Data transmission method for satellite base station, computing device, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

Embodiments of the present specification provide a data transmission method for a satellite base station, a computing device, a storage medium and a computer program product, the data transmission method comprising: determining a user terminal, and allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, the user terminal being in communication connection with the satellite base station; receiving terminal position information sent by the user terminal, and calculating a current propagation time delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station according to the terminal position information; and according to the initial propagation time delay and the current propagation time delay, determining a target processing time delay corresponding to the user terminal, and according to the target processing time delay and the initial propagation time delay, determining a target time slot, so that the satellite base station receives communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, the target processing time delay is used for compensating a time delay difference value between the initial propagation time delay and the current propagation time delay.

Description

Data transmission methods, computing devices, storage media, and computer program products for satellite base stations. Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to the field of satellite communication technology, and in particular to data transmission methods, computing devices, storage media, and computer program products for satellite base stations. Background Technology

[0002] In satellite communications, wireless communication between user terminals and satellite base stations is typically achieved based on the HARQ mechanism, thereby improving transmission reliability. The HARQ mechanism precisely controls the timing relationship between data transmission and acknowledgment / retransmission, sending and receiving data according to set time slots. This timing relationship is usually determined based on processing delay and propagation delay (i.e., air interface delay). Processing delay refers to the time required for data processing within the user terminal or satellite base station, while propagation delay refers to the time required for the signal to propagate through the air, i.e., the time required for data transmission between the user terminal and the satellite base station.

[0003] Because satellite communication has a wide coverage area and can serve a large number of user terminals, the distance between each user terminal and the satellite base station changes rapidly as the satellite moves, causing the propagation delay of each user terminal to change as well. Consequently, a large number of user terminals need to report their TA (Transmission Terminal Request) in real time. However, each time a user terminal reports its TA, it requires one downlink beam service and one uplink beam service, which greatly consumes radio and beam resources and increases the scheduling burden on the satellite base station. Therefore, an effective technical solution is urgently needed to address these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, embodiments of this specification provide a data transmission method for a satellite base station. One or more embodiments of this specification also relate to a data transmission apparatus for a satellite base station, a computing device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product, to address the technical deficiencies existing in the prior art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a data transmission method for a satellite base station is provided, comprising: determining a user terminal and allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are communicatively connected; receiving terminal location information sent by the user terminal and calculating a current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information; determining a target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and determining a target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a data transmission apparatus for a satellite base station is provided, comprising: an allocation module configured to determine a user terminal and allocate an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are communicatively connected; a calculation module configured to receive terminal location information sent by the user terminal and calculate a current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information; and a determination module configured to determine a target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and determine a target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a computing device is provided, comprising: a memory and a processor; the memory is used to store computer programs / instructions, and the processor is used to execute the computer programs / instructions, wherein the computer programs / instructions, when executed by the processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of this specification, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0010] This specification provides a data transmission method for a satellite base station, comprising: determining a user terminal and allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are communicatively connected; receiving terminal location information sent by the user terminal and calculating a current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information; determining a target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and determining a target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

[0011] In the above method, after allocating an initial propagation delay to a user terminal, the satellite base station can receive the terminal location information reported by the user terminal and calculate the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information. Based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal is determined. This target processing delay can be used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial and current propagation delays. A target timeslot is then determined based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, enabling the satellite base station to receive communication data sent by the user terminal in the target timeslot. This achieves delay compensation by adjusting the processing delay. Furthermore, the target processing delay and target timeslot are automatically calculated on the satellite base station side, eliminating the need for the user terminal to report the TA in real time, thus avoiding excessive consumption of radio and beam resources and reducing the scheduling burden on the satellite base station. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of cell-level k-offset parameter calculation in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of time slots in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of downlink scheduling communication process in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of uplink scheduling communication process in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of a data transmission device for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification; Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of a computing device according to an embodiment of this specification. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this specification. However, this specification can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the spirit of this specification. Therefore, this specification is not limited to the specific implementations disclosed below.

[0014] The terminology used in one or more embodiments of this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the one or more embodiments of this specification. The singular forms “a,” “described,” and “the” as used in one or more embodiments of this specification and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in one or more embodiments of this specification refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0015] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used to describe various information in one or more embodiments of this specification, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, first may also be referred to as second without departing from the scope of one or more embodiments of this specification, and similarly, second may also be referred to as first. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to a determination."

