can also be implemented by a processor, chip, chip system, or functional module, component, or module in the satellite, and this application does not limit this.

[0084] Based on the above description, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method, which can be referred to as... FIG. 2 As shown. The process of this method may include:

[0085] Step 201: The satellite determines the number of combs for the frequency domain resources used to comb the random access signal, which is used for the positioning of the terminal equipment.

[0086] Random access signals can also be described as physical random access channel (PRACH) signals, which can be understood as signals transmitted via RRACH. For example, a random access signal can be a reference signal in the PRACH during the random access process, such as a random access preamble. The random access signals in the embodiments of this application can be used in a 4-step random access process or a 2-step random access process.

[0087] In an alternative implementation a1, the satellite can be a transparent satellite. In this case, the satellite can determine the comb fraction as follows: FIG. 3 As shown in step 301, the satellite receives comb scores from the access network equipment, which means the access network equipment sends comb scores to the satellite. Here, "access network equipment" refers to terrestrial network equipment, meaning the access network equipment is located on the ground.

[0088] In this implementation a1, before the access network device sends the comb score to the satellite, the access network device performs the following... FIG. 3 Step 300 shown: The access network device determines the number of frequency domain resources used to comb through random access signals.

[0089] In one possible approach b1, the comb score can be determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, wherein the first bandwidth is determined based on the positioning accuracy and the second bandwidth is the transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal.

[0090] Typically, during the initial access phase, the location of the terminal device can be determined using random access signals and synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). For example, the device performing the positioning measurement (such as a location management function (LMF) network element) first determines the time of arrival (TOA) of the random access signal to the satellite based on the random access signal. Then, combining this with the TOA of the SSB, the location of the terminal device is determined using a multi-round trip time (Multi-RTT) algorithm. The distance accuracy of the TOA (also known as TOA delay resolution, distance accuracy, or positioning accuracy) conforms to the following formula:

[0091]

[0092] Among them, CRB τ For positioning accuracy, c is the speed of light, SNR is the worst SNR of the communication link, which can also be understood as the SNR at the edge of the cell coverage area (because the signal quality is usually the worst at the edge of the cell coverage area), and B is the bandwidth of the random access signal.

[0093] For example, in this method b1, the access network device determines the comb score by combining the worst SNR of the communication link with ephemeris information based on the positioning accuracy of the service or scenario.

[0094] Optionally, the access network device can determine the first bandwidth based on the positioning accuracy and the worst SNR using the aforementioned formula 1. The first bandwidth can also be understood as the bandwidth required to meet the current positioning accuracy.

[0095] For example, suppose the required positioning accuracy is... If the bandwidth is less than y meters (m), then, combining with Formula 1 above, we can obtain the first bandwidth B1 as follows:

[0096] Access network equipment can determine the second bandwidth based on the subcarrier spacing and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources of the random access signal.

[0097] For example, assuming the subcarrier spacing is 1 kilohertz (kHz) and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources is n RB, the second bandwidth B2 can be determined as follows: B2 = 12 × 1 × n.

[0098] Furthermore, the access network equipment can determine the comb score based on the first bandwidth and the second bandwidth.

[0099] For example, access network devices can determine the comb score in the following way: in, This represents the function for rounding up.

[0100] In one possible approach b2, the comb fraction can be determined based on a first mapping relationship, which may include a mapping relationship between the comb fraction and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

[0101] In method b2, the access network device stores a first mapping relationship. The access network device can look up the corresponding comb score in the first mapping relationship based on at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, SNR, or positioning accuracy. In this way, the access network device can directly look up the comb score without real-time calculation, improving the efficiency of determining the comb score.

[0102] Optionally, the access network device may obtain the first mapping relationship in advance based on the method in the aforementioned method b1 and then store the first mapping relationship.

[0103] In one example, a schematic of the first mapping relationship can be shown in Table 1 below.

