Communication method, system and related equipment

Abstract

Provided in an embodiment of the present application are a communication method, system and related device, comprising: a first satellite network device determining SSB distribution periods respectively corresponding to a plurality of beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device, the plurality of beam coverage areas comprising a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area, the SSB distribution period corresponding to the first beam coverage area is less than the SSB distribution period corresponding to the second beam coverage area, and the UE density of the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density of the second beam coverage area; and then, the first satellite network equipment sends SSBs to the plurality of beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution periods corresponding to the plurality of beam coverage areas respectively, and the SSBs are used for the UE to access the first satellite network equipment. A long SSB distribution period is adopted for a beam coverage area with small UE density, SSB can be sent to other beam coverage areas with small UE density in one SSB distribution period, more beam coverage areas are covered, and the coverage rate is increased.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Currently, satellite network equipment (such as satellites) can periodically activate multiple beams to send synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). As a result, user equipment (UE) located within the beam footprint can synchronize with the satellite network equipment in the time domain and access the satellite network equipment based on the received SSBs.

[0003] Taking a low-Earth orbit satellite at an altitude of 600km as an example, in practical applications, with a minimum elevation angle of 30° and a coverage area radius of 25km for each beam, the satellite can have 1058 beam coverage areas. However, due to the power limitations of the satellite's payload, the satellite typically cannot activate all beams to transmit SSBs simultaneously; it can only activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time.

[0004] In this case, assuming the satellite's SSB distribution period is 20ms and one SSB distribution period includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, then this satellite can only cover 424 beam coverage areas within one SSB distribution period, which is a low coverage rate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, system, and related equipment, with the aim of improving the coverage of the beam coverage area.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applied to a first satellite network device. The method includes: the first satellite network device determining the SSB (Synchronization Signal and Physical Broadcast Channel Block) distribution period corresponding to multiple beam coverage areas it owns, wherein the SSB distribution period refers to the period during which SSBs are transmitted to the beam coverage area. For example, for a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area included in the multiple beam coverage areas, the first satellite network device can determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the first beam coverage area and the second beam coverage area respectively, such as the SSB distribution period corresponding to the first beam coverage area being less than the SSB distribution period corresponding to the second beam coverage area; furthermore, the user equipment (UE) density corresponding to the first beam coverage area is greater than that of the second beam coverage area. The corresponding UE density represents the distribution of the number of UEs within the beam coverage area. Then, the first satellite network device can send SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area. These SSBs are used for UE access to the first satellite network device. For example, the first satellite network device sends an SSB to the first beam coverage area based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the first beam coverage area, enabling UEs within the first beam coverage area to access the first satellite network device based on the SSB. Furthermore, the first satellite network device can also send an SSB to the second beam coverage area based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the second beam coverage area, enabling UEs within the second beam coverage area to access the first satellite network device based on the SSB.

[0008] Since the first satellite network device can determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to multiple beam coverage areas, such as the first beam coverage area with higher UE density having a shorter SSB distribution period, and the second beam coverage area with lower UE density having a longer SSB distribution period, within the same time frame, the first beam coverage area can send multiple SSBs using a shorter SSB distribution period, while the second beam coverage area can reduce the number of SSBs sent within that beam coverage area by using a longer SSB distribution period. For example, assuming the SSB distribution period for the first beam coverage area is 20ms and the SSB distribution period for the second beam coverage area is 80ms, then within the same 80ms, the first satellite network device can send 4 SSBs to the first beam coverage area, while only sending 1 SSB to the second beam coverage area. In this way, using a shorter SSB distribution cycle for the first beam coverage area with a high UE density helps reduce the access latency of UEs within the first beam coverage area and provides more access opportunities for UEs within the first beam coverage area in the same time, enabling as many UEs within the first beam coverage area as possible to access the first satellite network equipment. Conversely, using a longer SSB distribution cycle for the second beam coverage area with a lower UE density allows SSBs to be sent to other beam coverage areas with lower UE density within a single SSB distribution cycle, thereby covering more beam coverage areas and improving the coverage rate of the beam coverage areas.

[0009] In one possible implementation, when determining the SSB distribution period corresponding to multiple beam coverage areas, the first satellite network device can first determine the UE density index for each beam coverage area, where the UE density index represents the UE density of each beam coverage area. Then, based on the UE density index of each beam coverage area, the first satellite network device can determine the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area. In this way, the first satellite network device can independently determine the corresponding SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas with different UE densities. Within the same time frame, the number of times the first satellite network device sends SSBs to beam coverage areas with different UE densities can be controlled, which helps to improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area while reducing the access latency of UEs within the beam coverage area.

[0010] In one possible implementation, when the first satellite network device determines the SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the UE density index of each beam coverage area, it can specifically determine the category to which each beam coverage area belongs based on the UE density represented by the UE density index of each beam coverage area. Then, the first satellite network device determines the SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the category to which each beam coverage area belongs. Since the categories to which the multiple beam coverage areas belong include a first category and a second category, the UE density of the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category is greater than the UE density of the beam coverage areas belonging to the second category. Therefore, the first SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category is shorter than the second SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage areas belonging to the second category. Thus, within the same time period, the first satellite network device can send multiple SSBs to the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category with a higher UE density using a shorter SSB distribution period. This helps to reduce the access latency of multiple UEs in such beam coverage areas and provides more access opportunities for UEs in such beam coverage areas within the same time period, enabling as many UEs as possible to access the first satellite network device. The first satellite network device, using a longer SSB distribution cycle, can reduce the number of times SSBs are sent to beam coverage areas with lower UE density belonging to the second category within a single SSB distribution cycle. This facilitates the transmission of SSBs to other beam coverage areas with similarly lower UE density within a single SSB distribution cycle, thereby covering more beam coverage areas and improving coverage efficiency. In one possible implementation, the UE density index for each beam coverage area can be inversely correlated with the corresponding SSB distribution cycle. That is, the higher the UE density of a beam coverage area, the shorter the corresponding SSB distribution cycle; conversely, the lower the UE density, the longer the corresponding SSB distribution cycle. Thus, within the same timeframe, the first satellite network device, using a shorter SSB distribution cycle, can send multiple SSBs to beam coverage areas with higher UE density, helping to reduce access latency for multiple UEs within these beam coverage areas and providing more access opportunities for UEs within these beam coverage areas within the same timeframe, enabling as many UEs as possible to access the first satellite network device. The first satellite network equipment uses a longer SSB distribution cycle, which can reduce the number of times SSBs are sent to each beam coverage area with a lower UE density. This helps to send SSBs to other beam coverage areas with the same lower UE density in one SSB distribution cycle, thereby covering more beam coverage areas and improving the coverage rate of the beam coverage area.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the categories to which all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device belong include multiple categories, including a first category and a second category. The category to which the first beam coverage area belongs is the first category, and the category to which the second beam coverage area belongs is the second category. Accordingly, when the first satellite network device sends SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution cycles corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, it can first determine the first number of beams required for the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category, and determine the second number of beams required for the beam coverage areas belonging to the second category. The sum of the number of beams required for all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device is less than the upper limit of the number of beams provided by the first satellite network device. Then, the first satellite network device can send SSBs to the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category based on the first number and the first SSB distribution cycle corresponding to the beam coverage areas belonging to the first category, and send SSBs to the beam coverage areas belonging to the second category based on the second number and the second SSB distribution cycle corresponding to the beam coverage areas belonging to the second category. In this way, provided that the first satellite network equipment can provide signal coverage to the entire coverage area of ​​its own beams, it can use as few beams as possible to transmit SSBs, thereby saving some beams to perform data transmission services and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first SSB distribution cycle includes a third number of SSB transmission opportunities, and the second SSB distribution cycle includes a fourth number of SSB transmission opportunities. Accordingly, when determining the first number of beams required for a beam coverage area belonging to the first category, the first satellite network device can first obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the first category, and then determine the first number based on the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the first category and the third number. Similarly, when determining the second number of beams required for a beam coverage area belonging to the second category, the first satellite network device can first obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the second category, and then determine the second number based on the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the second category and the fourth number. In this way, the first satellite network device can use all SSB transmission opportunities within an SSB distribution cycle to transmit SSBs, thereby reducing the total number of beams used, conserving beam resources as much as possible, and allowing the remaining unused beams to perform data transmission services, thus improving the performance of the communication system.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the categories to which all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device belong include multiple categories, including target category and other categories. The target category is the category to which the beam coverage area corresponding to the longest SSB distribution period belongs, and the other categories are the categories to which the beam coverage areas belong, excluding the beam coverage area corresponding to the longest SSB distribution period. Accordingly, when the first satellite network device sends SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution cycles corresponding to each beam coverage area, it can first determine the number of beams required for beam coverage areas belonging to other categories. Then, it can further determine the number of beams required for beam coverage areas belonging to the target category by subtracting the maximum number of beams provided by the first satellite network device from the number of beams required for beam coverage areas belonging to other categories. Next, the first satellite network device can send SSBs to other beam coverage areas based on the number of beams required for other categories and the SSB distribution cycles corresponding to other beam coverage areas. Finally, it can send SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to the target category based on the number of beams required for the target category and the longest SSB distribution cycle. In this way, the first satellite network device can use all simultaneously active beams to send SSBs, thereby utilizing as many beams as possible to send SSBs as early as possible, thus reducing UE access latency. Furthermore, the early transmission of SSBs by the first satellite network equipment may result in remaining SSB transmission opportunities within the SSB distribution cycle, thereby saving this portion of time and frequency resources to perform data transmission services and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0014] In one possible implementation, when determining the number of beams required for coverage areas of other categories and the number of beams required for coverage areas of the target category, the first satellite network device can first obtain the number of coverage areas of each other category. Then, based on the quotient of the number of coverage areas of each other category and the number of SSB transmission opportunities in the corresponding SSB distribution cycle for each other category, the device can determine the number of beams required for each other category. Finally, based on the difference between the upper limit of the number of beams and the number of coverage areas of each other category, the device can determine the number of beams required for the target category. In this way, when the first satellite network device sends SSBs to coverage areas of different categories, it can use all the beams it provides. By using as many beams as possible to send SSBs as early as possible, it helps to reduce the access latency of the UE.

