A communication method and a communication device

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and a communication device, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: a terminal device measures a synchronization signal block in a first SMTC window to obtain a signal quality parameter and a synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block; the first SMTC window is an SMTC window associated with a first reference position in a first reference position list, and the first reference position matches a position of the terminal device; the terminal device determines a measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on the signal quality parameter and the synchronization success rate; the terminal device sends first information, and the first information is used for indicating the first reference position and the measurement quality index; and the terminal device receives second information, and the second information is used for updating the first reference position list. Through the application, the reference position list can be dynamically and flexibly configured, which is beneficial to guaranteeing the accuracy of mobility management and improving the reliability of a communication system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0002] Compared to terrestrial network communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication (such as satellite communication) has been widely used in aviation, military, energy, and other fields due to its wide coverage, lack of geographical limitations, and high reliability. In an NTN communication architecture, the network provides the terminal with a reference location list (refLocList). Each reference location in this list is associated with synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) parameters. The terminal needs to match the optimal target reference location in the refLocList based on its own location and perform radio resource management (RRM) measurements within its associated SMTC window, providing a basis for subsequent mobility management decisions (such as cell handover and cell reselection).

[0003] However, satellite beams in NTN scenarios are susceptible to factors such as orbital drift and obstruction, causing a significant attenuation in the beam coverage performance of the target reference position that originally matched the terminal location in the refLocList. Even though the terminal's own location has not changed, it will still select the SMTC window associated with the now-defunct target reference position for RRM measurements based on the original matching logic. This results in invalid measurement results and channel estimations deviating from actual channel conditions, leading to mobility management decision errors and reduced reliability of the communication system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. Based on the method described in this application, the reference location list can be dynamically and flexibly configured, which helps to ensure the accuracy of mobility management and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0005] Firstly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a terminal side, such as a terminal device or a communication module / processing module within the terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, in this method:

[0006] The terminal device measures the synchronization signal block in the first synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration) window to obtain the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block. The first SMTC window is an SMTC window associated with a first reference position in the first reference position list. The first reference position list includes at least one reference position and an SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference position. The first reference position matches the position of the terminal device.

[0007] The terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate;

[0008] The terminal device sends first information, which is used to indicate the first reference position and the measurement quality index;

[0009] The terminal device receives second information, which is used to update the first reference location list.

[0010] Using the above method, the terminal device measures the synchronization signal block in the first SMTC window. After obtaining the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block, it determines the measurement quality index using the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate, and reports it to the access network node through the first information. This allows the access network node to perceive the effectiveness of the SMTC measurement in real time, configure the reference location list more dynamically and flexibly, avoid invalid adjustments and blind configurations, improve the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, ensure the accuracy of mobility management, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0011] In one possible implementation, when the terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate, the specific implementation method may be: the terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters, a first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameters, synchronization success rate, and a second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate; wherein, the first weight value is greater than the second weight value.

[0012] This measurement quality index can be understood as being obtained by weighting and calculating the signal quality parameters and the synchronization success rate. In order to ensure the priority of signal quality while avoiding invalid measurement scenarios such as "signal strength meets the standard but synchronization fails", it is also necessary to ensure that the first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameter is greater than the second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the signal quality parameter includes the reference signal received power of the synchronization signal block and / or the signal-to-noise ratio of the synchronization signal block.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first weight value includes a weight value for the received power of the reference signal and a weight value for the signal-to-noise ratio; the weight value for the received power of the reference signal is greater than or equal to the weight value for the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0015] This can be understood as follows: the first weighted value corresponding to the signal quality parameter can specifically include the weighted value of the reference signal received power and the weighted value of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Since the reference signal received power reflects the absolute strength of the synchronization signal block received by the terminal device, it directly determines whether the terminal device can establish synchronization and a connection. If the reference signal received power is too low, the terminal device may not even be able to detect the signal from the access network node; in this case, a high SNR is meaningless. The SNR, on the other hand, reflects the ratio of useful signal to noise, affecting the reliability and rate of data transmission. It is an indicator for optimizing communication quality based on the premise of "being able to establish a connection." Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the weighted value of the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to the weighted value of the SNR.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the timestamp of the measurement synchronization signal block. This approach facilitates access network nodes in associating the timing of satellite beam coverage changes, thereby enabling more accurate configuration of the reference location list.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list. This approach helps reduce air interface resources and lowers signaling overhead for system messages.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the first reference position list; or, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list. This approach facilitates dynamic and flexible configuration of the reference position list, increases the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, and improves the reliability of the communication system.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list. This approach allows for dynamic and flexible configuration of the reference location list, increasing the proportion of effective SMTC measurements and improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in radio resource control (RRC) signaling or system information block 2 (SIB2).

[0021] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the network side, such as an access network node or a communication module / processing module within the access network node, or circuits or chips in the access network node responsible for communication functions (such as modem chips, also known as baseband chips, or system-on-chip (SoC) chips or system-in-package (SIP) chips containing modem cores), or circuits or chips in the access network node responsible for processing functions (such as graphics processing units (GPUs), artificial intelligence (AI) processors, or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)). Taking the application of this method to an access network node as an example, in this method:

[0022] The access network node receives first information, which is used to indicate a first reference position and the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position, and the first reference position is matched with the position of the terminal device.

[0023] The access network node sends second information based on the first information. The second information is used to update the first reference location list. The first reference location list includes at least one reference location and an SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference location. The at least one reference location includes the first reference location.

[0024] In the embodiments of this application, the beneficial effects of possible implementations of the second aspect can be referred to the beneficial effects of possible implementations of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list.

[0026] In one possible implementation, there are N pieces of first information, which come from N terminal devices; if M pieces of first information indicate the same first reference position among the N pieces of first information, and the measurement quality index indicated by the M pieces of first information is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the list of first reference positions; N and M are positive integers.

[0027] This can be understood as follows: the access network node continuously receives first information from N terminal devices, resulting in a total of N first information messages. If M different terminal devices among the N devices report the same first reference position through the first information, and the reported measurement quality indicators are all less than or equal to a first threshold, then it is determined that the satellite beam coverage corresponding to that first reference position is weakened, and the invalid first reference position needs to be removed from the first reference position list. Here, the first threshold is an abnormal coverage judgment threshold, which can be set according to service requirements. At this time, the access network node can instruct the terminal devices to remove the first reference position from the first reference position list through second information. Based on this method, it is beneficial to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference position list, increase the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list.

[0029] This can be understood as follows: after removing a first reference location from the first reference location list, a candidate reference location, i.e., a second reference location, can be added to the first reference location list based on satellite orbit prediction or a ground cell coverage planning database. At this time, the access network node can indicate the newly added second reference location in the first reference location list to the terminal device via second information. Based on this method, it is beneficial to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference location list, increase the effective SMTC measurement ratio, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0030] In one possible implementation, if the change value of a quality indicator measured T times consecutively within a preset time period is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list; the change value is the difference between two consecutive measurement quality indicators indicated by the same terminal device; T is an integer greater than 1.

[0031] This can be understood as follows: if an access network node receives R first messages from the same terminal device within a preset time period, and if T of the measurement quality indicators indicated by the R first messages show changes in measurement quality indicators greater than or equal to a second threshold, then the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position reported by the first message is determined to be unstable, and all or part of the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list need to be updated. Based on this method, it is beneficial to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference position list, increase the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the timestamp of the measurement synchronization signal block.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in RRC signaling or SIB2.

[0034] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the functions of implementing the first or second aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in the first or second aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented by software, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including a processing circuit for executing the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. The processing circuit executes a program stored in a memory, and when the program is executed, the methods of the first aspect or the second aspect, or any possible implementation thereof, are executed.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned communication device.

[0038] In this embodiment, the processing circuitry and memory can also be integrated into a single device; that is, the processing circuitry and memory can be integrated together. For example, the communication device can be a chip.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver circuit for receiving information (or inputting information) or sending information (or outputting information).

