Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and a communication device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving indication information which is used for indicating updating of a spatial domain filter; and receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal, and determining or re-determining the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. Through the technical scheme provided by the invention, the accuracy of beam pointing in a communication system can be improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), such as satellite communication, has the advantages of wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, great flexibility, high throughput, and is not affected by geographical environment, climate conditions and natural disasters, and has been widely used in aviation communication, maritime communication, military communication and other fields. Introducing satellites into the 5th Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) technology can provide communication services for areas that are difficult to cover by ground networks, such as oceans, forests, etc., can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, such as providing more stable and high-quality communication services for trains, airplanes and users on these vehicles, and can also provide more data transmission resources to support a larger number of connections. th Generation,5G) New Radio (NR) technology can provide communication services for areas that are difficult to cover by ground networks, such as oceans, forests, etc., can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, such as providing more stable and high-quality communication services for trains, airplanes and users on these vehicles, and can also provide more data transmission resources to support a larger number of connections.

[0003] In a wideband high-dynamic scenario, such as NTN low earth orbit (LEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication scenarios, the rapid movement of satellites can cause the spatial angle between the satellite and the terminal device to change rapidly. If the terminal device applies the spatial domain filter coefficients (corresponding to the beam direction of downlink reception or uplink transmission) estimated according to the reference signal (RS) at time t1 to time t2, and the value of (t2-t1) is large, the spatial position of the satellite has changed significantly at this time, which can cause the problem that the downlink reception beam and the uplink transmission beam of the terminal device cannot accurately "align" with the satellite. Therefore, how to improve the beam pointing in the NTN communication system is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which can improve the accuracy of beam pointing in a wireless communication system, especially in an NTN communication system.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device, a device within the terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device compatible with the terminal device. The following description uses an application to a terminal device as an example. The method may include: the terminal device receiving indication information for spatial filter update indication; receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal; and determining or re-determining the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0006] In this embodiment, the terminal device can receive indication information from the network side for spatial filter update, and continue to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal. The uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or reference signal may include: the uplink physical channel, the uplink reference signal corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and the uplink reference signal corresponding to the downlink physical channel. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in a timely manner based on the reference signal from the network device, thereby solving the problem in communication scenarios, especially in NTT communication systems, such as broadband high dynamic scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately "aligned" with the satellite. Therefore, it can improve the beam pointing accuracy in NTT communication systems. "Aligning" with the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatial alignment with the satellite.

[0007] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of quasico-located (QCL), information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference location and / or distance threshold.

[0008] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal includes: receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0009] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, which includes system information block (SIB) signaling, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or medium access control element (MACCE) signaling.

[0010] One possible implementation involves higher-layer signaling including RRC signaling, where information about the validity period of the QCL is carried by the QCL-Info IE within the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) and Information Element (IE) TCI-State IE, transmitted via RRC signaling.

[0011] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0012] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes the duration information of a timer, and the communication method further includes: receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal, starting / restarting a timer, and the duration of the timer corresponding to the timer duration included in the above indication information.

[0013] One possible implementation of the communication method further includes: determining that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in an effective state before the timer expires; or determining that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a failed state after the timer expires.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connection state, and the communication method further includes maintaining a spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal in an active state.

[0015] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information on a reference position and / or a distance threshold, and receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal includes: if the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, then receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal.

[0016] One possible implementation is that the aforementioned reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, wherein the reference point is associated with time.

[0017] One possible implementation of receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal includes: receiving indication information, receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within a first time period, and determining the first time period based on network configuration, predefined parameters, or the capabilities of the terminal device.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the communication method further includes: in response to not receiving a reference signal that satisfies the time interval, sending request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal.

[0019] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0020] One possible implementation includes the following: the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or reference signal: a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and DMRS, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and DMRS, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and DMRS, or a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0021] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network device, a device within the network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device compatible with the network device. The following description uses an application to a network device as an example. The method may include: the network device sending indication information for spatial filter update indication; and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal for the terminal device to determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal.

[0022] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device, and continue to send or resend at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in a timely manner according to the reference signal from the network device, thereby solving the problem in communication scenarios, especially in NTN communication systems, such as broadband high dynamic scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately "aligned" with the satellite. Therefore, the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved. Here, "aligning" with the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatial alignment with the satellite.

[0023] It should be understood that the implementing entity of the second aspect can be a network device, the specific content of the second aspect corresponds to the content of the first aspect, and the corresponding features of the second aspect and the beneficial effects achieved can be referred to the description of the first aspect. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0024] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0025] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal includes: sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0026] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0027] One possible implementation is that the higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the QCL validity duration information is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the configuration indication state TCI-State IE via RRC signaling transmission.

[0028] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0029] One possible implementation is that the reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0030] One possible implementation of the communication method may further include: receiving request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send a reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal; and sending the reference signal according to the request information and / or suggestion information.

[0031] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0032] One possible implementation includes uplink physical channels, downlink physical channels, and / or reference signals including: PUCCH and DMRS, PUSCH and DMRS, PDCCH and DMRS, PDSCH and DMRS, or SRS.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) within the terminal device.

[0034] The beneficial effects can be found in the description of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. The device has the function of implementing the behavior described in the method example of the first aspect above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0035] One possible implementation of the communication device includes:

[0036] The transceiver unit is used to receive indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication.

[0037] The transceiver unit is also used to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal;

[0038] The processing unit is used to determine or redetermine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, the downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0039] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0040] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and the transceiver unit receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0041] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0042] One possible implementation is that the higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the QCL validity duration information is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the configuration indication state TCI-State IE via RRC signaling transmission.

[0043] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0044] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes the duration information of the timer, and the processing unit is further configured to start / restart the timer when the transceiver unit receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, and the duration of the timer corresponds to the timer duration included in the above indication information.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine, before the timer expires, that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a valid state; or after the timer expires, to determine that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a failed state.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connection state, and the processing unit is also used to maintain the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal in an active state.

[0047] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information on a reference position and / or a distance threshold, and the transceiver unit receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: if the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, then receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal.

[0048] One possible implementation is that the aforementioned reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, wherein the reference point is associated with time.

[0049] One possible implementation is that the transceiver unit receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving indication information, receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within a first time period, and determining the first time period based on network configuration, predefined parameters, or the capabilities of the terminal device.

[0050] In one possible implementation, in response to the failure to receive a reference signal that meets the time interval requirement, the transceiver unit is also configured to send request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal.

[0051] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0052] One possible implementation includes uplink physical channels, downlink physical channels, and / or reference signals including: PUCCH and DMRS, PUSCH and DMRS, PDCCH and DMRS, PDSCH and DMRS, or SRS.

[0053] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a network device or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit).

[0054] The beneficial effects can be found in the description of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here. The device has the function of implementing the behavior described in the method example of the second aspect above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0055] One possible implementation of the communication device includes:

[0056] The transceiver unit is used to send indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication.

[0057] The transceiver unit is also configured to transmit or retransmit at least one reference signal, which is used by the terminal device to update the spatial filters corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal.

