Communication method and device, program product and storage medium

Abstract

Provided are a communication method, device, program product, and storage medium, in which a first communication device communicates with a second communication device in an accessible angle interval, and / or selects not to communicate with the second communication device in a non-accessible angle interval, the situation that the first communication device accesses the second communication device in the non-accessible angle interval is reduced, and the communication quality of the first communication device is improved. And any angle interval indicated by the first information is the value range of the angle associated with the position reference point associated with the first communication device, so that the first communication device can directly determine the angle interval that the first communication device is allowed to access and / or the angle interval that the first communication device cannot access directly based on the first information, a large amount of calculation is not needed, and the communication efficiency is improved. The processing amount of a first communication device is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, apparatus, program product and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) are characterized by their large coverage area and flexible networking capabilities. NTN networks utilize equipment such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and satellites to provide data transmission and voice communication services to terminal devices. Satellite communication systems are a typical example of NTN networks. Based on the satellite's orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be classified into geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite communication systems (also known as synchronous orbit satellite communication systems), medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication systems, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication systems.

[0003] Different satellite communication systems can use the same frequency band. For example, LEO satellite communication systems can use the same frequency band spectrum as GEO satellite communication systems under certain conditions. This can improve the effective utilization of resources, but it can also lead to greater interference between satellite communication systems, which is detrimental to the communication quality between satellites and terminal equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, program product, and storage medium for improving communication quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method is applied to a first communication device. The first communication device may be a terminal device itself, a module within the terminal device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The module within the terminal device may be, for example, a processor, a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions. The chip may be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc. The method includes: receiving first information, the first information indicating a set of angle intervals, wherein any angle interval included in the set of angle intervals is a range of angle values ​​associated with a position reference point associated with the first communication device, the set of angle intervals including one or more first angle intervals that cannot be accessed by a second communication device, and / or one or more second angle intervals that can be accessed by the second communication device; and determining one or more first angle intervals and / or one or more second angle intervals.

[0006] The set of angle intervals may include one or more angle intervals. These angle intervals may all be angle intervals that cannot be accessed by a second communication device, meaning they may all be one or more first angle intervals. Alternatively, these angle intervals may all be angle intervals that can be accessed by a second communication device, meaning they may all be one or more second angle intervals. Or, these angle intervals may include both angle intervals that can be accessed by a second communication device and angle intervals that cannot be accessed by a second communication device, meaning they may include both one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals. Angle intervals that can be accessed by a second communication device may be simply referred to as "accessible angle intervals," and angle intervals that cannot be accessed by a second communication device may be simply referred to as "inaccessible angle intervals."

[0007] Optionally, any angle interval (such as any first angle interval or any second angle interval) can be the range of angle values ​​between the position reference point and the second communication device. For example, it can be the range of azimuth angle and / or zenith angle between the direction lines corresponding to the position reference point, or it can be the range of azimuth angle and / or elevation angle between the direction lines corresponding to the position reference point and the second communication device.

[0008] In this embodiment, any angle interval indicated by the first information is the range of angle values ​​associated with the position reference point associated with the first communication device. This allows the first communication device to directly determine the angle intervals it is allowed to access and / or the angle intervals it is not allowed to access based on the first information, without requiring extensive calculations and reducing the processing load of the first communication device. Furthermore, the first communication device can communicate with the second communication device within the accessible angle intervals and / or choose not to communicate with the second communication device within the inaccessible angle intervals. On the one hand, this reduces the number of times the first communication device accesses the second communication device within the inaccessible angle intervals, which is beneficial for improving the communication quality of the first communication device. On the other hand, the second communication device can clearly determine its own allowed and / or disallowed angle intervals, which helps reduce interference between the second communication device and other communication devices and also helps ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first information further indicates at least one of the following: the cell associated (or corresponding to) each angle interval in the angle interval set; the beam of the second communication device associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set; or, the geographical area associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set.

[0010] In the above embodiments, when the same angle interval is associated with different cells, beams, or geographical areas, the angle interval can be either one of one or more first angle intervals or one of one or more second angle intervals. This facilitates the first communication device in clearly identifying the one or more first angle intervals and / or one or more second angle intervals corresponding to a cell, beam, or geographical area. Furthermore, when the first communication device is located in different cells, beams, or geographical areas, the accessibility of the corresponding same angle interval can vary, which is more conducive to ensuring the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the set of angle intervals satisfies at least one of the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals are associated with different cells; at least two of the second angle intervals are associated with different cells; at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals are associated with the same cell; or, one of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval but are associated with different cells.

[0012] In the above embodiments, the accessible and / or inaccessible angle ranges corresponding to the cells are refined, which helps to ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices and reduces interference between the second communication device and other communication devices. Furthermore, when the first communication device is in different cells, the accessibility of the same angle range can vary, which helps to ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the set of angle intervals also satisfies at least one of the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals are associated with the same cell and are associated with different beams of the second communication device; at least two of the second angle intervals are associated with the same cell and are associated with different beams of the second communication device; or, one of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval but are associated with different beams.

[0014] In the above embodiments, the accessible and / or inaccessible angle ranges corresponding to the beams are refined, which helps to ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices and reduces interference between the second communication device and other communication devices. When the first communication device is in different beams, the accessibility of the same angle range can vary, which helps to ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the set of regions satisfies at least one of the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals in one or more first angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; at least two of the second angle intervals in one or more second angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; at least one of the first angle intervals in one or more first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals in one or more second angle intervals are associated with the same geographical region; or, one of the first angle intervals in one or more first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals in one or more second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different geographical regions.

[0016] In the above embodiments, the accessible and / or inaccessible angle intervals corresponding to geographical regions are refined. This helps ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices and reduces interference between the second communication device and other communication devices. When the first communication device is located in different geographical regions, the accessibility of the same angle interval can vary, which further helps ensure the communication quality between the first and second communication devices.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the first communication device is located in one of one or more first angle intervals, then: not receiving signals from the second communication device, and / or not sending signals to the second communication device; or, if the first communication device is located in one of one or more first angle intervals, then: not receiving signals from the second communication device, and / or sending signals with an intensity less than a first threshold to the second communication device. The signal may be, for example, a reference signal.

[0018] In the above embodiments, the first communication device does not transmit or receive signals in the inaccessible angle range, reducing the probability that the first communication device cannot successfully transmit or receive signals, and avoiding communication interference to other communication devices caused by communication between the first and second communication devices. Alternatively, in the inaccessible angle range, the first communication device does not receive signals but can transmit signals with low strength, reducing the probability that the first communication device cannot successfully transmit or receive signals, and avoiding communication interference to other communication devices caused by the transmission of signals with excessively high strength between the first and second communication devices.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the first communication device is in one of the first or second angle intervals, then: receiving a signal from the second communication device, and / or sending a signal to the second communication device.

[0020] In the above embodiments, the first communication device transmits and receives signals within the accessible angle range, which increases the probability of successful transmission and reception by the first communication device.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, based on the cell, beam, or geographical area corresponding to the location of the first communication device, that the first communication device is located in one of one or more first angle intervals, or that the first communication device is located in one of one or more second angle intervals.

[0022] The above embodiments provide a method for the first communication device to determine the current corresponding angle range. The determination method is simple and direct, which makes the determination of the angle range highly efficient.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information on one or more third angle intervals, and / or information on one or more fourth angle intervals; the method further includes: adjusting one or more third angle intervals based on the beamwidth of the first communication device to obtain one or more first angle intervals; and / or adjusting one or more fourth angle intervals based on the beamwidth of the first communication device to obtain one or more second angle intervals.

[0024] In the above embodiments, the first communication device can also adjust the angle range included in the first information based on the beam width, so that the accessible angle range and / or inaccessible angle range determined by the first communication device are more in line with its actual communication parameters, which is more conducive to ensuring the communication quality of the first communication device.

[0025] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method is applied to a second communication device. The second communication device may be, for example, a network device itself, or a module within a network device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network device. The network device may be, for example, a network device or a module within a network device. A module within a network device may be, for example, a communication module within a network device, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a SoC chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip, etc. The method includes: sending first information, the first information indicating a set of angle intervals, wherein any angle interval included in the set of angle intervals is a range of angle values ​​associated with a position reference point associated with the first communication device, and the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals that cannot be accessed by the second communication device, and / or one or more second angle intervals that can be accessed by the second communication device.

[0026] In one possible implementation, any angle interval in the set of angle intervals includes the range of azimuth angle and / or the range of zenith angle between the position reference point and the direction line corresponding to the second communication device.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first information further indicates at least one of the following: the cell associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set; the beam of the second communication device associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set; or, the geographical area associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the set of angle intervals satisfies at least one of the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals are associated with different cells; at least two of the second angle intervals are associated with different cells; at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals are associated with the same cell; or, one of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval but are associated with different cells.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the set of angle intervals also satisfies the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals are associated with the same cell and different beams of the second communication device; and / or, at least two of the second angle intervals are associated with the same cell and different beams of the second communication device.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the set of angle intervals further satisfies at least one of the following conditions: at least two of the first angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; at least two of the second angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals are associated with the same geographical region; or, one of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval but are associated with different geographical regions.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the first communication device is in one of one or more first angle intervals, then: not sending a signal to the first communication device, or sending a signal with an intensity less than a first threshold to the first communication device; and / or, if the first communication device is in one of one or more second angle intervals, then: sending a signal to the first communication device.

