Communication method and device, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication method, equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises: receiving first information sent by an OAM and / or a first access network device, the first information comprising switching information used by the relay device for switching the connected access network device. According to the method disclosed by the invention, the relay equipment can switch the connected ground access network equipment in time in the satellite moving process, so that the communication performance is improved.

Description

Communication methods, devices and storage media

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, devices and storage media.

[0002] In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), user equipment (UEs) can connect to terrestrial base stations via satellite. NTN payloads include transparent payloads and regenerative payloads. With transparent payloads, the satellite only amplifies and relays information; it does not have the ability to process data. Regenerative payloads are commonly seen in gNB onboard deployments, where the satellite has onboard information processing capabilities.

[0003]

[0004] System coverage can be improved by using relay equipment (or relay devices) to go to satellites or into space. However, due to the continuous high-speed movement of satellites, the on-board relay equipment may need to constantly switch the ground base stations it is connected to.

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method, device, and storage medium.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a relay device, the method comprising:

[0007] The relay device receives first information sent by Operation Administration Maintenance (OAM) and / or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0008] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first access network device, the method comprising:

[0009] Receive first information sent by OAM, and / or send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0010] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by OAM, the method comprising:

[0011] Send first information to the relay device and / or the first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0012] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a satellite device, including:

[0013] The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by Operation Management and Maintenance (OAM) or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0014] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0015] The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by OAM, or to send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0016] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0017] A transceiver module is used to send first information to a relay device and / or a first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0018] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0019] One or more processors;

[0020] One or more transceivers;

[0021] The communication device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0022] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions, wherein...

[0023] When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0024] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, wherein,

[0025] When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0026] In the method disclosed herein, the relay device can receive first information through OAM or access network equipment to obtain handover information during the switching of different terrestrial access network equipment, so as to switch the connected terrestrial access network equipment in a timely manner during satellite movement and improve communication performance.

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0028] Figures 1a and 1b are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating the architecture of a communication system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figures 2a and 2b are exemplary schematic diagrams illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figures 3a and 3b are exemplary flowcharts of a method provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figures 4a and 4b are exemplary flowcharts of a method provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 5 is an exemplary flowchart of a method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] This disclosure provides a communication method, device, and storage medium.

[0039] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, executed by a relay device, the method comprising:

[0040] Receive first information sent by Operation, Management and Maintenance (OAM) and / or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the relay device can receive the first information through OAM or access network equipment, thereby obtaining the handover information during the switching of different ground access network equipment, so as to switch the connected ground access network equipment in a timely manner during satellite movement and improve communication performance.

[0042] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0043] When the handover rules are met, a connection is established with the second access network device based on the first information; or...

[0044] When the handover rules are met, a connection is established with the second access device based on the first information and the indication information of the first access network device, wherein the indication information is used to trigger the relay device to perform the handover.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the on-board relay device can actively initiate a handover when the handover rules are met, or initiate a handover based on the trigger of the first access network device when the handover conditions are met, thereby improving communication performance.

[0046] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the cells corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are the same, establishing a connection with the second access network device includes:

[0047] Adjust at least one of the transmit beam, time-domain compensation information, or frequency-domain compensation information to establish a connection with the second access network device.

[0048] In the above embodiments, if the cell before and after the handover is the same, the on-board relay equipment can save the random access process and switch to the second access network equipment by adjusting the transmission information.

[0049] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the cells corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are different, establishing a connection with the second access network device includes:

[0050] Initiate a random access procedure to the second access network device, and establish a connection with the second access network device based on the random access result.

[0051] In the above embodiments, if the cell before and after the handover is different, the on-board relay device can establish a connection with the second access network device through a random access procedure.

[0052] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the switching rules are defined by a protocol or configured by the first access network device.

[0053] In the above embodiments, the relay device can learn about the handover-related rules through protocol definition or configuration, so as to facilitate handover at the appropriate time.

[0054] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the switching rule includes at least one of the following:

[0055] The interval between the first time and the end time of the first service period is less than or equal to the first duration, where the first time is the time when the relay equipment executes the handover criterion decision, and the first service period is the service period in which the relay equipment is located during the first time.

[0056] The interval between the start time of the first time period and the start time of the second service period is less than or equal to the second duration, wherein the second service period is the service period adjacent to the first service period.

[0057] The relay device moves to a set location range or a set distance range;

[0058] The distance between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first distance;

[0059] The distance between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is less than or equal to the second distance;

[0060] The elevation angle between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is less than or equal to the first angle;

[0061] The elevation angle between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is greater than or equal to the second angle.

[0062] The above embodiments illustrate a variety of possible handover criteria. The relay device can initiate a handover proactively when any one of them is met, or perform a handover based on network instructions.

[0063] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0064] The first correspondence is the correspondence between cell information and time period that the relay device can connect to;

[0065] The second correspondence is the correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; wherein, at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device.

[0066] Satellite ephemeris information;

[0067] Location information of at least one access network device;

[0068] Reference point information used to determine location information;

[0069] Network access information.

[0070] In the above embodiments, various possible handover information is illustrated. The relay device can perform a handover process based on at least one of the above and select a suitable access network device for access.

[0071] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information includes at least one of the following:

[0072] Community signage;

[0073] The identifier of the access network equipment corresponding to the community.

[0074] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0075] Satellite identifier;

[0076] The identifier of the relay equipment on the satellite.

[0077] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first information is sent by OAM, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, location information, and reference point information.

[0078] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the first information is sent by the access network device, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, a second correspondence, location information, reference point information, and network access information.

[0079] In conjunction with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0080] Send capability information to the first access network device. The capability information includes at least one of the following: the first correspondence that the relay device can support, and the ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0081] In the above embodiments, the on-board relay device can report the handover-related information it can support to the first access network device through capability information, so that the first access network device can perform corresponding configuration or scheduling.

[0082] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, executed by a first access network device, the method comprising:

[0083] Receive first information sent by OAM, and / or send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device to which it is connected.

[0084] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0085] When the handover rules are met, an indication message is sent to the relay device. The indication message is used to trigger the relay device to perform a handover to the second access network device.

[0086] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the switching rules are defined by a protocol or configured by the first access network device.

[0087] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the switching rules include at least one of the following:

[0088] The interval between the first time and the end time of the first service period is less than or equal to the first duration, where the first time is the time when the relay equipment executes the handover criterion decision, and the first service period is the service period in which the relay equipment is located during the first time.

[0089] The interval between the start time of the first time period and the start time of the second service period is less than or equal to the second duration, wherein the second service period is the service period adjacent to the first service period.