[0016] Furthermore, it should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in one or more embodiments of this specification are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties. Moreover, the collection, use and processing of related data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant countries and regions, and corresponding operation entry points are provided for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0017] First, the terms and concepts used in one or more embodiments of this specification will be explained.

[0018] HARQ: Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest, is an error control mechanism that combines forward error correction and automatic retransmission.

[0019] TA: Timing Advance. This is a time adjustment instruction sent from the satellite base station to the user terminal to compensate for the propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station. It ensures that the uplink signals sent by all user terminals are time-aligned at the base station and avoids interference between multiple users.

[0020] MAC: Medium Access Control, a sublayer of L2 (data link layer) in the wireless protocol stack, which can be used for scheduling, HARQ management, etc.

[0021] NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network, a network that provides communication services using non-terrestrial nodes such as satellites and high-altitude platforms.

[0022] GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite System, supports positioning services and can be used in NTN for satellite orbit calculation and user terminal positioning.

[0023] 3GPP protocols: a global mobile communication technology standard specification system that defines the technical details of radio access, core network, service architecture, security mechanisms, etc., from 2G to 5G and even the future 6G.

[0024] RRC (Radio Resource Control Signaling) is a control plane protocol of the L3 (network layer) of the wireless protocol stack. It operates between user terminals and base stations and can be used to establish, maintain, and release wireless connections and broadcast system information.

[0025] ID: Identifier, a number used in communication systems to uniquely identify an entity or session.

[0026] This specification provides a data transmission method for a satellite base station. It also relates to a data transmission apparatus for a satellite base station, a computing device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product, which will be described in detail in the following embodiments.

[0027] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification. The data transmission method is applied to a satellite base station and specifically includes the following steps.

[0028] Step 102: Determine the user terminal and allocate an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are in a communication connection.

[0029] Specifically, the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this specification can be applied to data transmission between satellite base stations and user terminals, specifically to HARQ transmission between satellite base stations and user terminals. HARQ is an error control mechanism combining forward error correction and automatic repeat request, which can be applied in wireless communication systems to improve the reliability and efficiency of data transmission. During HARQ transmission, in the first transmission, the sending end performs channel coding on the data and sends it to the receiving end. If the receiving end cannot decode it correctly, it requests a retransmission from the sending end. The sending end sends the retransmitted data to the receiving end. This retransmitted data can carry reliable redundant information. After receiving the retransmitted data, the receiving end merges the old and new data before decoding, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of data transmission. HARQ can operate at the MAC layer.

[0030] In the field of satellite communication, the HARQ transmission process between a satellite base station and a user terminal is as follows: the satellite base station sends a data block to the user terminal, the user terminal attempts to decode the data block, and if the decoding is successful, it sends an acknowledgment message (ACK) to the satellite base station; if the decoding fails, it sends a negative acknowledgment message (NACK) to the satellite base station. After receiving the NACK, the satellite base station retransmits the data block at a subsequent specified time (determined by the HARQ timing), and the user terminal combines the old and new received signals and decodes them again.

[0031] In practical applications, HARQ timing is mainly determined by two factors: the processing latency of the user terminal and the propagation latency (i.e., air interface latency) between the user terminal and the satellite base station. In NTN satellite communication, the propagation latency is constantly changing and independent at the user level. Due to the large coverage area and numerous users of satellite communication, when the satellite is moving, it may trigger a large number of user terminals to report TAs. Each user terminal needs to perform an independent uplink scheduling for each TA report. In the beam-hopping implementation scheme, one downlink beam service and one uplink beam service are required, which greatly consumes the radio and beam resources between the user terminal and the satellite base station, increasing the scheduling burden on the satellite base station.

[0032] Based on this, a k-offset parameter is introduced for HARQ timing in satellite communication scenarios. This k-offset parameter represents the air interface delay. Therefore, the HARQ timing between the satellite base station and the user terminal can be calculated jointly based on the user terminal's processing delay and the air interface delay. Since the distance from the satellite base station to different user terminals within the satellite base station's band varies, and the distance to the same user terminal also changes at different times, the air interface delay between different user terminals and the satellite base station is different and variable at different times. Because user terminals supporting satellite communication can support GNSS positioning and read satellite ephemeris information from system broadcast information, the user terminal can calculate the air interface delay from the satellite base station to the user terminal based on GNSS positioning and satellite ephemeris information. Considering that the air interface delay varies due to the different distances from the satellite base station to different user terminals at different times, the 3GPP protocol introduces the k-offset parameter.