[0058] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0059] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal includes: sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0060] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0061] One possible implementation is that the higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the QCL validity duration information is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the configuration indication state TCI-State IE via RRC signaling transmission.

[0062] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0063] One possible implementation is that the reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0064] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to receive request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send a reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal;

[0065] The transceiver unit is also used to send reference signals based on request information and / or suggestion information.

[0066] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0067] One possible implementation includes uplink physical channels, downlink physical channels, and / or reference signals including: PUCCH and DMRS, PUSCH and DMRS, PDCCH and DMRS, PDSCH and DMRS, or SRS.

[0068] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). The device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the device. The processor invokes a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method provided in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0069] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be a network device or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). The device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices outside the device, and the output interface is used to output information to other communication devices outside the device. The processor invokes a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method provided in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect.

[0070] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system comprising at least one terminal device and at least one network device, wherein when at least one of the aforementioned terminal devices and at least one of the aforementioned network devices are operating in the system, they are used to execute any of the communication methods described in the first aspect and any of the communication methods described in the second aspect.

[0071] Eighthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions that, when the computer program or computer instructions are executed, cause the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, to be performed.

[0072] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product including executable instructions that, when the computer program product is run on a communication device, causes the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof, to be executed.

[0073] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and may further include a memory for implementing the methods of the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The device may be a chip system, which may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Attached Figure Description

[0074] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below.

[0075] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a 5G satellite communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a quasi-Earth-fixed beam coverage provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of beam coverage for Earth movement provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figures 5-9 This is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a possible communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0081] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0082] The specific embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0083] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0084] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0085] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) 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 (item) 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.

[0086] In this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, "access network device sending information" can be understood as the access network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device sending information to logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0087] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "access network device receiving information" can be understood as the access network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the access network device receiving information from logical module 2 in the access network device.

[0088] In this application, "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal. This can include sending information to the terminal directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and can include receiving information from the terminal directly or indirectly. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0089] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the system architecture involved in the embodiments of this application will be described first below:

[0090] This application's embodiments can be applied to communication systems such as satellite communication, including satellite base stations, ground stations, and terminal device network elements. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal device, transmitting downlink data to the terminal device. This data is encoded using channel coding, and the channel-coded data is then modulated by constellation before being transmitted to the terminal device. The terminal device transmits uplink data to the satellite base station, which can also be encoded using channel coding. The encoded data is then modulated by constellation before being transmitted to the satellite base station. The wireless communication system may include one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices.

[0091] The following is based on Figure 1 The system architecture shown is illustrated as an example, and the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to NTN communication systems. Figure 1 As shown, the NTN communication system includes network device 101 and terminal device 102.

[0092] The terminal device 102 can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or as a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, or as an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, terminal devices include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted devices, etc. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), in-vehicle devices (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 terminal devices in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in telemedicine, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, or wireless terminal devices in smart homes, and flying equipment (such as smart robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal device functions. For example, the terminal device can also be a device that performs the terminal device function in D2D communication.

[0093] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device 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 chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0094] Network device 101 can also be referred to as a satellite, high-altitude platform, high-altitude aircraft, or satellite base station. Network device 101 provides communication services to terminal device 102, and can also connect to core network equipment. The network device is used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access.

[0095] In one possible scenario, network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or network equipment in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., it can be deployed on a high-altitude platform or satellite, etc. Network equipment can be a macro base station, a micro base station or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Network equipment can also be a device that functions as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, or machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Optionally, network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, network devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be roadside units (RSUs).

[0096] All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device.

[0097] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). It is understood that network devices can be CU nodes, DU nodes, or devices comprising both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, CUs can be classified as network devices in the access network (RAN) or the core network (CN), without limitation.

[0098] 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 O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. 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.

[0099] Taking 5G as an example, a 5G satellite communication system architecture is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, ground terminal equipment accesses the network via the 5G New Radio interface. 5G base stations are deployed on satellites and connected to the ground core network via wireless links. Simultaneously, wireless links exist between satellites to facilitate signaling interaction and user data transmission between base stations. Figure 2 The devices and interfaces described are as follows:

[0100] 5G Core Network: This includes services such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. It consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities. The Access and Mobility Management Unit (AMF) is responsible for user access management, security authentication, and mobility management. The User Plane Unit (UPF) is responsible for managing user plane data transmission and traffic statistics. The Session Management Function (SMF) is mainly used for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release.

[0101] Ground station: Responsible for forwarding signaling and service data between satellite base stations and the 5G core network.

[0102] 5G New Radio: The wireless link between terminal devices and base stations.

[0103] Xn interface: The interface between 5G base stations, mainly used for signaling interactions such as handover.

[0104] NG interface: The interface between 5G base stations and 5G core networks, mainly used for exchanging non-access stratum (NAS) signaling of the core network and user service data.

[0105] In this embodiment, the form of the network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be the network device itself, or it can be a device that supports the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0106] The following description of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application uses a satellite as an example to illustrate the function of a network device. It is understood that when the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are applied to a terrestrial communication system, the actions performed by the satellite can be applied to a base station or network device for execution. Furthermore, the aforementioned satellite can be a geostationary satellite, a non-geostationary satellite, an artificial satellite, a low-Earth orbit satellite, a medium-Earth orbit satellite, or a high-Earth orbit satellite, etc., and this application does not specifically limit the types of satellites described.

[0107] To facilitate understanding of the content of this solution, some terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below, so that those skilled in the art can understand them. This part is only for the purpose of understanding and should not be regarded as a specific limitation of this application.

[0108] 1. Satellite communication

[0109] Because traditional terrestrial networks cannot provide seamless coverage, especially in areas where base stations cannot be deployed, such as the ocean, deserts, and the air, non-terrestrial satellite communication networks are considered an important aspect of future wireless communication technology development. Satellite communication refers to communication using satellites as relays by terrestrial radio communication equipment. A satellite communication system consists of a satellite component and a terrestrial component. The characteristics of satellite communication are: large communication range; communication between any two points within the coverage area of ​​the satellite's emitted radio waves; and low susceptibility to land-based disasters (high reliability). As a supplement to current terrestrial cellular communication systems, satellite communication offers the following advantages:

[0110] Extended coverage: For areas that cannot be covered or are too costly to cover by current cellular communication systems, such as oceans, deserts, and remote mountainous areas, communication problems can be solved through satellite communication.

[0111] Emergency communications: In extreme situations such as disasters like earthquakes that render cellular communication infrastructure unavailable, satellite communications can be used to quickly establish communication connections.

[0112] Provides industry applications: For example, for latency-sensitive services that require long-distance transmission, satellite communication can be used to reduce the latency of service transmission.

[0113] Generally speaking, the higher the satellite's orbit, the larger its coverage area, but the longer the communication latency. Currently, satellite mobile communication systems can be divided into four categories according to the satellite's orbit (elliptical orbit, circular orbit) and altitude (high, medium, low):

[0114] 1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite systems: orbital altitude of 500km to 2000km;

[0115] 2) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite systems: orbital altitude of 2000km to 20000km;

[0116] 3) Highly eccentric orbit (HEO) satellite system: This is an elliptical orbit satellite system with a low perigee and a very high apogee, and its orbital altitude is greater than 20,000 km;

[0117] 4) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Satellite System: The orbital altitude is 35,800 km. The relative position of satellites operating in this orbit to the Earth is not affected by the Earth's rotation.