[0104] Table 1

[0105]

[0106] Among them, L in Table 1 RA PRACHΔf represents the total number of subcarriers included in the frequency domain resources of the random access signal. RA The subcarrier spacing of the random access signal is represented by PUSCHΔf, which represents the subcarrier spacing of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). This indicates the number of redox blocks (RBs) included in the frequency domain resources of a random access signal. N represents the subcarrier offset. comb This represents a comb fraction.

[0107] In this implementation method a1, the access network device can send the comb score to the satellite after determining the comb score based on method b1 or method b2.

[0108] In an alternative implementation a2, the satellite can be a regenerating satellite. In this case, the satellite can directly determine the comb fraction, such as... FIG. 4 As shown in step 401. That is to say, in this case, the satellite can determine the comb score itself without obtaining it from other devices.

[0109] Optionally, the method for satellites to determine comb scores is similar to that used by access network equipment, as described in methods b1 and b2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0110] Step 202: The terminal device receives the number of frequency domain resources used to comb through the random access signals.

[0111] In some embodiments, the terminal device may receive combinatorial data from terrestrial network equipment (i.e., the aforementioned access network equipment), such as... FIG. 3 As shown in step 302.

[0112] It is understandable that in the aforementioned implementation method a1, after determining the comb score, the access network device not only sends the comb score to the satellite, but also sends the comb score to the terminal device.

[0113] It should be understood that this application does not limit the order in which the access network equipment sends combustors to the satellite and terminal equipment.

[0114] In some other embodiments, the terminal device can receive comb segments from NTN network devices (here referring to satellites), such as... FIG. 4 As shown in step 402.

[0115] It is understandable that in the aforementioned implementation method a2, after the satellite determines the comb score, it sends the comb score to the terminal device.

[0116] Step 203: The terminal device transmits a random access signal. The frequency domain location of the transmitted random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction and frequency domain resources. Correspondingly, the satellite receives the random access signal. The frequency domain location of the received random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction and frequency domain resources.

[0117] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device can determine the frequency domain position for transmitting the random access signal based on the comb score, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources of the configured random access signal.

[0118] Optionally, the terminal device can first determine the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources to determine the position of the frequency domain resources of the random access signal, and then further combine the combing fraction to comb the frequency domain resources of the random access signal.

[0119] For example, the terminal device first determines the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resource based on the frequency domain resource lookup table of the random access signal, further determines the number of subcarriers included in the frequency domain resource, and then obtains the subcarrier offset based on the frequency domain resource lookup table, thereby determining the position of the subcarriers of the frequency domain resource.

[0120] For example, the frequency domain resource lookup table includes the sequence length and subcarrier spacing of the frequency domain resources for random access signals, and the terminal device can determine the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources based on the sequence length and subcarrier spacing.

[0121] Optionally, the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources can conform to:

[0122] Assuming the random access signal sequence length is 839, the subcarrier spacing is 1.25kHz, and the PUSCH subcarrier spacing is 15, then the number of RBs can be obtained as follows:

[0123] Furthermore, the terminal device determines the number of subcarriers included in the frequency domain resources based on the number of RBs and the subcarrier spacing.

[0124] Optionally, the number of subcarriers included in the frequency domain resources can conform to:

[0125] Assuming the frequency domain resources include 6 RBs, the subcarrier spacing of the random access signal is 1.25kHz, and the PUSCH subcarrier spacing is 15, then the number of subcarriers can be: For example, the 864 subcarriers, numbered from low to high, can be denoted as RE#0 to RE#863.

[0126] It should be understood that the number of subcarriers included in the frequency domain resources can be understood as the total number of subcarriers that the random access signal can occupy, and the total number of subcarriers can be greater than or equal to the sequence length of the random access signal.

[0127] For example, by querying the frequency domain resource lookup table, the terminal device determines that the subcarrier offset is 7. The terminal device can then determine the positions of the 839 subcarriers of a random access signal with a sequence length of 839 as RE#7 to RE#845. This means that relative to the total of 864 subcarriers, the remaining 864-839 = 25 REs do not transmit signals (i.e., RE#0 to RE#6 and RE#846 to RE#863 do not transmit signals).