[0033] The current 3GPP protocol uses MAC layer signaling to continuously update and synchronize the latest k-offset parameters for each user terminal. Each time k-offset parameters are synchronized for each user terminal, two HARQ scheduling operations are required: one uplink TA reporting and one downlink k-offset parameter synchronization. This also requires two downlink beams and two uplink beams. When there are many user terminals, this consumes significant scheduling and beam resources. For example, if a cell has 3000 users, satellite movement will inevitably change the distance between the satellite base station and the 3000 user terminals in that cell. Therefore, it is necessary to synchronize and update the k-offset parameters for all 3000 user terminals in that cell, requiring at least 3000 uplink scheduling operations and 3000 downlink scheduling operations, thus consuming substantial scheduling resources.

[0034] Based on this, the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this specification can perform delay compensation on the satellite base station side and adaptively compensate for changes in the k-offset parameter.

[0035] In this context, a satellite base station can be understood as a satellite with base station functionality. In the NTN satellite communication architecture, the satellite itself can integrate base station functions, directly providing wireless access services to user terminals. A user terminal can be understood as a user's terminal device. User terminals can be used to initiate or receive communication, perform wireless signal transmission and reception, channel estimation, HARQ feedback, TA adjustment, etc. User terminals can include smartphones supporting satellite communication, IoT sensors, vehicle communication modules, dedicated satellite phones, etc. The initial propagation delay can be understood as the air interface delay allocated to the user terminal, i.e., the k-offset parameter allocated to the user terminal.

[0036] Specifically, the satellite base station can determine the user terminal of the current communication connection and allocate an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, that is, allocate an initial k-offset parameter.

[0037] In practical applications, satellite base stations can allocate initial propagation delays to user terminals with current communication connections at preset time intervals. These preset time intervals can be set manually or determined based on the satellite base station's moving speed and distance. Alternatively, the satellite base station can also allocate initial propagation delays to user terminals in response to communication connection requests sent by the user terminals. This specification does not limit this specific approach.

[0038] It is understandable that there may be multiple user terminals communicating with the satellite base station, and the data transmission method provided in the embodiments of this specification is performed on each user terminal.

[0039] Further, allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal includes: if it is determined that the user terminal is configured with a user-level propagation delay, determining the user-level propagation delay as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal; or if it is determined that the user terminal is not configured with a user-level propagation delay, determining the cell-level propagation delay corresponding to the user terminal as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal.

[0040] In this context, user-level propagation delay can be understood as a k-offset parameter configured individually for each user terminal to adapt to the propagation delay from that user terminal to the satellite base station. Cell-level propagation delay can be understood as a k-offset parameter configured for all user terminals within the entire cell, shared by all user terminals in that cell. A cell can be understood as a uniquely identified wireless service area covered by a satellite base station. In practical applications, communication satellites can generate multiple point beams through phased array antennas or reflector feed arrays, with each beam covering a local area on the Earth's surface; each local area covered by a beam can be understood as a cell.

[0041] In practical applications, satellite base stations can configure unique k-offset parameters for each user terminal based on dedicated RRC signaling. The satellite base station can also broadcast a fixed set of k-offset parameters to the entire cell via RRC signaling, which are shared by all user terminals within the cell.

[0042] Based on this, if the satellite base station determines that the user terminal has configured a user-level k-offset parameter, it can directly assign the user-level k-offset parameter to the user terminal as the initial propagation delay; if the satellite base station determines that the user terminal has not configured a user-level k-offset parameter, it can determine the cell-level k-offset parameter corresponding to the cell to which the user terminal belongs, and assign the cell-level k-offset parameter to the user terminal as the initial propagation delay.

[0043] Furthermore, the satellite base station can calculate the maximum and minimum k-offset parameters in the cell to which the user terminal belongs based on the satellite orbital altitude and the range of satellite elevation angles. The minimum k-offset parameter is then used as the cell-level k-offset parameter for all user terminals in that cell. Alternatively, a k-offset parameter can be selected from the maximum and minimum k-offset parameters as the cell-level k-offset parameter for all user terminals in that cell. Specifically, referring to Figure 2, which illustrates the calculation of cell-level k-offset parameters in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification, as shown in Figure 2, tDelayMax is the maximum propagation delay of the satellite base station at a certain point (i.e., at a certain elevation angle) for all points within its coverage area (which can be understood as a cell). DelayMax is the maximum propagation delay of the satellite base station at the minimum elevation angle. Therefore, DelayMax is greater than or equal to tDelayMax. Based on this, DelayMax can be used as the maximum air interface delay (i.e., the maximum k-offset parameter), which is the distance from the satellite base station to the farthest point within the coverage area. Similarly, DelayMin is the minimum propagation delay (i.e., the minimum k-offset parameter) at the minimum elevation angle, representing the closest point to the coverage area from the satellite base station. In practical applications, a k-offset parameter can be chosen between the maximum and minimum k-offset parameters as the initial propagation delay allocated to the user terminal.