[0015] In one possible implementation, when the first satellite network device determines the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to its multiple beam coverage areas, it can first obtain a first correspondence relationship. This first correspondence relationship is the relationship between the multiple beam coverage areas and their respective SSB distribution periods. Then, the first satellite network device can query the first correspondence relationship to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to each of the multiple beam coverage areas. In this way, the satellite network can quickly and accurately obtain the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area by querying the first correspondence relationship, reducing computational pressure and lowering the consumption of computing resources.

[0016] In one possible implementation, when determining the UE density index of each beam coverage area among multiple beam coverage areas, the first satellite network device can first obtain a second correspondence relationship. This second correspondence relationship is the relationship between the multiple beam coverage areas and their respective UE density indices. Then, the first satellite network device can query this second correspondence relationship to determine the UE density index of each beam coverage area. In this way, the first satellite network device can quickly and accurately obtain the UE density index of each beam coverage area by querying the second correspondence relationship, without requiring additional calculations from the first satellite network device, thus reducing computational pressure and lowering the consumption of computing resources.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the UE density index for each beam coverage area is the received historical UE density index, which represents the historical UE density of each first beam coverage area. Thus, for the first satellite network device, the received historical UE density index can be directly used as the UE density index for the corresponding beam coverage area, eliminating the need for additional calculations by the first satellite network device, thereby reducing computational burden and improving the reliability of the communication system.

[0018] In one possible implementation, when determining the UE density index for each of the multiple beam coverage areas, the first satellite network device can first obtain the number of requests received from UEs within each beam coverage area, and then determine the UE density index for each beam coverage area based on the number of requests. In this way, the first satellite network device can directly and accurately determine the UE density index for the corresponding beam coverage area by referring to the number of UE requests.

[0019] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a user equipment (UE). The method includes: the UE determining the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located; the UE scanning to obtain the SSBs within the beam coverage area based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located; and the UE accessing a first satellite network device according to the SSBs.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located is the SSB scanning period of the UE's historical access to satellite network equipment. This eliminates the need for the UE to repeatedly determine the SSB distribution period, improving scanning efficiency and allowing the UE to quickly access the first satellite network equipment.

[0021] In one possible implementation, when the UE determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to its beam coverage area, specifically, if no SSB is detected based on a first preset period, it can determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to its beam coverage area as a second preset period, which is longer than the first preset period. Then, when the UE scans and finds an SSB within its beam coverage area based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to its beam coverage area, it can obtain the SSB based on the second preset period. In this way, even when the UE is accessing the first satellite network device for the first time, this blind scanning method can gradually determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to its beam coverage area, thereby enabling access to the first satellite network device.

[0022] In one possible implementation, when the UE determines the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to its beam coverage area, it can first obtain a third correspondence. This third correspondence is the correspondence between multiple beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device and their respective SSB distribution periods. Then, it queries this third correspondence to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the UE's beam coverage area. In this way, the UE can quickly and accurately obtain the SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area by querying the third correspondence, eliminating the need for repeated determination of the SSB distribution period and improving scanning efficiency. This allows the UE to quickly access the first satellite network device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the UE can also send a request to the historically accessed satellite network device during the historical access process. This request is used to determine the historical UE density index of the beam coverage area where the UE is located. The historical UE density index represents the historical UE density of the beam coverage area where the UE is located. Then, the UE can send the determined historical UE density index to the first satellite network device. The historical UE density index is used by the first satellite network device to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located. In this way, the UE can provide the first satellite network device with the historical UE density index of its beam coverage area, so that the first satellite network device can directly determine the corresponding SSB distribution period based on the historical UE density index. For the first satellite network device, it can directly use the received historical UE density index as the corresponding beam coverage area, without the need for the first satellite network device to additionally determine the UE density index of the beam coverage area. This helps reduce the computational burden and improve the reliability of the communication system.

[0024] Thirdly, this application provides a satellite network device, which includes a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is used to perform the receiving operation and the transmitting operation in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect; and the processor is used to perform other operations in the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect besides the receiving operation and the transmitting operation.

[0025] Fourthly, this application provides a user equipment including a transceiver and a processor; wherein the transceiver is configured to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the method described in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect; and the processor is configured to perform other operations in the method described in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect besides the receiving and transmitting operations.

[0026] Fifthly, this application provides a communication system including a satellite network device and a user equipment. The satellite network device is used to execute the method described in the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, and the user equipment is used to execute the method described in the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0027] Sixthly, this application provides a computer storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed, implements the communication method provided in any one of the first to second aspects of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system;

[0029] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the process of satellite network device 1 sending SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas based on a unified SSB distribution cycle;

[0030] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another communication system.

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the SS burst set corresponding to the SSB distribution cycle;

[0033] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 This is an exemplary schematic diagram of using multiple beams to transmit SSB to multiple beam coverage areas, provided for an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 9 This is another exemplary schematic diagram of using multiple beams to transmit SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas, provided as an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite network device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a UE provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the following embodiments is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be a limitation of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more; "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0040] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" as described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0041] The "multiple" mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to two or more. It should be noted that in the description of the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying order.

[0042] This application provides a communication system, which can be a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, a 5G New Radio (5G NR) system, or other new communication systems emerging in future communication developments. The communication system includes multiple devices, and these devices can exchange signals to achieve data interaction. For example, the multiple devices included in the communication system may be satellite network equipment and a UE (User Equipment), where the satellite network equipment can be a satellite or an aircraft. The following description uses a communication system including satellite network equipment and a UE as an example.

[0043] An example of a communication system is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the system includes satellite network equipment 1 and n UEs, UE1 to UEn, and the n UEs can be located in different beam coverage areas. Here, n is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0044] In the embodiments provided in this application, the satellite network device 1 can be any device located on the network side and having wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to: satellites or aircraft in non-territorial networks (NTNs), or other possible satellite network devices.

[0045] In a communication system, a UE, such as UE1, can take various forms. For example, a UE can be a mobile phone, tablet, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminal device, wireless terminal in self-driving technology, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grids, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart cities, wireless terminal in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, and so on. A UE can also be referred to as a terminal device, access terminal device, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE terminal equipment, terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, UE agent, or UE device, etc. A terminal can also be a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal.

[0046] In practical applications, such as Figure 2 As shown, satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas according to a unified SSB distribution cycle, enabling UEs in multiple beam coverage areas to access satellite network device 1 based on SSBs. Taking UE1 in beam coverage area 1 as an example, the process of satellite network device 1 sending SSBs to beam coverage area 1 to enable UE1 to access satellite network device 1 can specifically include the following steps.

[0047] S201: Satellite network device 1 obtains the SSB distribution cycle.

[0048] The SSB distribution cycle refers to the cycle used by satellite network device 1 when sending SSBs.

[0049] Here, the SSB distribution period acquired by satellite network device 1 can be predefined in a standard communication protocol, such as a new radio-non-terrestrial network (NR-NRN). Therefore, satellite network device 1 can determine the period used for subsequent SSB transmissions based on the standard communication protocol. In practical applications, the SSB distribution period can generally be predefined as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms.

[0050] In other embodiments, satellite network device 1 may also obtain the SSB distribution period in other ways, such as the SSB distribution period being pre-configured by the operator.

[0051] S202: Satellite network device 1 sends SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution cycle.

[0052] As mentioned earlier, due to the power limitations of the payload of satellite network device 1, satellite network device 1 cannot actually activate all beams to transmit SSBs simultaneously. For example, satellite network device 1 may only be able to activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time. For ease of understanding and description, this embodiment assumes that satellite network device 1 can activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time for illustrative purposes.

[0053] As an example, if the SSB distribution period is 20ms, and one SSB distribution period includes 4 SSB transmission opportunities, then within every 20ms, satellite network device 1 can use the 106 activated beams to send SSBs to 424 (106*4=424) beam coverage areas, that is, only 424 beam coverage areas are covered, and there are 634 uncovered beam coverage areas.

[0054] As another example, if the SSB distribution period is 80ms, and one SSB distribution period includes 16 SSB transmission opportunities, then within every 80ms, satellite network device 1 can use the 106 activated beams to send SSBs to 1696 (106*16=1696) beam coverage areas, thus covering all the beam coverage areas owned by satellite network device 1.

[0055] S203: UE1 scan yields SSB.

[0056] After satellite network device 1 sends an SSB to beam coverage area 1 based on the SSB distribution cycle, UE1 in beam coverage area 1 scans according to the aforementioned SSB distribution cycle to obtain the SSB.

[0057] S204: UE1 accesses satellite network device 1 according to SSB.

[0058] As can be seen, in practical applications, if the SSB distribution period is 20ms, then satellite network device 1 can only cover 424 beam coverage areas within one SSB distribution period, with a coverage rate of only 40% (424 / 1058 = 40%). However, if the SSB is transmitted with an SSB distribution period of 80ms, satellite network device 1 can cover 1058 beam coverage areas within one SSB distribution period, achieving a coverage rate of 100%.

[0059] In other words, increasing the SSB distribution period allows for more SSB transmission opportunities within a single SSB distribution period, enabling satellite network device 1 to cover a larger beam coverage area within that period. However, as the SSB distribution period increases, UEs within the beam coverage area need to wait and scan for SSBs for a longer time, thus significantly increasing UE access latency. For example, increasing the SSB distribution period from 20ms to 80ms delays UE access time by 60ms.

[0060] In this way, while a shorter SSB distribution cycle can reduce UE access latency, the coverage of the beam coverage area will also be lower, resulting in UEs in the uncovered beam coverage area being unable to access satellite network equipment 1. Conversely, a longer SSB distribution cycle can improve beam coverage, but the UE access latency will also be higher, impacting network transmission efficiency and user experience.

[0061] Based on this, this application can provide a communication method to alleviate the problem of low beam coverage when satellite network device 1 transmits SSB, and further, it can also reduce the access delay of UE.