[0090] The relay device moves to a set location range or a set distance range;

[0091] The distance between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first distance;

[0092] The distance between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is less than or equal to the second distance;

[0093] The elevation angle between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is less than or equal to the first angle;

[0094] The elevation angle between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is greater than or equal to the second angle.

[0095] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information sent to the relay device includes at least one of the following:

[0096] The first correspondence is the correspondence between cell information and time period that the relay device can connect to;

[0097] The second correspondence is the correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; wherein, at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device.

[0098] Location information of at least one access network device;

[0099] Reference point information used to determine location information;

[0100] Network access information.

[0101] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information includes at least one of the following:

[0102] Community signage;

[0103] The identifier of the access network equipment corresponding to the community.

[0104] In conjunction with embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0105] Satellite identifier;

[0106] The identifier of the relay equipment on the satellite.

[0107] In conjunction with embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information received by OAM includes at least one of the following:

[0108] Second correspondence;

[0109] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0110] In conjunction with the embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0111] Receive capability information sent by the relay device, which includes at least one of the following: the first correspondence that the relay device can support, and the ephemeris information of the satellite.

[0112] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by OAM, the method comprising:

[0113] Send first information to the relay device and / or the first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device to which it is connected.

[0114] In conjunction with embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information sent to the relay device includes at least one of the following:

[0115] The first correspondence is the correspondence between cell information and time period that the relay device can connect to;

[0116] Location information of at least one access network device, wherein the at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device;

[0117] Reference point information used to determine location information.

[0118] In conjunction with embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the cell information includes at least one of the following:

[0119] Community signage;

[0120] The identifier of the access network equipment corresponding to the community.

[0121] In conjunction with embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first information sent to the first access network device includes at least one of the following:

[0122] The second correspondence is the correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to.

[0123] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0124] In conjunction with embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0125] Satellite identifier;

[0126] The identifier of the relay equipment on the satellite.

[0127] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a satellite device, including:

[0128] The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by Operation Management and Maintenance (OAM) or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0129] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0130] The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by OAM, or to send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0131] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0132] The transceiver module is used to send first information to a relay device and / or a first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to.

[0133] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0134] One or more processors;

[0135] One or more transceivers;

[0136] The communication device is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0137] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions, wherein...

[0138] When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0139] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, wherein,

[0140] When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in the first aspect, or the second aspect, or the second aspect.

[0141] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in any one of the first to second aspects.

[0142] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described according to an optional implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0143] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0144] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0145] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0146] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0147] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0148] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0149] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0150] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0151] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0152] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0153] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0154] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0155] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0156] In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

[0157] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network, such as access network devices, core network devices, etc.

[0158] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" may also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," or "fixed station." In some embodiments, it may also be understood as "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," or "bandwidth part (BWP)."

[0159] In some embodiments, "terminal" or "terminal device" may be referred to as "user equipment (UE)," "user terminal," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile terminal (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access terminal," "mobile terminal," "wireless terminal," "remote terminal," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," "client," etc.

[0160] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0161] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0162] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0163] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0164] As shown in Figure 1a, taking the NTN network as an example, the communication system 100 includes a satellite relay device 101, an access network device 102, a terminal 103, and a core network device 104. Among them, the terminal 103 can connect to the access network device 102 via satellite and can also connect to the core network device 104, thereby connecting to the public data network.

[0165] In some embodiments, the satellite may be a spaceborne plateform or a satellite base station.

[0166] In some embodiments, the relay device 101 on the satellite may refer to a network-controlled repeater (NCR), a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), a terminal-like device, or a relay device, etc. Referring to the schematic diagram of an NCR in Figure 1b, this embodiment of the disclosure uses an NCR as an example for illustration. An NCR may include a mobile terminal unit (NCR-MT) and a forwarding unit (NCR-Fwd).

[0167] The link between satellite or relay equipment 101 and terminal 103 is either a service link or an access link. The link between satellite or relay equipment 101 and access network equipment 102 includes a control link and a feeder link or backhaul link. For example, NCR-MT can receive control commands sent by access network equipment 102 through the control link. These control commands can be used to control the behavior of NCR-Fwd, i.e., to control its behavior on the backhaul link and access link, such as beam direction indication, enabling and disabling forwarding, etc. Alternatively, control commands can be used to control the behavior of the satellite on the service link or access link. The access link can be used for communication between NCR-Fwd and terminal 103.

[0168] The feedback link can be understood as the optical fiber or cable in a terrestrial network (TN).

[0169] Among them, when relay equipment 101, such as NCR, communicates with access network equipment, it can use the Uu interface. The Uu interface is open, so the satellite-based relay equipment 101, such as NCR, is beneficial to debinding satellite and ground network equipment, so that the same satellite can serve different ground operators.

[0170] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 is a terrestrial base station, an earth base station, or a gateway station. The number of access network devices 102 shown in Figure 1a can be multiple, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0171] The access network equipment includes, for example, nodes or devices that connect terminals to the wireless network. The access network equipment may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul equipment, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system.

[0172] The access network equipment can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network equipment. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only option.

[0173] In some embodiments, terminal 103 includes, for example, at least one of the following: a very small aperture terminal, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0174] In some embodiments, core network device 104 may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC). Alternatively, core network device refers to a network element with a specific function, such as an Access Management Function (AMF) or Service Management Function (SMF).

[0175] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0176] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0177] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1a or FIG1b, or to a part thereof, but are not limited thereto.

[0178] The entities shown in Figure 1a or Figure 1b are illustrative. The communication system may include all or part of the entities in Figure 1a or Figure 1b, or other entities other than those in Figure 1a or Figure 1b. The number and form of each entity are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative. The entities may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, such as direct connection or indirect connection, wired connection or wireless connection.

[0179] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication processing methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0180] In TN's NCR, beam pointing capability is implemented, enabling dynamic directional amplification and forwarding.

[0181] In NTN, a satellite can use a parabolic antenna to transmit wide beams and a phased array antenna to transmit multiple narrow beams simultaneously, thus better coordinating network resources and achieving anti-interference. In the process of managing satellite beams, the OAM method can be used to manage the on-board beams. For example, the beam position information can be updated every x seconds, and the beam position information for y hours can be transmitted at a time. This management method may have the defect of a long adjustment time interval and inability to dynamically adjust the satellite beam pointing.

[0182] Among them, for transparent transmission of the payload or transparent transmission, radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification can be performed. Therefore, the waveform signal repeated by the payload remains unchanged.