[0044] In summary, by allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, a data foundation is provided for the time slot calculation of subsequent communication data transmission.

[0045] Step 104: Receive the terminal location information sent by the user terminal, and calculate the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information.

[0046] Among them, terminal location information can be understood as the current location information of the user terminal reported to the satellite base station, and current propagation delay can be understood as the actual propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station calculated by the satellite base station.

[0047] Specifically, the satellite base station can receive the terminal location information reported by the user terminal, calculate the distance between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information and the satellite orbital altitude information of the satellite base station itself, and calculate the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the distance and the speed of light.

[0048] In practical applications, the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station can be understood as the actual air interface delay calculated by the satellite base station.

[0049] Step 106: Determine the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and determine the target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives the communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

[0050] In HARQ, processing latency can be understood as the time it takes for a user terminal to process received communication data. In HARQ, processing latency is the time required for the user terminal to receive communication data, complete data decoding, and generate ACK / NACK feedback. Target processing latency can be understood as the processing latency after compensating for the difference between the initial propagation latency and the current propagation latency. A time slot can be understood as the basic unit of time resource scheduling, used to organize and allocate the transmission of wireless signals in the time dimension. In HARQ, the target time slot is the time slot in which the satellite base station receives communication data sent by the user terminal.

[0051] Specifically, the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal can be determined based on the initial propagation delay allocated to the user terminal and the calculated current propagation delay. The target time slot can then be calculated based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station can receive the communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot.

[0052] In practical applications, refer to Figure 3, which illustrates a schematic diagram of time slots in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification. As shown in Figure 3, on the satellite base station side, the uplink time slot numbers and downlink time slot numbers are aligned. For example, the uplink time slot n (fourth row) and the downlink time slot n (first row) of the satellite base station are perfectly aligned. Here, the uplink of the user terminal can be understood as data transmission from the user terminal to the satellite base station, and the downlink of the user terminal can be understood as data transmission from the satellite base station to the user terminal. The uplink of the satellite base station can be understood as the satellite base station, acting as a network node, sending processed user data to the ground core network via a feeder link, and the downlink of the satellite base station can be understood as data backhaul from the ground core network to the satellite base station. On the user terminal side, the user terminal can calculate the delay TA / 2 based on the satellite ephemeris information and positioning information of the satellite base station. That is, the uplink time slot n of the user terminal is TA / 2 ahead of the uplink time slot n of the satellite base station, and the downlink time slot n of the user terminal is TA / 2 behind the downlink time slot n of the satellite base station. In other words, the uplink time slot n of the user terminal has a latency difference of TA relative to the downlink time slot n of the user terminal. TA and time slot (i.e., slot) do not necessarily have a multiple relationship, but rather are high-precision latency results measured by the user terminal.

[0053] Further, before determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, the method further includes: determining the initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay includes: calculating the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay; and obtaining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the delay difference and the initial processing delay.

[0054] The initial processing delay can be understood as the processing delay before the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay is compensated.

[0055] Specifically, based on the data processing capabilities of the user terminal, the initial processing latency corresponding to the user terminal can be determined, the latency difference between the initial propagation latency and the current propagation latency can be calculated, and the target processing latency corresponding to the user terminal can be calculated based on the latency difference and the initial processing latency.

[0056] In practice, the latency difference can be added to the initial processing latency to obtain the target processing latency corresponding to the user terminal.

[0057] In practical applications, the initial processing delay, initial propagation delay, current propagation delay, and target processing delay can be converted into corresponding time slots for calculation. For example, a satellite base station calculates a minimum k-offset parameter of 3.8 ms and a maximum k-offset parameter of 7.6 ms based on the current satellite orbital altitude and elevation angle range. Therefore, the satellite base station can determine the initial propagation delay (i.e., k-offset parameter) allocated to the user terminal as 4 ms, which translates to 8 time slots. The calculated current propagation delay is 6.2 ms, which translates to 13 time slots. The delay difference between the initial processing delay and the current propagation delay is 13 - 8 = 5 time slots. The initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal is 1 ms, or 2 time slots. Therefore, the calculated target processing delay is the delay difference of 5 plus the initial processing delay of 2, which equals 7 time slots. Here, ms stands for millisecond.