[0118] Among them, satellites located in LEO (Left Oxygen Orbit) are close to the ground, have short communication latency, and high data transmission rates, making them suitable for mass market adoption and a current hot topic in industry development.

[0119] Based on onboard processing capabilities, satellite communication systems can be classified into transparent relay satellite systems and regenerative satellite systems. Transparent relay satellites only transmit signals transparently and perform spectrum shifting, without processing the information itself. Regenerative satellites, on the other hand, possess onboard signal processing capabilities; they can extract the original baseband signal and use the information for routing, switching, and system configuration. Currently, transparent relay satellite systems and regenerative satellite systems coexist and are developing in parallel.

[0120] Satellite communication systems can be classified into non-staring satellite systems and staring satellite systems based on whether the satellite beam follows the satellite's movement. In a non-staring satellite system, the satellite beam moves with the satellite, and from the satellite's perspective, the angles of its beams do not change over time. Ground-based fixed points experience relatively frequent beam switching during the satellite's overhead transit. In a staring satellite system, the satellite beam angle is adjusted in a specific way, and this type of satellite can achieve continuous observation of ground-based fixed points through beam angle switching.

[0121] Besides geostationary orbit satellite systems, satellites in other types of satellite systems have a certain speed relative to the ground, and the lower the orbital altitude, the greater the relative speed. Due to the relatively large speeds of satellites and terminals, a significant Doppler frequency shift occurs. For example, in LEO (Left-Orbital) orbits at 700 km, the Doppler range can reach -83.8 kHz to 83.8 kHz. Due to factors such as air resistance, satellite orbits are typically chosen above 120 km. Within a user elevation angle range of 10–170 degrees, the maximum Doppler frequency in the FR2 band is 1.348 MHz (normalized Doppler is 5.61 at 240 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS) and 11.23 at 120 kHz SCS), while the maximum Doppler frequency in the FR1 band is 153.8 kHz (normalized Doppler is 5.12 at 30 kHz SCS and 10.25 at 15 kHz SCS). Compared to terrestrial networks, NTNs require higher tolerance for frequency offset.

[0122] NTN can be deployed to provide coverage for earth-moving cells, quasi-earth-fixed cells, and earth-fixed cells, supported by the following three types of service links:

[0123] - Fixed Earth: Provided by a beam that always covers the same geographical area (e.g., in the case of geostationary orbit satellites);

[0124] - Quasi-geostationary: Provided by a beam that covers one geographic area for a limited time and a different geographic area for another time (e.g., the case of a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite generating a steerable beam). Figure 3 As shown, a cell covers one geographic area for a period of time and a different geographic area for another period of time (for example, a satellite can achieve this scenario by generating a steerable beam).

[0125] - Earth movement: Provided by a beam that slides across the Earth's surface over a coverage area (e.g., cases where NGSO satellites produce fixed or unmaneuverable beams), such as Figure 4 As shown, the area smaller than the ground coverage area moves over time.

[0126] 2. Quasi-co-located QCL

[0127] Generally, QCL information is used to indicate the spatial correlation parameters of downlink signals, and can also be called spatial correlation characteristics, such as PDCCH / PDSCH / channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) / DMRS / tracking reference signal (TRS).

[0128] Quasi-co-location, also known as quasi-co-site or co-location, refers to the use of QCL information, which is used to assist in describing the terminal equipment's reception of beamforming information and the reception process.

[0129] QCL information can be used to indicate the QCL relationship between two reference signals. The target reference signal can typically be a DMRS, CSI-RS, etc., while the referenced or source reference signal can typically be a CSI-RS, a synchronous signal / PBCH block (SSB), a sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. Understandably, TRS is also a type of CSI-RS. Understandably, the target reference signal can typically be a downlink signal.

[0130] Signals corresponding to antenna ports with a QCL relationship can have the same or similar spatial characteristic parameters (or parameters). Alternatively, the spatial characteristic parameters of one antenna port can be used to determine the spatial characteristic parameters of another antenna port with a QCL relationship. Alternatively, two antenna ports may have the same or similar spatial characteristic parameters, or the difference in spatial characteristic parameters between two antenna ports may be less than a certain threshold. In other words, the large-scale properties of the channel experienced by a symbol at one antenna port can be inferred from the signal experienced by a symbol at another antenna port. Quasi-co-addressability indicates that the large-scale properties of two antenna ports are the same. It is understandable that the spatial characteristic parameters of two reference signals or channels satisfying a QCL relationship are the same (or similar, or close), thus the spatial characteristic parameters of the target reference signal can be inferred based on the source reference signal resource index.

[0131] The spatial characteristic parameters may include one or more of the following parameters: angle of arrival (AoA), dominant angle of arrival (AoA), average angle of arrival, power angular spectrum (PAS) of the angle of arrival, angle of departure (AoD), dominant angle of departure, average angle of departure, power angular spectrum of the angle of departure, beamforming of the terminal device transmits, beamforming of the terminal device receive, spatial channel correlation, beamforming of the network device transmits, beamforming of the network device receive, average channel gain, average channel delay, delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, and spatial Rx parameters.

[0132] 3. Beam Management

[0133] The core of beam management is to manage the scanning, reporting, and maintenance of static beams, and to select appropriate static beams for each channel, thereby improving cell coverage and saving system overhead.

[0134] For NR systems, beam management can include:

[0135] (1) Beam scanning: The beam that transmits the reference signal performs spatial scanning at a predefined time interval;

[0136] (2) Beam measurement / decision: The terminal equipment measures the reference signal and selects the best beam;

[0137] (3) Beam Reporting: For terminal equipment, report the beam measurement results;

[0138] (4) Beam indication: The network device instructs the terminal device to select a specified beam;

[0139] (5) Beam failure recovery: including beam failure detection, discovery of new beams, and beam recovery process.

[0140] 4. Beam Indicator and Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI)

[0141] Downlink beamforming can be performed transparently to the device, meaning the device doesn't need to know what beam the transmitter is using. However, NR also supports beam indication. In practice, this means informing the device that a particular PDSCH and / or PDCCH transmission uses the same transmit beam as the configured reference signal (CSI-RS or SS block). More formally, it means informing the device that a particular PDSCH and / or PDCCH is transmitted using the same spatial filter as the configured reference signal.

[0142] Specifically, beam indication is based on the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) status configuration and downlink signaling. TCI is used to indicate the QCL information of the PDCCH / control resource set (CORESET) or PDSCH. TCI information refers to the fact that the reference signal included in the TCI satisfies the QCL relationship with the DMRS of the PDCCH / PDSCH. It is mainly used to indicate that when receiving the PDCCH / PDSCH, its spatial reception parameters and other information are the same, similar, or nearly identical to the spatial reception parameters and other information of the reference signal included in the TCI.