[0032] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The communication device can be the first communication device described in the first aspect above, or a module (e.g., a chip system) configured within the first communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. For example, the communication device includes a communication unit (sometimes also called a communication module). Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module). The communication unit is used to perform transmit and receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit can be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations. Alternatively, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver. Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module).

[0033] For example, the transceiver unit is used to receive first information, and the processing unit is used to determine one or more first angle intervals and / or second angle intervals.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication device may also implement the contents of any of the possible implementations in the first aspect described above, which will not be listed here.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The communication device can be the second communication device described in the second aspect above, or a module (e.g., a chip system) configured within the second communication device. The communication device includes corresponding means or modules for performing the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. For example, the communication device includes a communication unit (sometimes also called a communication module). Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module). The communication unit is used to perform transmit and receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit can be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations. Alternatively, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver. Optionally, the communication device further includes a storage unit (sometimes also called a storage module).

[0036] For example, the communication unit is used to send the first information.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the communication device may also implement any of the possible implementations in the second aspect described above, which will not be listed here.

[0038] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The communication device includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are capable of executing computer programs or instructions stored in a memory, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods described in the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0039] Optionally, the communication device may include a memory, in which case the memory may be coupled to one or more processors, or the memory may be configured relatively independently of one or more processors. Alternatively, the memory may exist independently of the communication device.

[0040] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0041] In the specific implementation process, the communication device can be a chip, and the processor can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits, etc. The specific implementation method of the processor is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0042] In one implementation, the communication device can be a wireless communication device, i.e., a computer device that supports wireless communication functionality. Specifically, the wireless communication device can be a terminal device such as a smartphone, or a network device such as a wireless access network device (e.g., a base station).

[0043] In another implementation, the communication device can be a component of a wireless communication device, such as an integrated circuit product like a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or communication chip. A SoC can also be called a System-on-a-Chip (SoC). A communication chip may include a baseband processing chip and a radio frequency (RF) processing chip. A baseband processing chip is sometimes referred to as a modem or baseband chip. An RF processing chip is sometimes referred to as an RF transceiver or RF chip. In physical implementation, some or all of the communication chip may be integrated within the SoC. For example, the baseband processing chip may be integrated into the SoC, while the RF processing chip may not be integrated. The interface circuit can be the RF processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processor can be the baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device. The interface circuit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0044] In another implementation, the communication device can be a chip system, which may consist of chips or include chips and other discrete devices. Chip systems may include, for example, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips.

[0045] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system. The communication system includes the communication device described in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect, and the communication device described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect.

[0046] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip system. The chip system includes a processor. Optionally, the chip system may further include an interface (such as a communication interface). The processor can be used to implement the methods described in the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0047] Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor is used to retrieve and run the computer program from the memory, causing the device on which the chip system is installed to perform the methods described in the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Implementation methods of the chip system can be referred to the content of the chip system discussed above, and will not be listed here.

[0048] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementations of the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0049] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed, it causes a processor to perform the methods described in the first aspect, any possible implementation of the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The computer program product includes computer programs and / or instructions, etc.

[0050] Regarding the beneficial effects of any of the technical solutions in the second to ninth aspects mentioned above, please refer to the discussion of the beneficial effects of the corresponding technical solutions in the first or third aspects, which will not be listed here. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network under a transparent transmission architecture to which the embodiments of this application apply;

[0052] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a non-terrestrial network under a regenerative architecture to which the embodiments of this application apply;

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a converged network of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks under the transparent transmission architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a fusion network of non-terrestrial and terrestrial networks under the regenerative architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0055] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the local East-North-Sky coordinate system provided for embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the angles provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0057] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a location reference point provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another location reference point provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a communicable area and a non-communicable area provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating the determination of a first angle range provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figures 12 to 14 Schematic diagrams of the three communication devices provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] The solutions provided in this application can be applied to various NTNs that include a first communication device and a second communication device, such as satellite communication networks (or systems), or systems that integrate satellite communication networks with other communication networks. Other communication networks, such as 4th generation (4G) mobile communication networks (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks), 5th generation (5G) mobile communication networks (e.g., New Radio (NR) systems), future communication networks, or other similar communication systems, are not limited.

[0065] The first communication device is, for example, the terminal device itself (e.g., a mobile phone, a vehicle terminal, etc.), or a module within the terminal device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The module within the terminal device includes, for example, a processor, a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions. The chip may be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. The second communication device is, for example, the network device itself, or a module within the network device, or a logic module or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0066] The following provides examples of how terminal devices and network devices are implemented.

[0067] 1. A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be called terminal equipment, terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, mobile stations (MS), subscriber units, cellular phones, smartphones, wireless data cards, personal digital assistant (PDA) computers, tablet computers, wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, or very small aperture (VSAT) terminals, etc. Terminal devices typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. They may also contain program instructions for performing these functions. In various embodiments of this application, the device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components capable of implementing the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0068] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the terminal device can be performed by modules (such as chips) in the terminal device.

[0069] 2. A network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. A network device can be a device, equipment, or module located on the network side of a communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. A network device typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. The network device also contains program instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. A network device can include core network devices and / or access network devices. An access network device can be a device in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices; it can be referred to as RAN equipment. The RAN can be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G, or future-oriented communication networks. The RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network combining two or more of the above.

[0070] RAN equipment can also be a base station, such as a micro base station or macro base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system.

[0071] RAN equipment can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit / control unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the network device.

[0072] In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called open CU (open-CU, O-CU), DU can also be called open DU (open-DU, O-DU), and RU can also be called open RU (open-RU, O-RU). In this application, any of the following units—CU (or CU control plane (CU-CP), CU user plane (CU-UP), DU, and RU)—can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU-CP can also be called open CU-CP (open-CU-CP, O-CU-CP), and CU-UP can also be called open CU-UP (open-CU-UP, O-CU-UP).

[0073] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the network device can also be executed by modules (such as chips) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes network device functions. This control subsystem, including network device functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities.

[0074] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0075] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, a micro base station can be considered a terminal device relative to a macro base station, while a micro base station can be considered a network device relative to a mobile phone.

[0076] For ease of description, the following embodiments of this application use the first communication device as the terminal device and the second communication device as the network device as an example. In other words, the terminal device in the embodiments of this application can be replaced by the first communication device, and the network device can be replaced by the second communication device.

[0077] The following section introduces the relevant content of NTN communication.

[0078] NTN communication involves networking using equipment such as drones, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and satellites to provide users (e.g., terminal devices) with services such as data transmission and voice communication. HAPS are located at altitudes of 8–50 kilometers above the ground.

[0079] Based on the satellite's orbital altitude, satellite communication systems can be divided into the following three types: (1) to (3).

[0080] (1) Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite communication system, also known as synchronous orbit satellite system.

[0081] GEO satellites orbit at an altitude of 35,786 km. Their main advantages are that they remain relatively stationary relative to the ground and provide a large coverage area. However, GEO satellite communication also has significant disadvantages: 1) The long distance between GEO satellites and Earth results in high free-space propagation loss, leading to tight communication link budgets and requiring larger-diameter antennas to increase transmit / receive gain; 2) Communication transmission delays are large, reaching around 500 ms round-trip time, which cannot meet the needs of real-time services; 3) GEO orbital resources are relatively scarce, launch costs are high, and coverage cannot be provided to the polar regions of Earth.

[0082] (2) Medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite communication system.

[0083] MEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 2000 to 35786 km. Their advantage lies in achieving global coverage with a relatively small number of satellites. However, their higher orbital altitude results in greater transmission latency compared to LEO satellite communication. Considering both advantages and disadvantages, MEO satellites are primarily used for positioning and navigation.

[0084] (3) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication system.

[0085] LEO satellites orbit at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2000 km. Compared to MEO and GEO orbits, LEO satellites operate at lower altitudes, offering advantages such as lower data propagation delays, less transmission loss, and relatively lower launch costs. Therefore, LEO satellite communication has gained widespread attention in recent years.

[0086] Depending on the operating mode (or payload type), NTN can be divided into regenerative architecture and transparent architecture.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an NTN under a transparent architecture. Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the terminal device, satellite, gateway, base station, core network (CN), and data network (DN). Satellites and gateways can function as remote radio units (RRUs). Gateways can also be called ground stations, gateway stations, gateway stations, satellite ground stations, or earth stations, etc., without specific naming restrictions.

[0088] Terminal devices can access the network via satellite, gateways, and base stations. Communication connections are established between the terminal device and the satellite, and between the satellite and the gateway, via the Uu interface. Gateways can communicate with base stations. A base station may be, for example, a next-generation node B (gNB). Optionally, the gateway and base station can be coupled or deployed separately. Figure 1 The example provided uses a separate deployment of base stations and gateways. The base station and the network interface (CN) can communicate via the NG interface (such as the N2 or N3 interface), while the CN and the data center (DN) can communicate via the N6 interface.

[0089] When a satellite operates in transparent mode, it functions as a relay. The gateway functions as a base station or partially as one; in this case, the gateway can be considered a base station. The link from the satellite to the gateway is a feeder link. Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway. The links from the satellite to the gateway and from the gateway to the base station are feeder links. The link between the satellite and the terminal device is a service link.

[0090] Please refer to Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of an NTN under a regenerative architecture. Figure 2 This indicates the terminal device, satellite (or satellite base station), gateway, CN, and DN. Figure 1 The difference is, Figure 2 The satellites in the system can directly process and retransmit information, and they have some or all of the functions of a base station.