[0058] Furthermore, the processing latency corresponding to the user terminal can include uplink processing latency and downlink processing latency. Uplink processing latency is the processing latency of the user terminal during the uplink scheduling communication process of HARQ, and downlink processing latency is the processing latency of the user terminal during the downlink scheduling communication process of HARQ.

[0059] Based on this, determining the initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal can include determining the uplink initial processing delay and the downlink initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal. In practical applications, the downlink initial processing delay K1 and the uplink initial processing delay K2 can be selected by the satellite base station based on the user terminal's capabilities (i.e., the time actually required for the user terminal to process data), and can be K1 and K2 values ​​that are not less than the user terminal's capabilities. For example, if the user terminal requires at least 0.3 time slots for data processing during downlink scheduling communication, then the satellite base station can choose any K1 value greater than 0.3; correspondingly, if the user terminal requires at least 1.1 time slots for data processing during uplink scheduling communication, then the satellite base station can choose any K2 value greater than 1.1.

[0060] Therefore, obtaining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the delay difference and the initial processing delay may include obtaining the compensated uplink target processing delay K2 based on the delay difference and the uplink initial processing delay; or obtaining the compensated downlink target processing delay K1 based on the delay difference and the downlink initial processing delay.

[0061] In summary, by flexibly adjusting the processing delay from the initial processing delay to the target processing delay, compensation for air interface delay can be achieved using the target processing delay. Furthermore, by calculating the air interface delay on the satellite base station side, the synchronization of TA reporting and k-offset parameters for all user terminals can be avoided.

[0062] Furthermore, after determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, the method further includes: sending a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot, wherein the scheduling instruction carries the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal.

[0063] The first time slot can be understood as the time slot in which the satellite base station sends scheduling instructions to the user terminal. The first time slot may include an uplink first time slot and a downlink first time slot, and the scheduling instructions may also include uplink scheduling instructions and downlink scheduling instructions.

[0064] Understandably, the uplink first time slot and uplink scheduling instruction are the first time slot and scheduling instruction in the uplink scheduling communication process of HARQ. This uplink scheduling communication process can be understood as the data transmission process from the user terminal to the satellite base station. Similarly, the downlink first time slot and downlink scheduling instruction are the first time slot and scheduling instruction in the downlink scheduling communication process of HARQ. This downlink scheduling communication process can also be understood as the data transmission process from the satellite base station to the user terminal. In this downlink scheduling communication process, the satellite base station sends downlink communication data to the user terminal, and the user terminal also sends communication feedback data to the satellite base station for this downlink communication data. The process of the user terminal sending communication feedback data to the satellite base station is the uplink process, but it belongs to this downlink scheduling communication process.

[0065] Specifically, after calculating the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal, the satellite base station can send a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot. The scheduling instruction carries the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal, so that the user terminal can calculate the target time slot based on the target processing delay and send communication data to the satellite base station in the target time slot.

[0066] In one embodiment of this specification, sending a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot includes: sending a downlink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the downlink first time slot, wherein the downlink scheduling instruction carries a downlink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; determining the target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay includes: determining the downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; after determining the downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, the method further includes: receiving the communication feedback data sent by the user terminal in the downlink target time slot.

[0067] Specifically, when determining the downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, the time slot corresponding to the downlink target processing delay and the time slot corresponding to the initial propagation delay can be added together to obtain the downlink target time slot.

[0068] Furthermore, the method also includes: sending downlink communication data to the user terminal in the downlink second time slot.

[0069] The downlink first time slot and the downlink second time slot can be the same or different.

[0070] In practical applications, the downlink scheduling indication is the DLGRANT indication, the communication feedback data is the HARQ feedback result (ACK / NACK), and the downlink communication data is PDSCH data. The DLGRANT indication can be understood as a downlink scheduling authorization sent by the satellite base station to the user terminal via the PDCCH, instructing the user terminal to receive data on the PDSCH in a future time slot. The DLGRANT indication may include the allocated resource block (PB), modulation and coding scheme (MCS), HARQ process ID, New Data Indicator (NDI), and data redundancy version, etc. The PDSCH data can be understood as the physical channel that actually carries downlink user data; it can be used to transmit data from the network, and the data content can be decoded according to the DLGRANT indication.