[0143] A TCI state can contain one or two referenced signals and an associated QCL type. The QCL type can be categorized into four classes: A, B, C, and D, which represent different combinations or selections of {Dopplershift, Dopplerspread, averagedelay, delayspread, spatial Rxparameter}. A TCI state contains QCL information, or a TCI state can be used to indicate QCL information.

[0144] Each TCI state includes information such as that about the reference signal (CSI-RS or SS block). By associating a downlink transmission (PDCCH or PDSCH) with a specific TCI, the network informs the device that it can assume the downlink transmission was performed using the same spatial filter as the reference signal associated with that TCI. A device can configure up to 64 candidate TCI states. For PDCCH beam indication, a subset of M configured candidate states is assigned to each configured CORESET via RRC signaling. MAC signaling allows the network to more dynamically indicate the validity of a specific TCI state within the configured subset for each CORESET. When monitoring the PDCCH in a CORESET, the device can assume that the PDCCH transmission uses the same spatial filter as the reference signal associated with the MAC-indicated TCI. In other words, if the device determines an appropriate receiver-side beam direction for receiving the reference signal early on, it can assume the same beam direction is suitable for receiving the PDCCH. For PDSCH beam indication, there are two options based on the scheduling offset: one is based on the PDSCH transmission timing relative to the corresponding PDCCH carrying the PDSCH's scheduling information. If this scheduling offset is greater than N symbols, the DCI assigned by the scheduling can explicitly indicate the TCI state of the PDSCH transmission. To achieve this, the device first configures a set of up to eight TCI states (from the initially configured states) and a set of candidate TCI states. The three-bit indicator in the DCI then indicates the exact TCI state valid for the scheduled PDSCH transmission. If the scheduling offset is less than or equal to N symbols, the device should instead assume that the PDSCH transmission is a QCL with a corresponding PDCCH transmission. In other words, the TCI state for the PDCCH state indicated by MAC signaling should be assumed to be valid for the corresponding scheduled PDSCH transmission as well. The reason for limiting the fully dynamic TCI selection based on DCI signaling to cases where the scheduling offset is greater than a certain value is simple: for shorter scheduling offsets, the device will not have enough time to decode the TCI information DCI within the scheduling offset and adjust the receiver beam accordingly before receiving the PDSCH.

[0145] Currently, for NR systems, beam indication can be based on TCI. Specifically, high-frequency and low-frequency systems each have a set of QCL configurations, with the source reference signal being SSB or CSI-RS, and the target reference signal / channel being CSI-RS, DMRS of PDCCH, or DMRS of PDSCH. There are four types of QCLs: type A, type B, type C, and type D, and their specific channel characteristics are shown in Table 1 below.

[0146] Table 1. QCL Relationships in the NR System

[0147]

[0148] When network devices perform beam pointing, they can configure the TCI state to indicate the QCL relationship with the reference signal and use typeD to indicate the spatial filter. The terminal device receives the beam pointing based on the measurement of the reference signal and trains the received (Rx) beam for the reference signal. In this way, when receiving data from the target reference signal / channel, the terminal device can adjust the direction of the received beam according to the QCL relationship with the reference signal.

[0149] First, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical problems that this application specifically aims to solve will be further analyzed and proposed.

[0150] In NTN communication networks, satellite communication, for example, boasts advantages such as wide coverage, long communication distance, high reliability, high flexibility, and high throughput. Unaffected by geographical environment, climate conditions, or natural disasters, it has been widely applied in fields such as aviation, maritime, and military communications. Introducing satellites into 5G NR technology can provide communication services to areas difficult to cover by terrestrial networks, such as oceans and forests. It can enhance the reliability of 5G communication, providing more stable and higher-quality communication services for users on trains, airplanes, and other modes of transportation. It can also provide more data transmission resources and support a greater number of connections.

[0151] In broadband, high-dynamic scenarios, such as NTNLEO and MEO satellite communication, the high-speed motion of the satellite can cause rapid changes in the spatial angle between the satellite and the terminal equipment. If the terminal equipment applies the spatial filter coefficients (corresponding to the downlink receiving or uplink transmitting beam direction) obtained from the RS estimation at time t1 to time t2, and if the value of (t2-t1) is large, then the satellite's spatial position has changed significantly, which may cause the terminal equipment's downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam to be unable to accurately "align" with the satellite. Here, "aligning" with the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatial alignment with the satellite.

[0152] Therefore, improving beam pointing in NTN communication systems is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0153] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of this application is: how to improve the beam pointing accuracy of communication systems, especially NTT communication systems. Based on the above, this application proposes a communication method, which will be described below through the following embodiments. It should be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships. These methods can be used in combination with each other. The technical solutions provided by this application are not limited to the processes described below. Furthermore, the description of the scenarios in the embodiments of this application is only illustrative and does not limit the solutions of the embodiments of this application to only the described scenarios, but is also applicable to scenarios with similar problems.

[0154] Based on the network architecture described above, a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application will be described below. It is understood that this application uses network devices and terminal devices as examples to illustrate the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution entities of the interaction. For example, the terminal device in the embodiments of this application (as shown in the corresponding embodiments below) can be... Figure 1 The terminal devices in the network architecture shown, and the methods executed by the terminal devices in this application, can also be executed by modules applied to the terminal devices (e.g., chips, chip systems, or processors), or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device's functions. The access network device in this embodiment can be... Figure 1 The network devices in the network architecture shown in this application, and the methods executed by the network devices, can also be executed by modules (e.g., chips, chip systems, or processors) applied to the network devices, or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network devices; wherein, the network devices can be satellites, which can be geostationary satellites, non-geostationary satellites, artificial satellites, low-orbit satellites, medium-orbit satellites, and high-orbit satellites, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit them.

[0155] It should be noted that a cell is described by higher layers from the perspective of resource management, mobility management, or service units. The coverage area of ​​each network device can be divided into one or more cells, and a cell can be considered as being composed of certain frequency domain resources. A cell can be an area within the coverage range of a network device's wireless network. In the embodiments of this application, different cells can correspond to different network devices or the same network device. In the embodiments of this application, a cell can be replaced by the network device corresponding to that cell. For example, in the embodiments of this application, "neighboring cell" is mentioned, and "neighboring cell" can be replaced by the network device corresponding to that neighboring cell, such as "neighboring cell" being replaced by "neighboring base station" or "neighboring network device". Similarly, in the embodiments of this application, "sent from the first cell" or "sent from the second cell" can be replaced by "sent from the network device of the first cell" or "sent from the network device of the second cell". Communication between a terminal device and a cell can be understood as the terminal device communicating with the access network device to which that cell belongs, or the terminal device using the communication resources of that cell for communication. For example, when a terminal device sends a message to the first cell, it can be understood as the terminal device sending a message to the access network device corresponding to the first cell, or the terminal device using the communication resources of the first cell to send a message.

[0156] Please see Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the communication method may include at least the following steps.