[0062] Specifically, in Figure 1 In the communication system shown, for multiple beam coverage areas (including beam coverage area 1 and beam coverage area 2) where n UEs are located, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area. For example, beam coverage area 1 can correspond to SSB distribution period 1, and beam coverage area 2 can correspond to SSB distribution period 2. SSB distribution period 1 is longer than SSB distribution period 2, and the UE density in beam coverage area 1 is less than the UE density in beam coverage area 2. That is, the total number of UEs (including UE1) distributed in beam coverage area 1 is less than the total number of UEs (including UE2) distributed in beam coverage area 2, or the number of UEs distributed per unit area in beam coverage area 1 is less than the number of UEs distributed per unit area in beam coverage area 2. Then, satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to beam coverage area 1 based on SSB distribution period 1, and send SSBs to beam coverage area 2 based on SSB distribution period 2. In this way, both UE1 located in beam coverage area 1 and UE2 located in beam coverage area 2 can access satellite network equipment 1 when an SSB is detected.

[0063] As can be seen, satellite network device 1 can independently determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to each of the multiple beam coverage areas where n UEs are located. For example, in beam coverage area 1 with lower UE density, SSB distribution period 1 is longer, while in beam coverage area 2 with higher UE density, SSB distribution period 2 is shorter. In other words, satellite network device 1 can determine the corresponding SSB distribution period based on the UE density of each beam coverage area. Therefore, within the same time frame, satellite network device 1 can send multiple SSBs to beam coverage area 2 using a shorter SSB distribution period 2, which helps reduce the access latency for multiple UEs with higher density in beam coverage area 2 and provides more access opportunities for UEs in beam coverage area 2 within the same time frame, enabling as many UEs in beam coverage area 2 as possible to access satellite network device 1. Conversely, satellite network device 1 can reduce the number of times SSBs are sent to beam coverage area 1, which helps to send SSBs to other beam coverage areas with lower UE density within one SSB distribution period, thereby covering more beam coverage areas and improving the coverage rate of the beam coverage areas.

[0064] It should be noted that the above description is based on an example of a communication system including one satellite network device, two beam coverage areas, and UEs located in the two beam coverage areas. In other possible implementations, the number of satellite network devices, the number of beam coverage areas, and the number of UEs may not be limited.

[0065] See Figure 3 This illustrates a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 The communication method shown can be applied to Figure 1 The communication system shown may be applicable to other possible communication systems. For ease of understanding and explanation, the following example uses an application... Figure 1 The following explanation uses a communication system as an example. Figure 3 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0066] S301: For each of the n UEs located in a beam coverage area, satellite network device 1 determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0067] The SSB distribution cycle for each beam coverage area refers to the cycle used by satellite network equipment 1 when sending SSBs to each beam coverage area.

[0068] In this embodiment, taking beam coverage area 1 and beam coverage area 2 as examples, the satellite network device 1 can first determine the UE density index 1 of beam coverage area 1 and the UE density index 2 of beam coverage area 2.

[0069] Among them, UE density index 1 can represent the UE density of beam coverage area 1, and UE density index 2 can represent the UE density of beam coverage area 2. Furthermore, UE density can reflect the distribution of UEs within the beam coverage area. For example, UE density can be the total number of UEs within the beam coverage area, or the number of UEs distributed in each unit area of ​​the beam coverage area.

[0070] In this embodiment, the representation of the UE density index for each beam coverage area is not specifically limited. For example, it can be represented by a specific numerical value of the UE density. Alternatively, it can be represented by terms such as "high," "medium," and "low" to distinguish different densities.

[0071] As an example, this embodiment provides several non-limiting implementation methods to determine the UE density index of the beam coverage area.

[0072] In the first implementation example, satellite network device 1 can obtain the correspondence between multiple beam coverage areas and the corresponding UE density indicators for each beam coverage area; then, satellite network device 1 can determine the UE density indicator for each beam coverage area by querying the correspondence. In specific implementation, this embodiment does not specifically limit the method of obtaining the correspondence. For example, the correspondence can be pre-configured in satellite network device 1 by the operator, or satellite network device 1 can receive the correspondence sent by ground equipment.

[0073] In addition, the correspondence can be identified by the relationship between the identifier of each beam coverage area and the UE density index of each beam coverage area, or by the relationship between the latitude and longitude information of each beam coverage area and the UE density index of each beam coverage area. This embodiment does not specifically limit the representation of the correspondence.

[0074] Furthermore, the configuration process of this correspondence can begin by having ground equipment or operators obtain the geographical environment information of each beam coverage area, and then, based on the geographical environment information of each beam coverage area, determine the UE density index of each beam coverage area, thereby configuring the correspondence between each beam coverage area and the UE density index of each beam coverage area.

[0075] Taking the determination of the correspondence between beam coverage area 1 and UE density index 1 as an example, ground equipment or operators can first obtain the geographical environment information of beam coverage area 1. For example, the geographical environment information of beam coverage area 1 can be determined based on the latitude and longitude information of beam coverage area 1. Among them, the geographical environment information of beam coverage area 1 can represent the geographical features or population density features of beam coverage area 1, etc. In this way, ground equipment or operators can determine UE density index 1 based on the geographical features or population density features of beam coverage area 1.

[0076] For example, ground equipment or operators can determine the geographical environment of beam coverage area 1 based on its latitude and longitude information, indicating that beam coverage area 1 is a desert with low population density. Correspondingly, since the population density in the desert is extremely low and the number of UEs is small, ground equipment or operators can determine UE density index 1 accordingly, such as UE density index 1 used to indicate that the UE density of beam coverage area 1 is "low".

[0077] For example, ground equipment or operators can determine the geographical environment of beam coverage area 1 based on its latitude and longitude information, indicating that beam coverage area 1 is city A with a high population density. Accordingly, since city A has a high population density and a large number of UEs, ground equipment or operators can determine UE density index 1 accordingly, such as UE density index 1 used to indicate that the UE density of beam coverage area 1 is "high".

[0078] For example, ground equipment or operators can determine the geographical environment information of beam coverage area 1 based on the latitude and longitude information of beam coverage area 1, indicating that beam coverage area 1 is a rural area C with a medium population density. Accordingly, since rural area C has a medium population density and a medium number of UEs, ground equipment or operators can determine UE density index 1 accordingly, such as UE density index 1 used to indicate that the UE density of beam coverage area 1 is "medium".

[0079] It should be noted that the above geographic environment information is only a few possible implementation examples and is not intended to limit the scope. In other implementation examples, the geographic environment information for each beam coverage area can also be other types of geographic environment information.

[0080] In the second implementation example, satellite network device 1 can obtain the number of requests received from UEs in each beam coverage area and determine the UE density index for each beam coverage area based on the number of requests.

[0081] In practical implementation, taking the determination of UE density index 1 in beam coverage area 1 as an example, UEs within beam coverage area 1 can first send requests to satellite network device 1. These requests can be access requests to access satellite network device 1, or service requests to cooperate with satellite network device 1 to perform services.

[0082] Accordingly, in response to requests from UEs within beam coverage area 1, satellite network device 1 can determine the number of requests received within beam coverage area 1, so as to determine the number of UEs within beam coverage area 1 based on the number of requests. For example, if each UE within beam coverage area 1 sends only one request to satellite network device 1, then satellite network device 1 can directly use the number of multiple received requests as the number of UEs within beam coverage area 1, and thereby determine the UE density index 1 of beam coverage area 1. Alternatively, if each UE within beam coverage area 1 can send at least one request to satellite network device 1, then satellite network device 1 can obtain the corresponding UE identifier, such as a 5G Global Unique Temporary Identifier (5G-GUTI), from the multiple received requests, to determine the number of UEs within beam coverage area 1 based on the number of different UE identifiers, and further determine the UE density index 1 of beam coverage area 1.

[0083] Furthermore, this embodiment does not specifically limit the process of determining the UE density index 1 based on the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1. The following description uses two examples.

[0084] As an example, satellite network equipment 1 can directly determine the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 as the specific value of the UE density of the beam coverage area 1, and use this as the UE density index 1.

[0085] As another example, satellite network device 1 can obtain the area of ​​beam coverage area 1, and further determine the number of UEs per unit area of ​​beam coverage area 1 based on the quotient of the number of UEs in beam coverage area 1 and the area. Then, the satellite network device can use the number of UEs per unit area of ​​beam coverage area 1 as a specific value of the UE density of beam coverage area 1, as UE density index 1.

[0086] As another example, if the standard communication protocol predefines thresholds for the number of UEs corresponding to "high," "medium," and "low" UE densities, then satellite network device 1 can directly determine the UE density index 1 based on the predefined thresholds, combined with the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 or the number of UEs per unit area within the beam coverage area 1. For example, taking the determination of UE density index 1 based on the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 as an example, if the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 is less than threshold a, satellite network device 1 can determine that UE density index 1 indicates the UE density of beam coverage area 1 as "low"; if the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 is greater than threshold a and less than threshold b, satellite network device 1 can determine that UE density index 1 indicates the UE density of beam coverage area 1 as "medium"; and if the number of UEs within the beam coverage area 1 is greater than threshold b, satellite network device 1 can determine that UE density index 1 indicates the UE density of beam coverage area 1 as "high."

[0087] In the third implementation example, the UE density index of the beam coverage area can be the historical UE density index received by the satellite network device 1, and the historical UE density index can represent the historical UE density of the beam coverage area.

[0088] As an example implementation, taking the determination of UE density index 1 in beam coverage area 1 as an example, combined with Figure 4 As shown, the communication system may include satellite network device 1 and satellite network device 2. Based on this, in practical applications, the satellite network device in the communication system can move relative to the Earth. Therefore, if the coverage area of ​​satellite network device 2 originally included both coverage beam 1 and coverage beam 2, then during the movement of satellite network device 2, there may be a situation where its coverage area no longer includes coverage beam 1 due to its own movement. To address this situation, as follows... Figure 4 As shown, satellite network device 2 can send historical UE density indicators of beam coverage area 1 to satellite network device 1 whose coverage area includes beam coverage area 1. Correspondingly, satellite network device 1 can receive the historical UE density indicators of beam coverage area 1 sent by satellite network device 2, and these historical UE density indicators can represent the UE density of beam coverage area 1 determined by satellite network device 2 at a historical time, i.e., the historical UE density. Based on this, satellite network device 1 can use the historical UE density indicator as the UE density indicator 1 of beam coverage area 1.