[0071] The downlink scheduling communication process includes: 1. The satellite base station sends a DLGRANT instruction to the user terminal in the first downlink time slot (slot n), which includes a downlink target processing delay K1; 2. The satellite base station sends downlink communication data (PDSCH data) to the user terminal in the second downlink time slot (slot n+k0); 3. The user terminal receives the downlink communication data in the second downlink time slot (slot n+k0); 4. Based on the downlink target processing delay K1 carried in the DLGRANT instruction, the user terminal sends a HARQ feedback result to the satellite base station in the downlink target time slot (slot n+k0+k1+k-offset, i.e., the initial propagation delay). It can be understood that this downlink target time slot is an uplink time slot for the user terminal, and the downlink in the downlink target time slot is to indicate that this time slot is in the downlink scheduling communication process; 5. The satellite base station receives the HARQ feedback result in the downlink target time slot (slot n+k0+k1+k-offset).

[0072] For example, referring to Figure 4, which illustrates a schematic diagram of the downlink scheduling communication process in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification, as shown in Figure 4, the initial propagation delay (i.e., the allocated k-offset parameter) is 8 time slots, and k0 is 0, indicating that the downlink scheduling instruction and downlink communication data are sent in the same time slot, slot n, that is, the downlink first time slot and the downlink second time slot are the same, and the downlink target processing delay k1 is 1. Based on this, the satellite base station sends a DLGRANT instruction to the user terminal in the downlink first time slot, slot n. One field in this DLGRANT instruction is the value k1. The satellite base station sends downlink communication data to the user terminal in the downlink second time slot, slot n. The user terminal receives the downlink communication data in the downlink first time slot, slot n. The user terminal completes the processing of the downlink communication data after one time slot and sends a HARQ feedback result to the satellite base station in the downlink target time slot, slot n+9. The satellite base station receives the HARQ feedback result in the downlink target time slot, slot n+9.

[0073] In summary, data transmission and communication between satellite base stations and user terminals are achieved through downlink scheduling communication processes.

[0074] In another embodiment of this specification, sending a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot further includes: sending an uplink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the uplink first time slot, wherein the uplink scheduling instruction carries the uplink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; determining the target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay includes: determining the uplink target time slot based on the uplink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; after determining the uplink target time slot based on the uplink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, the method further includes: receiving uplink communication data sent by the user terminal in the uplink target time slot.

[0075] In practical applications, the uplink scheduling instruction is the ULGRANT instruction, and the uplink communication data is PUSCH data. The ULGRANT instruction can be understood as an uplink scheduling authorization sent by the satellite base station to the user terminal via PDCCH. It instructs the user terminal to transmit uplink data via PUSCH on specified time and frequency resources. PUSCH data can be understood as the physical channel used by the user terminal to transmit uplink user data. It can carry service data from the user terminal, as well as some uplink control information or HARQ feedback results. This PUSCH data depends on the ULGRANT instruction; that is, the user terminal can only transmit PUSCH data on the specified resources after receiving the ULGRANT instruction.

[0076] The uplink scheduling communication process includes: 1. The satellite base station sends an ULGRANT instruction to the user terminal in the first uplink time slot (slot n). The ULGRANT instruction includes the uplink target processing delay K2. It can be understood that the first uplink time slot is a downlink time slot for the satellite base station. The "uplink" in the first uplink time slot is to indicate that the time slot is in the uplink scheduling communication process; 2. The user terminal sends uplink communication data to the satellite base station in the uplink target time slot (slot n + k2 + k-offset); 3. The satellite base station receives the uplink communication data in the uplink target time slot (slot n + k2 + k-offset).

[0077] For example, referring to Figure 5, which illustrates an uplink scheduling communication process in a data transmission method for a satellite base station according to an embodiment of this specification, as shown in Figure 5, the initial propagation delay (i.e., the allocated k-offset parameter) is 8 time slots, and the uplink target processing delay k2 is 1. Based on this, the satellite base station sends a ULGRANT instruction to the user terminal in the first uplink time slot (slot n). One field in this ULGRANT instruction is the value k2. The user terminal receives this ULGRANT instruction in the first uplink time slot (slot n), completes data processing after one time slot, and sends uplink communication data to the satellite base station in the uplink target time slot (slot n+9). The satellite base station receives this uplink communication data in the uplink target time slot (slot n+9).

[0078] In summary, data transmission and communication between satellite base stations and user terminals are achieved through uplink scheduling communication processes.