[0157] S501. The network device sends indication information to the terminal device, which is used for spatial filter update indication. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0158] The indication information may include one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0159] The effective duration of the QCL can be the duration of the QCL relationship between multiple reference signals (e.g., two reference signals). The target reference signal can be DMRS, CSI-RS, etc., and the referenced or source reference signal can be CSI-RS, SSB, SRS, etc. The signals corresponding to antenna ports with QCL relationships can have the same or similar spatial characteristic parameters (or parameters). Alternatively, the spatial characteristic parameters of one antenna port can be used to determine the spatial characteristic parameters of another antenna port with a QCL relationship with that antenna port. Or, the two antenna ports have the same or similar spatial characteristic parameters. Or, the difference in spatial characteristic parameters between the two antenna ports is less than a certain threshold.

[0160] The reference location can be a reference point, its spatial coordinates, or its latitude and longitude. Optionally, the reference point can be a moving point, in which case it can be associated with time. For example, since the reference point is movable, different points in time can correspond to different reference points, or it can be understood that different time periods correspond to different reference points. For instance, at time T1, the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to spatial coordinates [x1, y1, z1]; at time T1+00:10, the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to spatial coordinates [x2, y2, z2]; and at time T1+00:20, the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to spatial coordinates [x3, y3, z3]. For example, within the time interval [T1, T2], the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x1, y1, z1]. Within the time interval (T2, T3), the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x2, y2, z2]. Within the time interval (T3, T4), the reference point can be the geographical location corresponding to the spatial coordinates [x3, y3, z3].

[0161] For example, the indication information including the validity period of the QCL can correspond to the following: Figure 6 The method embodiment shown indicates that the indication information, including the duration information of the timer, can correspond to the following: Figure 7 The method embodiment shown indicates that the information including the reference position and / or distance threshold can correspond to the following: Figure 9 The method embodiment shown.

[0162] In addition, it is understandable. Figures 6-9 Any one or more of the methods shown in the embodiments can be combined to achieve the desired result. For example, the indication information may include information about the valid duration of the QCL and the duration information of the timer, and the specific implementation may be... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The combination of these elements is also described below. Similarly, the implementation of combining other multiple pieces of information included in the instruction information will not be elaborated further.

[0163] S502, The terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0164] After sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device can send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device. The reference signal can be CSI-RS, DMRS, SRS, etc.

[0165] Optionally, after sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or resend at least one reference signal to the terminal device based on one or more of the following information: QCL validity duration, timer duration, reference position and / or distance threshold: information included in the indication information.

[0166] S503. The terminal device determines or redetermines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0167] A spatial filter can be a beam, or a spatial filter or spatial parameter. The beam used to transmit signals can be called a transmission beam (Tx beam), or a spatial domain transmission filter or spatial transmission parameter; the beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), or a spatial domain receive filter or spatial RX parameter.

[0168] It is understood that the spatial filter in the embodiments of this application may include a downlink receiving spatial filter and an uplink transmitting spatial filter.

[0169] Understandably, uplink signals may include, but are not limited to, PUSCH and PUCCH, downlink signals may include, but are not limited to, PDSCH and PDCCH, and reference signals may include, but are not limited to, DMRS, CSI-RS, SSB, and SRS.

[0170] For example, the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal may include one or more of the following: PDDCH and its DMRS, PDSCH and its DMRS, PUCCH and its DMRS, PUSCH and its DMRS or SRS, etc.

[0171] Optionally, after executing S501, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that meets the time interval requirement, it can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to the lack of a reference signal that meets the time interval requirement. The request information requests the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information suggests a time interval for sending the reference signal. In one embodiment, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that meets the time interval requirement, it can send request information to the network device to request the network device to send the reference signal. Optionally, it can further report the suggested time interval for sending the reference signal. It is understood that if the terminal device sends request information and suggestion information to the network device, the request information and suggestion information can be sent simultaneously, or the request information can be sent first and then the suggestion information. Similarly, the suggestion information can be sent first and then the request information; this embodiment does not impose any limitations. Furthermore, the request information and suggestion information can be carried by the same signaling / information carrier or by different signaling / information carriers. When a network device receives a request and / or suggestion, it may send at least one reference signal to a terminal device based on the request and / or suggestion, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

[0172] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device, and continue to send or resend at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can update the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial filter in a timely manner according to the reference signal from the network device, thereby solving the problem in communication scenarios, especially NTN communication scenarios, such as broadband high dynamic scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately "aligned" with the satellite. Therefore, the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved. Here, "aligning" with the satellite refers to using a beam direction with better transmission quality, including but not limited to spatial alignment with the satellite.

[0173] Regarding the above Figure 5 The method embodiments shown below, along with their specific implementations and beneficial effects, can be found in the following text. Figures 6-9 The description, that is, Figures 6-9 The example shown is Figure 5 The specific implementation of the illustrated embodiment is omitted to avoid redundancy. Figure 5 The specific details are elaborated in the examples. Among them, Figure 6 The method implementation can correspond to the implementation of the indication information including the effective duration of QCL in step S501 above;Figure 7 The method implementation can correspond to the implementation of the indication information including the duration information of the timer in step S501 above; Figure 8 The method implementation can correspond to the implementation of the spatial filter update indicated by the indication information in step S501 above; Figure 9 The method embodiment can correspond to the implementation of the information in step S501 above, which includes the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0174] Another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the communication method may include at least the following steps.

[0175] S601. The network device sends an indication message to the terminal device, which includes information about the validity period of the QCL. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication message from the network device.

[0176] Optionally, the QCL validity duration information can be carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling (e.g., SIB19), RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling. It is understood that the indication information includes QCL validity duration information, and this indication information can be carried through the aforementioned higher-layer signaling.

[0177] Alternatively, if the QCL validity duration information is carried by RRC signaling, it can be carried by the QCL-Info IE in the RRC signaling TCI-State IE.

[0178] Optionally, the QCL effective duration information of at least one reference signal can be indicated individually or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE. For example, the QCL effective duration information of multiple reference signals can be indicated separately by multiple individual QCL-Info IEs, or the QCL effective duration information of multiple reference signals can be the same and uniformly indicated by one QCL-Info IE, or the QCL effective duration information of multiple reference signals can be different and uniformly indicated by one QCL-Info IE.

[0179] The specific QCL validity period can be found in the description of step S501 above.

[0180] S602. During the valid duration of QCL, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0181] After sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may, based on the QCL validity duration information included in the indication information, send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device within the QCL validity duration. Sending or retransmitting can be understood as the network device retransmitting the reference signal (e.g., QCL RS) at least once. Receiving or rereceiving can be understood as the terminal device rereceiving the reference signal at least once.

[0182] After receiving the instruction information from the network device, the terminal device may receive or re-receive at least one reference signal from the network device within the valid duration of the QCL.

[0183] S603. The terminal device determines or redetermines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0184] During the valid duration of QCL, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device, and can update the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on the received reference signal.

[0185] For a detailed description, please refer to step S503 above.

