Random access method and apparatus

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure discloses a random access method and device, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: a spatial terminal sends a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height of the spatial terminal; and a response message returned by the network device is received. Therefore, the spatial terminal can initiate random access by using the first preamble sequence associated with the height, so that the collision and conflict of the preamble sequence used by the spatial terminal at other heights are avoided, the success rate of random access of the spatial terminal is improved, and the efficiency of random access is improved.

Description

Random access method and device Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a random access method and device. Background Art

[0002] In communication systems, the random access process is used in multiple scenarios, including initial system access, transitioning from idle mode to active mode, handover, and Radio Resource Control (RRC) requests during synchronization reconfiguration. The primary purpose of the random access process is uplink synchronization, including synchronization, access, response, and authorization between terminal devices and network equipment. This process is crucial for determining whether a terminal device can successfully access the communication system and obtain communication services. Improving the success rate and, therefore, the efficiency of random access is crucial for ensuring that terminal devices can obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random access method and apparatus, which can improve the success rate of random access, thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0005] According to the first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a random access method is proposed, including: sending a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; and receiving a response message returned by the network device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0007] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0008] In some embodiments, a same beam of the network device covers a plurality of 3D cells, and a first 3D cell and a second 3D cell among the plurality of 3D cells are located at different heights.

[0009] In some embodiments, the random access method also includes: sending absolute position information to the network device, wherein the absolute position information is used to determine the three-dimensional cell where the spatial terminal is located, and determining the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask; and receiving the target mask sent by the network device.

[0010] In some embodiments, the random access method further includes: sending altitude information to the network device, wherein the altitude information is used to determine the target mask; and receiving the target mask sent by the network device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the random access method further includes: obtaining the target mask from masks corresponding to various heights pre-stored in the space terminal.

[0012] In some embodiments, the response message includes a response message of successful access, the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0013] In some embodiments, the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence; the method also includes: adjusting the uplink transmission timing based on the time advance; based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, sending a second random access message to the network device, wherein the second random access message carries a third leading sequence, and the third leading sequence is generated based on the target mask; based on the second random access message, completing random access.

[0014] According to the second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a random access method is proposed, including: receiving a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; and returning a response message to the space terminal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0016] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0017] In some embodiments, a same beam of the network device covers a plurality of 3D cells, wherein a first 3D cell and a second 3D cell are located at different heights.

[0018] In some embodiments, the random access method also includes: receiving absolute position information sent by the space terminal; determining the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located based on the absolute position information; determining the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask; and sending the target mask to the space terminal.

[0019] In some embodiments, the random access method further includes: receiving altitude information sent by the space terminal; determining the target mask based on the altitude information; and sending the target mask to the space terminal.

[0020] In some embodiments, the response message includes a response message of successful access, the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0021] In some embodiments, the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence; the method also includes: receiving a second random access message sent by the space terminal, wherein the second random access message is sent based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the uplink transmission timing is adjusted based on the time advance, the second random access message carries a third leading sequence, and the third leading sequence is generated based on the target mask; based on the second random access message, random access is completed.

[0022] According to the third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a random access device is proposed, which includes: a transceiver module for sending a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; the transceiver module is also used to receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0023] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a random access device is proposed, which includes: a transceiver module for receiving a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; the transceiver module is also used to return a response message to the space terminal.

[0024] According to the fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a space terminal is proposed, which includes: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; wherein the processor is used to call the instructions so that the space terminal executes the random access method described in the first aspect and the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0025] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; wherein the processor is used to call the instructions so that the network device executes the random access method described in the second aspect and the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0026] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, which includes: a space terminal and a network device; wherein the above-mentioned space terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the above-mentioned network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0027] According to the eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0028] According to the ninth aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure, a program product is proposed. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0029] According to the tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is proposed, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the optional implementation of the first aspect, or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0030] The solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is to send a first random access message to a network device through a space terminal, and receive a response message returned by the network device, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, so that the space terminal can use the first preamble sequence associated with the altitude to initiate random access, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present disclosure or the background technology will be described below.