[0183] In NTN, the processing unit on the satellite can be regarded as a part of the network, such as a Radio Remote Unit (RRU) or an Active Antenna Unit (AAU). The interface between the Building Baseband Unit (BBU) of the network and the RRU is the Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI), which is an internal network interface. There may be other interfaces used in the satellite network, but they are also internal network interfaces. Therefore, in the related technology of NTN or traditional NTN, the satellite and the ground base station are bound to each other and can be regarded as a whole.

[0184] In addition, due to the insignificant far-near effect of satellites in NTN, the existing signal strength-based measurement events cannot meet the measurement reporting requirements in NTN. In Release 17 (R17), a location-based conditional handover (CHO) event was introduced. When the terminal 103 determines that the distance to the current serving satellite > a and the distance to the target satellite < b, it can initiate a handover request to switch from the serving satellite to the target satellite, thereby switching the satellite to which the terminal 103 is connected. In different handover events such as Event D1 and Event D2, the timer to trigger (TTT) parameter can be configured. If the handover conditions or events are met within the TTT time, the terminal 103 reports the measurement results or performs CHO. Among the handover events of event D1 and event D2, the terminal can determine the appropriate timing to initiate the satellite handover through ephemeris information and terminal location information.

[0185] Based on the above description, in traditional NTN systems, satellites and ground base stations are mutually bound, which is not conducive to the service range of satellites. Therefore, in conjunction with the embodiments described in Figures 1a to 1b, the relay device 101 proposed in this disclosure, such as NCR going to satellite or space, is conducive to debinding satellites from ground networks.

[0186] In this embodiment, when relay device 101 is launched into space, unlike ground terminals accessing the network via satellite, the onboard NCR-MT accessing a ground base station can be considered as a UE accessing the network due to the high-speed movement of the satellite. Because of the continuous movement of the satellite, the onboard NCR needs to constantly switch the connected ground base station. Unlike the existing CHO in NTN, the existing CHO may no longer be applicable to the handover in this scenario, and the necessary handover methods or information need to be provided.

[0187] This disclosure provides a communication method that can provide the information or switching method required for the switching of relay device 101.

[0188] Figure 2a is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2a, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0189] In step S2101, OAM105 sends the first information to relay device 101.

[0190] In some embodiments, the entity corresponding to the OAM105 function can be located in the access network device 102 or in the core network device 104.

[0191] In some embodiments, relay device 101 is a relay device 101 located on a satellite. Referring to the description of the foregoing embodiments, relay device 101 can refer to an NCR, RIS, terminal-like device, or relay equipment, etc. This disclosure uses an NCR as an example to illustrate relay device 101.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first information includes handover information during the process of the relay device 101 switching the access network device it is connected to.

[0193] Optionally, the relay device 101, such as the NCR, is currently connected to the access network device 102, which is referred to as the first access network device (source base station). In the handover scenario, the target base station, i.e., the access network device 102 connected after the handover, can be referred to as the second access network device.

[0194] Optionally, the first information may include one or more switching-related information.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first information may include: a first correspondence, which is the correspondence between cell information and time periods that the relay device 101 can connect to.

[0196] The first correspondence is used to indicate the cells that the relay device 101 can connect to at different time periods.

[0197] Optionally, the cell information includes at least one of the following: cell ID, and the identifier of the access network device corresponding to the cell (gNB ID). For example, the first correspondence is used to indicate the cell ID and / or gNB ID that the NCR can connect to at different time periods.

[0198] In one example, the first correspondence includes the correspondence between the cell ID and / or gNB ID that the NCR can be connected to and the time. For example, as shown in Table 1: in time period #1, the NCR can be connected to cell ID #1 and / or gNB #1, or to cell ID #2 and / or gNB #1, or to cell ID #3 and / or gNB #2; in time period #2, the NCR can be connected to cell ID #4 and / or gNB #3.

[0199] Table 1

[0200] In some embodiments, the first information may include a second correspondence, which is a correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; wherein, at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device.

[0201] The second correspondence is used to indicate the satellites that the access network device 102 can connect to at different time periods.

[0202] Optionally, the satellite information includes at least one of the following: a satellite identifier (satellite ID), and an identifier of the relay device on the satellite, such as an NCR ID. For example, the second mapping relationship is used to indicate the satellite ID that the access network device can connect to and / or the NCR ID located on that satellite, wherein the access network device can be represented by a gNB or the cell corresponding to the access network device, such as the second mapping relationship being used to indicate the satellite ID that the gNB / cell can connect to and / or the NCR ID on that satellite.

[0203] In one example, the second mapping includes: the satellite ID that the gNB / cell can connect to and / or the NCR ID on that satellite and its time mapping information. For example, as shown in Table 2: in time period #1, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #1; in time period #2, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #3 or NCR #4.

[0204] Table 2

[0205] In one example, the first information may include a first correspondence and a second correspondence.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first information may include the satellite's ephemeris information. The ephemeris information can be used to determine the satellite's position.

[0207] In one example, the first information may include any two or three of the following: a first correspondence, a second correspondence, and ephemeris information.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first information may include information for determining the location of the access network device.

[0209] For example, the first information includes the location information of at least one access network device, which can be understood as the absolute location of the access network device, such as its coordinates, latitude and longitude.

[0210] For example, the first piece of information includes reference point information, which is used to indirectly determine the location of the access network equipment. The reference point information can be the coordinates or latitude and longitude of a known reference point, and the location of the access network equipment can be located based on the location of this reference point. Using reference point information instead of the access network equipment's location information helps protect the privacy of the ground base station.

[0211] The locations of different access network devices can be determined using the same reference point or different reference points. For example, the reference point or reference point information corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device may be the same, or the reference point or reference point information corresponding to the first access network device may be different from that corresponding to the second access network device.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first information may include network access information, i.e., basic information for accessing a certain access network device. For example, network access information includes the cell's center frequency information, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource configuration information, etc.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0214] First correspondence, second correspondence, satellite ephemeris information, location information of at least one access network device, reference point information used to determine location information, and network access information.

[0215] For example, the OAM105 can send all the above-mentioned first information related to the switchover to the NCR.

[0216] For example, the NCR itself can obtain some of the first information, such as ephemeris information. To conserve the signaling resources of the OAM105, the OAM105 can send at least one of the following first information to the NCR: first correspondence, location information, and reference point information.

[0217] In one example, OAM105 informs NCR of the first correspondence as shown in Table 1, as well as the location information or reference point information of the ground base station.

[0218] In some embodiments, relay device 101, such as NCR, receives first information sent by OAM 105.