[0089] As another exemplary implementation, taking the determination of UE density index 1 in beam coverage area 1 as an example, satellite network device 1 can receive historical UE density indexes of beam coverage area 1 sent by UE1. Still in conjunction with... Figure 4As shown, when UE1 accesses satellite network device 2, it can send a request to satellite network device 2. This request can be UE1 requesting satellite network device 2 to send historical UE density indicators for the beam coverage area 1 where UE1 is located. These UE density indicators represent the historical UE density of beam coverage area 1. Accordingly, after receiving the historical UE density indicators, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 based on these indicators.

[0090] In practical applications, satellite network device 1 can use the three implementation examples described above to determine the UE density index 1 of the beam coverage area 1. Thus, for satellite network device 1, obtaining the UE density index 1 from satellite network device 2 can be used as a redundant implementation scheme, enabling satellite network device 1 to determine the UE density index 1 of the beam coverage area 1 based on information provided by other satellite network devices, thereby improving the reliability and fault tolerance of the communication system.

[0091] Similarly, based on at least one of the above three implementation examples of UE density indices, satellite network device 1 can determine the UE density indices of the beam coverage areas where n UEs are located.

[0092] Furthermore, after determining UE density index 1 and UE density index 2, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 based on UE density index 1 and the UE density indicated therein, and determine the SSB distribution period 2 corresponding to beam coverage area 2 based on UE density index 2 and the UE density indicated therein. In this way, even when UE density index 1 and UE density index 2 are different, satellite network device 1 can determine the corresponding SSB distribution periods for beam coverage areas 1 and 2 with different UE densities. This allows control over the number of times satellite network device 1 sends SSBs to beam coverage areas with different UE densities within the same time frame, helping to improve the coverage rate of the beam coverage area while reducing the access latency of UEs within the beam coverage area.

[0093] In one possible implementation, taking the determination of the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1 by the satellite network device 1 as an example, the satellite network device 1 can first determine the category to which the beam coverage area 1 belongs based on the UE density represented by the UE density index 1 of the beam coverage area 1.

[0094] For example, satellite network device 1 can define a category corresponding to each UE density index. For instance, if three categories are defined based on the UE density index, category 3 corresponds to high UE density, category 2 corresponds to medium UE density, and category 1 corresponds to low UE density. In this way, satellite network device 1 can determine the category to which beam coverage area 1 belongs based on UE density index 1 and the defined levels.

[0095] It should be noted that, in addition to the three categories provided in the example above, other numbers of categories can be used to classify the beam coverage area, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0096] Alternatively, satellite network device 1 can first determine the level of beam coverage area 1, and then determine the category to which beam coverage area 1 belongs based on the level of beam coverage area 1. When the level of beam coverage area 1 is represented by a numerical value, the UE density of the beam coverage area can be positively correlated with the level of the beam coverage area; that is, the higher the UE density, the higher the numerical value used to represent the level of the beam coverage area; the lower the UE density, the lower the numerical value used to represent the level of the beam coverage area. As an example, satellite network device 1 can define multiple levels according to the UE density index, such as dividing it into three levels: level 3 for high UE density, level 2 for medium UE density, and level 1 for low UE density. Correspondingly, satellite network device 1 can determine the level of beam coverage area 1 based on the UE density index 1 and the above multiple levels.

[0097] It should be noted that, in addition to the three levels provided in the example above, other numbers of levels can be used to classify the UE density index of the beam coverage area, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0098] Understandably, by determining the level of a beam coverage area, multiple beam coverage areas can be classified into different levels, which is equivalent to classifying multiple beam coverage areas. Therefore, the level of a beam coverage area corresponds to the category to which the beam coverage area belongs. For example, taking the three predefined levels mentioned above, level 3 corresponds to category 3, level 2 corresponds to category 2, and level 1 corresponds to category 1. In this way, taking beam coverage area 1 as an example, satellite network equipment 1 can directly determine the category to which beam coverage area 1 belongs based on its level.

[0099] In this way, after the satellite network device 1 determines the category to which the beam coverage area 1 belongs, it can further determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1 based on the determined category to which the beam coverage area 1 belongs.

[0100] For example, satellite network device 1 can pre-configure the corresponding SSB distribution period for each category. Taking the determination of SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 by satellite network device 1 as an example, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 based on the category to which beam coverage area 1 belongs, combined with the pre-configured SSB distribution period mentioned above.

[0101] For example, considering two categories, the SSB distribution period for Category 2 is 20ms, while that for Category 1 is 80ms. Since the UE density in the beam coverage area belonging to Category 2 is higher, using a relatively shorter SSB distribution period, such as 20ms, allows for multiple SSB transmissions within the same timeframe. This helps reduce UE access latency in the high-density beam coverage area and provides more access opportunities within the same timeframe, enabling as many UEs in this beam coverage area as possible to access satellite network device 1. Conversely, the UE density in the beam coverage area belonging to Category 1 is lower. Therefore, using a relatively longer SSB distribution period, such as 80ms, reduces the number of SSB transmissions within the same timeframe. This allows for the transmission of SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas belonging to Category 1 within a single SSB distribution period, thus covering more beam coverage areas and improving coverage efficiency.

[0102] For another example, suppose the beam coverage area can be categorized into three types: Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. The SSB distribution period for Category 3 is 20ms, for Category 2 it's 40ms, and for Category 1 it's 80ms. Satellite network device 1 can configure a shorter SSB distribution period, such as 20ms, for beam coverage areas belonging to Category 3, to send multiple SSBs within the same timeframe. This helps reduce UE access latency in beam coverage areas with high UE density and provides more access opportunities for UEs in Category 3 within the same timeframe, allowing as many UEs in that area as possible to access satellite network device 1. Satellite network device 1 can also configure a longer SSB distribution period, such as 40ms, for beam coverage areas belonging to Category 2. Furthermore, satellite network equipment 1 can configure a longer SSB distribution period, such as 80ms, for beam coverage areas belonging to category 1, thereby reducing the number of SSB transmissions in the same time period. This helps to send SSBs to multiple beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 in one SSB distribution period, so as to cover more beam coverage areas and improve the coverage rate of beam coverage areas.

[0103] It should be noted that, in addition to the two SSB distribution periods provided in the above examples, other SSB distribution periods allowed by the standard communication protocol can also be used, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0104] Correspondingly, satellite network device 1 can also determine the SSB distribution period 2 corresponding to the beam coverage area 2 based on the above method. For other beam coverage areas where UEs are located, satellite network device 1 can also determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area in a similar way, thereby enabling satellite network device 1 to send SSBs to beam coverage areas with different UE densities based on different SSB distribution periods, thereby improving the coverage of the beam coverage area while reducing the access latency of UEs in the beam coverage area.

[0105] In another possible implementation, taking the determination of the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1 by satellite network device 1 as an example, satellite network device 1 can directly determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1 based on the UE density index 1 of the beam coverage area 1. In specific implementation, satellite network device 1 can pre-configure the SSB distribution period corresponding to each UE density index, such that the UE density represented by the UE density index of each beam coverage area is inversely correlated with the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area. In this way, the higher the UE density represented by the UE density index, the shorter the SSB distribution period; the lower the UE density represented by the UE density index, the longer the SSB distribution period. Based on this, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1 based on the category to which the beam coverage area 1 belongs, combined with the pre-configured SSB distribution period.

[0106] For example, assuming there are three UE density metrics, the UE density metric indicates that when the UE density is high, the corresponding SSB distribution period is 20ms; when the UE density metric is medium, the corresponding SSB distribution period is 40ms; and when the UE density metric is low, the corresponding SSB distribution period is 80ms.

[0107] Correspondingly, for the beam coverage areas where other UEs are located, satellite network equipment 1 can also determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to other beam coverage areas in a similar manner.

[0108] In another possible implementation, satellite network device 1 can obtain the correspondence between multiple beam coverage areas and the corresponding SSB distribution periods for each beam coverage area; then, satellite network device 1 can determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area by querying the correspondence. In specific implementation, this embodiment does not specifically limit the method of obtaining the correspondence. For example, the correspondence can be pre-configured in satellite network device 1 by the operator, or satellite network device 1 can receive the correspondence sent by ground equipment.

[0109] In addition, the correspondence can be identified by the relationship between the identifier of each beam coverage area and the corresponding SSB distribution period, or by the relationship between the latitude and longitude information of each beam coverage area and the corresponding SSB distribution period. This embodiment does not specifically limit the form of the correspondence.

[0110] It should be noted that the configuration process for this correspondence can begin with the ground equipment or operator obtaining the UE density index for each beam coverage area. Then, based on the UE density index, the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area is determined, thereby configuring the correspondence between each beam coverage area and its corresponding SSB distribution period. For the process of ground equipment or operators determining the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the UE density index, please refer to the relevant content regarding satellite network equipment 1 determining the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the UE density index, as described above; it will not be repeated here.

[0111] Similarly, based on at least one of the three methods for determining UE density indices, satellite network equipment 1 can determine the UE density indices of the beam coverage areas where n UEs are located.

[0112] S302: Satellite network device 1 sends SSBs to each beam coverage area based on the SSB distribution cycle corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0113] In practical applications, an SSB distribution cycle can include at least one synchronization signal (SS) burst set, and an SS burst set can include multiple SSB transmission opportunities. Combined with... Figure 5As shown, the standard communication protocol defines the length of each radio frame as 10ms, each radio frame as including 10 time slots, and every two radio frames as including one SS burst set, with one SS burst set including four SSB transmission opportunities (SSB0-SSB4). Therefore, with an SSB distribution period of 20ms, one SSB distribution period can include one SS burst set and four SSB transmission opportunities; while with an SSB distribution period of 80ms, one SSB distribution period can include four SS burst sets and 16 SSB transmission opportunities. Specifically, combined with... Figure 5 As shown, taking the SSB transmission timing in radio frames SFN0 and SFN1 as an example, the SSB transmission timing SSB0 and SSB1 in these two radio frames can be limited to the first two time slots, slot0 and slot1.