[0032] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a four-step random access process;

[0034] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a two-step random access process;

[0035] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG8 is an example diagram showing a three-dimensional cell division method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG16 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG18 is a schematic structural diagram of a random access device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG19 is a schematic structural diagram of a random access device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG20 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] As global communication business scenarios and demands continue to upgrade, the types and numbers of terminal devices at different altitudes, such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and low-Earth orbit satellites, are constantly increasing. The distribution of terminal devices in the air has three-dimensional time-varying and non-uniform characteristics.

[0054] Taking the satellite communication system as an example, in order to meet the business needs of terminal equipment on the ground, at sea, and in the air, the satellite communication system draws on the design concept of mobile communication cellular network cell division, adopts frequency division multiplexing, and forms several point beam cells in a two-dimensional plane to achieve seamless coverage of the surface service area. At the same time, a small number of staring beams are used to provide limited access capabilities for specific aerial terminal equipment. The use of staring beams increases the consumption of beam resources. The satellite communication system has problems such as low beam resource utilization and inflexible beam resource scheduling, making it difficult to improve the capacity of the communication system.

[0055] In order to improve beam resource utilization, the flexibility of beam resource scheduling and the capacity of the communication system, the same beam can be used to simultaneously provide communication services to terminal devices on the ground, sea and air within its coverage area. However, this implementation method is prone to preamble sequence collisions when the terminal devices on the ground, sea and air access the network based on the same signaling beam, resulting in a low success rate and efficiency of random access, making it impossible for the terminal devices to obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0056] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a random access method, a random access apparatus, a space terminal, a network device, a communication system, a storage medium, a program product, and a computer program. A first random access message is sent to a network device via a space terminal, and a response message returned by the network device is received, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, so that the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with the altitude, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0057] In order to better understand the random access method disclosed in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system to which the embodiment of the present disclosure is applicable is first described below.

[0058] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein FIG1 takes a satellite communication system as an example and a satellite as a network device as an example.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 1 , the satellite communication system may include but is not limited to a network device 101 and a space terminal 102 .

[0060] In some embodiments, the network device 101, for example, is a node or device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. The network device may include a satellite, an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a nodeB (NB), a home nodeB (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0061] In some embodiments, the space terminal 102 is a terminal device located at any location in space such as the ground, sea, or air, including, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, an aircraft, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, 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 at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but not limited thereto.

[0062] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0063] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system or partial entities shown in Figure 1, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 1 are examples. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 1, or may include other entities outside of Figure 1. The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative, and the entities may be connected or disconnected. The connection may be in any manner, whether direct or indirect, and may be wired or wireless.

[0064] The random access method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is applicable to random access procedures such as a four-step random access procedure and a two-step random access procedure.

[0065] The following describes a four-step random access process and a two-step random access process by way of example.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the four-step random access process. The contention-based four-step random access process includes four messages: Msg1, Msg2, Msg3, and Msg4. Among them, Msg1 represents the preamble code sending message; Msg2 represents the random access response message; Msg3 represents the uplink message including uplink data sent by the space terminal on the allocated uplink resource when receiving Msg2, which includes the identification of each space terminal and is used for Msg4 contention resolution; Msg4 represents the contention resolution message returned to the space terminal that successfully accessed when the network device receives the uplink message from the space terminal.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the two-step random access process. The two-step random access process includes MsgA and MsgB. MsgA contains Msg1 and Msg3 in the four-step random access process, and MsgB contains Msg2 and Msg4 in the four-step random access process. The two-step random access process not only reduces the waiting delay of the access process, but also reduces the control signaling overhead.

[0068] The random access method applied to a space terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below.

[0069] Figure 4 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 401-402.