[0040] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a processing circuit and a transceiver circuit. The processing circuit can be a logic circuit, and the transceiver circuit can be an interface circuit. The logic circuit and the interface circuit are coupled. The interface circuit is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method of the first aspect or the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the processing circuit and the interface circuit being coupled; the interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the processing circuit is used for executing code instructions to cause the method shown in the first aspect or the second aspect above, or any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect, to be executed.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in the first or second aspect above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect, to be executed.

[0043] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in the first or second aspect above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect, to be executed.

[0044] Ninthly, this application provides a communication system including a terminal device and an access network node. The terminal device is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the access network node is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of a CU-DU separation architecture used in a RAN node according to an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of an NTN-based RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 3BThis is a schematic diagram of another NTN-based RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 3C This is a schematic diagram of another NTN-based RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 3D This is a schematic diagram of another NTN-based RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 3E This is a schematic diagram of another NTN-based RAN architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal selecting SMTC based on location according to an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 6A This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 6B This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 6C This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0061] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and 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.

[0063] The term "embodiment" as used herein 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.

[0064] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to 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 both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists and only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. 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. 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".

[0065] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0066] To better understand the embodiments of this application, the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below:

[0067] The method provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: wireless local area network (WLAN) communication systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, multiple-in multiple-out (MIMO) communication systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, internet of things (IoT) systems, narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, 4th generation (4G) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, new radio (NR) systems, 6th generation (6G) systems, and other future communication systems. Among these, IoT networks may include, but are not limited to, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks. The communication methods in V2X systems can be collectively referred to as vehicle-to-everything (V2X), where X can represent anything. For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication. The method provided in this application also supports communication systems that integrate multiple wireless technologies. For example, it can be applied to systems that integrate non-terrestrial networks (NTN) with terrestrial mobile communication networks, such as drones, satellite communication systems, and high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication. Additionally, it can be applied to low-frequency (sub-6GHz) and high-frequency (above 6GHz) communication scenarios. It is understood that the system architecture described in this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0068] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 1As shown, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., Figure 1 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1 RAN 100, denoted as RAN 120a-120j, is collectively referred to as RAN 120. RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 (Not shown in the image). Terminal 120 is connected to RAN node 110 wirelessly. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0069] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0070] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, network device, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative, for example... Figure 1 Network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, and it can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for network element 110a, which is a base station, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example... Figure 1 Network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, while network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0071] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), non-terrestrial access network equipment (also known as non-terrestrial network equipment or non-terrestrial access network nodes, such as satellites), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. A RAN node can also be a macro base station (such as... Figure 1 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1 The RAN node can be a relay node or donor node (e.g., 110b), or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions and corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node functions. In this embodiment, the RAN node is described as a non-terrestrial access network node.

[0072] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). The processing unit in a BBU that implements baseband functions is called a baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in an RRU / AAU / RRH that implements baseband functions is called a baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0073] CU and DU can be distinguished based on the protocol layer functions of the wireless network. For example, a CU is configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (e.g., the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer). A DU is configured to implement the functions of protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical Layer (PHY) layer).

[0074] RAN nodes can adopt a CU-DU separation architecture, which can also be called a distributed deployment architecture. For example, ... Figure 2A As shown, Figure 2AThis is a schematic diagram of a CU-DU separation architecture adopted by a RAN node according to an embodiment of this application. Logically, a RAN node may include one CU and one or more DUs. Each DU can be connected to the CU via an F1 interface, and information exchange between different DUs can be completed based on CU forwarding. The CU and DU can be physically set together or physically separated; there is no limitation. The CU can support the functions of RRC layer protocols, PDCP layer protocols, and SDAP layer protocols; the DU can support the functions of RLC layer protocols, MAC layer protocols, and PHY layer protocols.

[0075] like Figure 2B As shown, Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The access network device (RAN, such as an eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network device) communicates with the core network device via a backhaul link and with the terminal device via an air interface. Specifically, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network device via the backhaul link, and the radio frequency unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal device via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0076] 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.

[0077] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, terminal unit, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), extended reality (ER), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, etc.), vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. They may also contain program instructions configured to perform these functions.

[0078] Core network 200 is the control center of the entire network. Core network equipment provides service support to terminal devices and is mainly responsible for registration, call setup, billing, mobility management, providing user connections, managing users, and carrying out service delivery, data processing, and routing. Core network equipment can correspond to different devices in different communication systems. For example, in a 4G communication system, it can correspond to one or more of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW), etc. In a 5G communication system, it can correspond to one or more of the following: Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network elements, Session Management Function (SMF) network elements, User Plane Function (UPF) network elements, etc. In next-generation or future communication systems, it can correspond to one or more network elements, devices, or entities that provide service support to terminal devices.

[0079] It should be noted that, Figure 1 The communication system shown is not limited to the terminal equipment, RAN node and core network equipment shown in the figure, but may also include other equipment not shown in the figure. These will not be listed here.

[0080] Specifically, the solutions provided in this application can be applied to the field of satellite communication, such as the integration of satellite communication wireless technologies by 3GPP members. Satellite communication, as an extremely important communication scenario, has been introduced by 3GPP under the name of non-terrestrial network (NTN). NTN refers to a network that uses radio frequency resources on platforms such as satellite platforms, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, or high altitude platform stations (HAPS) to provide communication services.

[0081] Compared to terrestrial communication, satellite communication, due to its wide coverage, lack of geographical limitations, and high reliability, has been widely used in various fields such as aviation, military, and energy. Satellite communication can provide communication services to areas where terrestrial networks cannot cover or have insufficient coverage (such as oceans and forests); it can also provide stable emergency communication in the event of natural disasters or large-scale events; it can provide high-quality communication services for users on transportation vehicles such as trains, ships, and airplanes; and it can also provide more data transmission resources, support a larger number of connections, and improve network speed.

[0082] Taking a satellite as an example of a non-terrestrial access network node (also known as a non-terrestrial network device), there is a correlation between the satellite's orbital altitude and its coverage area and communication latency. Generally, the higher the orbital altitude, the larger the satellite's coverage area, but the communication latency will also increase accordingly. For example, based on differences in orbital altitude, satellite orbits can be divided into:

[0083] (1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Orbital altitude is 160-2000 km;

[0084] (2) Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): Orbital altitude is 2000-35786 km;

[0085] (3) Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO): The orbital altitude is 35,786 km. The relative position of satellites operating in this orbit to the Earth is not affected by the Earth's rotation.

[0086] Currently, five RAN architectures based on NTN have been defined, which will be introduced below:

[0087] Architecture 1: Transparent Satellite Architecture

[0088] like Figure 3A As shown, the transparent satellite architecture includes a user terminal device (UE), a satellite, an NTN gateway, a ground base station (gNB), a 5G core network (5G CN), and a data network. The UE can establish a wireless connection with the satellite via the NR Uu interface. The satellite in this architecture is a transparent satellite; its function is limited to the physical layer (i.e., layer 1, L1), responsible for wireless frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification of signals. It only acts as a physical layer relay (L1 relay) to regenerate physical layer signals and does not involve processing at higher protocol layers.

[0089] The satellite communicates with the ground-based NTN gateway station via wireless signals. The NTN gateway station is connected to the ground-based gNB within the NG-RAN via a wired connection. In this case, the satellite can be understood as the remote radio unit (RRU) of the ground-based gNB. It only provides physical signal coverage. This radio remote function is transmitted through the gateway station and the microwave link between the satellite and the gateway station. This process does not involve any protocol layer processing and does not establish any additional logical interfaces.

[0090] Subsequently, the ground gNB connects to the 5G core network via the NG interface, and the 5G core network then accesses the data network via the N6 interface, thereby completing the end-to-end data interaction from the terminal device to the data network.

[0091] Architecture 2: A regenerated satellite architecture without inter-satellite links (ISL), but with base station processing capabilities.