[0186] It is understood that the effective duration of QCL can be the maximum time interval for the terminal device to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal, or it can include the maximum time interval for receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal and determining or re-determining the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0187] Optionally, after executing S601, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that satisfies the time interval, for example, if it does not receive a reference signal within the valid duration of the QCL, it can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to the lack of a reference signal that satisfies the time interval. Upon receiving the request information and / or suggestion information, the network device can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device based on the request information and / or suggestion information, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0188] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device, and the indication information includes information on the QCL validity period. It can then continue to send or resend at least one reference signal, enabling the terminal device to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal within the QCL validity period. This allows the terminal device to determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal based on the at least one reference signal. By updating the spatial filter in a timely manner according to the QCL validity period, the terminal device can solve the problem in communication scenarios, especially NTN communication scenarios, such as broadband high dynamic range scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately aligned with the satellite. Therefore, it can improve the beam pointing accuracy in the NTN communication system.

[0189] In addition, compared to Figure 5 In one embodiment, the terminal device receives or re-receives the reference signal according to the effective duration of the QCL, and can update the spatial filter more timely based on the reference signal, thereby further improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0190] Another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. Please refer to... Figure 7 , Figure 7 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the communication method may include at least the following steps.

[0191] S701. The network device sends an indication message to the terminal device, which includes the duration information of a timer. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication message from the network device.

[0192] Network devices can send indication information to terminal devices, which can be used to indicate spatial filter updates. This indication information may include the duration of a timer.

[0193] S702. The network device sends or retransmits at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0194] For a detailed description, please refer to the description in step S502 above.

[0195] S703. The terminal device determines or redetermines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0196] For a detailed description, please refer to the description in step S503 above.

[0197] S704. When the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, it starts / restarts the timer.

[0198] The duration of the timer corresponds to the timer duration included in the indication information.

[0199] In response to S702, the terminal device can start / restart the timer when it receives or re-receives at least one reference signal.

[0200] Before the timer expires, the terminal device can determine that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a valid state; or when or after the timer expires, it can determine that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a failed state.

[0201] Alternatively, if the terminal device is in an RRC connection state, the terminal device can also maintain the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal in an active state.

[0202] It is understood that the execution order of S703 and S704 is not limited. S703 can be executed first and then S704, or S704 can be executed first and then S703, or S703 and S704 can be executed simultaneously. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0203] Optionally, after executing S701, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that meets the time interval, it may send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device. The request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0204] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device, and the indication information includes timer duration information. It can then continue to send or resend at least one reference signal, enabling the terminal device to determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal. Upon receiving at least one reference signal, the terminal device can start / restart the timer according to the timer duration information in the indication information, and update the spatial filter in a timely manner within the timer's effective duration. This solves the problem in communication scenarios, especially NTN communication scenarios, such as broadband high dynamic scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately aligned with the satellite. Therefore, it can improve the beam pointing accuracy in the NTN communication system.

[0205] In addition, compared to Figure 5 In this embodiment, the spatial filter can be updated more promptly based on the effective duration of the timer, further improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0206] The following describes yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the communication method may include at least the following steps.

[0207] S801. The network device sends an instruction message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the instruction message from the network device.

[0208] For a detailed description, please refer to the description in step S501 above.

[0209] S802. Upon receiving the instruction information, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device within a first time.

[0210] After sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device within a first time period. This first time period can be determined based on network configuration, predefined parameters, or the capabilities of the terminal device. The first time period can be understood as a preset time. Specifically:

[0211] After a network device sends an indication message, it can be understood that the network device sends or retransmits at least one reference signal to the terminal device within a certain time frame after sending the indication message. The first time frame can be the time between sending the indication message and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal. The time of sending the indication message is the time of the resource from which the indication message is sent. The resource can be a random access resource, an uplink license resource, or an uplink resource. The time frame can be the system frame number, subframe, time slot, or symbol of the resource. This time frame can be the start or end time of the resource; for example, the start time is the first symbol of the resource, and the end time is the last symbol of the resource. The first time frame can also be a predefined or preconfigured duration, such as defining a timer that is started when the indication message is sent, and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal within the timer's execution duration.

[0212] S803. The terminal device determines or redetermines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0213] For a detailed description, please refer to the description in step S503 above.

[0214] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the first time can be considered as the time it takes for the terminal device to update the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal after receiving the indication information. That is, the spatial filter update is completed within the first time. If the first time is exceeded, the terminal device's update of the spatial filter based on at least one reference signal is invalid. It is understood that the first time may include the transmission and reception delays of the network device and the terminal device for the indication information and at least one reference signal.

[0215] It is understood that the first time interval may be the time interval during which the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, or it may include the time interval during which the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal and determines or re-determines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0216] Optionally, after executing S801, if the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that satisfies the time interval, for example, if it does not receive a reference signal within the first time, it can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to the lack of a reference signal that satisfies the time interval. Upon receiving the request information and / or suggestion information, the network device can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device based on the request information and / or suggestion information, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0217] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device, and continue to send or resend at least one reference signal, so that the terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal in the first time, thereby updating the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal. In response to receiving at least one reference signal, the terminal device can update the spatial filter in a timely manner in the first time, thereby solving the problem in communication scenarios, especially NTN communication scenarios, such as broadband high dynamic scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite may cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately "aligned" with the satellite. Therefore, the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system can be improved.

[0218] In addition, compared to Figure 5 In this embodiment, the terminal device receives or re-receives a reference signal at the first moment, and can update the spatial filter more promptly based on the reference signal, thereby further improving the accuracy of beam pointing in the NTN communication system.

[0219] The following describes yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Please refer to... Figure 9 , Figure 9 This is an interactive schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the communication method may include at least the following steps.

[0220] S901, the network device sends indication information to the terminal device, which includes information on the reference location and / or distance threshold. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the indication information from the network device.

[0221] The reference location can be a reference point, its spatial coordinates, or its latitude and longitude. For a detailed description of the reference location, please refer to step S501 above.

[0222] S902. If the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the terminal device receives or re-receives at least one reference signal from the network device.

[0223] The distance threshold can be indicated along with the reference location information via indication information, or it can be predefined, such as through a protocol, or it can be indicated by the network device to the terminal device separately via other signaling / information, or it can be pre-configured by the network device for the terminal device. This application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the distance threshold can be kilometers (km).

[0224] After sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Optionally, after sending indication information to the terminal device, the network device may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device based on the reference position and / or distance threshold information included in the indication information. For example, if the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, the network device sends or retransmits at least one reference signal to the terminal device. Specifically, the network device may determine the distance threshold and may determine the position of the terminal device in real time. If it determines that the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to (or greater than (exceeds)) the distance threshold, it may send or retransmit at least one reference signal to the terminal device.

[0225] After determining the distance threshold, the terminal device can calculate (e.g., at the current moment) the distance change relative to a reference position (at the current moment). If the distance change is greater than or equal to (or exceeds) the distance threshold, the terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal from the network device. Optionally, if the distance change is greater than or equal to (or exceeds) the distance threshold, the terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal from the network device within a preset time period. The preset time period can refer to the time between the moment when the distance change is greater than or equal to (or exceeds) the distance threshold and the moment when at least one reference signal from the network device is received or re-received.