[0219] In step S2102, OAM105 sends the first information to the first access network device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first access network device may be a satellite or a relay device 101 on a satellite, such as the ground base station currently connected to the NCR, i.e., the source base station (source gNB) before the handover.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first information sent by OAM105 to the first access network device may be the same as in step S2102. For example, the first information may include at least one of the following:

[0222] First correspondence, second correspondence, satellite ephemeris information, location information of at least one access network device, reference point information used to determine location information, and network access information.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first information sent by OAM105 to the first access network device may not be exactly the same as step S2102. For example, OAM105 sends the first information based on the learned satellite-related information, and the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0224] The second correspondence is the satellite's ephemeris information.

[0225] In this embodiment, OAM105 can inform the first access network device of the second correspondence as shown in Table 2, as well as the satellite ephemeris information, in order to save the signaling resources of OAM105.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first access network device receives first information sent by OAM105.

[0227] In step S2103, the first access network device sends an instruction message to the relay device 101.

[0228] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to trigger the relay device 101 to perform a handover.

[0229] In some embodiments, step 2103 is applicable to scenarios where a handover is initiated by a ground base station.

[0230] Optionally, the first access network device may send indication information when the handover rules are met. For example, the first access network device may know the time when the handover rules are met based on its own measurement or based on the NCR report.

[0231] In some embodiments, relay device 101 receives the indication information.

[0232] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional, for example, in a scenario where the relay device 101, such as NCR, initiates a handover on its own, step S2103 can be omitted.

[0233] In step S2104, when the handover rules are met, the relay device 101 establishes a connection with the second access network device.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second access network device may be a target ground base station (target gNB), that is, the ground base station corresponding to the new cell that meets the handover conditions.

[0235] In some embodiments, the handover rules may be defined by a protocol or configured for the first access network device. For example, the first access network device configures the handover rules by sending Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0236] In some embodiments, the handover rules may include one or more different events or conditions, and a handover of the ground station connected to the NCR can be performed when any of these events or conditions are met. That is, the handover rules or handover events can determine the time or timing of the handover.

[0237] Optionally, switching events can be defined or configured based on time.

[0238] For example, Event1: The interval between the first time and the end time of the first service period is less than or equal to the first duration T1. Here, the first time is the time when the relay device executes the handover criterion decision, and the first service period is the service period in which the relay device is located at the first time. For example, the current time is less than or equal to the end time of the current service period #1.

[0239] Or Event2: The interval between the start time of the first time and the start time of the second service time period is less than or equal to the second duration T2, where the second service time period is the service time period adjacent to the first service time period. For example, the current time is less than or equal to the start time of the next service time period #2.

[0240] For example, the combination of Event1 and Event2 must satisfy the following conditions: the interval between the end time of the first time period and the end time of the first service period must be less than or equal to the first duration T1, and the interval between the start time of the first time period and the start time of the second service period must be less than or equal to the second duration T2.

[0241] Optionally, the location definition or configuration switching event is based on the relay device 101, such as the NCR.

[0242] For example, Event 3: Relay device 101 moves to a set location range or a set distance range, where the set location range or set distance range can be denoted as range A.

[0243] Optionally, the handover event is defined or configured based on the distance between the relay device 101, such as the NCR, and the ground station.

[0244] For example, Event 4: The distance between relay device 101 and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first distance. The first distance can be understood as the first threshold or the first threshold value (denoted as th1). For example, the distance between the satellite where NCR is located and the source gNB (or the reference point position of the source gNB) is ≥ th1.

[0245] Or Event5: The distance between relay device 101 and the second access network device is less than or equal to the second distance, where the second distance can be denoted as the second threshold or the second threshold value (denoted as th2), for example, the satellite distance to the target gNB (or the reference point position of the target gNB) ≤ th2.

[0246] For example, the combination of Event4 and Event5 requires that the satellite distance from the source gNB (or the reference point position of the source gNB) be greater than or equal to th1, and the satellite distance from the target gNB (or the reference point position of the target gNB) be less than or equal to th2.

[0247] The reference point corresponding to the source gNB and the reference point corresponding to the target gNB can be the same or different, that is, the positions of the reference points corresponding to the two can be the same or different.

[0248] Optionally, the angle definition or configuration of the relay device 101, such as the NCR, and the ground station can be used to switch events.

[0249] For example, Event 6: The elevation angle between relay device 101 and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is less than or equal to a first angle, where the first angle can be a threshold or limit value, such as th3. For example, the elevation angle between the satellite where NCR is located and the source gNB is ≤ th3.

[0250] Or Event7: The elevation angle between relay device 101 and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is greater than or equal to the second angle, where the second angle can be a threshold or limit value, such as th4. For example, the elevation angle between the satellite where NCR is located and the target gNB is ≥th4.

[0251] For example, the combination of Event6 and Event7 requires that the elevation angle between the satellite where the NCR is located and the source gNB be ≤ th3, and the elevation angle between the satellite and the target gNB be ≥ th4.

[0252] Based on the description of the above embodiments, the switching rule may include at least one of the following switching events or conditions:

[0253] Event 1: The interval between the first time and the end time of the first service period is less than or equal to the first duration;

[0254] Event 2: The interval between the start time of the first time period and the start time of the second service period is less than or equal to the second duration;

[0255] Event 3: Relay device 101 moves to a set location range or a set distance range;

[0256] Event 4: The distance between relay device 101 and the first access network device is greater than or equal to the first distance;

[0257] Event 5: The distance between relay device 101 and the second access network device is less than or equal to the second distance;

[0258] Event 6: The elevation angle between the relay device 101 and the first access network device is less than or equal to the first angle;

[0259] Event 7: The elevation angle between relay device 101 and the second access network device is greater than or equal to the second angle.

[0260] In some embodiments, the relay device 101, such as the NCR, may initiate a handover when any of the above handover events are met. For example, the NCR establishes a connection with the second access network device based on the first information.

[0261] In some embodiments, when any of the above handover events are met, the first access network device, i.e., the source gNB, initiates the handover. For example, the first access network device sends an indication message in step S2103, instructing the NCR to perform the handover. The NCR establishes a connection with the second access network device based on the first information and the indication message.

[0262] In some embodiments, the ground base station for NCR handover can be a handover between different cells, such as the cell ID of the first access network device source gNB being different from the cell ID of the second access network device target gNB.

[0263] In one example, when the cells corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are different, step S2104 may include the following step S2104-1:

[0264] In step S2104-1, the relay device 101 initiates a random access procedure to the second access network device and establishes a connection with the second access network device based on the random access procedure.

[0265] In this example, when switching between ground base stations with different cell IDs, the NCR needs to re-initiate random access when switching from the source base station or source cell to the target base station or target cell, for example, by sending a preamble according to the configuration of the target cell.