[0092] like Figure 3B As shown, the regenerated satellite architecture without inter-satellite links includes a user terminal equipment (UE), a satellite (possessing all protocol layer processing functions of a base station (gNB), an NTN gateway, a 5G core network (5G CN), and a data network. The UE communicates with the satellite via the NR Uu interface. The satellite in this architecture is a regenerated satellite; it possesses all protocol layer processing functions of a base station (gNB) and is used directly as a base station (i.e., a satellite gNB), and this architecture does not include inter-satellite links.

[0093] The satellite gNB establishes a connection with the ground NTN gateway station via microwave backhaul. The link between the satellite gNB and the NTN gateway station is called the satellite radio interface (SRI) or feeder link. "NG over SRI" means that signaling / data from the NG interface is transmitted via the SRI link.

[0094] The NTN gateway station connects to the Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) via a wired connection. The NG-RAN then connects to the 5G core network via the NG interface. Finally, the 5G core network accesses the data network via the N6 interface, completing the end-to-end interaction between the terminal device and the data network.

[0095] Architecture 3: A regenerative satellite architecture with inter-satellite links and base station processing capabilities.

[0096] like Figure 3C As shown, the regenerated satellite architecture with inter-satellite links includes a terminal equipment (UE), two satellites (each possessing all protocol layer processing functions of a base station (gNB)), an NTN gateway, a 5G core network (5G CN), and a data network. Both satellites in this architecture are regenerated satellites, each possessing all protocol layer processing functions of a base station (gNB) (i.e., a satellite gNB), and the architecture includes inter-satellite links.

[0097] The two satellites communicate via the Xn (over ISL) interface, which uses the inter-satellite link (ISL) to carry signaling and data of the Xn interface, enabling base station-level interaction between the satellites. Each satellite also establishes a microwave backhaul connection with the corresponding ground NTN gateway station via the Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) link (i.e., NG over SRI).

[0098] The terminal device accesses the corresponding satellite through the NR Uu interface; then, the NTN gateway station connects to the radio access network (NG-RAN) via a wired connection, and the NG-RAN connects to the 5G core network through the NG interface. Finally, the 5G core network accesses the data network through the N6 interface, completing the link interaction between the terminal device and the data network.

[0099] Meanwhile, if a satellite loses connection with the ground NTN gateway station under this architecture, it can use an inter-satellite link to transmit its data back to the ground NTN gateway station through another satellite. This is the core difference between it and Architecture 2, similar to the architecture logic adopted by Starlink.

[0100] Architecture 4: Regenerative satellite architecture with DU processing capabilities for base stations.

[0101] like Figure 3D As shown, the regenerative satellite architecture with base station DU processing capabilities includes a terminal device (UE), a satellite (integrating gNB-DU functionality), a ground base station (including gNB-CU), an NTN gateway, a 5G core network (5G CN), and a data network. The satellite in this architecture is a regenerative satellite that handles gNB-DU processing. The terminal device establishes a connection with this satellite (i.e., the satellite gNB-DU) through the NR Uu interface.

[0102] The satellite transmits signaling and data from the F1 interface via the Satellite Radio Interface (SRI) link, establishing a connection with the ground-based NTN gateway station. The NTN gateway station then connects to the gNB-CU of the ground base station via a wired connection, thereby accessing the National Radio Access Network (NG-RAN). Subsequently, the gNB-CU connects to the 5G core network via the NG interface, and the 5G core network then accesses the data network via the N6 interface, thus completing the end-to-end interaction between the terminal device and the data network. The core of this architecture is that the satellite acts only as a gNB-DU, working in conjunction with the ground-based gNB-CU to achieve complete base station functionality.

[0103] Architecture 5: Satellite architecture with integrated access and backhaul (IAB) capabilities.

[0104] like Figure 3E As shown, the satellite architecture with IAB functionality includes a terminal device (UE), a satellite (IAB node, integrating gNB-DU and mobile terminal module (MT module)), a ground base station (including gNB-CU / DU), a 5G core network (5G CN), and a data network. Similar to architecture 4, the satellite in this architecture, acting as an IAB node, also deploys gNB-DU functionality. The terminal device can establish a connection with the satellite (the DU portion of the IAB node) via the NR Uu interface.

[0105] The core difference between Architecture 5 and Architecture 4 is that the satellite (IAB node) also has an additional MT module deployed on it. Unlike Architecture 4, Architecture 5 does not need to connect to the NTN gateway station through a microwave backhaul link. Instead, it uses the MT module to establish a backhaul link directly with the ground base station through the NR air interface, thus eliminating the need for a microwave backhaul link between the satellite and the NTN gateway station. With the integration capabilities of IAB, it can simultaneously undertake user access and backhaul functions.

[0106] After the satellite (IAB node) completes backhaul with the ground base station through the MT module, it can access the radio access network (NG-RAN), then connect to the 5G core network through the NG interface, and finally access the data network through the N6 interface to complete the interaction between the terminal device and the data network.

[0107] This application relates to wireless access devices such as terminal devices, base stations, and ground stations, which perform uplink and downlink data communication based on wireless communication protocols. The interfaces used in the five architectures described above are for 5G communication systems; however, different names may be used for these interfaces in different communication systems. For example, for a 4G communication system, the Xn interface in the five architectures can be called the X2 interface, and the NG interface can be called the S1 interface. Of course, other names may be used in future communication systems, and this is not limited here.

[0108] It should be noted that the network application architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network application architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0109] To facilitate understanding of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant terms involved in the embodiments of this application are introduced below:

[0110] 1. Beam

[0111] An antenna beam refers to the main lobe of an antenna pattern. It can also be understood as a waveform in which electromagnetic wave energy is concentrated and propagates in a specific direction in space, characterized by strong directionality and concentrated energy, such as directional signal transmission in satellite communication. In the NR protocol, the beam can be represented as a spatial domain filter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial configuration, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL hypothesis, QCL indication, etc. The beam can be indicated by transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state) parameters or by spatial relation parameters. Therefore, in this application, "beam" can be replaced by spatial filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial configuration, spatial configuration, QCL information, QCL hypothesis, QCL indication, TCI-state (DL TCI-state, UL TCI-state), spatial relation, etc. These terms are also equivalent to each other. The term "beam" can be replaced with other beam terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0112] The beam used to transmit signals can be called the transmission beam (Tx beam), or it can be referred to as the spatial domain transmission filter, spatial transmission filter, spatial domain transmission parameter, spatial transmission setting, or spatial transmission setting. The downlink transmission beam can be indicated by TCI-state.

[0113] The beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception setting, or a spatial reception setting. The uplink transmit beam can be indicated by a spatial relation, an uplink transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), or a sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (indicating the transmit beam using that SRS). Therefore, the uplink beam can also be replaced by an SRS resource.

[0114] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Specifically, beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0115] As an example, a beam is a directional signal beam generated by a cell through beamforming technology. It is the physical carrier for a cell to achieve spatial signal radiation. The overall coverage of a cell consists of the spatial coverage set of all its subordinate beams. The parameter configuration, activation and deactivation, and resource binding of the beam are all uniformly managed by the home cell. Moreover, a beam cannot exist independently of a cell. Terminal devices need to complete access through the cell's synchronous beam and then transmit data through the optimal service beam allocated by the cell. Beam switching within a cell does not change the cell affiliation of the terminal device. Cross-cell handover is only triggered when the terminal device leaves the coverage of all beams in that cell.

[0116] Beams are generally associated with resources. For example, during beam measurement, network devices transmit different beams through different resources. The terminal provides feedback on the signal quality carried on the channel corresponding to the resource, allowing the network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resource. For instance, network devices use the TCI field in downlink control information (DCI) to indicate the beam information of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0117] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. Alternatively, multiple beams that are QCL-related can be considered as a single beam. A beam may include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and probe signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, a beam refers to the transmit beam of a network device. In beam measurement, each beam of a network device corresponds to a resource, and therefore the beam corresponding to that resource can be uniquely identified by the resource index.