[0070] Step 401: Send a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0071] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be Msg1 in a four-step random access procedure, MsgA in a two-step random access procedure, or a message used to initiate random access in other random access procedures, and this application does not impose any restrictions thereon. When the random access method is applicable to a four-step random access procedure, the first random access message may be Msg1; when the random access method is applicable to a two-step random access procedure, the first random access message may be MsgA.

[0072] It can be understood that, taking Msg1 in the four-step random access process and MsgA in the two-step random access process as examples, Msg1 and MsgA carry the preamble code (preamble code) of the space terminal, also known as the preamble code sequence or preamble sequence, which is used to identify the identity of the user equipment (UE) during random access. When space terminals at different altitudes access the network based on the same signaling beam, collisions of the used preamble sequences are prone to occur, resulting in a low success rate of random access, low efficiency of random access, and the inability of each space terminal to obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0073] In some embodiments, multiple masks corresponding to different heights can be set, and masks corresponding to the corresponding heights can be assigned to space terminals at different heights. For example, a space terminal at a first height can be assigned a mask corresponding to the first height, and a space terminal at a second height can be assigned a mask corresponding to the second height. Where the first height and the second height are different, the mask corresponding to the first height and the mask corresponding to the second height can be the same or different.

[0074] The multiple heights may be multiple absolute height values, or multiple relative height values ​​based on a certain point, or multiple height ranges obtained by dividing the height dimension, and the present disclosure does not limit this. The first height and the second height may be any two heights among the multiple heights.

[0075] The method for dividing the height dimension to obtain multiple height ranges can be predefined. For example, the height level division method of the BeiDou grid location code can be used, or customized settings can be made based on the type, distribution characteristics, service type, etc. of the space terminal of the communication system. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0076] The first random access message initiated by the space terminal may carry a first preamble sequence generated based on a target mask, wherein the target mask is a mask corresponding to the altitude at which the space terminal is located and is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, thereby using the first preamble sequence as the preamble sequence used when initiating random access.

[0077] Step 402: Receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0078] In some embodiments, the response message may be Msg2 in the four-step random access process.

[0079] In some embodiments, the response message may be MsgB in the two-step random access process.

[0080] Since the target mask used by the space terminal is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, the first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask is also associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located. When the target mask corresponding to the altitude at which the space terminal is located is different from the masks corresponding to other altitudes, the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal to initiate random access is different from the preamble sequence used by space terminals at other altitudes to initiate random access. This can avoid collisions with the preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, thereby improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0081] It is understandable that the random access method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to scenarios in which the same beam is used to simultaneously provide communication services to terminal devices on the ground, at sea, and in the air within its coverage area in a satellite communication system, thereby improving beam resource utilization, the flexibility of beam resource scheduling, and the capacity of the communication system. Furthermore, in this scenario, when terminal devices on the ground, at sea, and in the air access the network based on the same signaling beam, terminal devices at different altitudes can use different preamble sequences to initiate random access, thereby avoiding preamble sequence collisions, improving the success rate of random access, and improving the efficiency of random access, so that each terminal device can obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0082] In summary, the random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure sends a first random access message to a network device through a space terminal, and receives a response message returned by the network device, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, so that the space terminal can use the first preamble sequence associated with the altitude to initiate random access, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, thereby improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0083] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 501-503.

[0084] Step 501: Obtain a target mask from masks corresponding to various altitudes pre-stored in the space terminal, wherein the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0085] In some embodiments, multiple masks corresponding to respective heights can be set, and the masks corresponding to the respective heights can be pre-saved in the space terminal, so that the space terminal can obtain the mask corresponding to the height where the space terminal is located from the pre-stored masks corresponding to the respective heights, and the mask is the target mask associated with the height where the space terminal is located.

[0086] In some embodiments, the mask corresponding to any first height among the multiple heights and the mask corresponding to any second height can be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other. Thus, for a space terminal at the first height and a space terminal at the second height, collisions of the used preamble sequences can be avoided to the greatest extent possible, thereby improving the success rate of random access by the space terminal and thereby improving the efficiency of random access. For example, the mask corresponding to each of the multiple heights can be a Gold code in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system.