[0266] In some embodiments, the ground base station for NCR handover can be a handover within the same cell, such as the cell ID of the first access network device source gNB being the same as the cell ID of the second access network device target gNB.

[0267] In another example, when the first access network device and the second access network device correspond to the same cell, step S2104 may include the following step S2104-2:

[0268] In step S2104-2, the relay device 101 adjusts at least one or more of the transmit beam, time-domain compensation information, and frequency-domain compensation information to establish a connection with the second access network device.

[0269] In this example, when switching between ground base stations with the same cell ID, the NCR does not need to re-initiate random access when switching from the source cell to the target cell. It only needs to perform beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position.

[0270] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", and "field" can be used interchangeably.

[0271] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0272] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0273] In some embodiments, the terms “radio”, “wireless”, “radio access network (RAN)”, “access network (AN)”, and “RAN-based” can be used interchangeably.

[0274] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0275] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)," "cell," "frequency carrier," and "carrier frequency" can be used interchangeably.

[0276] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0277] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0278] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0279] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2104.

[0280] In some embodiments, step S2103 is optional and can be replaced by one or more steps in other embodiments. For example, in a scenario where the NCR initiates a handover, step S2103 can be omitted.

[0281] In some embodiments, the order of steps S2101 to S2102 can be interchanged.

[0282] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2a.

[0283] In this embodiment, by issuing first handover-related information via OAM, the relay device obtains handover information during the switching process between different terrestrial access network devices, enabling timely switching of the connected terrestrial access network devices during satellite movement and improving communication performance. Furthermore, communication between the satellite and access network devices via the relay device facilitates decoupling between the satellite and the access network devices, thereby expanding the satellite's service range.

[0284] It's worth noting that, unlike CHO in related technologies which is implemented through RRC, relay devices such as NCR, during the handover process between different ground base stations, can simplify the handover process by making good use of the deterministic nature of network equipment and satellite motion trajectories provided by NCR and sending the first information via OAM. Furthermore, while CHO in related technologies requires the terminal to send a preamble for synchronization, NCR can save on random access procedures during the handover process if the cell remains unchanged.

[0285] Figure 2b is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2b, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0286] In step S2201, the relay device 101 sends capability information to the first access network device.

[0287] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the relay device 101 and the first access network device can be found in the description of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0288] In some embodiments, the capability information includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence that the relay device can support, and satellite ephemeris information. The first correspondence and ephemeris information can be found in the description of the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2a.

[0289] In one example, relay device 101, such as NCR, reports the following information to the first access network device via capability reporting:

[0290] The NCR can connect to the cell ID and / or gNB ID corresponding to the time. For example, in time period #1, the NCR can be connected to cell ID #1 and / or gNB #1, or to cell ID #2 and / or gNB #1, or to cell ID #3 and / or gNB #2; in time period #2, the NCR can be connected to cell ID #4 and / or gNB #3.

[0291] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first access network device receives the capability information to facilitate the configuration of corresponding first information based on the capability information.

[0293] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional. For example, as described in step S2102, when the first access network device receives the first information from OAM103, step S2201 can be omitted. As another example, the first access network device can directly perform step S2202 to configure the first information for NCR.

[0294] In step S2202, the first access network device sends the first information to the relay device 101.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first access network device may configure first information to the relay device 101, such as NCR, via RRC signaling.

[0296] In some embodiments, the first information may refer to the description of the embodiment corresponding to FIG2a. For example, the first information includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, a second correspondence, satellite ephemeris information, location information of at least one access network device, reference point information for determining location information, and network access information.

[0297] Alternatively, to conserve base station signaling resources, the first information sent by the first access network device may include at least one of the following:

[0298] First correspondence, second correspondence, location information, reference point information, network access information.

[0299] In some embodiments, in a scenario where the first access network device receives the first information from the OAM105, the first access network device may forward the first information to the relay device 101, or it may process the first information and then send it to the relay device 101.

[0300] In some embodiments, the relay device 101 receives first information about the base station configuration.

[0301] In step S2203, the first access network device sends an instruction message to the relay device 101.

[0302] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S2203 can be found in the implementation of step S2103 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0303] In step S2204, when the handover rules are met, the relay device 101 establishes a connection with the second access network device.

[0304] In some embodiments, the implementation of step S2204 can be referred to the implementation of step S2103 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0305] Optionally, the switching rules can be sent in the same RRC signaling as the first information.

[0306] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2204.

[0307] In some embodiments, step S2201 is optional and can be replaced by one or more steps in other embodiments.

[0308] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2b.

[0309] In this embodiment, based on the configuration of the ground base station, the relay device obtains handover information during the switching process between different ground access network devices, enabling timely switching of the connected ground access network devices during satellite movement and improving communication performance. Furthermore, the satellite communicating with the access network devices through the relay device facilitates decoupling between the satellite and the access network devices, thereby expanding the satellite's service range.

[0310] Based on the description of the embodiments in Figures 2a and 2b, several embodiments are listed below:

[0311] Example 1: The switching time (Event1 and / or Event2) is determined based on time.

[0312] Example 1-1: The first access network device (referred to as the base station) is a relay device 101. The NCR-MT is configured with handover conditions. The handover condition or event is: when a specific time is reached (e.g., the start time of time period #2 or the end time of time period #1), or the difference between the current time and the specific time is less than T1. If the NCR-MT finds that the handover condition is met, the NCR-MT initiates a handover to the second access network device, or a new cell; for example, it sends a Preamble to initiate access based on the target cell's configuration. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations; the NCR-MT needs to send a random access request to access the target cell.

[0313] Example 1-2: The base station performs measurements. When a specific time is reached (e.g., the start time of time period #2 or the end time of time period #1), or when the difference between the current time and the specific time is less than or equal to T1, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform a handover. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations. The NCR-MT sends an uplink signal to access the target cell.

[0314] Examples 1-3: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is: when a specific time is reached (e.g., the start time of time period #2 or the end time of time period #1), or the difference between the current time and the specific time is less than or equal to T1. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the NCR-MT initiates a connection with a new cell, where the source cell and target cell have the same cell ID and the same cell configuration. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0315] Examples 1-4: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is: when a specific time is reached (e.g., the start time of time period #2 or the end time of time period #1), or the difference between the current time and the corresponding time is less than or equal to T1. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform intra-cell handover. At this time, the cell IDs of the source cell and the target cell are the same, and the cell configurations are the same. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the position of the target cell, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0316] Example 2: Determining the switching time based on location (Event 3).