[0119] Beam coverage can refer to the projection range of the beam on the ground, or it can refer to the range where the received signal power transmitted through the beam exceeds a preset threshold. By adjusting the weights of each antenna element in the antenna array, the base station can direct the beam transmitted by the base station in different directions, resulting in different coverage ranges. The beam coverage range discussed in this embodiment refers to the area covered by the beam on the ground. As the satellite moves and the weights are adjusted, the coverage area will change.

[0120] 2. Synchronization signal block

[0121] A synchronization signal block can be understood as a signal used for synchronization between a terminal device and the network, or as a signal used by a terminal device to identify and access the network. The synchronization signal block can also be called the synchronization signal and physical broadcasting channel block (SS / PBCH block), or SSB. The SSB is a type of synchronization signal block defined in the NR system. It can be used for synchronization between the base station and the terminal device; it can also be used for the terminal device to discover cells, for example, by searching for the frequency point where the SSB is located, the terminal device discovers the cell after finding the SSB signal; it can also be used by the terminal device to measure the signal quality of the SSB signal to determine the signal quality of the current cell, thereby deciding whether the cell reselection conditions are met, so as to select this cell as the serving cell for the terminal device. The following is a detailed introduction to the current NR SSB.

[0122] The SSB mainly consists of three parts: the primary synchronization signal (PSS), the secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PSS, SSS, and PBCH occupy 127, 127, and 576 subcarriers, respectively. The main function of the PSS and SSS is to help terminal equipment maintain synchronization with the base station in time and frequency.

[0123] 3. Mobility Management

[0124] Mobility management helps communication systems achieve load balancing, provide a better user experience, and improve overall system performance. Mobility management is mainly divided into two categories: mobility management in idle state (RRC_IDLE) and mobility management in connected state (RRC_CONNECTED). Mobility management in idle state can be achieved through cell reselection; mobility management in connected state can be achieved through cell handover.

[0125] Cell reselection is an autonomous action of the terminal device, meaning that the terminal device selects a serving cell that meets the cell reselection conditions based on the channel quality measurement results of each cell and the reselection parameters. Cell handover is a network decision-making / terminal device-assisted action, meaning that the terminal device reports the channel quality measurement results of each cell and the handover parameters to the network device, and the network device controls whether the terminal device should perform a handover based on the handover algorithm.

[0126] In satellite communication scenarios, due to the significant distance between terminal devices and satellites, and the insensitivity to changes in signal quality (such as reference signal received power (RSRP) / reference signal received quality (RSRQ)), distance is further introduced as a condition for cell reselection or cell handover. For example, the first cell where the terminal device is located can broadcast relevant satellite ephemeris, reference position, and distance thresholds to enable the terminal device to reselect or handover from the first cell to the satellite cell based on its location. That is, when the terminal device moves from the first cell to the satellite cell, it can perform cell reselection or cell handover operations according to its relative position to the satellite cell.

[0127] 4. Radio Resource Management (RRM)

[0128] RRM measurement is a real-time, systematic monitoring and data acquisition process conducted on the network side or terminal side of a communication system to monitor and collect key air interface resources and channel status. Its core is to acquire various indicators related to wireless link quality, resource occupancy, interference level, terminal location, and mobility (such as RSRP, RSRQ, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), channel occupancy, neighboring cell signal strength, etc.). These measurement data serve as the core basis for the formulation and execution of RRM strategies (such as handover decision, power control, resource scheduling, cell selection and reselection, load balancing, etc.), ultimately achieving efficient allocation and optimization of limited wireless resources and ensuring a balance between network coverage, capacity, and user service quality.

[0129] 5. Synchronization signal block measurement timing configuration (SSB-based RRM measurement timing configuration, SMTC) and reference location list (refLocList)

[0130] The SMTC (Synchronization Signal Block Measurement) is a set of time-frequency domain parameters defined in the 3GPP NR protocol to standardize the RRM (Receiving Reception Power) measurements performed by terminals on Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs). Its core function is to define a clear time window and frequency resource range for terminal measurements, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of the measurement process. In NR NTN scenarios, the SMTC needs to be adapted to the coverage characteristics and orbit dynamics of the satellite beams. It is usually associated with a specific reference location (refLoc) configuration. The terminal selects the matching SMTC based on its own location and completes the measurement of key indicators such as SSB Received Power (RSRP) and Received Quality (RSRQ) on the specified measurement period, measurement time slot, and frequency resources, providing data support for cell selection, handover, and coverage enhancement strategies.

[0131] `refLocList` is a configuration list sent from the network side to the terminal. Its core function is to bind reference location, SMTC configuration, coverage area, and selection rules, enabling the terminal to autonomously select valid SMTCs based on its own location. `refLocList` is essentially an array-type configuration, which can include the following parameters:

[0132] (1) Reference location identifier (refLocId): A unique identifier is assigned to each reference location, which is used by the terminal to identify different reference locations. It also supports the base station to perform incremental updates to refLocList.

[0133] (2) Reference Position: Defines the reference latitude and longitude (optionally including altitude) of the reference position, corresponding to the center position of the satellite beam or the coverage anchor point.

[0134] (3) Coverage Area: Describes the ground coverage area of ​​the satellite beam associated with the reference position. It supports two coverage description methods: the first is circular coverage, which includes the center (associated reference position) and radius parameter; the second is polygonal coverage, which includes the coordinate set of 3 or more vertices.

[0135] (4) Priority: The value range is usually 0~7 (0 is the highest priority). It is used to set the selection priority for the reference position. The terminal prioritizes the selection of high priority items among multiple candidate reference positions.

[0136] (5) Valid Time Window (validTime): Includes the start time stamp of configuration effective (startTime) and the stop time stamp of configuration failure (stopTime), used to filter out expired configurations and prevent the terminal from matching the reference position where the satellite has flown away or the beam has failed.

[0137] (6) Distance Threshold: Defines the maximum allowable distance threshold between the terminal and the reference location. After the terminal calculates the straight-line distance between its own location and the reference location, if it exceeds the threshold, the reference location will be directly filtered out without entering the subsequent coverage attribution determination, thus improving matching efficiency.

[0138] (7) Associated SMTC configuration index: The SMTC configuration (including time and frequency resources, period, duration, etc.) corresponding to the reference location is bound to adapt to the dynamic changes in coverage caused by the high-speed movement of satellites. After the terminal selects the reference location, it can directly call the associated SMTC configuration to perform RRM measurement.

[0139] (8) Associated PCI List: A set of physical cell identifiers (PCIs) associated with the reference location, used by the terminal to perform blind matching and degradation by measuring the quality of PCI signals when the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning fails.

[0140] (9) Non-terrestrial network specific parameters (ntn-SpecificParams): NTN Phase 3 extended fields for satellite communication, including three key subfields: First, timing advance offset (ta-Offset), used to compensate for large propagation delay between satellite and terminal and correct SMTC measurement window offset; second, Doppler frequency offset (dopplerShift), used to pre-configure frequency offset value caused by high-speed satellite movement and reduce the complexity of terminal frequency offset correction; third, load factor (loadFactor), used to identify the network load of associated satellite beams and support terminal load balancing selection in overlapping coverage areas.

[0141] (10) Cell Identifier (cellId): The serving cell identifier associated with the reference location ensures that SMTC measurements are not interrupted during cross-satellite beam switching.

[0142] The following describes the core process of terminal location-based SMTC selection (refer to the 3GPP NR NTN Phase 3 downlink coverage enhancement scenario for details). This process can be applied to high-speed mobile scenarios involving non-ground nodes such as LEO satellites. Figure 4 As shown:

[0143] Step 1: Distribution of static configuration on the network side

[0144] The gNB pre-plans multiple reference locations (refLocs) based on satellite ephemeris. Each refLoc is associated with a set of SMTC parameters (such as measurement period, window duration, time domain offset, etc.), satellite beam coverage, selection rules, etc., forming a refLocList. The gNB sends the refLocList to the UE through system messages (such as SIB2), and at the same time sends common measurement configurations (such as measurement thresholds, reporting period, event triggering conditions, etc.) through SIB2.