[0226] S903. The terminal device determines or redetermines the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0227] For a detailed description, please refer to step S503 above.

[0228] Optionally, after executing S901, if the distance change is greater than or equal to (or greater than / exceeds) the distance threshold, and the terminal device does not receive a reference signal that satisfies the time interval (e.g., does not receive a reference signal within a preset time), it can send request information and / or suggestion information to the network device in response to the lack of a reference signal that satisfies the time interval. Upon receiving the request information and / or suggestion information, the network device can send at least one reference signal to the terminal device based on the request information and / or suggestion information, so that the terminal device can determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0229] In this embodiment, the network side can send indication information for spatial filter update to the terminal device. This indication information includes reference position information. The terminal device can receive or re-receive at least one reference signal based on the distance change between its own position and the reference position. Based on this reference signal, it can determine or re-determine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or the reference signal. The terminal device updates the spatial filter promptly based on the reference signal from the network device. This solves the problem in communication scenarios, especially NTN communication scenarios such as broadband high dynamic range scenarios (e.g., LEO, MEO), where the high-speed movement of the satellite can cause the downlink receiving beam and uplink transmitting beam of the terminal device to be inaccurately aligned with the satellite. Therefore, it improves the beam pointing accuracy in the NTN communication system.

[0230] In addition, compared to Figure 5 In this embodiment, the spatial filter can be updated more promptly based on the distance change of the terminal device's own position relative to the reference position and the reference signal, which can further improve the beam pointing accuracy in the NTN communication system from the perspective of the terminal device's mobility.

[0231] It is understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device and network device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0232] Figure 10 and Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. The communication device can be a terminal device or network device, or it can be a device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) within the terminal device or network device. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 1000 includes at least a transceiver unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the above-described... Figures 5-9 The methods illustrated in this embodiment demonstrate the functions of the terminal device or network device.

[0233] When the communication device 1000 is used to achieve the above Figures 5-9 The terminal device functions as shown in the method embodiment:

[0234] Transceiver unit 1001 is used to receive indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication;

[0235] The transceiver unit 1001 is also used to receive or re-receive at least one reference signal;

[0236] Processing unit 1002 is used to determine or redetermine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or reference signal based on at least one reference signal.

[0237] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0238] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0239] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0240] One possible implementation is that the higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the QCL validity duration information is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the configuration indication state TCI-State IE via RRC signaling transmission.

[0241] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the indication information includes the duration information of the timer, and the processing unit 1002 is further configured to start / restart the timer when the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, and the duration of the timer corresponds to the timer duration included in the above indication information.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1002 is further configured to determine that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a valid state before the timer expires; or to determine that the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal is in a failed state after the timer expires.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the terminal device is in an RRC connection state, and the processing unit 1002 is also used to maintain the spatial filter determined based on at least one reference signal in an active state.

[0245] In one possible implementation, in response to the failure to receive a reference signal that satisfies the time interval, the transceiver unit 1001 is further configured to send request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal.

[0246] One possible implementation is that the aforementioned reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, wherein the reference point is associated with time.

[0247] One possible implementation is that the transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: receiving indication information, receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal within a first time period, and determining the first time period based on network configuration, predefined parameters, or the capabilities of the terminal device.

[0248] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about a reference position and / or a distance threshold. The transceiver unit 1001 receives or re-receives at least one reference signal, specifically for: if the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, then receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal.

[0249] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0250] One possible implementation includes uplink physical channels, downlink physical channels, and / or reference signals including: PUCCH and DMRS, PUSCH and DMRS, PDCCH and DMRS, PDSCH and DMRS, or SRS.

[0251] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement Figures 5-9The function of the network device in the method embodiment shown is as follows:

[0252] The transceiver unit is used to send indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication.

[0253] The transceiver unit is also configured to transmit or retransmit at least one reference signal, which is used by the terminal device to determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal.

[0254] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

[0255] One possible implementation is that the indication information includes information about the validity period of the QCL, and sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal includes: sending or retransmitting at least one reference signal within the validity period of the QCL.

[0256] One possible implementation is that the QCL validity duration information is carried through higher-layer signaling, including SIB signaling, RRC signaling, or MAC CE signaling.

[0257] One possible implementation is that the higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the QCL validity duration information is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the configuration indication state TCI-State IE via RRC signaling transmission.

[0258] One possible implementation is that information about the effective duration of the QCL of at least one reference signal is indicated separately or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

[0259] One possible implementation is that the reference location is a reference point, or the spatial coordinate information of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude information of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

[0260] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to receive request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send a reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal;

[0261] The transceiver unit is also used to send reference signals based on request information and / or suggestion information.

[0262] One possible implementation is that the spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and an uplink transmit spatial filter.

[0263] One possible implementation includes uplink physical channels, downlink physical channels, and / or reference signals including: PUCCH and DMRS, PUSCH and DMRS, PDCCH and DMRS, PDSCH and DMRS, or SRS.

[0264] For a more detailed description of the aforementioned transceiver unit 1001 and processing unit 1002, please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 5-9 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown.

[0265] Please see Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 110 is used to implement the functions of the network element of this application. For example, the network element can be an access network device, a terminal device, a DU, or a CU. The device 110 can be the network element, or a device that can be installed in the network element, or a device that can be used in conjunction with the network element; there are no limitations. For example, the device can be a chip or a chip system. Figure 11 As shown, the device 110 includes an interface 111 and a processor 112. Optionally, the processor 112 is used to execute a program 114. The processor 112 may store the program 114 or obtain the program 114 from other devices or equipment (e.g., from memory 113 or downloaded from a third-party website). Optionally, the device 110 includes a memory 113. The memory 113 is used to store a program 115. The program 115 may be pre-stored or loaded later. Optionally, the memory 113 may also be used to store necessary data. These components work together to provide the various functions described in this application.

[0266] Processor 112 may include one or more processors as a combination of computing devices. Processor 112 may include one or more of the following: microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), digital signal processing device (DSPD), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), gated logic, transistor logic, discrete hardware circuitry, processing circuitry, or other suitable hardware, firmware, and / or combinations of hardware and software configured to perform the various functions described in this application. Processor 112 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, processor 112 may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). A baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data. A CPU may be used to execute software programs and process data within those software programs.

[0267] Interface 111 may include any suitable hardware or software for enabling communication with one or more computer devices (such as the network elements of this application). For example, in some embodiments, interface 111 may include wires for coupling wired connections or terminals and / or pins for coupling wireless connections with wireless transceivers. In some embodiments, interface 111 may include a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, and / or antenna. The interface may be configured to enable communication between computer devices (such as the network elements of this application) using any available protocol (such as 3GPP standard protocols).

[0268] In this application, "program" refers to software in a broad sense. The software can be program code, a program, a subroutine, an instruction set, code, a code segment, a software module, an application program, a software application, etc. The program can run on a processor and / or computer to perform the various functions and / or processes described in this application.