[0317] Example 2-1: The first access network device (referred to as the base station) is a relay device 101. The NCR-MT is configured with a handover condition, which is Event 3, meaning that when a satellite moves to range A, a handover is initiated. If the NCR-MT finds that the handover condition is met, it initiates a handover to the second access network device, or a new cell; for example, it sends a Preamble based on the target cell's configuration to initiate access. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations, so the NCR-MT needs to send a random access request to access the target cell.

[0318] Example 2-2: The base station performs measurements. When the satellite moves to range A, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform a handover. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations. The NCR-MT sends an uplink signal to access the target cell.

[0319] Example 2-3: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is Event3. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the NCR-MT initiates a connection with a new cell. The source cell and the target cell have the same cell ID and the same cell configuration. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0320] Example 2-4: The base station configures conditional handover for NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is Event3. If NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the source cell instructs NCR-MT to perform intra-cell handover. At this time, the cell IDs of the source cell and the target cell are the same, and the cell configurations are the same. NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the position of the target cell, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0321] Example 3: Determine the switching time (Event4 and / or Event5) based on distance.

[0322] Example 3-1: The first access network device (referred to as the base station) is a relay device 101. If the NCR-MT is configured with handover conditions, the handover conditions or events are: Event 4, when the satellite distance from the source gNB (the reference location of the source gNB) is ≥ th1, and / or, Event 5, when the satellite distance from the target gNB (the reference location of the target gNB) is ≤ th2, a handover is initiated. If the NCR-MT finds that the handover condition is met, the NCR-MT initiates a handover to the second access network device, or a new cell; for example, it sends a Preamble to initiate access based on the target cell's configuration. The source cell and the target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations; the NCR-MT needs to send a random access request to access the target cell.

[0323] Example 3-2: The base station performs measurements. When the satellite distance from the source gNB (the reference location of the source gNB) is ≥ th1, and / or when the satellite distance from the target gNB (the reference location of the target gNB) is ≤ th2, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform a handover. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations. The NCR-MT sends an uplink signal to access the target cell.

[0324] Example 3-3: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT, with the handover condition or event being Event4 and / or Event5. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, it initiates a connection with a new cell, where the source cell and target cell have the same cell ID and cell configuration. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0325] Example 3-4: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is Event4 and / or Event5. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform intra-cell handover. At this time, the cell IDs of the source cell and the target cell are the same, and the cell configurations are the same. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the position of the target cell, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0326] Example 4: Determine the switching time (Event 6 and / or Event 7) based on the angle.

[0327] Example 4-1: The first access network device (referred to as the base station) is a relay device 101. The NCR-MT is configured with handover conditions, where the handover conditions or events are: Event 6, when the elevation angle between the satellite and the source gNB is ≤ th3, and / or Event 7, when the elevation angle between the satellite and the target gNB is ≥ th4, a handover is initiated. If the NCR-MT finds that the handover conditions are met, the NCR-MT initiates a handover to the second access network device, or a new cell; for example, it sends a Preamble to initiate access based on the target cell's configuration. The source cell and the target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations, and the NCR-MT needs to send a random access request to access the target cell.

[0328] Example 4-2: The base station performs measurements. When the elevation angle between the satellite and the source gNB is ≤th3, and / or when the elevation angle between the satellite and the target gNB is ≥th4, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform a handover. The source cell and target cell have different cell IDs and cell configurations. The NCR-MT sends an uplink signal to access the target cell.

[0329] Example 4-3: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT, with the handover condition or event being Event6 and / or Event7. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, it initiates a connection with a new cell, where the source cell and target cell have the same cell ID and cell configuration. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0330] Example 4-4: The base station configures conditional handover for the NCR-MT. The handover condition or event is Event6 and / or Event7. If the NCR-MT finds that the condition is met, the source cell instructs the NCR-MT to perform intra-cell handover. At this time, the cell IDs of the source cell and the target cell are the same, and the cell configurations are the same. The NCR-MT performs beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the position of the target cell, without needing to re-initiate random access to the target cell.

[0331] In particular, the positions, distances, or angles involved in Examples 2 to 4 can all be calculated based on satellite ephemeris information and the position information of ground base stations.

[0332] Figure 3a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3a, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method executed by a relay device 101, such as an NCR. The method includes:

[0333] Step S3101: Send capability information.

[0334] In some embodiments, step S3101 can be referred to the implementation of step S2201 in FIG2b, and will not be repeated here.

[0335] Step S3102: Receive the first information.

[0336] In some embodiments, step S3102 can be referred to the implementation of step S2101 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0337] In some embodiments, step S3102 can be referred to the implementation of step S2202 in FIG2b, and will not be repeated here.

[0338] Step S3103: Receive instruction information.

[0339] In some embodiments, step S3103 can be referred to the implementation of step S2103 in FIG2a or step S2203 in FIG2b, and will not be described again here.

[0340] Step S3104: When the handover rules are met, establish a connection with the second access network device.

[0341] In some embodiments, step S3104 can be referred to in the implementation of step S2104 in FIG2a or step S2204 in FIG2b, and will not be described again here.

[0342] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3104.

[0343] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3a.

[0344] Figure 3b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3b, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method executed by a relay device 101, such as an NCR. The method includes:

[0345] Step S3201: Receive the first information.

[0346] In some embodiments, step S3201 can be referred to the implementation of step S2101 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0347] In some embodiments, step S3201 can be referred to the implementation of step S2202 in FIG2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0348] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG3b.

[0349] Figure 4a is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4a, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method executed by an access network device 102, the method including:

[0350] Step S4101: The first access network device receives capability information.

[0351] In some embodiments, step S4101 can be referred to the implementation of step S2201 in FIG2b, and will not be repeated here.

[0352] In step S4102, the first access network device receives the first information.

[0353] In some embodiments, step S4102 can be referred to the implementation of step S2102 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0354] Step S4103: The first access network device sends the first information.

[0355] In some embodiments, step S4103 can be referred to the implementation of step S2202 in FIG2b, and will not be repeated here.

[0356] Step S4104: The first access network device sends an indication message.

[0357] In some embodiments, step S4104 can be referred to the implementation of step S2103 in FIG2a or step S2203 in FIG2b, which will not be repeated here.

[0358] In some embodiments, when the handover rules are met, the second access network device establishes a connection with the NCR. See the implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2a or step S2204 in Figure 2b; these will not be repeated here.

[0359] The method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4104.

[0360] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG4a.

[0361] Figure 4b is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4b, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method executed by an access network device 102, the method comprising:

[0362] Step S4201: The first access network device receives the first information.

[0363] In some embodiments, step S4201 can be referred to the implementation of step S2102 in FIG2a, and will not be repeated here.

[0364] Step S4202: The first access network device sends the first information.