[0114] Based on this, satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to the beam coverage area corresponding to the determined SSB distribution period based on the SSB transmission timing in the determined SSB distribution period, so as to achieve signal coverage.

[0115] For example, assuming that the standard communication protocol defines satellite network device 1 as having 1058 beam coverage areas, then after classifying the multiple beam coverage areas, the sum of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each category must be equal to 1058. Based on this, assuming that the UE density index of beam coverage areas 0 to 99 (a total of 100 beam coverage areas) indicates high UE density and that beam coverage areas 0 to 99 belong to category 3, then satellite network device 1 can determine that the SSB distribution period for these beam coverage areas is 20ms; assuming that the UE density index of beam coverage areas 100 to 299 (a total of 200 beam coverage areas) indicates medium UE density and that beam coverage areas 100 to 299 belong to category 2, then satellite network device 1 can determine that the SSB distribution period for these beam coverage areas is 40ms; assuming that the UE density index of beam coverage areas 300 to 1057 (a total of 758 beam coverage areas) indicates low UE density and that beam coverage areas 300 to 1057 belong to category 1, then satellite network device 1 can determine that the SSB distribution period for these beam coverage areas is 80ms.

[0116] Accordingly, satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 3 based on four SSB transmission opportunities provided every 20ms. Satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to different beam coverage areas at each SSB transmission opportunity, and the beam coverage areas corresponding to the four different SSB transmission opportunities are all different, thus achieving signal coverage for 100 beam coverage areas belonging to category 3. Satellite network device 1 can also send SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 2 based on eight SSB transmission opportunities provided every 40ms. Satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to different beam coverage areas at each SSB transmission opportunity, and the beam coverage areas corresponding to the eight different SSB transmission opportunities are all different, thus achieving signal coverage for 200 beam coverage areas belonging to category 2. Satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to the beam coverage area belonging to category 1 based on 16 SSB transmission opportunities provided every 80ms. Satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to different beam coverage areas at each SSB transmission opportunity. The beam coverage areas corresponding to the 16 different SSB transmission opportunities are all different, thereby completing signal coverage of 758 beam coverage areas belonging to category 1.

[0117] It should be noted that, in addition to the three categories and the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each category provided in the above examples, the number of categories and the number of beam coverage areas for each category can be other numbers. This embodiment does not limit this, only requiring that the sum of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each category is equal to the total number of beam coverage areas owned by the satellite network equipment.

[0118] S303: n UEs scan their respective beam coverage areas to obtain SSB.

[0119] In practical applications, UEs within each beam coverage area can successfully scan for SSBs by either scanning according to the SSB distribution period corresponding to that beam coverage area or by scanning according to a period longer than the SSB distribution period corresponding to that beam coverage area.

[0120] Based on this, in this process, taking UE1 scanning to obtain SSB as an example, UE1 can first determine the SSB distribution period 1 of its own beam coverage area 1, and then scan based on the SSB distribution period 1 to obtain the SSB in the beam coverage area 1.

[0121] In one possible implementation, if UE1 is accessing satellite network device 1 for the first time, UE1 can gradually determine the SSB distribution period 1 using a blind scan method. Specifically, UE1 can first use a first preset period as the SSB distribution period 1. For example, the first preset period can be a default scan period predefined in the standard communication protocol, such as 20ms. Accordingly, UE1 can scan according to the first preset period. If UE1 obtains an SSB based on the first preset period, UE1 can end the scan and access satellite network device 1 based on the obtained SSB. If UE1 does not obtain an SSB based on the first preset period, it indicates that the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 is not the first preset period. Therefore, UE1 can further select a second preset period longer than the first preset period as the SSB distribution period 1 and perform scanning. For example, the second preset period is 40ms. Based on this, if UE1 obtains an SSB based on the second preset period, then UE1 can end the scan and access satellite network device 1 based on the obtained SSB; if UE1 does not obtain an SSB based on the second preset period, then it means that the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to beam coverage area 1 is not the second preset period, and UE1 needs to further select a longer preset period for scanning, such as scanning at 80ms, to increase the probability of UE1 successfully accessing satellite network device 1.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, UE1 can perform multiple scans according to the determined SSB distribution period 1 each time. If no SSB is obtained after multiple scans, the SSB distribution period 1 is redefined. For example, UE1 can scan according to a first preset period, and if no SSB is obtained after two consecutive scans, it can scan according to a second preset period. In this embodiment, the number of scans corresponding to each determined SSB distribution period 1 is not specifically limited.

[0123] In another possible implementation, if UE1 has successfully accessed a satellite network device (which could be satellite network device 1 or another satellite network device in the communication system), then UE1 can directly use the SSB scanning period from the time it successfully accessed the satellite network device in the past as the SSB distribution period 1 for the beam coverage area 1. UE1 can then scan based on this SSB distribution period 1 to obtain the SSBs within the beam coverage area 1. This eliminates the need for UE1 to repeatedly determine the SSB distribution period 1, improving its scanning efficiency and allowing UE1 to quickly access satellite network device 1.

[0124] In another possible implementation, if UE1 has successfully accessed a satellite network device (which could be satellite network device 1 or another satellite network device in the communication system), UE1 can send a request to the accessed satellite network device during the historical access process to request the accessed satellite network device to send the historical UE density index of the beam coverage area 1 where UE1 is located. This historical UE density index can represent the historical UE density of the beam coverage area 1. Accordingly, after determining the historical UE density index based on the request, UE1 can send the historical UE density index to satellite network device 1, and satellite network device 1 can use the historical UE density index to determine the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area 1.

[0125] In another possible implementation, UE1 can obtain the correspondence between multiple beam coverage areas and the corresponding SSB distribution periods for each beam coverage area; then, UE1 can determine the SSB distribution period 1 of its beam coverage area 1 by querying the correspondence. In specific implementation, this embodiment does not specifically limit the method of obtaining the correspondence. For example, the correspondence can be pre-configured in UE1 by the operator, or UE1 can receive the correspondence sent by ground equipment.

[0126] In addition, the correspondence can be identified by the relationship between the identifier of each beam coverage area and the corresponding SSB distribution period, or by the relationship between the latitude and longitude information of each beam coverage area and the corresponding SSB distribution period. This embodiment does not specifically limit the form of the correspondence.

[0127] It should be noted that the configuration process for this correspondence can begin with the ground equipment or operator obtaining the UE density index for each beam coverage area. Then, based on the UE density index, the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area is determined, thereby configuring the correspondence between each beam coverage area and its corresponding SSB distribution period. For the process of ground equipment or operators determining the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the UE density index, please refer to the relevant content regarding satellite network equipment 1 determining the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area based on the UE density index, as described above; it will not be repeated here.

[0128] Correspondingly, other UEs can scan for the SSB within their own beam coverage area based on at least one of the above methods, thereby accessing the satellite network device 1.

[0129] S304: n UEs access satellite network device 1 based on the SSB obtained from the scan.

[0130] In the above Figure 3 The content related to step S302 mentioned that satellite network device 1 can specifically send SSBs to the beam coverage area corresponding to the determined SSB distribution period based on the SSB transmission timing within that SSB distribution period. Therefore, in practical applications, provided that satellite network device 1 can provide signal coverage to all its beam coverage areas, it can use as few beams as possible to send SSBs, thereby saving beams for data transmission services and improving the performance of the communication system. Below, in conjunction with... Figure 6 This will be explained in detail.

[0131] See Figure 6 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of another communication method. Figure 6 The communication method shown can be applied to Figure 1 The communication system shown may be applicable to other possible communication systems. For ease of understanding and explanation, the following example uses an application... Figure 1 The following explanation uses a communication system as an example. Figure 6 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps.

[0132] S601: For each of the n UEs located in a beam coverage area, satellite network device 1 determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0133] The method by which satellite network equipment 1 determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area can be found in the above description. Figure 3 The relevant details regarding determining the SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area in the illustrated embodiment are described but will not be repeated here.

[0134] S602: Satellite network equipment 1 determines the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area, and the sum of the number of beams required for all beam coverage areas is less than the upper limit of the number of beams provided by satellite network equipment 1.

[0135] The upper limit X of the number of beams provided by satellite network device 1 refers to the maximum number of beams that satellite network device 1 can activate simultaneously. Assuming that the standard communication protocol defines that satellite network device 1 can only activate a maximum of 106 beams simultaneously, then X is 106. That is to say, the sum of the number of beams required for the coverage area of ​​each category needs to be less than 106.

[0136] Furthermore, the sum of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each category equals the total number of beam coverage areas owned by the satellite network device. For example, assuming that the standard communication protocol defines satellite network device 1 as having 1058 beam coverage areas, then the sum of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each category must equal 1058.

[0137] In specific implementation, taking the number of beams X1 required for satellite network device 1 to determine the coverage area belonging to category 1 as an example, satellite network device 1 can first obtain the number Y1 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 1. Here, since satellite network device 1 can first determine the category to which each beam coverage area belongs when determining the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area, satellite network device 1 can determine Y1 when completing the classification of each beam coverage area.

[0138] Furthermore, if the SSB distribution period 1 corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to category 1 includes a total of A SSB transmission opportunities, where A is an integer greater than or equal to 1, then after obtaining Y1, satellite network device 1 can determine X1 based on Y1 and A, that is, X1 = Y1 / A. Since satellite network device 1 uses all A SSB transmission opportunities within SSB distribution period 1 to determine X1, for the beam coverage area belonging to category 1, satellite network device 1 can use as few beams as possible to send SSBs to the beam coverage area belonging to category 1.

[0139] Correspondingly, satellite network device 1 can also determine the number of beams required for other beam coverage areas based on the above method. This will not be elaborated further here; it is only necessary to ensure that the sum of the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area is less than the upper limit for the number of beams. In this way, satellite network device 1 can ultimately save some active beams to perform other services, thereby helping to improve the performance of the communication system.