[0269] Memory 113 may store necessary data required by processor 112 when executing software. Memory 113 may be implemented using any suitable storage technology. For example, memory 113 may be any available storage medium accessible to the processor and / or computer. Non-limiting examples of storage media include: random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), removable media, optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage media, magnetic storage devices, flash memory, registers, state memory, remote mounting memory, local or remote memory components, or any other medium that can carry or store software, data, or information and is accessible to the processor / computer.

[0270] The memory 113 and processor 112 can be configured separately or integrated together. The processor 112 can read information from, store, and / or write information to the memory 113. The memory 113 can be integrated into the processor 112. The processor 112 and memory 113 can be housed in an integrated circuit (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit, ASIC). This integrated circuit can be located in the network element of this disclosure or in other network nodes.

[0271] Optionally, the apparatus 110 in the embodiments of this application can be used to perform the methods described in the embodiments of this application.

[0272] Please see Figure 12 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of explanation, Figure 12 Only the main components of the terminal device are shown. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the terminal device 1200 includes a processor, memory, control circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire terminal, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory is primarily used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0273] When the terminal is powered on, the processor can read the software program from the storage unit, parse and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain the RF signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. This RF signal is further converted into a baseband signal and output to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0274] For ease of explanation, Figure 12 Only one memory and processor are shown. In a real terminal, multiple processors and memories may exist. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0275] As an optional implementation, the processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU is mainly used to control the entire terminal, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. Figure 12The processor in the terminal integrates the functions of a baseband processor and a central processing unit (CPU). Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and CPU can also be independent processors interconnected via technologies such as buses. It will also be understood that a terminal can include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and multiple CPUs to enhance its processing capabilities. The various components of the terminal can be connected via various buses. The baseband processor can also be described as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. Similarly, the CPU can be described as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The function of processing communication protocols and communication data can be built into the processor or stored as a software program in a storage unit, with the processor executing the software program to implement the baseband processing function.

[0276] In one example, the antenna and control circuit with transceiver functions can be considered as the transceiver unit 1201 of the terminal device 1200, and the processor with processing functions can be considered as the processing unit 1202 of the terminal device 1200. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the terminal device 1200 includes a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202. The transceiver unit can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver apparatus. Optionally, the device in the transceiver unit 1201 used for receiving functions can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit 1201 used for transmitting functions can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, the transceiver unit 1201 includes both a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. For example, the receiving unit can also be referred to as a receiver, receiver circuit, or receiving device, and the transmitting unit can be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit. Optionally, the receiving unit and the transmitting unit can be integrated into a single unit or can be multiple independent units. The receiving unit and the transmitting unit can be located in one geographical location or distributed across multiple geographical locations.

[0277] In one embodiment, the transceiver unit 1201 is used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 1001 in the above embodiment, and the processing unit 1202 is used to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 1002 in the above embodiment. The terminal device 1200 can also be used to perform various methods performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated further.

[0278] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the processes related to terminal devices and network devices in the communication method provided in the above method embodiments.

[0279] This application also provides a computer program product that, when run on a computer or processor, causes the computer or processor to execute one or more steps of any of the above-described communication methods. If the constituent modules of the aforementioned devices are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium.

[0280] This application also provides a chip system including at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the at least one processor are interconnected via a circuit. The at least one processor is used to run computer programs or instructions to perform some or all of the steps described in any of the corresponding method embodiments above. This chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0281] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device, and the specific description can be found in the method described above.

[0282] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DRRAM). Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code having an instruction or data structure form and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application may also be circuitry or any other means capable of implementing storage functions for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0283] It should also be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0284] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0285] It should be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0286] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0287] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments provided herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0288] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0289] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0290] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0291] In addition, the functional units in the various 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.

[0292] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they 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 technology, or a portion 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.) 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, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0293] The steps in the method of this application embodiment can be adjusted, combined, or deleted according to actual needs.

[0294] The modules / units in the device of this application embodiment can be merged, divided, and deleted according to actual needs.

[0295] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication; Receive or re-receive at least one reference signal, and determine or redetermine the spatial filter corresponding to the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel, and / or reference signal based on the at least one reference signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the quasi-co-located QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The indication information includes information about the validity duration of the QCL, and receiving or re-receiving at least one reference signal includes: During the effective duration of the QCL, the at least one reference signal is received or re-received.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The QCL validity duration information is carried by higher-layer signaling, which includes System Information Block (SIB) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or Media Access Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information on the validity duration of the QCL is carried by the QCL-Info IE in the TCI-State IE of the RRC signaling transmission configuration indication state information element.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The information on the effective duration of the QCL of the at least one reference signal is indicated individually or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

7. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The indication information includes the duration information of the timer, and the method further includes: Upon receiving or re-receiving the at least one reference signal, the timer is started / restarted, and the duration of the timer corresponds to the timer duration included in the indication information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before the timer expires, the spatial filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is determined to be in an active state; or after the timer expires, the spatial filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is determined to be in an inactive state.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, When the terminal device is in an RRC connection state, the method further includes: The spatial filter determined based on the at least one reference signal is kept in an effective state.

10. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The indication information includes information about the reference location and / or distance threshold. The receiving or re-receiving of at least one reference signal includes: If the change in distance between the terminal device's own position and the reference position is greater than or equal to the distance threshold, then the terminal device receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal.

11. The method according to claim 2 or 10, characterized in that, The reference position is a reference point, or the spatial coordinates of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving or re-receiving of at least one reference signal includes: Upon receiving the instruction information, the system receives or re-receives the at least one reference signal within a first time period, the first time period being determined based on network configuration, predefined parameters, or the capabilities of the terminal device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the failure to receive a reference signal that meets the time interval requirement, a request message and / or a suggestion message are sent, wherein the request message is used to request the network device to send the reference signal, and the suggestion message is used to suggest a time interval for sending the reference signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The spatial filter includes a downlink receive spatial filter and / or an uplink transmit spatial filter.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send indication information, which is used for spatial filter update indication; Send or retransmit at least one reference signal, the at least one reference signal being used by the terminal device to determine or re-determine the uplink physical channel, downlink physical channel and / or the spatial filter corresponding to the reference signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The indication information includes one or more of the following: information on the effective duration of the quasi-co-located QCL, information on the duration of the timer, and information on the reference position and / or distance threshold.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The QCL validity duration information is carried by higher-layer signaling, which includes System Information Block (SIB) signaling, Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or Media Access Control Unit (MAC CE) signaling.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The higher-layer signaling includes RRC signaling, and the information on the validity period of the QCL is carried by the QCL-InfoIE in the TCI-State IE of the RRC signaling transmission configuration indicator state information element.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The information on the effective duration of the QCL of the at least one reference signal is indicated individually or uniformly by the QCL-Info IE.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The reference position is a reference point, or the spatial coordinates of the reference point, or the latitude and longitude of the reference point; the reference point is a moving point, and the reference point is associated with time.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive request information and / or suggestion information, wherein the request information is used to request the network device to send a reference signal, and the suggestion information is used to suggest the time interval for sending the reference signal.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-14, or units for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 15-21.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-14 or 15-21 to be implemented.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-14 or 15-21 to be implemented.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The method includes a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-14, and the network device is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 15-21.

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