[0128] For example, based on the above method, the frequency domain positions of the 839 subcarriers of the random access signal determined by the terminal device can be as follows: FIG. 5 The numbers RE#7 to RE#845 are shown.

[0129] The terminal device can obtain the frequency domain position of the transmitted random access signal by combing the frequency domain resources of the random access signal based on the combing fraction.

[0130] Optionally, the frequency domain position of the transmitted random access signal may include frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

[0131] The interval of N subcarriers between adjacent frequency positions occupied by the random access signal in any time domain symbol can also be described as the offset of N subcarriers between adjacent frequency positions occupied by the random access signal in any time domain symbol. This can be understood as an interval of N subcarriers between the starting frequency positions of adjacent frequency positions, or an interval of N subcarriers between the ending frequency positions of adjacent frequency positions.

[0132] For example, when the comb fraction is 4, N is 3. Assuming that the adjacent frequency domain positions on a time domain symbol are subcarrier 0 and subcarrier 3, there are 3 subcarriers between subcarrier 0 and subcarrier 3.

[0133] When terminal equipment performs frequency domain segmentation of subcarriers, it can achieve this through aligned segmentation and interleaved segmentation. When using aligned segmentation, adjacent time-domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position; that is, the starting subcarriers of adjacent symbols are on the same RE, and the spacing between adjacent subcarriers within the same time-domain symbol is the same. When using interleaved segmentation, different time-domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; that is, the starting subcarriers on different time-domain symbols use different REs, and the spacing between adjacent subcarriers within the same time-domain symbol is the same.

[0134] The starting frequency domain position in the aligned combing method and the starting frequency domain position on each time domain symbol in the interleaved method can be predefined or configured.

[0135] Optionally, the terminal device can receive the combing data simultaneously with the combing data in step 202.

[0136] For example, with a comb score of 4, the terminal device... FIG. 5 Taking the sorting of RE#7 to RE#845 as an example. FIG. 5 The frequency domain position corresponding to Method 1 is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain position of the transmitted random access signal under the aligned combing method. FIG. 5 The frequency domain position corresponding to Method 2 is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain position of the randomly accessed signal transmitted under the interleaved comb method.

[0137] Accordingly, the satellite can determine the frequency domain position for receiving the random access signal based on the comb score, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources of the configured random access signal.

[0138] The method by which the satellite determines the frequency domain position for receiving random access signals is similar to the method by which the terminal equipment determines the frequency domain position for transmitting random access signals, and they can be referred to each other, so they will not be repeated here.

[0139] The frequency domain position of the received random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

[0140] For example, the frequency domain location for receiving random access signals can still be as follows: FIG. 5 As shown.

[0141] It is understandable that the satellite determines the frequency domain location of the received random access signal, or it can be understood that the satellite demodulates the received random access signal based on the frequency domain location of the received random access signal.

[0142] Based on the aforementioned communication method, the equivalent bandwidth of the random access signal is expanded by combing through the frequency domain resources of the random access signal before the random access preamble is sent, thereby improving the positioning accuracy and reducing positioning errors during the random access process. Furthermore, after the satellite acquires the location of the terminal equipment, it can determine the distribution of the terminal equipment and adjust the signal transmission direction to improve the performance of the data transmission phase and enhance data transmission capabilities.

[0143] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication device, see below. FIG. 6 As shown, the communication device 600 may include a transceiver unit 601 and a processing unit 602. The transceiver unit 601 is used for communication by the communication device 600, such as receiving or sending information (signals or data). The processing unit 602 is used for controlling and managing the operation of the communication device 600. The processing unit 602 can also control the steps performed by the transceiver unit 601.