[0140] S603: Satellite network equipment 1 sends SSBs to each beam coverage area based on the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area and the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0141] In this process, taking the example of satellite network device 1 sending SSB to a beam coverage area belonging to category 1, since the standard communication protocol defines A SSB transmission opportunities in the SSB distribution cycle, after determining the number of beams X1 required for the beam coverage area of ​​category 1 and the SSB distribution cycle 1, satellite network device 1 can use X1 active beams and take advantage of A SSB transmission opportunities to send SSB to Y1 beam coverage areas belonging to category 1.

[0142] Correspondingly, satellite network equipment 1 can also send SSBs to other beam coverage areas in the same way as described above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0143] To facilitate understanding, the following will be combined with Figure 7 This example illustrates the process of sending SSBs to the beam coverage areas of n UEs respectively.

[0144] Combination Figure 7 As shown, taking satellite network device 1 as an example, which has 1058 beam coverage areas and can only activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time, we assume that 100 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 0 to beam coverage area 99 belong to category 3, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 20ms; 200 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 100 to beam coverage area 299 belong to category 2, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 40ms; and 758 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 300 to beam coverage area 1057 belong to category 1, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 80ms.

[0145] Accordingly, if satellite network device 1 can provide 4 SSB transmission opportunities within 20ms, then for the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 3 (beam coverage areas 0 to 99, a total of 100 beam coverage areas), within its corresponding SSB distribution period of 20ms, satellite network device 1 can use 25 beams (beam 0 to beam 24) to send SSBs to these 100 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 3, one SSB can be sent every 20ms.

[0146] For the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 2 (beam coverage areas 100 to 299, a total of 200 beam coverage areas), within its corresponding SSB distribution period of 40ms, satellite network equipment 1 can use 25 beams (beams 25 to 49) to send SSBs to these 200 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 2, one SSB can be sent every 40ms.

[0147] For the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 1 (beam coverage areas 300 to 1057, a total of 758 beam coverage areas), within its corresponding SSB distribution period of 80ms, satellite network equipment 1 can use 48 beams (beams 50 to 97) to send SSBs to these 758 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 1, one SSB can be sent every 80ms.

[0148] In this way, even though satellite network 1 can only activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time, there are still 8 (106-25-25-48=8) beams that are not used. Therefore, these 8 beams can be used to perform data transmission services, thereby improving the performance of the communication system.

[0149] Furthermore, combined Figure 7As shown, within the same 80ms, for each beam coverage area belonging to category 3, satellite network device 1 uses 25 beams to send a total of 4 SSBs; for each beam coverage area belonging to category 2, satellite network device 1 uses 25 beams to send a total of 2 SSBs; and for each beam coverage area belonging to category 1, satellite network device 1 uses 48 beams to send a total of 1 SSB. That is, within the same time period, a shorter SSB distribution period allows for the transmission of multiple SSBs, while a longer SSB distribution period reduces the number of SSB transmissions. Based on this, using a shorter SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas with higher UE density can reduce UE access latency and provide more access opportunities within the same time period, enabling as many UEs within that beam coverage area as possible to access satellite network device 1. Conversely, using a longer SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas with lower UE density helps to send SSBs to more beam coverage areas within the same time period, thereby covering more beam coverage areas with lower UE density and improving the coverage rate of the beam coverage area.

[0150] Furthermore, the proportion of beam coverage areas belonging to Category 3 is 9.5% (100 / 1058 = 9.5%), the proportion belonging to Category 2 is 19% (200 / 1058 = 19%), and the proportion belonging to Category 1 is 71.5% (758 / 1058 = 71.5%). Therefore, the average SSB distribution period for the aforementioned 1058 beam coverage areas is 66.7ms (9.5% * 20ms + 19% * 40ms + 71.5% * 80ms = 66.7ms), which is 13.3ms shorter than the 80ms SSB distribution period. It is evident that compared to satellite network equipment 1 using a longer and uniform SSB distribution period to increase coverage, satellite network equipment 1 determines different SSB distribution periods for beam coverage areas with different UE densities, which can further reduce UE access latency and thus help improve user experience.

[0151] It should be noted that, Figure 7 This example only uses three types of beam coverage areas and does not specifically limit the number of categories each beam coverage area belongs to. In other implementation examples, the number of categories to which the beam coverage area belongs can also be other.

[0152] S604: n UEs scan their respective beam coverage areas to obtain SSB.

[0153] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of step S604 can be found in the relevant descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] S605: n UEs access satellite network device 1 based on the SSB obtained from the scan.

[0155] The above Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, satellite network device 1 can use as few beams as possible to transmit SSBs. In other embodiments, satellite network device 1 can use all simultaneously active beams to transmit SSBs, so as to utilize as many beams as possible to transmit SSBs as early as possible, reducing UE access latency. Furthermore, early transmission of SSBs by satellite network device 1 also allows for potential surplus SSB transmission opportunities within the SSB distribution cycle, thereby saving time-frequency resources for data transmission services and improving the performance of the communication system. Below, in conjunction with... Figure 8 This will be explained in detail.

[0156] See Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of another communication method. Figure 8 The communication method shown can be applied to Figure 1 The communication system shown may be applicable to other possible communication systems. For ease of understanding and explanation, the following example uses an application... Figure 1 The following explanation uses a communication system as an example. Figure 8 As shown, the communication method includes the following steps.

[0157] S801: For each of the n UEs located in a beam coverage area, satellite network device 1 determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area.

[0158] The method by which satellite network equipment 1 determines the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area can be found in the above description. Figure 3 The relevant details regarding determining the SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area in the illustrated embodiment are described but will not be repeated here.

[0159] S802: Satellite network equipment 1 determines the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area in all beam coverage areas, and the sum of the number of beams required for all beam coverage areas is equal to the upper limit of the number of beams provided by satellite network equipment 1.

[0160] The upper limit X of the number of beams provided by satellite network device 1 refers to the maximum number of beams that satellite network device 1 can activate simultaneously. Assuming that the standard communication protocol defines that satellite network device 1 can only activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time, then X is 106. That is to say, the sum of the number of beams required for the coverage area of ​​all beams must be equal to 106.

[0161] Furthermore, assuming that the standard communication protocol defines satellite network device 1 as having 1058 beam coverage areas, then the sum of the number of all beam coverage areas must equal 1058.

[0162] In practice, satellite network device 1 can first determine the target category and other categories from the categories to which all beam coverage areas belong. The target category refers to the category corresponding to the beam coverage area with the longest SSB distribution period. For example, taking all beam coverage areas as categories 1 and 2, the SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 is 80ms, and the SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas belonging to category 2 is 20ms. Therefore, satellite network device 1 can determine category 1 as the target category and category 2 as other categories. Similarly, taking all beam coverage areas as categories 1, 2, and 3, the SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 is 80ms, the SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas belonging to category 2 is 40ms, and the SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas belonging to category 3 is 20ms. Therefore, satellite network device 1 can determine category 1 as the target category, and categories 2 and 3 as other categories.

[0163] After determining the target category and other categories, satellite network device 1 can determine the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to other categories, and further determine the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the target category. The number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the target category is the upper limit of the number of beams provided by satellite network device 1 minus the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to other categories.

[0164] As an example, when determining the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area, the satellite network device can first obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each of the other categories. For example, if all beam coverage areas belong to only categories 1 and 2, then satellite network device 1 can first obtain the number Y2 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 2. If all beam coverage areas belong to categories 1, 2, and 3, then satellite network device 1 can obtain the number Y2 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 2 and the number Y3 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 3, respectively. The method for obtaining the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each of the other categories (such as Y2 and Y3) can be found in the relevant descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0165] Next, the satellite network equipment can first determine the number of beams required for each other category of beam coverage area based on the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each other category and the number of SSB transmission opportunities in the corresponding SSB distribution cycle of each other category of beam coverage area. Then, based on the difference between the upper limit of the number of beams and the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each other category, the number of beams required for the target category of beam coverage area can be determined.

[0166] For example, assuming all beam coverage areas belong to only Category 1 and Category 2, where Category 1 is the target category and Category 2 is other categories, if the SSB distribution period 2 corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to Category 2 includes B SSB transmission opportunities, where B is an integer greater than or equal to 1, then after obtaining Y2, satellite network device 1 can determine X2 based on Y2 and B, and then determine X1 based on X and X2, that is, X2 = Y2 / B, X1 = X - X2. In this way, satellite network device 1 can use up to all the available beams to send SSBs to the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 1 and the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 2, which helps to advance the SSB transmission time and reduce the UE's access latency.

[0167] For example, taking the categories to which all beam coverage areas belong as Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3 as an example, where Category 1 is the target category, and Categories 2 and 3 are other categories. Correspondingly, for Category 2, satellite network device 1 can determine the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to Category 2, X2, based on the quotient of Y2 and the number of SSB transmission opportunities B in the SSB distribution cycle corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to Category 2, i.e., X2 = Y2 / B. Furthermore, for Category 3, satellite network device 1 can determine the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to Category 3, X, based on the quotient of Y3 and the number of SSB transmission opportunities C in the SSB distribution cycle corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to Category 3, i.e., X3 = Y3 / C. Then, satellite network device 1 can further determine the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the target category (i.e., Category 1), X1, based on the difference between X, X2, and X3, i.e., X1 = X - X2 - X3.

[0168] It should be noted that the above method of using two or three categories to illustrate the number of beams required for each other category of beam coverage area and the number of beams required for the target category of beam coverage area is merely an illustrative implementation and does not limit the number of categories to which each beam coverage area belongs.

[0169] Similarly, when the number of other categories is greater than 2, the satellite network device 1 can refer to the above method of determining X2 or X3 to determine the number of beams required for each other category's beam coverage area. This will not be repeated here. The final result is that the sum of the number of beams required for all beam coverage areas is equal to the upper limit of the number of beams.