[0079] In the above method, after allocating an initial propagation delay to a user terminal, the satellite base station can receive the terminal location information reported by the user terminal and calculate the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information. Based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal is determined. This target processing delay can be used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial and current propagation delays. A target timeslot is then determined based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, enabling the satellite base station to receive communication data sent by the user terminal in the target timeslot. This achieves delay compensation by adjusting the processing delay. Furthermore, the target processing delay and target timeslot are automatically calculated on the satellite base station side, eliminating the need for the user terminal to report the TA in real time, thus avoiding excessive consumption of radio and beam resources and reducing the scheduling burden on the satellite base station.

[0080] Corresponding to the above method embodiments, this specification also provides a data transmission device embodiment applied to a satellite base station. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a data transmission device for a satellite base station provided in one embodiment of this specification. As shown in Figure 6, the device includes: an allocation module 602 configured to determine a user terminal and allocate an initial propagation delay to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are communicatively connected; a calculation module 604 configured to receive terminal location information sent by the user terminal and calculate the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station based on the terminal location information; and a determination module 606 configured to determine the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and determine a target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives the communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

[0081] In an optional embodiment, the determining module 606 is further configured to: determine the initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; calculate the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay; and obtain the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the delay difference and the initial processing delay.

[0082] In an optional embodiment, the apparatus further includes a communication module configured to send a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in a first time slot, wherein the scheduling instruction carries a target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, the communication module is further configured to: send a downlink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in a downlink first time slot, wherein the downlink scheduling instruction carries the downlink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; the determining module 606 is further configured to: determine a downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; and the communication module is further configured to: receive the communication feedback data sent by the user terminal in the downlink target time slot.

[0084] In an optional embodiment, the communication module is further configured to send downlink communication data to the user terminal in the downlink second time slot.

[0085] In an optional embodiment, the communication module is further configured to: send an uplink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the uplink first time slot, wherein the uplink scheduling instruction carries the uplink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; the determining module 606 is further configured to: determine the uplink target time slot based on the uplink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; and the communication module is further configured to: receive uplink communication data sent by the user terminal in the uplink target time slot.

[0086] In an optional embodiment, the allocation module 602 is further configured to: determine the user-level propagation delay as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal when it is determined that the user terminal is configured with a user-level propagation delay; or determine the cell-level propagation delay corresponding to the user terminal as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal when it is determined that the user terminal is not configured with a user-level propagation delay.

[0087] In the aforementioned device, after allocating an initial propagation delay to a user terminal, the satellite base station can receive the terminal location information reported by the user terminal. Based on this location information, it calculates the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station. Based on the initial and current propagation delays, it determines the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal. This target processing delay can be used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial and current propagation delays. Furthermore, based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, a target time slot is determined so that the satellite base station receives the communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot. This achieves delay compensation by adjusting the processing delay. The target processing delay and target time slot are automatically calculated on the satellite base station side, eliminating the need for the user terminal to report the TA in real time, thus avoiding excessive consumption of radio and beam resources and reducing the scheduling burden on the satellite base station.

[0088] The above is a schematic scheme of a data transmission device for a satellite base station according to this embodiment. It should be noted that the technical solution of this data transmission device for a satellite base station and the technical solution of the data transmission method for a satellite base station described above belong to the same concept. Details not described in detail in the technical solution of the data transmission device for a satellite base station can be found in the description of the technical solution of the data transmission method for a satellite base station described above.

[0089] Figure 7 shows a structural block diagram of a computing device 700 according to one embodiment of this specification. The components of the computing device 700 include, but are not limited to, a memory 710 and a processor 720. The processor 720 is connected to the memory 710 via a bus 730, and a database 750 is used to store data.

[0090] The computing device 700 also includes an access device 740, which enables the computing device 700 to communicate via one or more networks 760. Examples of these networks include Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), or combinations of communication networks such as the Internet. The access device 740 may include one or more of any type of wired or wireless network interface (e.g., a network interface card (NIC)), such as an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) wireless interface, a Wi-MAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) interface, an Ethernet interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a cellular network interface, a Bluetooth interface, or a Near Field Communication (NFC) interface.

[0091] In one embodiment of this specification, the aforementioned components of the computing device 700, as well as other components not shown in FIG. 7, may be interconnected, for example, via a bus. It should be understood that the block diagram of the computing device shown in FIG. 7 is merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this specification. Those skilled in the art can add or replace other components as needed.