[0091] Terminal devices can access the network via satellite and gateways. Communication connections are established between the terminal device and the satellite, and between the satellite and the gateway, via the Uu interface. Communication between the satellite and the CN can be achieved via the NG interface (e.g., N2 or N3 interface), and communication between the CN and the DN can be achieved via the N6 interface.

[0092] When a satellite operates in regenerative mode, it has data processing capabilities and functions as a base station or partially as a base station. In this case, the satellite can be regarded as a base station, and it can also be called a base station or satellite base station, etc.

[0093] The solution provided in this application can also be applied to multi-satellite collaborative communication networks. In multi-satellite collaboration, after a terminal device accesses the network, it can be "visible" to multiple communicable satellites for a period of time, and all satellites can provide communication services to the terminal device.

[0094] The following is combined Figure 3 and Figure 4 The following example illustrates a communication network using multi-satellite collaboration.

[0095] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates a converged network of NTN and terrestrial networks under a transparent transmission architecture. This converged network can include satellites (including LEO and GEO satellites), satellite base stations (or base stations), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (or high-altitude platforms), and terminal devices. The communication system may also include gateways and a core network.

[0096] Figure 3 Mid-terminal devices can access satellite base stations via GEO or LEO satellites, and then access the core network via the satellite base stations. The link between the terminal device and the satellite can be called the service link, while the links between the base station and the gateway, and between the satellite and the satellite base station, can be called the feeder links.

[0097] Figure 3 The satellite operates in transparent relay mode, providing transparent forwarding functionality. The gateway functions as a network device (e.g., a base station) or partially functions as such; in this case, the gateway can be considered a network device (e.g., a base station). Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway. Optionally, terminal devices can also access the satellite base station via drones or high-altitude platforms, and then access the network through the satellite base station. In this case, the drone or high-altitude platform functions similarly to the satellite.

[0098] For example, satellites can wirelessly communicate with terminal devices via broadcast communication signals and navigation signals. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices using multiple beams. For instance, each satellite may use multiple beams to cover its service area, and the relationship between the different beams can be one or more of time-division, frequency-division, and space-division.

[0099] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a converged network of NTN and terrestrial networks under a regenerative architecture. This converged network may include satellites (including LEO and GEO satellites), airborne base stations, terrestrial base stations, gateways, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (or high-altitude platforms), and terminal devices. The communication system may also include a core network.

[0100] Figure 4 and Figure 3The difference lies in the fact that GEO and LEO satellites have airborne base stations deployed on them, or in other words, GEO and LEO satellites possess some or all of the functions of a base station. Similarly, drones or high-altitude platforms have airborne base stations deployed on them, or in other words, drones or high-altitude platforms possess some or all of the functions of a base station. Figure 4 Terminal devices can access the core network sequentially via satellite and gateway. And, Figure 4 Terminal devices can also access the core network sequentially via drones (or high-altitude platforms) and gateways. The link between the terminal device and the satellite can be called a service link, while the links between the base station and the gateway, and between satellites and satellite base stations, can be called feeder links.

[0101] Figure 4 When the satellite operates in regenerative mode, it possesses data processing capabilities and functions as a base station, or partially as one. In this case, the satellite can be considered a base station. Optionally, terminal devices can also access the satellite base station via drones or high-altitude platforms, and then access the network through the satellite base station. In this scenario, the function of the drone or high-altitude platform is similar to that of the satellite.

[0102] For example, satellites can wirelessly communicate with terminal devices via broadcast communication signals and navigation signals. Optionally, each satellite can provide communication, navigation, and positioning services to terminal devices using multiple beams. For instance, each satellite may use multiple beams to cover its service area, and the relationship between the different beams can be one or more of time-division, frequency-division, and space-division.

[0103] Figures 1 to 4 The names of the devices or apparatuses in the satellite system are not limited. For example, satellite ground stations or satellites may have other names in different communication scenarios. Furthermore, the satellite described in this application embodiment may be replaced by other non-terrestrial network devices, such as HAPS devices, high-altitude aircraft, or other NTN devices; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0104] The network architecture and scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical scenarios or technical problems.

[0105] In cellular communications, operators use different spectrums, so there is no risk of co-channel interference between operators. The situation is entirely different in satellite communications. For example, LEO satellites can use the same frequency band as GEO satellites under certain conditions. Numerous LEO satellite systems can also use the same millimeter-wave frequency band, leading to interference between different LEO satellite systems or between LEO and GEO satellite systems.

[0106] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. In this method, a network device indicates to a terminal device the permissible and / or inaccessible angle ranges. Thus, the terminal device communicates with the network device within the permissible angle range and does not communicate with the network device within the inaccessible angle range, thereby reducing the terminal device's access to the network device in inaccessible angle ranges and minimizing interference from the network device to other network devices. Furthermore, the angle range is the range of angle values ​​associated with a position reference point associated with the terminal device, allowing the terminal device to directly determine the permissible and / or inaccessible angle ranges based on the network device's indication, without requiring extensive calculations and reducing the terminal device's processing overhead.

[0107] Here, some of the terms used in the embodiments of this application are explained. Unless otherwise specified, these explanations are provided to support the meaning of certain terms and to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as strict limitations on the terminology within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0108] 1. Geographic region, also known as geographical area, wave position, or other names, is not limited to any one of these terms. A geographic region is fixed relative to the Earth, or it can be understood as a geographic area that is fixed relative to the Earth.

[0109] A geographic region can have at least one of the following attributes: shape, outline, size, radius, area, geographical location, etc. Furthermore, a "geographic region" can also have an altitude attribute; that is, a geographic region can be understood as a geographic area at a given altitude or within a given altitude range. For example, a geographic region can refer to a geographic area on the ground with an elevation of 0 km or within an altitude range of 0 km ± 2 km, or a geographic area at a certain average altitude, or a geographic area at a specific altitude, such as an altitude of 10 km or within an altitude range of 10 km ± 3 km.

[0110] Different geographical regions may have the same or different shapes, outlines, sizes, radii, and areas. Different geographical regions may or may not overlap.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the geographical region is fixed relative to the Earth. This can be understood as the geographical region's outline, size, or geographical location remaining unchanged, for example, the geographical region's outline, size, or geographical location not changing over time. Alternatively, the geographical region being fixed relative to the Earth can be understood as the geographical region's outline and the points within the geographical region being described by a fixed Earth coordinate system, or the coordinates of each point on the geographical region's outline in the fixed Earth coordinate system remaining constant.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the geographical region can be a regular hexagon, or other shapes such as a regular pentagon, circle, ellipse, or rectangle. Alternatively, the geographical region can also be an irregular shape, without limitation.

[0113] For example, the shape of a geographic region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Different network devices can define geographic region shapes that are the same or different. The same network device can also define multiple geographic region shapes. Similarly, the size, radius, and area of ​​a geographic region can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Different network devices can define geographic region sizes, radii, and areas that are the same or different. The same network device can also define multiple geographic region sizes, radii, or areas.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the Earth's surface can be divided into multiple geographical regions, and these regions can be indexed (e.g., numbered). Terminal devices and network devices can agree on the numbering method for these geographical regions (e.g., starting from 1 or 0) and the correspondence between geographical regions and their indexes. Alternatively, a protocol can define the numbering method for these geographical regions and the correspondence between them and their indexes. Based on the indexes of the geographical regions, information such as their geographical location can be determined.

[0115] Optionally, the multiple geographical regions can completely cover the Earth's surface, such as any location on the Earth's surface belonging to a certain geographical region; or, the multiple geographical regions can also cover part of the Earth's geographical locations, for example, the multiple geographical regions may not cover the Earth's South Pole and / or North Pole, that is, the South Pole and / or North Pole may not exist in the geographical region.

[0116] Optionally, the method for dividing multiple geographical regions can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. The same network device can also define multiple division methods.

[0117] As a first possible method of partitioning, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity, for example, a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree. If only this discretization method is used, the globe can be divided into 360 × 360 = 129,600 geographical regions. Terminal devices and network devices can define the indexes of these 129,600 geographical regions as 0, 1, ..., 129,599, or they can also define them as 1, 2, ..., 129,600.

[0118] Optionally, when introducing the altitude attribute of geographic regions, multiple grids can be defined to divide the Earth's surface. For example, a grid at an altitude of 0km or within a range of 0km ± 2km can be divided into 1-degree latitude and longitude grids, generating 129,600 geographic regions. At an altitude of 10km or within a range of 10km ± 3km, further division using 1-degree latitude and longitude grids generates another 129,600 geographic regions. When indexing these grids, the index range of a single-layer grid needs to be expanded. For example, the total index could be 0, 1, ..., 129599, 129600, 129601, ..., 259199, where the first 129,600 indices represent the grid index at an altitude of 0km, and the last 129,600 indices represent the grid index at an altitude of 10km.

[0119] For example, the granularity of the latitude and longitude grid can be determined based on the type of network device. For instance, a relatively small granularity can be used for discretization when the network device is a LEO satellite, and a relatively large granularity can be used when the network device is a GEO satellite.

[0120] As a second possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided using latitude and longitude grids of various granularities. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a portion of its administrative geographical area can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree, while another portion of the surface or administrative geographical area can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees.

[0121] Alternatively, by introducing the altitude attribute of a geographic region, the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1 degree at an altitude of 0 km, and the Earth's surface can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 2 degrees at an altitude of 10 km.