[0170] In this way, since satellite network device 1 uses all remaining beams within the maximum beam count X to send SSBs to the coverage area of ​​the beam with the longest SSB distribution period, it helps to send SSBs to the coverage area of ​​this category as early as possible within the SSB distribution period, thereby reducing the access latency of UEs within that coverage area. Furthermore, using all remaining beams to send SSBs to the coverage area of ​​this category also allows for the possibility of remaining SSB transmission opportunities within the SSB distribution period, thus saving these time-frequency resources for data transmission services and improving the performance of the communication system.

[0171] S803: Satellite network device 1 sends SSBs to each beam coverage area based on the number of beams required for each category of beam coverage area and the corresponding SSB distribution period for each beam coverage area.

[0172] In this process, taking satellite network device 1 sending SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 and category 2 respectively as an example, where category 1 is the target category and category 2 is the other categories mentioned above. Since the standard communication protocol defines SSB distribution cycle 1 as including S1 SSB transmission opportunities, and SSB distribution cycle 2 as corresponding to T SS burst sets, and the T SS burst sets include a total of S2 SSB transmission opportunities, after determining the required number of beams X1 for category 1 beam coverage areas, SSB distribution cycle 1, the required number of beams X2 for category 2 beam coverage areas, and SSB distribution cycle 2, satellite network device 1 can use X2 active beams and utilize S2 SSB transmission opportunities to send SSBs to Y2 beam coverage areas belonging to category 2. Furthermore, satellite network device 1 can use X1 active beams and utilize S1 SSB transmission opportunities to send SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 1.

[0173] Furthermore, in this embodiment, regarding the process of satellite network 1 sending SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 1, in specific implementation, satellite network device 1 can first obtain the number Y1 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 1. The method for determining Y1 can be found in the relevant descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0174] Next, if the product of X1 and S1 is greater than Y1, it indicates that the total number of SSBs transmitted by satellite network device 1 using X1 beams during S1 SSB transmission opportunities is greater than the number Y1 of beam coverage areas belonging to category 1. Therefore, satellite network device 1 can use X1 active beams to transmit SSBs to Y1 beam coverage areas belonging to category 1, based on a portion of the aforementioned S1 SSB transmission opportunities. Furthermore, this portion of SSB transmission opportunities needs to be earlier than the remaining SSB transmission opportunities in the S1 SSB transmission opportunities. In this way, since the SSB transmission opportunities used when transmitting SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 are earlier than the remaining SSB transmission opportunities, it is possible to transmit SSBs to beam coverage areas belonging to category 1 as early as possible, thereby reducing UE access latency and ensuring that there are remaining SSB transmission opportunities, saving some time and frequency resources.

[0175] To facilitate understanding, the following will be combined with Figure 9 This example illustrates the process of sending SSBs to the beam coverage areas of n UEs respectively.

[0176] Combination Figure 9 As shown, taking satellite network device 1 as an example, which has 1058 beam coverage areas and can only activate a maximum of 106 beams at the same time, we assume that 100 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 0 to beam coverage area 99 belong to category 3, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 20ms; 200 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 100 to beam coverage area 299 belong to category 2, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 40ms; and 758 beam coverage areas from beam coverage area 300 to beam coverage area 1057 belong to category 1, with a corresponding SSB distribution period of 80ms.

[0177] Accordingly, if satellite network device 1 can provide 4 SSB transmission opportunities within 20ms, then for the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 3 (beam coverage areas 0 to 99, a total of 100 beam coverage areas), within its corresponding SSB distribution period of 20ms, satellite network device 1 can use 25 beams (beam 0 to beam 24) to send SSBs to these 100 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 3, one SSB can be sent every 20ms.

[0178] For the beam coverage areas belonging to Category 2 (beam coverage areas 100 to 299, a total of 200 beam coverage areas), within its corresponding SSB distribution period of 40ms, satellite network equipment 1 can use 25 beams (beams 25 to 49) to send SSBs to these 200 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 2, one SSB can be sent every 40ms.

[0179] For the 758 beam coverage areas (beam coverage areas 300 to 1057) belonging to Category 1, within their corresponding SSB distribution period of 80ms, in order to send SSBs to the Category 1 beam coverage areas as early as possible and to ensure that there is still time left for SSB transmission, satellite network equipment 1 can use the remaining 56 beams (beams 50 to 105) out of the 106 beams to send SSBs to these 758 beam coverage areas, thus completing one coverage cycle. In other words, for each beam coverage area belonging to Category 1, one SSB can be sent every 80ms.

[0180] Furthermore, taking the transmission of SSB from satellite network device 1 to beam coverage area 314 as an example, combined with... Figure 7 As shown, within 60ms-80ms of the SSB distribution period, satellite network device 1 can use beam 50 to send SSBs to the beam coverage area 314 to achieve coverage. However, Figure 9 In the SSB distribution cycle, within 0-20ms, satellite network equipment 1 can use beam 51 to send SSBs to the beam coverage area 314 to achieve coverage. It can be seen that compared to... Figure 7 The scheme shown, in Figure 9 In the illustrated scheme, satellite network device 1 can send SSBs to beam coverage area 314 in advance. That is, for beam coverage area 314 belonging to category 1, since all remaining beams are used to send SSBs, SSBs can be sent to category 1 beam coverage areas as early as possible, thereby helping to reduce UE access latency. Furthermore, combined with... Figure 9 As shown, in the SSB distribution cycle corresponding to category 1, not all SSB transmission opportunities are used to send SSBs. There are still remaining SSB transmission opportunities within 60ms-80ms, thus saving some time and frequency resources.

[0181] In this way, combined Figure 9As shown, within the same 80ms, a total of 4 SSBs are sent for each beam coverage area belonging to category 3; 2 SSBs are sent for each beam coverage area belonging to category 2; 4 SSBs are sent for each beam coverage area belonging to category 3; and 1 SSB is sent for each beam coverage area belonging to category 1. That is, within the same time period, a shorter SSB distribution period allows for multiple SSBs to be sent, while a longer SSB distribution period reduces the number of SSBs sent. Based on this, using a shorter SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas with higher UE density provides more access opportunities to these areas within the same time period, reducing UE access latency and enabling as many UEs as possible to access satellite network device 1 within these areas. Conversely, using a longer SSB distribution period for beam coverage areas with lower UE density helps to send SSBs to other beam coverage areas with lower UE density within the same time period, thereby covering more beam coverage areas and improving beam coverage rate.

[0182] It should be noted that, Figure 9 This example only uses three types of beam coverage areas and does not specifically limit the number of categories each beam coverage area belongs to. In other implementation examples, the number of categories to which the beam coverage area belongs can also be other.

[0183] S804: n UEs scan their respective beam coverage areas to obtain SSB.

[0184] In this embodiment, the specific implementation of step S804 can be found in the relevant descriptions of the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0185] S805: n UEs access satellite network device 1 based on the SSB obtained from the scan.

[0186] Below, in conjunction with Figure 10 as well as Figure 11 This section further introduces the satellite network equipment and the hardware implementation of the UE.

[0187] See Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a satellite network device is shown, which is capable of performing the above-mentioned functions. Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 The method performed by satellite network device 1 in the illustrated embodiment. Figure 10The satellite network device shown includes at least one processor 111, at least one memory 112, at least one transceiver 113, at least one network interface 114, and one or more antennas 115. The processor 111, memory 112, transceiver 113, and network interface 114 are connected, for example, via a bus. In this embodiment, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines, or buses, etc., and this embodiment is not limited in this respect. The antenna 115 is connected to the transceiver 113. The network interface 114 is used to enable the satellite network device to connect to other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 114 may include a network interface between the satellite network device and satellite network devices in the core network, such as an S1 interface; the network interface may also include a network interface between the satellite network device and other satellite network devices, such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0188] in, Figure 10 The processor 111 shown can specifically perform the actions of satellite network equipment processing in the above method, the memory 112 can perform the storage actions in the above method, the transceiver 113 and the antenna 115 can perform the air interface transmission and reception actions in the above method, and the network interface 114 can perform the actions of interacting with satellite network equipment or other satellite network equipment / network elements in the above method.

[0189] The processor in this application embodiment, such as processor 111, may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., which are various computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing. The processor may be a separate semiconductor chip or integrated with other circuits into a single semiconductor chip. For example, it may form a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) with other circuits (such as encoding / decoding circuits, hardware acceleration circuits, or various bus and interface circuits), or it may be integrated as a built-in processor in an ASIC. The ASIC with the integrated processor may be packaged separately or packaged together with other circuits. In addition to including cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0190] The memory in the embodiments of this application may include at least one of the following types: read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions; random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions; or electrically erasable programmable-only memory (EEPROM). In some scenarios, the memory may also be a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0191] The memory 112 can exist independently and be connected to the processor 111. Optionally, the memory 112 can be integrated with the processor 111, for example, integrated into a single chip. The memory 112 can store program code that executes the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and its execution is controlled by the processor 111. The various types of computer program code being executed can also be considered as drivers for the processor 111. For example, the processor 111 executes the computer program code stored in the memory 112 to implement the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0192] Transceiver 113 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between satellite network equipment and other devices. Transceiver 113 can be connected to antenna 115. Transceiver 113 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 115 can receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of transceiver 113 is used to receive the radio frequency signals from the antennas, convert the radio frequency signals into digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, and provide the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals to the processor 111 so that the processor 111 can perform further processing on the digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in transceiver 113 is also used to receive the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals from the processor 111, convert the modulated digital baseband signals or digital intermediate frequency signals into radio frequency signals, and transmit the radio frequency signals through one or more antennas 115. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of downmixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the radio frequency signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency (IF) signal. The order of the downmixing and IF conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of upmixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital IF signal to obtain a radio frequency signal. The order of the upmixing and IF conversion processes is also adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital IF signal can be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0193] Figure 11 The following is an example of the composition of the UE provided in the embodiments of this application. The UE may be, for example, a mobile phone, a smart wearable device (such as a smartwatch), etc. Taking a mobile phone as an example, the UE may include a processor 310, an external memory interface 320, an internal memory 321, a display screen 330, a camera 340, an antenna 1, an antenna 2, a mobile communication module 350, and a wireless communication module 360, etc.