[0145] Step 2: UE obtains its own location information

[0146] The UE obtains its real-time latitude, longitude, altitude and other location information through the GNSS module, providing data support for subsequent location matching.

[0147] Step 3: UE selects SMTC based on location matching

[0148] The UE iterates through all reference locations in refLocList, calculates the geographical distance between its own location and each reference location, and selects the nearest refLoc as the target reference location. The UE then extracts the SMTC parameters associated with this target reference location and locks the corresponding SMTC window.

[0149] Step 4: The UE performs RRM measurement in the SMTC window.

[0150] Within the selected SMTC window, the UE measures the SSB signal of the target satellite cell and obtains quality indicators such as RSRP, RSRQ, and SNR. At the same time, the UE locally records the timestamp and beam ID of each measurement, providing a basis for decision-making in subsequent terminal-side mobility management (such as cell selection, cell handover, and cell reselection).

[0151] Step 5: UE reports reference location index

[0152] The UE generates a measurement feedback message according to the reporting period or event triggering conditions configured by the gNB, and sends the measurement feedback message to the gNB. This measurement feedback message carries information such as the selected refLoc index, measurement identifier (measId), and the PCI of the target satellite cell.

[0153] However, based on the above, satellite beams in NTN scenarios are susceptible to factors such as orbital drift and obstacle obstruction, which can lead to a significant attenuation of the beam coverage performance of the target reference position in refLocList that originally matched the terminal's location. Even though the terminal's own location has not changed, it will still select the SMTC window associated with this now-defunct target reference position for RRM measurement according to the original matching logic. This results in invalid measurement results and channel estimation deviating from the actual channel conditions, ultimately leading to mobility management decision errors and reduced reliability of the communication system.

[0154] For example, the base station sends a refLocList to the terminal, which contains three reference locations: Loc-A, Loc-B, and Loc-C. Each reference location is associated with a satellite beam and an SMTC window.

[0155] Loc-A: The associated satellite beam is Beam-1, the SMTC window period is 40ms, and the offset is 10ms;

[0156] Loc-B: The associated satellite beam is Beam-2, the SMTC window period is 40ms, and the offset is 20ms;

[0157] Loc-C: The associated satellite beam is Beam-3, the SMTC window period is 40ms, and the offset is 30ms.

[0158] The terminal iterates through the refLocList and determines that its position has the highest match with Loc-A in the refLocList. Therefore, it selects the Beam-1 associated with Loc-A and the corresponding SMTC window (period of 40ms, offset of 10ms) for RRM measurement. At this time, Beam-1 coverage is normal, the RSRP measured by the terminal is -85dBm, the channel estimation is accurate, and mobility management is stable.

[0159] Low-Earth orbit satellites are affected by atmospheric drag and uneven gravitational pull from the Earth, resulting in orbital drift. After two hours of operation, the satellite's actual orbit deviated from the preset orbit, causing the Beam-1 coverage area to shift eastward by 2 km. The terminal's location remained unchanged, but Beam-1, which originally covered that location, had shifted, and the terminal was no longer within Beam-1's effective coverage area. Because refLocList was not updated, the terminal still relied on the original matching logic, assuming it had the highest match with Loc-A, and continued to use the SMTC window associated with Loc-A to measure Beam-1. At this point, RSRP plummeted to -120dBm (exceeding the demodulation threshold), causing invalid measurement results and channel estimation that deviated from the actual channel conditions. This, in turn, led to mobility management decision errors and reduced the reliability of the communication system.

[0160] Furthermore, the measurement feedback messages reported by the terminal to the base station only carry reference location indexes, not the actual beam measurement performance parameters. The base station cannot perceive the actual effect of the SMTC configuration, and therefore cannot determine the coverage effectiveness of each reference location in the refLocList, nor can it distinguish the cause of beam failure. The base station can only optimize by periodically updating the refLocList, which not only consumes excessive air interface resources and causes excessive SIB2 signaling overhead, but also suffers from update delays, making it impossible to adapt flexibly to dynamic changes in satellite orbits in real time, or to adjust the reference location list in a targeted and flexible manner.

[0161] In view of this, in order to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference location list, which is beneficial to ensuring the accuracy of mobility management and improving the reliability of the communication system, this application provides a communication method and a communication device. The following is a further detailed description of a communication method and communication device provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0162] It is understood that the illustrative flowcharts provided in this application mainly use different devices (such as terminal devices and access network nodes) as examples to illustrate the method, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the devices (such as terminal devices and access network nodes) in the illustrative flowcharts can also be chips, chip systems, or processors that support the implementation of the method on the device, or logic modules or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the device. It is uniformly stated here that the message or signaling interactions involved in the interaction flow of the embodiments of this application can adopt standard messages or signaling, or they can be newly introduced messages or signaling. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit them in this regard.

[0163] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps S501~S504. Figure 5 The method shown can be implemented by the aforementioned terminal devices and access network nodes. Alternatively, Figure 5 The method shown can be executed by a device in a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) or a device in an access network node (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), and this application embodiment does not limit the scope of the implementation. Figure 5 The method is illustrated using terminal equipment and access network nodes as the implementing entities. In this embodiment, the access network node can be a non-terrestrial access network node (such as a satellite).

[0164] S501, the terminal device measures the synchronization signal block in the first SMTC window to obtain the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block. The first SMTC window is an SMTC window associated with a first reference position in a first reference position list. The first reference position list includes at least one reference position and an SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference position. The first reference position matches the location of the terminal device.

[0165] In this embodiment, the access network node pre-plans at least one reference location (refLoc) based on satellite ephemeris. Each reference location is associated with an SMTC window, satellite beam coverage, selection rules, etc., forming a first reference location list (refLocList). The access network node sends the first reference location list and common measurement configuration to at least one terminal device through system messages (such as SIB2).

[0166] Taking a terminal device as an example, after receiving the first reference location list and the common measurement configuration, the terminal device starts the GNSS module and obtains its real-time location information (including latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) through the GNSS module, providing data support for subsequent location matching.

[0167] The terminal device iterates through all reference locations in the first reference location list, calculates the geographical distance between the terminal device's location and each reference location, and filters out the closest first reference location (i.e., the target reference location). At this point, the first reference location can be considered to match the terminal device's location. The terminal device then determines the SMTC window associated with the first reference location in the first reference location list; this SMTC window associated with the first reference location is the first SMTC window.

[0168] Within the selected first SMTC window, the terminal device measures the SSB of the target satellite cell and obtains the SSB's signal quality parameters, such as RSRP, RSRQ, and SNR. Additionally, the terminal device also calculates the synchronization success rate of the SSB within the first SMTC window. The synchronization success rate can be calculated as follows: Of course, the terminal device will also record the timestamp, beam identifier, and other information of each SSB measurement locally, providing a basis for decision-making in subsequent terminal-side mobility management (such as cell selection, cell handover, cell reselection, etc.).

[0169] S502. The terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate.

[0170] In the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 6A As shown, in step-1, after the terminal device measures the SSB to obtain signal quality parameters (such as RSRP and SNR), it normalizes the signal quality parameters. In step-2, after the terminal device calculates the synchronization success rate of the SSB within the first SMTC window, it normalizes the synchronization success rate. Then, in step-3, the terminal device uses the normalized signal quality parameters and the normalized synchronization success rate to calculate the measurement quality index (i.e., Q value) corresponding to the first reference position.

[0171] In one possible implementation, when the terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate, the specific implementation method may be: the terminal device determines the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters, a first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameters, synchronization success rate, and a second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate; wherein, the first weight value is greater than the second weight value.

[0172] This measurement quality index can be understood as being obtained by weighting and calculating the signal quality parameters and the synchronization success rate. In order to ensure the priority of signal quality while avoiding invalid measurement scenarios such as "signal strength meets the standard but synchronization fails", it is also necessary to ensure that the first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameter is greater than the second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate.