[0122] As a third possible method of division, the Earth's surface can be divided according to administrative geographical regions. For example, a township-level administrative geographical region can be considered as a geographical region.

[0123] As a fourth possible method of division, for GEO satellites, the projection of one of the satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered as a geographical region. Since GEO satellites are stationary relative to the Earth, the projection of the GEO satellite's beams onto the ground can be considered fixed relative to the Earth.

[0124] In practical applications, the Earth's surface can be divided using a combination of different methods. For example, a portion of the Earth's surface or a part of its administrative geographical area can be divided using a latitude and longitude grid with a granularity of 1, while another portion of the surface or administrative geographical area can be divided according to administrative geographical regions.

[0125] In one possible implementation, when the Earth's surface is divided into multiple geographical regions, different levels of geographical region division can be applied to the same surface area. For example, for a given surface area, a first-level geographical region division can be performed using a 10-degree granularity latitude and longitude grid, a second-level division using a 6-degree granularity grid, and a third-level division using a 1-degree granularity grid. In this case, within the given surface area, the number of first-level geographical regions is greater than the number of second-level geographical regions, and the number of second-level geographical regions is greater than the number of third-level geographical regions. Furthermore, in this scenario, each level of geographical region can be individually numbered.

[0126] 2. Reference signal (RS), also known as pilot signal or pilot signal, is a signal provided by the transmitter to the receiver for channel estimation, channel sounding, or data demodulation. Examples of reference signals include channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), cell-specific reference signal (C-RS / CRS), positioning reference signal (P-RS / PRS), synchronization signal, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or sounding reference signal (SRS). DMRS can include, for example, DMRS for demodulation of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) (referred to as DMRS for PUCCH) and DMRS for demodulation of the physical uplink share channel (PUSCH) (referred to as DMRS for PUSCH). Reference signals can be divided into uplink reference signals and downlink reference signals. For example, CSI-RS, C-RS / CRS, P-RS / PRS, and synchronization signals can be used as downlink reference signals. DMRS and SRS can be used as uplink reference signals.

[0127] As standards continue to evolve, the names of the aforementioned reference signals may change, and more reference signals may emerge; no specific limitations are made regarding this.

[0128] 3. The synchronization signal may be (or include) one or more of the following: a synchronization signal (SS), a synchronization signal block (SSB), or a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block / SSB). The synchronization signal involved in the various embodiments of this application may also be replaced with a synchronization signal block (SSB), or a synchronization signal and PBCH block (SS-PBCH / SS-PBCH block / SSB), etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0129] 4. The local east-north-up (ENU) coordinate system, also known as the station-centered rectangular coordinate system, is used to understand the motion laws of other objects centered on the observer.

[0130] Figure 5 This illustrates the local ENU coordinate system. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the local ENU coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system with the station center (such as the center of the receiving antenna) as the origin O. The Z-axis coincides with the Earth's normal, pointing upwards (towards the sky). The Y-axis coincides with the Earth's minor axis (northwards), and the X-axis coincides with the Earth's major axis (eastwards). In other words, in the local ENU coordinate system, the X-axis points east, the Y-axis points north, and the Z-axis points upwards. Thus, the station-centered coordinate system, transformed from the Earth-centered coordinate system, becomes a local coordinate system that aligns with common human perception of geographical location. Furthermore, if the station center is chosen appropriately, the geographical coordinates expressed using the local ENU coordinate system will be very small, making spatial calculations very convenient.

[0131] 5. Location reference point, also known as reference point, reference location point, or reference position, etc., is not limited in name. The location reference point is associated with (or related to, or corresponding to) the terminal device. The association between the location reference point and the terminal device can be understood as at least one of the following: (1) The location reference point and the location of the terminal device are located on the same reference plane. For example, if the location of the terminal device is on the ground, then the location reference point is a reference point on the ground; (2) Changes in the location of the terminal device may cause changes in the location reference point associated with the terminal device. For example, multiple location reference points are set, and each location reference point is associated with multiple locations of the terminal device; (3) The location reference point is determined based on one or more locations traversed by the terminal device. For example, if the terminal device traverses area 1, area 2, etc., then one location point in area 1 can be selected as the location reference point, and one location point in area 2 can be selected as the location reference point.

[0132] A positional reference point is used to assist in representing (or describing) an angle or angle range; in other words, an angle or angle range is represented using a positional reference point as the observation point or reference point. For example, Figure 6 A diagram illustrating the angle is provided. (For example...) Figure 6 As shown, using a location reference point as a reference point, the angles between a network device (such as a satellite) and an observer are described by at least one of the following: zenith angle, elevation angle, or azimuth angle (also known as direction angle). The zenith angle is the angle between the direction of incident light and the direction line of the network device. The elevation angle, also known as the altitude angle, is the angle between the network device and the horizon where the reference point is located. The azimuth angle is the angle from true north of the location reference point to the horizontal projection line of the network device. The sum of the elevation angle and the zenith angle equals 90 degrees (°).

[0133] Location reference points can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Different network devices can define the same or different location reference points. A single network device can also define multiple location reference points. Furthermore, the number of location reference points defined can differ between network devices. For example, since LEO satellites have smaller signal coverage than GEO satellites, fewer location reference points can be defined for LEO satellites compared to GEO satellites. The granularity of defining location reference points can also differ between network devices; for instance, the granularity of location reference point definitions can be greater for GEO satellites than for LEO satellites.

[0134] The method for dividing multiple location reference points can be defined by a protocol or by a network device. Different network devices can define the same or different division methods. A single network device can also define multiple division methods. Examples of how network devices divide location reference points are given below.

[0135] The first possible division method is to associate the location reference point with the cell of the terminal device.

[0136] For example, a location reference point may include location points in multiple cells of a network device, such as the center point of multiple cells. Alternatively, a location reference point may include one or more location points in a single cell of the network device. For instance, a location reference point can be the center point or boundary point of a cell. For example, if one cell corresponds to one location reference point, then if the cell where the terminal device is located does not change, the location reference point corresponding to the terminal device will not change. If the cell where the terminal device is located changes, then the location reference point corresponding to the terminal device will change.

[0137] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the location reference point is provided. For example... Figure 7 As shown, when the terminal device is located in cell 1 of the satellite, the corresponding position reference point of the terminal device is position point a. When the terminal device moves to cell 2 along the movement direction, the corresponding position reference point of the terminal device is position point b.

[0138] The second possible division method is to correlate the location reference point with the beam of the network device.

[0139] For example, a position reference point can be a reference point within the beam of the satellite containing the terminal device, such as the intersection of the beam normal and the ground. Another example is a position point in multiple projection regions on the ground for multiple beams of the network device, such as the center point of multiple projection regions. Yet another example is that a position reference point can be one or more position points in the projection region on the ground for one beam of the network device. For instance, a position reference point can be the center point or boundary point of the beam's projection region.

[0140] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the location reference point is provided. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the projection areas of each satellite beam on the ground are as follows: Figure 8 The projection areas 1 to 8 are shown, and each projection area corresponds to a position reference point. For example, when the terminal device is located in projection area 1, the position reference point corresponding to the terminal device is the position reference point corresponding to projection area 1.

[0141] The third possible division method is to associate the location reference point with the geographical region.

[0142] For example, a location reference point can be a location point within multiple geographical regions of a network device, such as the center point of multiple geographical regions. Alternatively, a location reference point can be one or more location points within a geographical region. For instance, a location reference point can be the center point or boundary point of a geographical region. Under this classification method, if the geographical region to which the terminal device belongs does not change, then the location reference point corresponding to the terminal device will not change. If the geographical region to which the terminal device belongs changes, then the location reference point corresponding to the terminal device will change.

[0143] The fourth possible division method is that the location reference point coincides with the location of the terminal device. That is, the location reference point is the location of the terminal device.

[0144] The fifth possible division method is to use a reference point within the geographic grid area where the terminal device is located. The geographic grid area can be pre-configured or predefined by the protocol, such as a geographic grid area divided according to administrative regions, etc., without specific limitations. A geographic grid area may be a geographic region, or it may be different from a geographic region, without specific limitations.

[0145] 6. An angle interval, also known as a spatial angle region, spatial area, spatial angle range, or angle range, represents a range of angle values ​​associated with a location reference point. For example, an angle interval can represent the range of angle values ​​between a location reference point and a network device (such as the direction line where the network device is located). For instance, an angle interval can represent the range of azimuth angle values ​​and / or zenith angle values ​​between a location reference point and a network device. Alternatively, an angle interval can represent the range of azimuth angle values ​​and / or elevation angle values ​​between a location reference point and a network device.

[0146] The first and second angle intervals involved in the embodiments of this application can be regarded as examples of angle intervals.

[0147] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application are introduced below. In the various embodiments of this application, the number of terms, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0148] In the various embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily," "for example," "e.g.," etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding / relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0149] In various embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, or implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. The information to be instructed can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated. Alternatively, only a part of the information to be indicated can be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement order of various information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0150] In various embodiments of 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 may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "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 a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0151] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings corresponding to the various embodiments of this application, steps indicated by dashed lines are optional. Furthermore, the network devices involved in the various embodiments of this application are, for example, […]. Figure 1 The base stations or satellites involved Figure 2 The satellites or satellite base stations involved Figure 3 The satellites or satellite base stations involved, or Figure 4 This includes satellites, airborne base stations, and ground base stations. Also, terminal devices, for example... Figures 1 to 4 Any terminal device involved. Furthermore, as standards evolve, the name and / or function of the device may change, but this is not a limitation.