[0194] It is understood that the structure illustrated in this embodiment does not constitute a specific limitation on the UE. In other embodiments, the UE may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine some components, or split some components, or have different component arrangements. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0195] Processor 310 may include one or more processing units, such as: application processor (AP), modem processor, graphics processing unit (GPU), image signal processor (ISP), controller, time-frequency codec, digital signal processor (DSP), baseband processor, and / or neural network processing unit (NPU), etc. Different processing units may be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors.

[0196] It is understood that the interface connection relationships between the modules illustrated in this embodiment are merely illustrative and do not constitute a limitation on the structure of the UE. In other embodiments of this application, the UE may also adopt different interface connection methods or a combination of multiple interface connection methods as described in the above embodiments.

[0197] The external memory interface 320 can be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to expand the UE's storage capacity. The external memory card communicates with the processor 310 through the external memory interface 320 to perform data storage functions. For example, music, time and frequency files can be saved on the external memory card.

[0198] Internal memory 321 can be used to store computer executable program code, including instructions. Processor 310 executes various functional applications and data processing of the UE by running the instructions stored in internal memory 321. Internal memory 321 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store the operating system, at least one application program required for a function (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.), etc. The data storage area may store data created by the UE during use (such as time-frequency stream data), etc. In addition, internal memory 321 may include high-speed random access memory, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, universal flash storage (UFS), etc. Processor 310 executes various functions and data processing of the UE by running instructions stored in internal memory 321 and / or instructions stored in memory disposed in the processor.

[0199] The UE's wireless communication function can be implemented through antenna 1, antenna 2, mobile communication module 350, wireless communication module 360, modem processor, and baseband processor.

[0200] Antenna 1 and antenna 2 are used to transmit and receive electromagnetic wave signals. Each antenna in the UE can be used to cover one or more communication frequency bands. Different antennas can also be multiplexed to improve antenna utilization. For example, antenna 1 can be multiplexed as a diversity antenna for a wireless local area network. In some other embodiments, the antennas can be used in conjunction with tuning switches.

[0201] The mobile communication module 350 can provide solutions for wireless communication applications including 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G on the UE. The mobile communication module 350 may include at least one filter, switch, power amplifier, low-noise amplifier (LNA), etc. The mobile communication module 350 can receive electromagnetic waves via antenna 1, and perform filtering, amplification, and other processing on the received electromagnetic waves before transmitting them to a modem processor for demodulation. The mobile communication module 350 can also amplify the signal modulated by the modem processor and convert it into electromagnetic waves for radiation via antenna 1. In some embodiments, at least some functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 may be housed in the processor 310. In some embodiments, at least some functional modules of the mobile communication module 350 and at least some modules of the processor 310 may be housed in the same device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the UE initiates or receives call requests through the mobile communication module 350 and the antenna 1.

[0203] Furthermore, an operating system runs on top of the aforementioned components. Examples include iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. Applications can be installed and run on this operating system. Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, explanations and beneficial effects of any of the UE components described above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0204] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform the communication method described in the above embodiments.

[0205] Furthermore, this application also provides a computer program product, which, when executed by one or more computing devices, allows the computing devices to execute any of the aforementioned communication methods. The computer program product can be a software installation package; when any of the aforementioned communication methods is required, the computer program product can be downloaded and executed on a computer.

[0206] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that this application can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware, or it can be implemented by special-purpose hardware including application-specific integrated circuits, special-purpose CPUs, special-purpose memory, special-purpose components, etc. Generally, any function performed by a computer program can be easily implemented by corresponding hardware, and the specific hardware structure used to implement the same function can also be diverse, such as analog circuits, digital circuits, or special-purpose circuits. However, for this application, software program implementation is more often the preferred implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium, such as a computer floppy disk, USB flash drive, mobile hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, or optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, training equipment, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0207] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product.

[0208] The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, training device, or data center to another website, computer, training device, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a training device or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0209] The system architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

Claims

1. A communication method, said method being applied to a first satellite network device, characterized in that, The method includes: The synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution periods corresponding to multiple beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device are determined respectively. The multiple beam coverage areas include a first beam coverage area and a second beam coverage area. The SSB distribution period corresponding to the first beam coverage area is less than the SSB distribution period corresponding to the second beam coverage area. The user equipment (UE) density of the first beam coverage area is greater than the UE density of the second beam coverage area. Based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas, SSBs are sent to the multiple beam coverage areas, and the SSBs are used by the UE to access the first satellite network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device includes: Determine the UE density index for each of the plurality of beam coverage areas, wherein the UE density index for each beam coverage area is used to represent the UE density of each beam coverage area; Based on the UE density index of each beam coverage area, the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area is determined.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of determining the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area based on the UE density index of each beam coverage area includes: Based on the UE density represented by the UE density index of each beam coverage area, the category to which each beam coverage area belongs is determined. The categories to which the multiple beam coverage areas belong respectively include a first category and a second category. The UE density of the beam coverage area belonging to the first category is greater than the UE density of the beam coverage area belonging to the second category. Based on the category to which each beam coverage area belongs, the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area is determined. The first SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to the first category is shorter than the second SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to the second category.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The UE density represented by the UE density index of each beam coverage area is inversely correlated with the SSB distribution period corresponding to each beam coverage area.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The categories to which all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device belong include multiple categories, including a first category and a second category. The category to which the first beam coverage area belongs is the first category, and the category to which the second beam coverage area belongs is the second category. The step of sending SSBs to the multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to each of the multiple beam coverage areas includes: A first number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the first category is determined, and a second number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the second category is determined, wherein the sum of the number of beams required for all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device is less than the upper limit of the number of beams provided by the first satellite network device. Based on the first quantity and the first SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to the first category, SSBs are sent to the beam coverage area belonging to the first category, and based on the second quantity and the second SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area belonging to the second category, SSBs are sent to the beam coverage area belonging to the second category.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first SSB distribution cycle includes a third number of SSB transmission opportunities, and the second SSB distribution cycle includes a fourth number of SSB transmission opportunities; The first number of beams required to determine the beam coverage area belonging to the first category includes: Obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the first category; The first quantity is determined based on the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the first category and the third quantity; The second number of beams required to determine the beam coverage area belonging to the second category includes: Obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the second category; The second quantity is determined based on the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to the second category and the fourth quantity.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The categories to which all beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device belong include multiple categories, including target categories and other categories. The target category is the category to which the beam coverage area corresponding to the longest SSB distribution period among all beam coverage areas belongs, and the other categories are the categories to which the beam coverage areas other than the beam coverage area corresponding to the longest SSB distribution period among all beam coverage areas belong. The step of sending SSBs to the multiple beam coverage areas based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to each of the multiple beam coverage areas includes: The number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the other categories is determined, and the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the target category is further determined as the upper limit of the number of beams provided by the first satellite network device minus the number of beams required for the beam coverage area belonging to the other categories. Based on the number of beams required for the other beam coverage areas and the corresponding SSB distribution period of the other beam coverage areas, the SSB is sent to the other beam coverage areas, and based on the number of beams required for the target beam coverage area and the longest SSB distribution period, the SSB is sent to the target beam coverage area.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The determination of the number of beams required to cover areas belonging to the other categories, and the further determination of the number of beams required to cover areas belonging to the target category, include: Obtain the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each of the other categories; The number of beams required for each other category of beam coverage area is determined by the quotient of the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each other category and the number of SSB transmission opportunities in the SSB distribution cycle corresponding to each other category of beam coverage area. The number of beams required for the target category's coverage area is determined based on the difference between the upper limit of the number of beams and the number of beam coverage areas belonging to each of the other categories.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device includes: Obtain a first correspondence relationship, which is the correspondence between the plurality of beam coverage areas and the SSB distribution periods corresponding to the plurality of beam coverage areas respectively; Query the first correspondence to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas.

10. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the UE density index for each of the plurality of beam coverage areas includes: Obtain a second correspondence relationship, which is the correspondence between the plurality of beam coverage areas and the UE density index corresponding to the plurality of beam coverage areas respectively; Query the second correspondence to determine the UE density index for each beam coverage area.

11. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The UE density index for each beam coverage area is the received historical UE density index, which is used to represent the historical UE density of each first beam coverage area.

12. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Determining the UE density index for each of the plurality of beam coverage areas includes: Obtain the number of requests received from the UE within each beam coverage area; Based on the number of requests, determine the UE density index for each beam coverage area.

13. A communication method, said method being applied to a user equipment (UE), characterized in that, The method includes: Determine the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located; Based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located, the SSBs within the beam coverage area where the UE is located are scanned and obtained; According to the SSB, access the first satellite network device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located is the SSB scanning period of the satellite network equipment that the UE has historically accessed.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The determination of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located includes: If the SSB is not detected in the first preset period, the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located is determined to be the second preset period, which is greater than the first preset period. The step of scanning to obtain the SSBs within the beam coverage area where the UE is located based on the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located includes: The SSB is obtained by scanning based on the second preset period.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The determination of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located includes: Obtain a third correspondence, which is the correspondence between the multiple beam coverage areas of the first satellite network device and the SSB distribution periods corresponding to the multiple beam coverage areas respectively; The third correspondence is queried to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located.

17. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: During the historical access process, a request is sent to the satellite network equipment that was accessed in the past. The request is used to determine the historical UE density index of the beam coverage area where the UE is located. The historical UE density index is used to represent the historical UE density of the beam coverage area where the UE is located. The determined historical UE density index is sent to the first satellite network device. The historical UE density index is used by the first satellite network device to determine the SSB distribution period corresponding to the beam coverage area where the UE is located.

18. A satellite network device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver for performing the receiving and transmitting operations in the method of any one of claims 1-12; A processor for performing operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method of any one of claims 1-12.

19. A user equipment (UE), characterized in that, include: A transceiver for performing the receiving and transmitting operations in any one of claims 13-17; A processor for performing operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the method of any one of claims 13-17.

20. A communication system, characterized in that, The method includes a satellite network device and a user equipment (UE), wherein the satellite network device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-12, and the UE is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 13-17.

21. A computer storage medium for storing a computer program, which, when executed, implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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