[0173] Optionally, the signal quality parameter includes the RSRP of the SSB and / or the SNR of the SSB.

[0174] Further optionally, the first weight value includes the weight value of RSRP and the weight value of SNR; the weight value of RSRP is greater than or equal to the weight value of SNR.

[0175] This can be understood as follows: the primary weighting value for signal quality parameters can specifically include the weighting values ​​of RSRP and SNR. Since RSRP reflects the absolute strength of the SSB received by the terminal device, it directly determines whether the terminal device can establish synchronization and a connection. If RSRP is too low, the terminal device may not even be able to detect the signal from the access network node; in this case, a high SNR is meaningless. SNR, on the other hand, reflects the ratio of useful signal to noise, affecting the reliability and rate of data transmission. It is an indicator for optimizing communication quality based on the premise of "being able to establish a connection." Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the weighting value of RSRP is greater than or equal to the weighting value of SNR.

[0176] For example, the terminal device can use the following formula (1) to calculate the measurement quality index:

[0177] (1)

[0178] in, RSRP Normalized value represents the value after normalization. RSRP ; SNR Normalized value represents the value after normalization. SNR The normalized synchronization success rate value represents the normalized synchronization success rate. express RSRP The weight value, express SNR The weight value, This represents the second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate. This indicates the measured quality indicators. Among them, ; ; and These can be collectively referred to as the first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameters; It consists of integer values ​​from 0 to 7, with a total of eight quantization steps.

[0179] S503, the terminal device sends first information, which indicates the first reference position and the measurement quality index. Accordingly, the access network node receives the first information.

[0180] In this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device determines the measurement quality index, it can indicate the selected first reference position and the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position to the access network node through the first information.

[0181] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the timestamp for measuring the SSB.

[0182] In one possible implementation, this first information is carried in an RRC reconfiguration complete message (i.e., an RRCReconfigurationComplete message).

[0183] For example, such as Figure 6A As shown, in step-4, the terminal device sends an RRC reconfiguration complete message to the access network node. A new element, smtcMeasQualityReport, is added to the nonCriticalExtension field of the RRC reconfiguration complete message. Specifically, smtcMeasQualityReport includes: the index value of the first reference position, the Q value corresponding to the first reference position, and the timestamp of the measured SSB. At this point, smtcMeasQualityReport can be considered the first piece of information.

[0184] It should be noted that the index value of the first reference position corresponds to the index value of the first reference position in the first reference position list. Measuring the timestamp of the SSB facilitates access network nodes in associating the timing of satellite beam coverage changes, thereby enabling more accurate configuration of the reference position list.

[0185] S504. The access network node sends second information based on the first information, the second information being used to update the first reference location list. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second information.

[0186] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first information, the access network node triggers an update to the first reference location list based on the first reference location indicated by the first information and the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference location, and instructs the terminal device to update the first reference location list through the second information, thereby realizing the synchronization of the reference location list between the terminal device and the access network node.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list. This can be understood as follows: the access network node does not need to periodically update the entire reference location list; instead, upon receiving the first information, it directly triggers an update to the first reference location list and instructs the terminal device to also update the first reference location list via the second information. Furthermore, the second information only needs to indicate the updated portion of the first reference location list, which helps reduce air interface resources and lowers the overhead of SIB2 signaling.

[0188] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 6B As shown, in step-5, the access network node continuously receives the first information sent by multiple terminal devices, and groups and calculates the Q-value according to the index value of the reference position reported in the first information. In steps-6 and-7, a dual-threshold anomaly detection method (including group anomaly detection and individual anomaly detection) is adopted, and the first reference position list (i.e., refLocList) is updated and optimized. The specific method is as follows:

[0189] Method 1: Group Anomaly Detection

[0190] In a specific implementation, there are N pieces of first information, which come from N terminal devices; if M pieces of first information indicate the same first reference position among the N pieces of first information, and the measurement quality index indicated by the M pieces of first information is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the list of first reference positions; N and M are positive integers.

[0191] This can be understood as follows: the access network node continuously receives first information from N terminal devices, resulting in a total of N first information messages. If M different terminal devices among the N terminal devices report the same first reference position through the first information, and the reported measurement quality indicators are all less than or equal to a first threshold, then it is determined that the satellite beam coverage corresponding to that first reference position is weakened, and an invalid first reference position needs to be removed from the first reference position list. At this time, the access network node can instruct the terminal devices to remove the first reference position from the first reference position list through second information. Based on this method, it is beneficial to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference position list, increase the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0192] It should be noted that the M value can be set according to business needs. For example, the M value set for businesses with higher stability requirements can be smaller than that set for businesses with lower stability requirements. In other words, the higher the stability requirement, the smaller the M value should be. Additionally, the first threshold here is the anomaly coverage determination threshold, which can also be set according to business needs.

[0193] Optionally, the second information may also indicate a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list. This can be understood as follows: after removing a first reference location from the first reference location list, a candidate reference location, i.e., a second reference location, can be added to the first reference location list based on satellite orbit prediction or a ground cell coverage planning database. In this case, the access network node can use the second information to indicate the newly added second reference location in the first reference location list to the terminal device.

[0194] For example, assume N is 5, M is 3, and the first threshold is 4. The access network node continuously receives the first information sent by 5 terminal devices respectively.

[0195] Among them, the first information 1 reported by the terminal device 1 indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 1 (Q value is 2) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0196] The first information 2 reported by the terminal device 2 indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 2 (Q value is 3) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0197] The first information 3 reported by the terminal device 3 indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 3 (Q value is 2) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0198] The first information 4 reported by the terminal device 4 indicates the first reference position 2 and the measurement quality index 4 (Q value is 6) corresponding to the first reference position 2.

[0199] The first information 5 reported by the terminal device 5 indicates the first reference position 3 and the measurement quality index 5 (Q value is 5) corresponding to the first reference position 3.

[0200] Therefore, it can be seen that terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 (i.e., three terminal devices) report the same first reference position (all first reference position 1) through the first information, and the Q values ​​reported by terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 are all less than the first threshold. In this case, it can be considered that the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 is weakened, indicating a group anomaly. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the first reference position from the first reference position list and add a second reference position to the first reference position list. At this time, the access network node can instruct the terminal devices through the second information to remove the first reference position from the first reference position list and add the second reference position to the first reference position list.

[0201] Method 2: Individual Anomaly Assessment

[0202] In a specific implementation, if the change value of the quality index is greater than or equal to the second threshold after T consecutive measurements within a preset time period, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list; the change value is the difference between the measurement quality index indicated by the same terminal device twice consecutively; T is an integer greater than 1.

[0203] This can be understood as follows: if an access network node receives R first messages from the same terminal device within a preset time period, and if T of the measurement quality indicators indicated by the R first messages show changes in measurement quality indicators greater than or equal to a second threshold, then the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position reported by the first message is determined to be unstable, and all or part of the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list need to be updated. At this time, the access network node can indicate the parameter values ​​to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list to the terminal device through second messages. Based on this method, it is beneficial to dynamically and flexibly configure the reference position list, increase the effective SMTC measurement ratio, and improve the reliability of the communication system. Here, R is an integer greater than 1; the changes in measurement quality indicators can also be called the fluctuation values ​​of measurement quality indicators, which are not limited here.

[0204] For example, the parameter values ​​to be updated associated with the first reference location may include one or more of the following: coverage area, priority, valid time window, distance threshold, associated SMTC configuration index, associated PCI list, and ntn-specific parameters. Other parameter values ​​may also be included, without limitation.

[0205] It should be noted that the T-value can be set according to business needs. For example, the T-value set for businesses with higher stability requirements can be lower than that set for businesses with lower stability requirements. In other words, the higher the stability requirement, the smaller the T-value should be. Additionally, the second threshold here is the threshold for judging abnormal fluctuations, which can also be set according to business needs; the preset time period can also be set according to business needs.