[0092] The computing device 700 can be any type of stationary or mobile computing device, including mobile computers or mobile computing devices (e.g., tablet computers, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, notebook computers, netbooks, etc.), mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), wearable computing devices (e.g., smartwatches, smart glasses, etc.) or other types of mobile devices, or stationary computing devices such as desktop computers or personal computers (PCs). The computing device 700 can also be a mobile or stationary server.

[0093] The processor 720 is used to execute the following computer program / instructions, which, when executed by the processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0094] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the computing device embodiments are basically similar to the data transmission method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the description of the data transmission method embodiments.

[0095] An embodiment of this specification also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0096] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on its differences from other embodiments. In particular, the computer-readable storage medium embodiments are relatively simple in description because they are fundamentally similar to the data transmission method embodiments; relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the data transmission method embodiments.

[0097] An embodiment of this specification also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described data transmission method.

[0098] The above is an illustrative scheme of a computer program product according to this embodiment. It should be noted that the technical solution of this computer program product and the technical solution of the above-described data transmission method belong to the same concept. For details not described in detail in the technical solution of the computer program product, please refer to the description of the technical solution of the above-described data transmission method.

[0099] The foregoing has described specific embodiments of this specification. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recited in the claims may be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and may still achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific or sequential order shown to achieve the desired result. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are possible or may be advantageous.

[0100] The computer instructions include computer program code, which may be in the form of source code, object code, executable file, or certain intermediate forms. The computer-readable medium may include: any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program code, recording media, USB flash drive, portable hard drive, magnetic disk, optical disk, computer memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution media, etc. It should be noted that the content included in the computer-readable medium may be appropriately added or removed according to the requirements of patent practice. For example, in some regions, according to patent practice, computer-readable media may not include electrical carrier signals and telecommunication signals.

[0101] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the foregoing method embodiments are all described as a series of actions. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments in this specification are not limited to the described order of actions, because according to the embodiments in this specification, some steps can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in this specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments in this specification.

[0102] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0103] The preferred embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative of this specification. The optional embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the invention to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are selected and specifically described in this specification to better explain the principles and practical applications of the embodiments, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize this specification. This specification is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. A data transmission method for a satellite base station, comprising: A user terminal is identified, and an initial propagation delay is allocated to the user terminal, wherein the user terminal and the satellite base station are communicatively connected; terminal location information sent by the user terminal is received, and the current propagation delay between the user terminal and the satellite base station is calculated based on the terminal location information; a target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal is determined based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, and a target time slot is determined based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, so that the satellite base station receives the communication data sent by the user terminal in the target time slot, wherein the target processing delay is used to compensate for the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, before determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay: Determine the initial processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; The step of determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay includes: calculating the delay difference between the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay; The target processing latency corresponding to the user terminal is obtained based on the latency difference and the initial processing latency.

3. The method according to claim 2, after determining the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal based on the initial propagation delay and the current propagation delay, further comprising: A scheduling instruction is sent to the user terminal in the first time slot, wherein the scheduling instruction carries the target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein sending a scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot comprises: Sending a downlink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first downlink time slot, wherein the downlink scheduling instruction carries the downlink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; determining the target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay includes: determining the downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; after determining the downlink target time slot based on the downlink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, the method further includes: receiving the communication feedback data sent by the user terminal in the downlink target time slot.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: In the second downlink time slot, downlink communication data is sent to the user terminal.

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein sending the scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first time slot further comprises: Sending an uplink scheduling instruction to the user terminal in the first uplink time slot, wherein the uplink scheduling instruction carries the uplink target processing delay corresponding to the user terminal; determining the target time slot based on the target processing delay and the initial propagation delay includes: determining the uplink target time slot based on the uplink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay; after determining the uplink target time slot based on the uplink target processing delay and the initial propagation delay, the method further includes: receiving uplink communication data sent by the user terminal in the uplink target time slot.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein allocating an initial propagation delay to the user terminal comprises: If it is determined that the user terminal is configured with a user-level propagation delay, the user-level propagation delay is determined as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal; Alternatively, if it is determined that the user terminal is not configured with user-level propagation delay, the cell-level propagation delay corresponding to the user terminal may be determined as the initial propagation delay of the user terminal.

8. A computing device, comprising: Memory and processor; The memory is used to store computer programs / instructions, and the processor is used to execute the computer programs / instructions, which, when executed by the processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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