[0152] Please refer to Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The following is a description of... Figure 9 The steps involved will be described.

[0153] S901, The network device sends first information. In this embodiment, the terminal device receiving the first information is taken as an example.

[0154] The network device may transmit the first information via broadcast, multicast, or unicast, without specific limitation. The first information may be carried in system information (SI) or other information, without specific limitation.

[0155] The first information indicates a set of angle intervals. Each angle interval in the set represents a range of angle values ​​associated with a location reference point linked to the terminal device. Each angle interval in the set includes the range of azimuth and / or zenith angle values ​​between the location reference point and the direction line corresponding to the network device, or the range of azimuth and / or elevation angle values ​​between the location reference point and the direction line corresponding to the network device. The content of the location reference point can be found in the preceding section on location reference points and will not be repeated here.

[0156] The set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals that are not accessible to network devices, and / or one or more second angle intervals that are accessible to network devices. That is, the set of angle intervals may include only one or more first angle intervals, or only one or more second angle intervals, or both one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals.

[0157] A device that cannot access the network can be understood as one of the following A1 to A4, or in other words, a device that cannot access the network can be replaced by one of the following A1 to A3.

[0158] A1. Connecting to a network device is not recommended. In this case, the terminal device can connect to the network device (or the network device can provide services to the terminal device), but it is not recommended that the terminal device connect.

[0159] Correspondingly, one or more first angle ranges can be understood as angle ranges within which access to the network device is not recommended. In other words, if the terminal device is located within one or more first angle ranges, it is not recommended that the terminal device access the network device, or in other words, it is not recommended that the terminal device use the services provided by the network device.

[0160] A2. Unable to access the network device, or in other words, the network device is unable to provide services to the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device cannot access the network device. A2 can be understood as the network device being unable to provide services to the terminal device due to capability issues.

[0161] Correspondingly, one or more first angle intervals can be understood as the angle range within which network devices cannot be accessed. In other words, if the terminal device is located in one or more of the first angle intervals, it cannot access the network device, or in other words, it cannot use the services provided by the network device.

[0162] A3. Network device access is prohibited, or in other words, network device access is not allowed. In this case, the network device may or may not be able to provide services to the terminal device; there is no specific limitation, but in short, the terminal device's access is prohibited. Unlike A2, in A3, the network device actively prohibits the terminal device's access.

[0163] Correspondingly, one or more first angle intervals can be understood as the angle range within which network devices cannot be accessed. In other words, if a terminal device is located within one or more of the first angle intervals, access to the network device is prohibited, or the services provided by the network device are not allowed.

[0164] A4. Restricted access to network devices. In this case, the network device allows the terminal device to access the network, or in other words, it can provide services to the terminal device, but with certain restrictions. For example, the network device limits the strength of the signal transmitted by the terminal device, and / or limits the strength of the signal transmitted from the network device to the terminal device. The signal strength can be represented by the signal energy or power, or by the power spectral density of the signal, without specific limitations.

[0165] Correspondingly, one or more first angle intervals can be understood as a limited range of angles for accessing the network device. In other words, if the terminal device is located in a certain angle interval of one or more first angle intervals, it will have limited access to the network device, or in other words, limited access to the services provided by the network device.

[0166] "Accessible network device" can be understood as a terminal device being able to access the network device, or a network device being able to provide services to the terminal device and allowing the terminal device to access it, or a network device allowing the terminal device to access it. Correspondingly, one or more second angle intervals can be understood as the angle range within which the terminal device is allowed to access, or the angle range within which services can be provided to the terminal device. In other words, if the terminal device is located within one or more second angle intervals, then access to the network device is permitted.

[0167] The following describes how network devices obtain a set of angle intervals (i.e., one or more first angle intervals, and / or one or more second angle intervals).

[0168] Method B1: The set of angle intervals can be pre-configured or predefined in the network device.

[0169] For example, the set of angle intervals can be predefined in the network device through the protocol. For example, mode B1 can be applicable to situations where the location reference point is relatively stable, such as when the location reference point is any point in the cell (such as the serving cell) where the terminal device is located, any point in the projection area of ​​the beam (such as the serving beam) where the terminal device is located on the ground, or the location reference point can be any point in the geographical area where the terminal device is located.

[0170] Method B2, the set of angle intervals can be obtained by converting the communicable and / or non-communicable regions of the network device.

[0171] For example, a network device can acquire a communicable area and / or a non-communicable area. The network device can obtain one or more first angle intervals by transforming the communicable area based on a location reference point, and / or the network device can obtain one or more second angle intervals by transforming the non-communicable area based on a location reference point, thereby obtaining a set of angle intervals.

[0172] The communicable and / or non-communicable areas can be regions represented by the coordinate system in which the network device is located, the world coordinate system, or the coordinate system in which the network management system is located. For example, the communicable area is the orbital range in which the network device can communicate, and the non-communicable area is the orbital range in which the network device cannot communicate. The communicable and / or non-communicable areas can be pre-configured or pre-defined in the network device, for example, pre-defined in the network device through a protocol, or determined through negotiation between the network device and other devices, or configured in the network device at the factory; there are no specific limitations on this.

[0173] In one possible design, the communicable area can be the area that the network device can serve, and correspondingly, the non-communicable area can be the area that the network device cannot serve.

[0174] In another possible design, network devices can provide services in both the communicable and non-communicable areas, but the interference between the signals of network devices and other devices (such as other network devices) is relatively small in the communicable area, while the interference between the signals of network devices and other devices is relatively large in the non-communicable area.

[0175] Example 1: A communicable area can be a region where the probability of signal interference between the network device and other devices is less than a first probability. A non-communicable area can be, for example, a region where the probability of signal interference between the network device and other devices is greater than or equal to the first probability. The first probability can be pre-configured or pre-defined, such as through protocol configuration, or determined through negotiation between the network device and other devices; there are no limitations on this.

[0176] Example 2: A communicable area can be an area where the signal interference between the network device and other devices is less than the first interference. A non-communicable area can be, for example, an area where the signal interference between the network device and other devices is greater than or equal to the first interference. The first interference can be pre-configured or pre-defined, such as through protocol configuration, or determined through negotiation between the network device and other devices; there is no limitation on this.

[0177] For example, please refer to Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a communicable area and a non-communicable area provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10Any one of the satellites 1 to 5 shown in the diagram can serve as an example of a network device. Figure 10 The region is represented by a coordinate system based on the location of the terminal device.

[0178] like Figure 10 As shown, the interference between satellites 1 and 2 and other satellites in region 1 is less than the first interference, therefore region 1 is the communicable region for satellites 1 and 2. In regions 2 to 4, the signal interference between satellite 1 and other satellites is greater than the first interference, and the signal interference between satellite 2 and other satellites is also greater than the first interference. Therefore, regions 2 to 4 are the non-communicable regions for satellites 1 and 2.

[0179] If the interference between satellite 3 and other satellites in region 2 is less than the first interference, then region 2 is a communicable region for satellite 3. In regions 1, 3, and 4, the signal interference between satellite 3 and other satellites is greater than the first interference; therefore, regions 1, 3, and 4 are non-communicable regions for satellite 3.

[0180] If the interference between satellites 4 and 5 and other satellites in regions 3 and 4 is less than the first interference, then regions 3 and 4 are communication-enabled regions for satellites 4 and 5. In regions 1 and 2, the signal interference between satellite 4 and other satellites is greater than the first interference, and the signal interference between satellite 5 and other satellites is also greater than the first interference; therefore, regions 3 and 4 are non-communication-enabled regions for satellites 4 and 5.

[0181] Method B2 can be applied to situations where the reference point corresponding to the angle interval set is relatively stable or unstable.

[0182] Methods B1 and B2 described above are examples of how network devices determine the set of angle intervals, but in reality, they do not limit the specific way network devices determine the set of angle intervals.

[0183] The following section introduces the method for indicating the set of angle intervals for the first information.

[0184] Method 1: The first information includes information about a set of angle intervals. For example, the first information includes information about one or more first angle intervals, and / or information about one or more second angles. The information about the set of angle intervals is used to indicate the set of angle intervals. This information may include, for example, information about each angle interval in the set, such as an identifier (or index, or sequence number, or number, etc.) corresponding to each angle interval, or the range of angle values ​​corresponding to each angle interval, or both the identifier and the range of angle values ​​for each angle interval. No specific limitations are imposed on this; for example, the first information may include the range of azimuth angle values ​​and / or the range of zenith angle values ​​corresponding to each angle interval. Alternatively, the first information may include the range of azimuth angle values ​​and / or the range of elevation angle values ​​corresponding to each angle interval.

[0185] Optionally, the first information indicating the set of angle intervals may include: the identifier of each angle interval in the set of angle intervals, and the range of angle values ​​corresponding to each angle interval, such as the range of zenith angle and the range of azimuth angle.

[0186] Method 2: The first information includes information on one or more third angle intervals, and information on one or more fourth angle intervals. The information on the one or more third angle intervals is used to determine one or more first angle intervals, and the information on the one or more fourth angle intervals is used to determine one or more second angle intervals. The information on the one or more third angle intervals and the information on the one or more fourth angle intervals can refer to the information on angle intervals involved in Method 1, and will not be listed here.