[0206] For example, assuming high service stability requirements, a preset time period of 10 minutes, R = 6, T = 2, and a second threshold of 3, the access network node continuously receives the first information sent by terminal device 1 6 times.

[0207] Among them, the first information 1 reported by the terminal device 1 for the first time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 1 (Q value is 1) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0208] The first information 2 reported by terminal device 1 for the second time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 2 (Q value is 5) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0209] The first information 3 reported by terminal device 1 for the third time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 3 (Q value is 3) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0210] The terminal device 1 reports the first information 4 for the fourth time, indicating the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 4 (Q value is 3) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0211] The terminal device 1 reports the first information 5 for the fifth time, indicating the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 5 (Q value is 4) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0212] The first information 6 reported by terminal device 1 for the sixth time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 6 (Q value is 3) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0213] Therefore, the change (i.e., the difference) between the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the first time through the first information 1 and the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the second time through the first information 2 is 4, which is greater than the second threshold. In other words, the change in the Q value reported by terminal device 1 in two consecutive reports is greater than the second threshold.

[0214] In this scenario, the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 can be considered unstable, with individual anomalies present. Therefore, it is necessary to update all or part of the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list. Taking the parameter value including the distance threshold as an example, since the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 is unstable, the distance threshold associated with the first reference position 1 can be decreased to ensure the reliability and accuracy of reference position matching. Taking the parameter value including priority as an example, since the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 is unstable, the priority associated with the first reference position 1 can be increased (i.e., the larger the priority value, the lower the priority), to reduce the likelihood of terminal device access and thus ensure communication reliability. At this time, the access network node can use the second information to indicate to the terminal device the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list that need to be updated.

[0215] For example, assuming low service stability requirements, a preset time period of 10 minutes, R of 6, T of 5, and a second threshold of 3, the access network node continuously receives the first information sent by terminal device 1 6 times.

[0216] Among them, the first information 1 reported by the terminal device 1 for the first time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 1 (Q value is 1) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0217] The first information 2 reported by terminal device 1 for the second time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 2 (Q value is 5) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0218] The first information 3 reported by terminal device 1 for the third time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 3 (Q value is 1) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0219] The terminal device 1 reports the first information 4 for the fourth time, indicating the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 4 (Q value is 5) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0220] The terminal device 1 reports the first information 5 for the fifth time, indicating the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 5 (Q value is 1) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0221] The first information 6 reported by terminal device 1 for the sixth time indicates the first reference position 1 and the measurement quality index 6 (Q value is 2) corresponding to the first reference position 1.

[0222] Therefore, the difference between the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the first time via first information 1 and the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the second time via first information 2 is 4, which is greater than the second threshold. Similarly, the difference between the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the second time via first information 2 and the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the third time via first information 3 is 4, which is greater than the second threshold. The difference between the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the third time via first information 3 and the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the fourth time via first information 4 is 4, which is greater than the second threshold. Finally, the difference between the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the fourth time via first information 4 and the Q value reported by terminal device 1 the fifth time via first information 5 is 4, which is greater than the second threshold. In other words, the difference in the Q value reported by terminal device 1 in all five consecutive reports is greater than the second threshold.

[0223] In this scenario, the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 can be considered unstable, with individual anomalies present. Therefore, it is necessary to update all or part of the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list. Taking the parameter value including distanceThreshold as an example, since the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 is unstable, the distanceThreshold associated with the first reference position 1 can be decreased to ensure the reliability and accuracy of reference position matching. Taking the parameter value including priority as an example, since the satellite beam coverage corresponding to the first reference position 1 is unstable, the priority corresponding to the first reference position 1 can be increased (i.e., the larger the priority value, the lower the priority), to reduce the possibility of terminal device access and thus ensure communication reliability. At this time, the access network node can indicate the parameter values ​​associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list that need to be updated to the terminal device through the second information.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in RRC signaling or SIB2.

[0225] This can be understood as, for example Figure 6C As shown, in step-8-1, for idle / inactive terminal devices, the access network node can instruct the terminal device to receive a new SIB2 through the "refLocListUpdateInd" field (i.e., reference location list update indication) of the paging DCI. In step-9-1, after receiving SIB2, the terminal device updates the first reference location list (i.e., refLocList) according to the second information carried in SIB2.

[0226] like Figure 6C As shown, in step-8-2, for connected terminal devices, the access network node directly sends the second information via RRC signaling (such as an RRC Reconfiguration message) to avoid paging delay. In step-9-2, after receiving the second information, the terminal device updates the first reference location list (i.e., refLocList) according to the second information.

[0227] After the terminal device receives the second information, such as Figure 6CAs shown, in steps 10 and 11, the terminal device triggers a new round of SMTC selection and measurement based on the updated refLocList. In the next feedback, it reports the newly selected reference location and its corresponding Q value, thus forming a closed loop of "update-verification-re-optimization". This approach ensures that access network nodes can promptly grasp the effect of the reference location list update, perceive the effectiveness of SMTC measurements in real time, and configure the reference location list more dynamically and flexibly, avoiding invalid adjustments and blind configurations. This helps increase the proportion of effective SMTC measurements, ensures the accuracy of mobility management, and improves the reliability of the communication system.

[0228] It can be seen that, based on Figure 5 The described method involves the terminal device measuring the synchronization signal block in the first SMTC window. After obtaining the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block, the terminal device determines the measurement quality index using the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate, and reports it to the access network node through the first information. This allows the access network node to perceive the effectiveness of the SMTC measurement in real time, configure the reference location list more dynamically and flexibly, avoid invalid adjustments, and help ensure the accuracy of mobility management and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0229] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0230] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The following will combine... Figures 7 to 9 The apparatus of the embodiments of this application is described in detail.

[0231] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the communication device includes a processing module 701 and a transceiver module 702. The transceiver module 702 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 701 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. The transceiver module 702 can also be referred to as an interface, communication interface, or communication module, etc.

[0232] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device can be the terminal device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the terminal device. The transceiver module 702 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 701 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0233] For example, the processing module 701 can be used to measure the synchronization signal block in the first SMTC window to obtain the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block; the first SMTC window is an SMTC window associated with a first reference position in the first reference position list, the first reference position list includes at least one reference position and an SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference position, and the first reference position matches the position of the terminal device.

[0234] The processing module 701 can also be used to determine the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on the signal quality parameters and the synchronization success rate.

[0235] The transceiver module 702 can be used to send first information, which is used to indicate the first reference position and the measurement quality index;

[0236] The transceiver module 702 can also be used to receive second information, which is used to update the first reference position list.

[0237] In one possible implementation, when determining the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate, the processing module 701 may specifically be used to: determine the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position based on signal quality parameters, a first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameters, synchronization success rate, and a second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate; wherein the first weight value is greater than the second weight value.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the signal quality parameter includes the reference signal received power of the synchronization signal block and / or the signal-to-noise ratio of the synchronization signal block.

[0239] In one possible implementation, the first weight value includes a weight value for the received power of the reference signal and a weight value for the signal-to-noise ratio; the weight value for the received power of the reference signal is greater than or equal to the weight value for the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0240] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the timestamp of the measurement synchronization signal block.

[0241] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list.

[0242] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the first reference position list; or, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list.

[0243] In one possible implementation, the second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list.

[0244] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in RRC signaling or DCI.

[0245] Reuse Figure 7 In some other embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the access network node in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device can be the access network node itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the access network node. The transceiver module 702 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the access network node in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 701 is used to perform processing-related operations of the access network node in the above method embodiments.

[0246] For example, the transceiver module 702 can be used to receive first information, which is used to indicate a first reference position and a measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position, and the first reference position is matched with the position of the terminal device.

[0247] The transceiver module 702 can also be used to send second information based on the first information, the second information being used to update the first reference position list, the first reference position list including at least one reference position and an SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference position, the at least one reference position including the first reference position.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list.