[0365] In some embodiments, step S4202 can be referred to the implementation of step S2202 in FIG2b, and will not be repeated here.

[0366] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG4b.

[0367] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method executed by an OAM105, the method comprising:

[0368] Step S5101: Send the first message.

[0369] In some embodiments, step S5101 can be referred to the implementation of steps S2101 or S2102 in FIG2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0370] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 5 may be referred to.

[0371] This disclosure provides a handover method for a ground base station with an on-board NCR handover connection. To facilitate understanding of these embodiments, some specific examples are provided below:

[0372] Example 1:

[0373] The first information is used for NCR-MT and ground station handover.

[0374] Example 2:

[0375] Based on Example 1, the first piece of information must include at least one of the following:

[0376] The NCR can connect to cell ID / gNB ID and time correspondence information (as shown in Table 1): For example, for time period #1, NCR can be connected to cell ID#1 / gNB#1, cell#2 / gNB#1, and cell#3 / gNB#2; for time period #2, NCR can be connected to cell ID#4 / gNB#3.

[0377] gNB / cell can connect to satellite IDs / NCR IDs on that satellite and their corresponding time information (as shown in Table 2): For example, for time period #1, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #1; for time period #2, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #3 and NCR #4.

[0378] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0379] The location information of the ground base station / ground station, or the location of the reference point, can be replaced with "reference point" to protect the privacy of the ground base station / ground station.

[0380] Example 3:

[0381] Based on Example 2, in addition to cell ID / gNB, the first information can also include basic information for access, such as the cell's center frequency information, PRACH resource configuration information, etc.

[0382] Example 4:

[0383] Based on any of the above examples, the first information is provided to the NCR and gNB via OAM.

[0384] The first piece of information that OAM informs NCR is as follows:

[0385] The NCR can connect to cell ID / gNB ID and time correspondence information: for example, for time period #1, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#1 / gNB#1, cell#2 / gNB#1, and cell#3 / gNB#2; for time period #2, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#4 / gNB#3.

[0386] For the location information of ground base stations / ground stations or reference point locations, considering the privacy of ground base stations / ground stations, reference point can be used instead.

[0387] The first piece of information that OAM informs the base station is as follows:

[0388] gNB / cell can connect to satellite IDs / NCR IDs on that satellite and their corresponding time information: for example, for time period #1, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #1; for time period #2, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #3 and NCR #4.

[0389] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0390] Example 5:

[0391] Based on any of the above examples, the base station configures the first information to the NCR via RRC signaling. The first information is specifically:

[0392] The NCR can connect to cell ID / gNB ID and time correspondence information: for example, for time period #1, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#1 / gNB#1, cell#2 / gNB#1, cell#3 / gNB#2; for time period #2, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#4 / gNB#3.

[0393] gNB / cell can connect to satellite IDs / NCR IDs on that satellite and their corresponding time information: for example, for time period #1, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #1; for time period #2, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #3 and NCR #4.

[0394] For the location information of ground base stations / ground stations or reference point locations, considering the privacy of ground base stations / ground stations, reference point can be used instead.

[0395] Example 6:

[0396] Based on any of the above examples, the NCR reports the first information to the base station via capability reporting. The first information is as follows:

[0397] The NCR can connect to cell ID / gNB ID and time correspondence information: for example, for time period #1, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#1 / gNB#1, cell#2 / gNB#1, and cell#3 / gNB#2; for time period #2, the NCR can be connected to cell ID#4 / gNB#3.

[0398] gNB / cell can connect to satellite IDs / NCR IDs on that satellite and their corresponding time information: for example, for time period #1, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #1; for time period #2, cell #1 can be connected to NCR #3 and NCR #4.

[0399] Satellite ephemeris information.

[0400] Example 7:

[0401] Based on any of the above examples, the NCR or the base station initiates a handover according to the first information and specific criteria.

[0402] Example 8:

[0403] Based on Example 7, the specific criteria are either predefined criteria in the standard or criteria determined by the RRC signaling sent by the base station.

[0404] In one embodiment, specific criteria can be implemented by configuring events and condition events to the NCR from the base station.

[0405] In one embodiment, the defined event can be one of the following:

[0406] The current time is less than or equal to the end time of the current service time period #1 and less than or equal to the start time of the next service time period #2 and less than or equal to the start time of the current time period #2.

[0407] When the satellite moves to range A;

[0408] The handover time is determined based on the distance: when the satellite distance from the source gNB (the reference location of the source gNB) is greater than or equal to th1, and when the satellite distance from the target gNB (the reference location of the target gNB) is less than or equal to th2.

[0409] The switching time is determined based on the angle: when the elevation angle between the satellite and the source gNB is ≤ th3, and when the elevation angle between the satellite and the target gNB is ≥ th4.

[0410] Example 9:

[0411] Based on Example 7 or 8, the switch can be between different cell IDs or between the same cell ID.

[0412] When switching between different cell IDs, the NCR needs to re-initiate random access when switching from the source cell to the target cell, for example, by sending a preamble according to the target cell's configuration.

[0413] When switching with the same cell ID, the NCR does not need to re-initiate random access when switching from the source cell to the target cell. It only needs to perform beam adjustment and / or time-frequency compensation adjustment based on the ephemeris position and the target cell position.

[0414] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0415] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0416] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0417] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a satellite device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6a, the satellite device 6100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6101, a processing module 6102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is used to receive first information sent by Operation, Management and Maintenance (OAM) or a first access network device, the first information including handover information during the process of the relay device switching the access network device it is connected to.

[0418] Optionally, the transceiver module 6101 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the relay device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module 6102 is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the relay device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0419] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6b, the network device 6200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6201, a processing module 6202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is used to receive first information sent by OAM, or to send first information to a relay device, wherein the relay device is located on a satellite, and the first information includes handover information during the process of the relay device switching the access network device it is connected to.

[0420] Optionally, the transceiver module 6201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module 6202 is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the network device 102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0421] Figure 6c is a schematic diagram of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6c, the network device 6300 may include at least one of a transceiver module 6301, a processing module 6302, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6301 is used to send first information to a relay device and / or a first access network device, wherein the relay device is located on a satellite, and the first information includes handover information during the process of the relay device switching the access network device it is connected to.

[0422] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0423] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0424] Figure 7a is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0425] As shown in Figure 7a, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 7100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 7101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 7100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0426] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 7101 performs at least one of the other steps. In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, sending unit, transmitter, sending circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0427] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7103 may be located outside the communication device 7100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuits 7104 are connected to the memories 7103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 7103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 7103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 can read data stored in the memories 7103 and send the data to the processor 7101.