[0187] The information about one or more third angle intervals used to determine the manner in which one or more first angle intervals are determined, or the relationship between one or more third angle intervals and one or more first angle intervals, can be pre-configured or predefined in the terminal device, such as a protocol pre-configured in the terminal device, or can be indicated to the terminal device by the network device; no specific limitation is made thereto. For example, the width of each of the one or more third angle intervals differs from the width of one of the one or more first angle intervals by the width of the terminal device's beamwidth or twice the beamwidth.

[0188] Similarly, the information from one or more fourth angle intervals used to determine the manner in which one or more second angle intervals are determined, or the relationship between one or more fourth angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, can be pre-configured or pre-defined in the terminal device, such as a protocol pre-configured in the terminal device, or can be indicated to the terminal device by the network device; no specific limitation is made in this regard. For example, the width of each of the one or more fourth angle intervals differs from the width of one of the one or more second angle intervals by the width of the terminal device's beamwidth or twice the beamwidth.

[0189] For example, please refer to Table 1, which provides an example of first information in an embodiment of this application. Table 1 shows the identifier of each angle interval in the set of angle intervals, as well as the range of values ​​for the zenith angle and the azimuth angle.

[0190] Table 1

[0191] Angle range markings Azimuth (unit: °) Zenith angle (unit: °) Angle range #1 [0,1] [0,1] Angle range #2 [0,1] [1,2] … … …

[0192] As shown in Table 1 above, angle region #1 has an azimuth range of 0° to 1° and a zenith angle range of 0° to 1°. Angle region #2 has an azimuth range of 0° to 1° and a zenith angle range of 1° to 2°. And so on.

[0193] Optionally, the first information indicates a set of angle intervals, which may include the range of angle values ​​corresponding to the contours of each angle interval in the set. For example, the azimuth angle corresponding to the contour, and the range of values ​​for the zenith angle corresponding to that azimuth angle. In other words, the first information indicates the range of values ​​for the zenith angle that can be accessed by a network device and the range of values ​​for the zenith angle that cannot be accessed by a network device, given a given azimuth angle. Another example is the azimuth angle corresponding to the contour, and the range of values ​​for the zenith angle corresponding to that azimuth angle.

[0194] For example, please refer to Table 2, which provides an example of first information in an embodiment of this application. Table 2 shows the azimuth angle corresponding to the contour of each angle interval, and the range of values ​​for the zenith angle corresponding to the azimuth angle. The values ​​of the azimuth angles in Table 2 can serve as identifiers for angle intervals.

[0195] Table 2

[0196]

[0197]

[0198] As shown in Table 2 above, the azimuth of the first angle interval is 0°, and the zenith angle ranges from [30°, 35°]; the azimuth of the second angle interval is 1°, and the zenith angle ranges from [31°, 36°]; the azimuth of the third angle interval is 3°, and the zenith angle ranges from [30°, 35°]; the azimuth of the fourth angle interval is 4°, and the zenith angle ranges from [29°, 34°]; and so on. Table 2 also illustrates an azimuth of 355° with a zenith angle range of [15°, 30°].

[0199] When the first information indicates one or more first angle intervals, the terminal device can, based on preconfiguration or predefinition, explicitly define these one or more first angle intervals as angle intervals where network access is not possible, which is equivalent to the terminal device defaulting to the first information indicating angle intervals where network access is not possible. Alternatively, when the first information indicates one or more second angle intervals, the terminal device can, based on preconfiguration or predefinition, explicitly define these one or more second angle intervals as angle intervals where network access is possible, which is equivalent to the terminal device defaulting to the first information indicating angle intervals where network access is possible. Alternatively, when the first information indicates one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, the first information can also indicate whether each angle interval in the set of angle intervals belongs to an angle interval where network access is possible or an angle interval where network access is not possible.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the first information further indicates at least one of C1 to C3 below.

[0201] C1. Cells associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set. In this case, it can be described as the first information indicating the association (or correspondence) between the angle interval set and one or more cells. The one or more cells are some or all of the cells in the network device, or in other words, these one or more cells are the cells associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set. The first information indicating the association (or correspondence) between the angle interval set and one or more cells may, for example, indicate information about each angle interval in the angle interval set, and information about the cells associated with each angle interval. Cell information may be, for example, the cell's identifier (or index, or number, or sequence number).

[0202] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the angle interval set can be associated with different cells. For example, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with different cells. Similarly, if the angle interval set includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with different cells. Furthermore, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals can be associated with different cells.

[0203] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the angle interval set can be associated with the same cell. For example, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with the same cell. Similarly, if the angle interval set includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with the same cell. Furthermore, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals are associated with the same cell.

[0204] Optionally, in the case where the same angle interval may be associated with multiple different cells, the angle interval may belong to an accessible angle interval and an inaccessible angle interval, or the angle interval may belong to one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, or one of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals may be the same angle interval but associated with different cells.

[0205] For example, when angle interval 1 is associated with cell 1, angle interval 1 can be an accessible angle interval; when angle interval 2 is associated with cell 2, angle interval 2 can be an inaccessible angle interval. In this case, it is necessary to combine the cell and angle interval information to determine whether the angle interval is an accessible or inaccessible angle interval.

[0206] Please refer to Table 3 for an example of first information provided in an embodiment of this application. Table 3 uses the example of first information including the identifier of an angle region set, each angle region in the angle region set belonging to an angle interval of an accessible network device or an angle interval of an inaccessible network device (or whether the angle interval is accessible), and the cell associated with each angle region in the angle region set.

[0207] Table 3

[0208]

[0209]

[0210] In Table 3, "1" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device, and "0" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that cannot be accessed by a network device. As shown in Table 3, angle interval #1 is associated with cell 1, and angle interval #1 is an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device. Angle interval #2 is associated with cell 1, and angle interval #2 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by a network device. Angle interval #3 is associated with cell 1, and angle interval #3 is an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device. Angle interval #4 is associated with cell 1, and angle interval #4 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by a network device.

[0211] Please refer to Table 4 for an example of first information provided in an embodiment of this application. Table 4 shows that the first information includes the identifier of an angle region set, each angle region in the angle region set belongs to an angle interval of an accessible network device or an angle interval of an inaccessible network device (or whether the angle interval is accessible), and the cell associated with each angle region in the angle region set.

[0212] Table 4

[0213] Angle range markings Is it accessible? Community signage Angle range #1 0 Community 2 Angle range #2 0 Community 2 Angle range #3 1 Community 2 Angle range #4 1 Community 2 … … …

[0214] In Table 4, "1" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices, and "0" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. As shown in Table 4, angle interval #1 is associated with cell 2, and angle interval #1 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #2 is associated with cell 2, and angle interval #2 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #3 is associated with cell 2, and angle interval #3 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #4 is associated with cell 2, and angle interval #4 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices.

[0215] C2. The beams of the network devices associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals. In this case, it can be described as the first information indicating the association (or correspondence) between the set of angle intervals and one or more beams. The one or more beams are some or all of the beams in the network device's beams, or in other words, these one or more beams are the beams associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals. The first information indicating the association (or correspondence) between the set of angle intervals and one or more beams, for example, the first information indicates the information of each angle interval in the set of angle intervals, and the information of the beams associated with each angle region.

[0216] Beam information may include: the beam's index (or identifier, number, or sequence number), and / or the index (or identifier, number, or sequence number) of the synchronization signal corresponding to the beam. The synchronization signal is used to broadcast the beam, or in other words, to scan the beam. For example, each SSB in an SSB burst set performs beamforming; the number of SSBs in the SSB burst set and the specified scanning range can be used to determine information about different beams (such as the beam's azimuth and tilt direction). Beam information may also include the identifier of the cell corresponding to the beam and / or the pilot port corresponding to the beam. A pilot port refers to the port of a reference signal, such as the port of a synchronization signal or a DMRS port.

[0217] The pilot port and synchronization signal index can be used as a method to indicate the beam. Alternatively, the cell identifier and synchronization signal index can be used as a method to jointly indicate the beam.

[0218] When the first information includes the identifier of the cell associated with each angle interval and the index of the synchronization signal, different angle intervals can be associated with the same cell but with different synchronization signals. When the first information includes the identifier of the cell associated with each angle interval and the index of the beam, different angle intervals can be associated with the same cell but with different beams.

[0219] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the angle interval set can be associated with different beams. For example, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with different beams. Similarly, if the angle interval set includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with different beams. Furthermore, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals can be associated with different beams.

[0220] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the angle interval set can be associated with the same beam. For example, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with the same beam. Similarly, if the angle interval set includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with the same beam. Furthermore, if the angle interval set includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the one or more first angle intervals and at least one of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with the same beam.

[0221] Alternatively, when the same angular interval may be associated with multiple different beams, this angular interval may belong to both accessible and inaccessible angular intervals, or it may belong to one or more first angular intervals and one or more second angular intervals. For example, when angular interval 1 is associated with beam 1, angular interval 1 can be an accessible angular interval; when angular interval 2 is associated with beam 2, angular interval 2 can be an inaccessible angular interval. In this case, it is necessary to combine the beam and the angular interval to determine whether the angular interval belongs to an accessible or inaccessible angular interval.

[0222] Please refer to Table 5 for an example of first information provided in an embodiment of this application. Table 5 shows that the first information includes the identifier of an angle region set, the angle region set belonging to an angle interval of a network-accessible device or an angle interval of a non-network-accessible device (or whether the angle interval is accessible), the identifier of the cell associated with each angle region in the angle region set, and the index of the synchronization signal, with the synchronization signal being SSB as an example.