[0144] For example, the communication device 600 may specifically be a terminal device, a processor, chip, chip system, component, module, or functional module as described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may specifically be a satellite, a processor, chip, chip system, component, module, or functional module as described in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may specifically be an access network device, a processor, chip, chip system, component, module, or functional module as described in the above embodiments.

[0145] In one embodiment, when the communication device 600 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above embodiments, the transceiver unit 601 can be used to receive a comb score of frequency domain resources for combing random access signals, the random access signals being used for the positioning of the terminal device; and to transmit the random access signals, the frequency domain position of which the random access signals are transmitted being determined based on the comb score and the frequency domain resources. The processing unit 602 can be used to control the operation of the transceiver unit 601.

[0146] In one optional implementation, the transceiver unit 601, when receiving the comb score, can be used to: receive the comb score from a terrestrial network device; or, receive the comb score from a non-terrestrial network (NTN) device.

[0147] Optionally, the comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, wherein the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy and the second bandwidth is the transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal; or, the comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, wherein the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

[0148] In some embodiments, the processing unit 602 may also be used to determine the frequency domain position for transmitting the random access signal based on the comb fraction, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the frequency domain resources of the configured random access signal.

[0149] For example, the frequency domain position of the random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

[0150] In another embodiment, when the communication device 600 is used to implement the functions of the satellite in the above embodiments, the processing unit 602 can be used to determine the number of frequency domain resources used for combing random access signals, the random access signals being used for the positioning of terminal devices; the transceiver unit 601 can be used to receive the random access signals, the frequency domain position of receiving the random access signals being determined based on the number of combing signals and the frequency domain resources.

[0151] In one alternative implementation, when determining the comb score, the processing unit 602 may be used to: control the transceiver unit 601 to receive the comb score from the terrestrial network device.

[0152] Optionally, the transceiver unit 601 can also be used to send the comb score to the terminal device.

[0153] In some embodiments, the comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, the first bandwidth being determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth being the transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal; or, the comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship including a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

[0154] In one possible approach, the processing unit 602 can also be used to determine the frequency domain position for receiving the random access signal based on the comb fraction, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the configured frequency domain resources of the random access signal.

[0155] For example, the frequency domain position of receiving the random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein the starting frequency domain positions of adjacent time domain symbols are the same, or the starting frequency domain positions of different time domain symbols are different; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

[0156] In another embodiment, when the communication device 600 is used to implement the functions of the satellite in the above embodiments, the processing unit 602 can be used to determine the number of frequency domain resources used for combing random access signals, the random access signals being used for the positioning of terminal devices; the transceiver unit 601 can also be used to send the number of combing resources to the satellite and the terminal devices.

[0157] For example, the comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, the first bandwidth being determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth being the transmission bandwidth of the configured first signal; or, the comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, the first mapping relationship including a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

[0158] It should be noted that the division of units in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The functional units in the embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0159] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0160] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication device, see below. FIG. 7 As shown, the communication device 700 may include one or more processors 702. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include one or more transceivers 701. Optionally, the communication device 700 may also include at least one memory 703. The memory 703 may be located inside or outside the communication device 700. The processor 702 may control the transceiver 701 to receive and send information, messages, or data.

[0161] Specifically, the processor 702 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 702 may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof.

[0162] The transceiver 701, processor 702, and memory 703 are interconnected. Optionally, the transceiver 701, processor 702, and memory 703 are interconnected via bus 704; bus 704 can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, FIG. 7 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0163] In one optional embodiment, the memory 703 is used to store programs, etc. Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. The memory 703 may include RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more disk storage devices. The processor 702 executes the application program stored in the memory 703 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the functions of the communication device 700.

[0164] For example, the communication device 700 can specifically implement the functions of the terminal device, satellite or access network device in the above embodiments.