[0428] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7a. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (7) others, etc.

[0429] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in Figure 7b, but it is not limited thereto.

[0430] Chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. Chip 7200 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0431] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7203 may be located outside chip 7200. Optionally, interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203, and interface circuit 7202 can be used to receive data from memory 7203 or other devices, and interface circuit 7202 can be used to send data to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 can read data stored in memory 7203 and send the data to processor 7201.

[0432] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data interaction between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0433] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0434] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0435] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0436] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods. Industrial Applicability

[0437] Relay equipment on a satellite can receive initial information via OAM or access network equipment, thereby obtaining handover information during the switching of different ground access network devices. This allows for timely switching of the connected ground access network equipment as the satellite moves, improving communication performance. Furthermore, communication between the satellite and access network equipment via relay equipment facilitates decoupling between the satellite and the access network equipment, extending the satellite's service range.

Claims

A communication method, performed by a relay device, the method comprising: The relay device receives first information sent by Operation, Management and Maintenance (OAM) and / or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device when switching the access network device it is connected to. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: when the handover rule is met, establishing a connection with the second access network device according to the first information; or, when the handover rule is met, establishing a connection with the second access device according to the first information and the indication information of the first access network device, wherein the indication information is used to trigger the relay device to perform a handover. The method as described in claim 2, wherein, The first access network device and the second access network device correspond to the same cell. The establishment of a connection with the second access network device includes: adjusting at least one of the transmit beam, time-domain compensation information, or frequency-domain compensation information to establish a connection with the second access network device. The method as described in claim 2, wherein, The cells corresponding to the first access network device and the second access network device are different. The step of establishing a connection with the second access network device includes: initiating a random access procedure to the second access network device and establishing a connection with the second access network device based on the random access result. The method as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The switching rules are defined by a protocol or configured by the first access network device. The method as described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The handover rules include at least one of the following: the interval between a first time and the end time of a first service period is less than or equal to a first duration, wherein the first time is the time when the relay device executes the handover criterion decision, the first service period is the service period in which the relay device is located at the first time, the interval between the first time and the start time of a second service period is less than or equal to a second duration, wherein the second service period is a service period adjacent to the first service period; the relay device moves to a set location range or a set distance range; the distance between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is greater than or equal to a first distance; the distance between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is less than or equal to a second distance; the elevation angle between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is less than or equal to a first angle; and the elevation angle between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is greater than or equal to a second angle. The method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, wherein the first correspondence is the correspondence between cell information and time period of the cells that the relay device can connect to; The second correspondence is a correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; wherein, the at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device; and the satellite's ephemeris information; Location information of at least one access network device; reference point information for determining the location information; network access information. The method of claim 7, wherein, The cell information includes at least one of the following: cell identifier; identifier of the access network device corresponding to the cell. The method of claim 7, wherein, The satellite information includes at least one of the following: satellite identifier; identifier of the relay device on the satellite. The method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The first information is sent by the OAM, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the first correspondence, the location information, and the reference point information. The method as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, The first information is sent by the access network device, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the first correspondence, the second correspondence, the location information, the reference point information, and the network access information. The method as described in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein, The method further includes: sending capability information to the first access network device, the capability information including at least one of the following: a first correspondence that the relay device can support, and the ephemeris information of the satellite. A communication method, performed by a first access network device, the method comprising: Receive first information sent by OAM, and / or send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further includes: when the handover rules are met, sending indication information to the relay device, the indication information being used to trigger the relay device to perform a handover to the second access network device. The method of claim 14, wherein, The switching rules are defined by a protocol or configured by the first access network device. The method as described in any one of claims 14 to 15, wherein, The handover rules include at least one of the following: the interval between a first time and the end time of a first service period is less than or equal to a first duration, wherein the first time is the time when the relay device executes the handover criterion decision, the first service period is the service period in which the relay device is located at the first time, the interval between the first time and the start time of a second service period is less than or equal to a second duration, wherein the second service period is a service period adjacent to the first service period; the relay device moves to a set location range or a set distance range; the distance between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is greater than or equal to a first distance; the distance between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is less than or equal to a second distance; the elevation angle between the relay device and the first access network device or the reference point corresponding to the first access network device is less than or equal to a first angle; and the elevation angle between the relay device and the second access network device or the reference point corresponding to the second access network device is greater than or equal to a second angle. The method as described in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein, The first information sent to the relay device includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, wherein the first correspondence is a correspondence between cell information and time period of cells that the relay device can connect to; The second correspondence is a correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; wherein, the at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device; the location information of the at least one access network device; reference point information for determining the location information; and network access information. The method of claim 17, wherein, The cell information includes at least one of the following: cell identifier; identifier of the access network device corresponding to the cell. The method of claim 17, wherein, The satellite information includes at least one of the following: satellite identifier; identifier of the relay device on the satellite. The method as described in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein, The first information received by the OAM includes at least one of the following: a second correspondence; the ephemeris information of the satellite. The method as described in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, The method further includes: receiving capability information sent by the relay device, the capability information including at least one of the following: a first correspondence that the relay device can support, and the ephemeris information of the satellite. A communication method, performed by OAM, the method comprising: Send first information to the relay device and / or the first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to. The method of claim 22, wherein, The first information sent to the relay device includes at least one of the following: a first correspondence, wherein the first correspondence is a correspondence between cell information and time period of cells that the relay device can connect to; Location information of at least one access network device, wherein the at least one access network device includes a first access network device and / or a second access network device; and reference point information for determining the location information. The method of claim 23, wherein, The cell information includes at least one of the following: cell identifier; identifier of the access network device corresponding to the cell. The method as described in claim 22 or 23, wherein, The first information sent to the first access network device includes at least one of the following: a second correspondence, wherein the second correspondence is a correspondence between satellite information and time periods that at least one access network device can connect to; and the ephemeris information of the satellite. The method of claim 25, wherein, The satellite information includes at least one of the following: satellite identifier; identifier of the relay device on the satellite. A satellite device, comprising: The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by Operation Management and Maintenance (OAM) or the first access network device, the first information including handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to. A network device, comprising: The transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by OAM, or to send first information to the relay device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to. A network device, comprising: The transceiver module is used to send first information to a relay device and / or a first access network device, wherein the first information includes handover information used by the relay device to switch the access network device it is connected to. A communication device, comprising: One or more processors; one or more transceivers; wherein the communication device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 12, or any one of claims 13 to 21, or any one of claims 22 to 26. A storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or any one of claims 13 to 21, or any one of claims 22 to 26. A program product, wherein, When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or any one of claims 13 to 21, or any one of claims 22 to 26.

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