[0223] Table 5

[0224]

[0225] In Table 5, "1" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices, and "0" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. As shown in Table 5 above, angle interval #1 is associated with cell 1 and SSB0, and angle interval #1 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #2 is associated with cell 1 and SSB0, and angle interval #2 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #3 is associated with cell 1 and SSB0, and angle interval #3 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #4 is associated with cell 1 and SSB0, and angle interval #4 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices. And so on.

[0226] Please refer to Table 6 for an example of first information provided in an embodiment of this application. Table 6 shows that the first information includes the identifier of an angle region set, the angle region set belonging to an angle interval of a network-accessible device or an angle interval of a non-network-accessible device (or whether the angle interval is accessible), the identifier of the cell associated with each angle region in the angle region set, and the index of the synchronization signal, with the synchronization signal being SSB as an example.

[0227] Table 6

[0228]

[0229] In Table 6, "1" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices, and "0" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. As shown in Table 6 above, angle interval #1 is associated with cell 1 and SSB0, and angle interval #1 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #2 is associated with cell 1 and SSB1, and angle interval #2 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #3 is associated with cell 1 and SSB1, and angle interval #3 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices. Angle interval #4 is associated with cell 1 and SSB1, and angle interval #4 is an angle interval that can be accessed by network devices. And so on.

[0230] C3. The geographical regions associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals. The content of the geographical regions can be referred to the content of the geographical regions discussed above, and the repetitions will not be listed here.

[0231] Please refer to Table 7 for an example of a geographical region provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 7 In Chinese, geographical regions are represented by their identifiers, longitude, latitude, and altitude.

[0232] Table 7

[0233]

[0234] As shown in Table 7 above, the longitude range of geographic region #1 is [35.1°, 35.2°], the latitude range is [120.3°, 120.4°], and the altitude is [0m, 50m]. The longitude range of geographic region #2 is [36.1°, 36.2°], the latitude range is [121.3°, 121.4°], and the altitude is [0m, 50m]. The longitude range of geographic region #3 is [35.1°, 35.2°], the latitude range is [120.4°, 120.5°], and the altitude is [50m, 100m].

[0235] In case C3, it can be described as the association (or correspondence) between the first information indicating the set of angle intervals and one or more geographical regions. The one or more geographical regions can be part or all of the signal coverage area of ​​the network device, or in other words, these one or more geographical regions are the geographical regions associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals.

[0236] The first information indicates the association between a set of angle intervals and one or more geographic regions. For example, the first information includes information about each angle interval in the set of angle intervals, as well as information about the geographic region associated with each angle region. The information about the geographic region includes, for example, the identifier of the geographic region, and / or the longitude, latitude, and altitude of the geographic region.

[0237] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the set of angle intervals can be associated with different geographical regions. For example, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with different geographical regions. Similarly, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with different geographical regions. Furthermore, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals can be associated with different geographical regions.

[0238] Optionally, at least two angle intervals in the set of angle intervals can be associated with the same geographic region. For example, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals, at least two of these first angle intervals can be associated with the same geographic region. Similarly, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more second angle intervals, at least two of these second angle intervals can be associated with the same geographic region. Furthermore, if the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals, at least one of the first angle intervals and at least one of the second angle intervals can be associated with the same geographic region.

[0239] Alternatively, when the same angle interval may be associated with multiple different geographic regions, this angle interval may belong to both accessible and inaccessible angle intervals, or it may belong to one or more first angle intervals and one or more second angle intervals. For example, when angle interval 1 is associated with geographic region 1, angle interval 1 can be an accessible angle interval; when angle interval 2 is associated with geographic region 2, angle interval 2 can be an inaccessible angle interval. In this case, it is necessary to combine the geographic region and the angle interval to determine whether the angle interval belongs to an accessible or inaccessible angle interval.

[0240] Please refer to Table 8 for an example of first information provided in an embodiment of this application. Table 8 shows that the first information includes the identifier of an angle interval set, the angle region set in which each angle region belongs to an angle interval that can access a network device or an angle interval that cannot access a network device (or whether the angle interval is accessible), and the identifier of the geographical region associated with each angle region in the angle region set.

[0241] Table 8

[0242]

[0243] In Table 8, "1" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device, and "0" indicates that the angle interval belongs to an angle interval that cannot be accessed by a network device. As shown in Table 8, when angle interval #1 is associated with geographic region #1, angle interval #1 is an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device. When angle interval #2 is associated with geographic region #1, angle interval #2 is an angle interval that cannot be accessed by a network device. When angle interval #1 is associated with geographic region #2, angle interval #1 is an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device. When angle interval #2 is associated with geographic region #2, angle interval #2 is an angle interval that can be accessed by a network device. And so on.

[0244] S902. Determine one or more first angle intervals and / or one or more second angle intervals.

[0245] The first information indicates a set of angle intervals. After receiving the first information, the terminal device can determine one or more first angle intervals and / or determine one or more second angle intervals. Since the method of indicating the set of angle intervals in the first information differs, the content of the terminal device determining one or more first angle intervals and / or determining one or more second angle intervals also differs, which will be described below.

[0246] If the first information includes information about a set of angle intervals, then the terminal device can determine one or more first angle intervals and / or one or more second angle intervals based on the content of the first information.

[0247] If the first information includes information about one or more third angle intervals and information about one or more fourth angle intervals, then the terminal device can determine one or more third angle intervals and one or more fourth angle intervals based on the content of the first information. The terminal device determines one or more first angle intervals based on one or more third angle intervals, and / or determines one or more second angle intervals based on one or more fourth angle intervals.

[0248] For example, the width of each of one or more third angle intervals differs from the width of one of one or more first angle intervals by twice the width of the terminal device's beam, and / or the width of each of one or more fourth angle intervals differs from the width of one of one or more second angle intervals by twice the width of the terminal device's beam.

[0249] For example, the terminal device adjusts one or more third angle intervals based on the beamwidth of the terminal device to obtain one or more first angle intervals. For instance, the terminal device increases the beamwidth by twice the width of each of the one or more third angle intervals to obtain one or more first angle intervals. And / or, the terminal device adjusts one or more fourth angle intervals based on the beamwidth of the first communication device to obtain one or more second angle intervals. For instance, the terminal device increases the beamwidth by twice the width of each of the one or more fourth angle intervals to obtain one or more second angle intervals. This is equivalent to the terminal device being able to correct the angle intervals indicated by the network device to obtain a network device that better meets the needs of the terminal device.

[0250] For example, please refer to Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of a first angle range provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 11As shown, the terminal device determines the third angle range based on the first information, such as... Figure 11 The angle interval shown in boc is then used to determine a first angle interval, namely the angle interval shown in aod.

[0251] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can determine whether it is in one or more first angular intervals or one or more second angular intervals based on its position.

[0252] Optionally, if the first information further indicates the cell associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set, then the terminal device can further determine whether it is in one or more first angle intervals, or whether it is in one or more second angle intervals, based on the cell where the terminal device is located. If the first information further indicates the beam associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set, then the terminal device can further determine whether it is in one or more first angle intervals, or whether it is in one or more second angle intervals, based on the beam corresponding to the terminal device. If the first information further indicates the geographical area associated with each angle interval in the angle interval set, then the terminal device can further determine whether it is in one or more first angle intervals, or whether it is in one or more second angle intervals, based on the geographical area corresponding to the terminal device.

[0253] Case 1: The terminal device is in one of the first angle intervals.

[0254] Scenario 2 indicates that the terminal device is in an area where it cannot access the network device. In this case, the terminal device may not receive signals from the network device, and / or may not send signals to the network device. Not receiving signals can mean not listening to signals, listening to signals but not demodulating them, or directly ignoring scheduling signals, etc.

[0255] Alternatively, in case 1, the terminal device does not receive signals from the network device, and / or sends signals to the network device with a strength less than a first threshold. Sending signals to the network device with a strength less than the first threshold can be alternatively described as not sending signals to the network device with a strength greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0256] Case 2: The terminal device is located in one of the two second angle intervals.

[0257] Case 2 indicates that the terminal device is in an area where it can access network devices. In this case, the terminal device can receive signals from the network device and / or send signals to the network device.

[0258] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. The following describes... Figures 12 to 14 The following describes any of the communication devices shown. For example, the communication device is... Figure 1 The base stations or satellites involved Figure 2 The satellites or satellite base stations involved Figure 3 The satellites or satellite base stations involved Figure 4 The satellites, airborne base stations, or ground base stations involved, or Figures 1 to 4 Any terminal device involved, or a module within such device, is not specifically limited in this regard.

[0259] like Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 1200 may include modules or units for implementing the methods described in the embodiments above. In one possible design, the communication device 1200 includes a processing unit 1210 and a communication unit 1220. The communication unit 1220 is used to perform transmit and receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit 1220 may be referred to as a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit 1220 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing unit 1210 is used to perform processing operations. Alternatively, the communication unit 1220 may be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit 1220 may be a transmitter and a receiver. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may also include a storage unit 1230. The storage unit 1230 is used to store the device's program code or data. Figure 12 The dashed box in the image indicates that storage unit 1230 is an optional unit.

[0260] In the first embodiment, the communication device 1200 can be as described above. Figure 9 The terminal device in the method embodiment shown, the communication module in the terminal device, or the circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions, or the implementation Figure 9 The terminal device in the illustrated method embodiment has the following functions. For example, the communication device 1200 is a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions.

[0261] In the above embodiments, the communication unit 1220 is used to perform the receiving of first information involved in S901, and the processing unit 1210 is used to perform the steps of S902, namely, determining one or more first angle intervals and / or one or more second angle intervals.