[0249] In one possible implementation, there are N pieces of first information, which come from N terminal devices; if M pieces of first information indicate the same first reference position among the N pieces of first information, and the measurement quality index indicated by the M pieces of first information is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the list of first reference positions; N and M are positive integers.

[0250] In one possible implementation, the second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list.

[0251] In one possible implementation, if the change value of a quality indicator measured T times consecutively within a preset time period is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list; the change value is the difference between two consecutive measurement quality indicators indicated by the same terminal device; T is an integer greater than 1.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the timestamp of the measurement synchronization signal block.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the second information is carried in RRC signaling or DCI.

[0254] The embodiments of this application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept and have the same technical effects. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] For example, transceiver module 702 may include radio frequency module, antenna module, etc. For example, transceiver module 702 may include pin module, etc.

[0256] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the communication device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 701 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments. For example, the storage module may also store the first reference position list, first information, second information, measurement quality indicators, and timestamps for SSB measurements, as shown above.

[0257] For detailed explanations of terms or steps related to beams, SSB, RSRP, RRM, SNR, SMTC, refLocList, NTN, and the core process of location-based selection SMTC in each of the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. They will not be detailed here.

[0258] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0259] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the described apparatus are described below. Any device possessing the above-described features... Figure 7 Any form of product that incorporates the functionality of the described device falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the device in the embodiments of this application to this specific example.

[0260] In one possible implementation, Figure 7In the communication device shown, the processing module 701 can be one or more processing circuits, and the transceiver module 702 can be a transceiver circuit, or the transceiver module 702 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitting circuit, and the receiving module can be a receiving circuit, which are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit can be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of performing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processing circuit outputs the above information to the transceiver circuit so that the transceiver circuit can transmit (or output). After the above information is output by the processing circuit, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver circuit. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit receiving the input above information. When the processing circuit receives the input information, the transceiver circuit receives the above information and inputs it into the processing circuit. Furthermore, after the transceiver circuit receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processing circuit.

[0261] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 80 includes one or more processing circuits 820 and transceiver circuits 810.

[0262] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the terminal device described above. For example, the processing circuit 820 can be used to perform, for example... Figure 7 The transceiver circuit 810 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown. Figure 7 The transceiver module 702 shown illustrates the functions or steps implemented by this module. For detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 820 and the transceiver circuit 810, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 7 Alternatively, the method embodiments shown above will not be described in detail here.

[0263] In other embodiments of this application, the communication device is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the access network node described above. For example, the processing circuit 820 can be used to perform, for example... Figure 7 The transceiver circuit 810 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown. Figure 7 The transceiver module 702 shown illustrates the functions or steps implemented by this module. For detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 820 and the transceiver circuit 810, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 7 Alternatively, the method embodiments shown above will not be described in detail here.

[0264] For example, the processing circuitry may be one or more processors, or all or part of the circuitry within one or more processors. The transceiver circuitry may be a transceiver, an input / output circuit, or an interface circuit, etc.

[0265] For example, in Figure 8 In various implementations of the illustrated apparatus, the transceiver circuitry may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver circuitry is also used for communicating with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0266] Optionally, the communication device 80 may further include one or more memories 830 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memories 830 are coupled to the processing circuitry 820. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processing circuitry 820 may operate in conjunction with the memories 830. The processing circuitry 820 can execute the program instructions stored in the memories 830. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processing circuitry.

[0267] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver circuit 810, the processing circuit 820, and the memory 830. This application embodiment... Figure 8 The memory 830, processing circuit 820, and transceiver circuit 810 are connected via a bus 840. Figure 8 The connections between other components are shown in bold and are for illustrative purposes only, not as limiting information. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, Figure 8 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0268] In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit may be a general-purpose processing circuit, a digital signal processing circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processing circuit may be a microprocessor circuit or any conventional processing circuit, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processing circuit, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processing circuit, etc.

[0269] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0270] For example, the processing circuit 820 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The memory 830 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver circuit 810 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touch screens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0271] When the device is powered on, the processing circuit 820 can read the software program in the memory 830, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processing circuit 820 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processing circuit 820. The processing circuit 820 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0272] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be set up independently of the processing circuit that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the device.

[0273] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application may also have a higher... Figure 8This application does not limit the use of other components or other related elements. The methods performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit shown above are merely examples; the specific steps performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit can be found in the methods described above.

[0274] In another possible implementation Figure 7 In the illustrated device, the processing module 701 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 702 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 702 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0275] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 The communication device shown includes logic circuit 901 and interface circuit 902. That is, the processing module 701 can be implemented using logic circuit 901, and the transceiver module 702 can be implemented using interface circuit 902. The logic circuit 901 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface circuit 902 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 9 The above-mentioned communication device is used as an example of a chip, which includes a logic circuit 901 and an interface circuit 902.

[0276] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method between the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 901 can be used to perform... Figure 7 The interface circuit 902 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 701 shown. Figure 7 The transceiver module 702 shown illustrates the functions or steps implemented by this module. For detailed explanations of the logic circuit 901 and the interface circuit 902, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 7 Alternatively, the method embodiments shown above will not be described in detail here.

[0277] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0278] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and an access network node, and the terminal device and access network node can be used to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0279] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various devices in the method provided in this application.

[0280] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by the various devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0281] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0282] In the 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 modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or modules, or they may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0283] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0284] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0285] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable 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 readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0286] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to non-terrestrial network communication, and the method includes: The synchronization signal block is measured by configuring the SMTC window at the first synchronization signal block measurement time to obtain the signal quality parameters and synchronization success rate of the synchronization signal block; the first SMTC window is the SMTC window associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list, the first reference position list includes at least one reference position and the SMTC window associated with each of the at least one reference position, and the first reference position matches the position of the terminal device. Based on the signal quality parameters, the first weight value corresponding to the signal quality parameters, the synchronization success rate, and the second weight value corresponding to the synchronization success rate, the measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position is determined; the first weight value is greater than the second weight value. Send a first message, which indicates the first reference position and the measurement quality index; Receive second information, which is used to update the first reference location list; The signal quality parameters include the reference signal received power of the synchronization signal block and / or the signal-to-noise ratio of the synchronization signal block; the first weight value includes the weight value of the reference signal received power and the weight value of the signal-to-noise ratio, wherein the weight value of the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to the weight value of the signal-to-noise ratio.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information also indicates the timestamp for measuring the synchronization signal block.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference location list.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the first reference position list; or, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The second information is carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or System Information Block (SIB2).

7. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to non-terrestrial network communication, and the method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a first reference position and a measurement quality index corresponding to the first reference position, the first reference position being matched with the position of the terminal device; Based on the first information, second information is sent to update the first reference position list. The first reference position list includes at least one reference position and a Synchronization Signal Block Measurement Timing Configuration (SMTC) window associated with each of the at least one reference position. The at least one reference position includes the first reference position. The second information indicates the updated portion of the first reference position list. Wherein, the first information consists of N pieces, and the N pieces of first information come from N terminal devices; if M pieces of the N pieces of first information indicate the same first reference position, and the measurement quality index indicated by the M pieces of first information is less than or equal to a first threshold, the second information indicates the removal of the first reference position from the first reference position list; N and M are positive integers.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second information also indicates a newly added second reference location in the first reference location list.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, If the change in the quality index measured T times consecutively within a preset time period is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the second information indicates the parameter value to be updated associated with the first reference position in the first reference position list. The change value is the difference between two consecutive measurement quality indicators indicated by the same terminal device; T is an integer greater than 1.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The first information also indicates the timestamp for measuring the synchronization signal block.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, The second information is carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or System Information Block (SIB2).

12. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processing circuit and a transceiver circuit, the transceiver circuit being used to input and / or output information, and the processing circuit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the processing circuit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11.

14. A chip, characterized in that, It includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the processing circuit and the interface circuit being coupled; the interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the processing circuit is used for executing code instructions to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed, or to cause the method of any one of claims 7 to 11 to be executed.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11.

16. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 is executed, or the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11 is executed.

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