[0165] In one embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the functions of the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, the transceiver 701 can perform the send / receive operations executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments; the processor 702 can perform other operations besides the send / receive operations executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Specific details can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0166] In another embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the functions of the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments, the processor 702 can implement the operations performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For specific details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0167] In yet another embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the satellite functions described in the foregoing method embodiments, the transceiver 701 can perform the transmission and reception operations performed by the satellite in the foregoing method embodiments; the processor 702 can perform other operations performed by the satellite in the foregoing method embodiments besides the transmission and reception operations. Specific details can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0168] In yet another embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the functions of the satellite in the aforementioned method embodiments, the processor 702 can implement the operations performed by the satellite in the aforementioned method embodiments. For detailed descriptions of these related aspects, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0169] In another embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the functions of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments, the transceiver 701 can perform the transmit / receive operations executed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments; the processor 702 can perform other operations besides the transmit / receive operations executed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. Specific details can be found in the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0170] In yet another embodiment, when the communication device 700 implements the functions of the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments, the processor 702 can implement the operations performed by the access network device in the aforementioned method embodiments. For detailed descriptions of these related aspects, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0171] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a communication system, which may include the terminal equipment and access network equipment involved in the above embodiments.

[0172] This application provides a communication system that may include the terminal equipment, satellite, and access network equipment mentioned in the above embodiments.

[0173] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication methods provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0174] This application also provides a computer program product for storing computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a computer, the computer can implement the communication method provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0175] This application also provides a chip or chip system, including logic circuitry, which is used to execute the communication method provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0176] This application also provides a chip or chip system, including one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors are coupled to at least one memory, for calling a program in the memory to enable the chip or chip system to implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiments.

[0177] This application also provides a chip or chip system coupled to at least one memory, which is used to implement the communication method provided in the above method embodiments.

[0178] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0179] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0180] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0181] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0182] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive the number of frequency domain resources used to comb through random access signals, which are used for the positioning of terminal devices; The random access signal is transmitted, and the frequency domain position of the transmitted random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction and the frequency domain resources.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Receiving the comb fraction includes: Receive the comb fraction from the terrestrial network equipment; or The comb fractions are received from non-terrestrial network (NTN) network devices.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth is the configured transmission bandwidth of the first signal; or The comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, which includes a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The frequency domain position for transmitting the random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the configured frequency domain resources of the random access signal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The frequency domain position of the random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Determine the number of frequency domain resources used to comb through random access signals, which are used for the positioning of terminal devices; The random access signal is received, and the frequency domain location of the received random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction and the frequency domain resources.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Determining the comb fraction includes: The comb score is received from the terrestrial network equipment.

8. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The comb score is sent to the terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth is the configured transmission bandwidth of the first signal; or The comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, which includes a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The frequency domain position for receiving the random access signal is determined based on the comb fraction, the starting frequency domain position of the random access signal, and the number of resource blocks included in the configured frequency domain resources of the random access signal.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6-10, characterized in that, The frequency domain position of the received random access signal includes frequency domain positions on multiple time domain symbols, wherein adjacent time domain symbols have the same starting frequency domain position, or different time domain symbols have different starting frequency domain positions; the adjacent frequency domain positions occupied by the random access signal on any time domain symbol are spaced apart by N subcarriers, where N is 1 less than the comb fraction.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Determine the number of frequency domain resources used to comb through random access signals, which are used for the positioning of terminal devices; The comb score is sent to satellites and terminal equipment.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The comb score is determined based on a first bandwidth and a second bandwidth, where the first bandwidth is determined based on positioning accuracy, and the second bandwidth is the configured transmission bandwidth of the first signal; or The comb score is determined based on a first mapping relationship, which includes a mapping relationship between the comb score and at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or positioning accuracy.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-5, or units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 6-11, or units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12-13.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for executing computer programs or instructions to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 6-11, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 12-13.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-5, or the method as described in any one of claims 6-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-13.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-5 to be implemented, or the method as described in any one of claims 6-11 to be implemented, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-13 to be implemented.

18. A chip, characterized in that, The chip is coupled to a memory for reading and executing program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-5, or the method as described in any one of claims 6-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-13.

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