[0262] Communication device 1200 can also achieve the above-mentioned Figure 9 Other steps performed by the terminal device in the implementation of the method shown are not listed here.

[0263] In the second embodiment, the communication device 1200 can be as described above. Figure 9The network device shown in the method embodiment, the communication module in the network device, or the circuit or chip in the network device responsible for communication functions, or the implementation Figure 9 The network device in the illustrated method embodiment has the following functions. For example, communication device 1200 is a communication module in the network device, or a circuit or chip in the network device responsible for communication functions.

[0264] In the above embodiment, the communication unit 1220 is used to perform the step of sending the first information involved in S901.

[0265] Communication device 1200 can also achieve the above-mentioned Figure 9 Other steps performed by the network device in the implementation of the method shown are not listed here.

[0266] In one possible design, when the communication device 1200 is a terminal device, a communication module within a terminal device, an access network device, or a communication module within an access network device, the function of the processing unit 1210 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 1220 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0267] In one possible design, when the communication device 1200 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an access network device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1210 can be implemented by a circuit system including one or more processors or processor cores in the aforementioned chip. The function of the communication unit 1220 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0268] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0269] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more DSPs, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0270] In one example, storage unit 1230 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0271] The following is about Figure 13 The communication device shown is described below. Figure 13 As shown, the communication device 1300 includes a processor 1310. Optionally, the communication device 1300 also includes an interface circuit 1320 and a memory 1330. The processor 1310 and the interface circuit 1320 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1320 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. The memory 1330 is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1310, or to store input data required by the processor 1310 to execute instructions, or to store data generated after the processor 1310 executes instructions. The interface circuit 1320 and the memory 1330 are optional modules. Figure 13 The image is indicated by a dashed box. Additionally... Figure 13 The example given is a processor 1310 and a memory 1330, but the actual number of processors 1310 and memory 1330 is not limited.

[0272] Communication device 1300 is used to achieve Figure 9 The method embodiment shown. Optionally, the processor 1310 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1210, and the interface circuit 1320 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 1220.

[0273] For example, communication device 1300 can be used to implement Figure 9 The method shown describes the functions of the terminal device or network device used in the implementation.

[0274] When the aforementioned communication device 1300 is a chip applied to a device (such as the terminal device or network device mentioned above), the device chip implements the functions of the device in the above method embodiments. The device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the device, the information being sent to the device by other devices; or, the device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the device, the information being sent to other devices by the device. Here, the communication device 1600 can be a baseband chip of a device, or a DU or other modules. The DU here can be a DU under an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0275] The processor 1610 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. Furthermore, the memory involved in the various embodiments of this application can include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM). The memory can also include non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard disk drives (HDDs), or solid-state drives (SSDs).

[0276] The following is about Figure 14 The communication device shown is described below. Figure 14 As shown, the communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410 and a transceiver 1430. The processor 1410 can also be referred to as a processing unit, processing board, processing module, or processing device. The implementation of the processor 1410 can be found in the preceding text. Figure 13 The contents of processor 1310 are described. Transceiver 1430 can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. Transceiver 1430 includes transmitter 1431, receiver 1432, and antenna 1433. Optionally, transceiver 1430 may also include radio frequency circuitry and input / output devices, etc., without specific limitations.

[0277] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1430 used to implement the receiving function is considered a receiving module, and the device in transceiver 1430 used to implement the transmitting function is considered a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 1430 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver may sometimes be called a transceiver unit, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit, etc. A receiver may sometimes be called a receiver unit, receiving module, or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0278] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also include a memory 1420, which may store computer program code and / or data.

[0279] The processor 1410 is mainly used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the communication device 1400, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory 1420 is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna 1433 is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0280] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor 1410 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a 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 as electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device 1400, 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 processor 1410. The processor 1410 converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data. For ease of explanation, Figure 14 Only one memory 1420, processor 1410, and transceiver 1430 are shown in the diagram. In actual terminal products, there may be one or more processors 1410 and one or more memories 1420. The memory 1420 may also be referred to as a storage medium or storage device. The memory 1420 may be set up independently of the processor 1410 or integrated with the processor 1410; there is no limitation on this.

[0281] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver functions are considered as communication units of the communication device 1400, and the processor with processing functions is considered as processing units of the communication device 1400. The processor 1410 is used to execute the above-described... Figure 9 In the embodiments of the method described above, the transceiver 1430 is used to perform the sending and receiving actions on the terminal device or network device side.

[0282] When the communication device 1400 is a chip, the chip includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. Optionally, the chip may also include a memory. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the terminal device or network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0283] This application provides a communication system. The communication system includes a terminal device and a network device. For example, the terminal device can implement... Figure 9 The terminal device in the illustrated method implementation has the functions described above, and the network device can achieve the above. Figure 9 The network device functionality shown in the method embodiment.

[0284] This application provides a chip system including a processor and an interface. The processor is used to call and execute instructions from the interface, and when the processor executes the instructions, it implements the aforementioned... Figure 9 The method embodiment shown.

[0285] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, implement the above-described functionality. Figure 9 The method embodiment shown.

[0286] This application provides a program product, which, when executed, enables the processor to perform the above-described functions. Figure 9 The method embodiment shown. The program product is, for example, a computer program product, specifically, a computer program and / or instructions. The processor is, for example, a processor running in a computer.

[0287] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0288] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0289] The various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be based on its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information indicating a set of angle intervals, wherein any angle interval included in the set of angle intervals is: a range of angle values ​​associated with a position reference point associated with the first communication device, and the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals that cannot be accessed by the second communication device, and / or one or more second angle intervals that can be accessed by the second communication device; Determine the one or more first angle intervals and / or the one or more second angle intervals.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Any angle interval in the set of angle intervals includes: The range of values ​​for the azimuth angle and / or the range of values ​​for the zenith angle between the location reference point and the direction line corresponding to the second communication device; The range of values ​​for the azimuth angle and / or elevation angle between the location reference point and the direction line corresponding to the second communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information also indicates at least one of the following: The cell associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals; The beam of the second communication device associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals; or, The geographical region associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The set of angle intervals satisfies at least one of the following conditions: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with different cells; At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with different cells; At least one of the one or more first angle intervals, and at least one of the one or more second angle intervals, are associated with the same cell; or, One of the first angle intervals in the one or more first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals in the one or more second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different cells.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The set of angle intervals also satisfies at least one of the following conditions: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with the same cell and with different beams of the second communication device; At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with the same cell and with different beams of the second communication device; or, One of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different beams.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The set of regions satisfies at least one of the following conditions: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; At least one of the one or more first angle intervals, and at least one of the one or more second angle intervals, are associated with the same geographical region; or, One of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different geographical regions.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first communication device is located within one of the one or more first angle intervals, then: it does not receive signals from the second communication device, and / or does not send signals to the second communication device; or, If the first communication device is in one of the one or more first angle intervals, then: it does not receive signals from the second communication device, and / or sends signals with an intensity less than a first threshold to the second communication device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first communication device is in one of the one or more second angle intervals, then: receive a signal from the second communication device, and / or send a signal to the second communication device.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the cell, beam, or geographical area corresponding to the location of the first communication device, it is determined that the first communication device is located in one of the one or more first angle intervals, or the first communication device is located in one of the one or more second angle intervals.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first information includes information from one or more third angle intervals, and / or information from one or more fourth angle intervals; the method further includes: Based on the beamwidth of the first communication device, the one or more third angle intervals are adjusted respectively to obtain the one or more first angle intervals; and / or, Based on the beamwidth of the first communication device, the one or more fourth angle intervals are adjusted respectively to obtain the one or more second angle intervals.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a first message, the first message indicating a set of angle intervals, wherein any angle interval included in the set of angle intervals is a range of angle values ​​associated with a position reference point associated with the first communication device, and the set of angle intervals includes one or more first angle intervals that cannot be accessed by the second communication device, and / or one or more second angle intervals that can be accessed by the second communication device.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Any angle interval in the set of angle intervals includes the range of azimuth angle and / or zenith angle between the position reference point and the direction line corresponding to the second communication device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The first information also indicates at least one of the following: The cell associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals; The beam of the second communication device associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals; or, The geographical region associated with each angle interval in the set of angle intervals.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The set of angle intervals satisfies at least one of the following conditions: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with different cells; At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with different cells; At least one of the one or more first angle intervals, and at least one of the one or more second angle intervals, are associated with the same cell; or, One of the first angle intervals in the one or more first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals in the one or more second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different cells.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The set of angle intervals also satisfies the following condition: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with the same cell and with different beams of the second communication device; and / or, At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with the same cell and with different beams of the second communication device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that, The set of angle intervals also satisfies at least one of the following conditions: At least two of the one or more first angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; At least two of the one or more second angle intervals are associated with different geographical regions; At least one of the one or more first angle intervals, and at least one of the one or more second angle intervals, are associated with the same geographical region; or, One of the first angle intervals and one of the second angle intervals are the same angle interval, but are associated with different geographical regions.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first communication device is located within one of the one or more first angle intervals, then: no signal is sent to the first communication device, or a signal with an intensity less than a first threshold is sent to the first communication device; and / or, If the first communication device is located in one of the one or more second angle intervals, then: send a signal to the first communication device.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to execute a computer program or instructions in memory such that the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10 is executed, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-17 is executed.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed, it causes the processor to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11-17.

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