[0087] The multiple heights may be multiple absolute height values, or multiple relative height values ​​based on a certain point, or multiple height ranges obtained by dividing the height dimension, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first height and the second height may be any two of the multiple heights. The method for dividing the height dimension to obtain the multiple height ranges may be predefined.

[0088] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the plurality of heights may only be orthogonal to each other. For example, the masks corresponding to height A, height B, height C, and height D may be orthogonal to each other.

[0089] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the plurality of heights may only be quasi-orthogonal to each other. For example, the masks corresponding to height A, height B, height C, and height D may be quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0090] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to multiple heights may be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal at the same time. For example, the masks corresponding to heights A, B, and C may be orthogonal, while the masks corresponding to heights D and A, D and B, and C may be quasi-orthogonal.

[0091] Step 502: Send a first random access message to a network device, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence can be obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask. The second preamble sequence can be randomly obtained from the preamble sequence set, or obtained from the preamble sequence set by other means, and the present disclosure does not limit this. The preamble sequence set is a set of preamble sequences pre-generated for accessing the network of the network device, which includes multiple preamble sequences. The preamble sequence set can be sent by the network device to each spatial terminal, and the spatial terminal of the network accessing the network device based on the same signaling beam can obtain the second preamble sequence from the same preamble sequence set. The preamble sequence in the preamble sequence set can be, for example, a Zadoff-chu (ZC) sequence defined for the mobile communication system.

[0093] Therefore, the disclosed embodiment is equivalent to using the preamble sequence used in a traditional mobile communication system as the second preamble sequence. Based on the second preamble sequence, the second preamble sequence is further processed using a target mask associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located to obtain a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is used as the preamble sequence for initiating random access. As a result, for a space terminal at a certain altitude, even if the same second preamble sequence is used as that of a space terminal at another altitude, a different first preamble sequence can be obtained using a different mask, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access by the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0094] Step 503: Receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0095] In summary, the random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure obtains a target mask from the masks corresponding to each altitude pre-stored by the space terminal, wherein the target mask is associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located; sends a first random access message to the network device, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask; and receives a response message returned by the network device. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and further improving the efficiency of random access. And by pre-storing the masks corresponding to each altitude in the space terminal, the space terminal can easily obtain the target mask corresponding to its altitude, thereby further improving the efficiency of random access.

[0096] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 601-604.

[0097] Step 601: Send altitude information to a network device, wherein the altitude information is used to determine a target mask.

[0098] In some embodiments, the space terminal can obtain its own altitude information through the navigation information enhancement payload of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and send the altitude information to the network device so that the network device can assign a corresponding target mask to the space terminal based on the altitude information.

[0099] Step 602: Receive a target mask sent by a network device.

[0100] In some embodiments, multiple masks corresponding to different heights can be set. The network device can determine the height of the space terminal based on the height information of the space terminal, and send the mask corresponding to the height of the space terminal as the target mask to the space terminal, so that the space terminal can receive the target mask sent by the network device.

[0101] In some embodiments, the mask corresponding to any first height among the plurality of heights and the mask corresponding to any second height can be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other. The manner of setting the masks corresponding to each height can refer to other embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0102] Step 603: Send a first random access message to the network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located.

[0103] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0104] Step 604: Receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0105] In summary, the random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure sends altitude information to the network device, wherein the altitude information is used to determine the target mask; receives the target mask sent by the network device; sends a first random access message to the network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located; receives a response message returned by the network device. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access. Moreover, by obtaining the target mask associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located from the network device through the space terminal, the storage space of the space terminal can be saved.

[0106] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 701-704.

[0107] Step 701: Send absolute position information to the network device, wherein the absolute position information is used to determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located, and determine the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask, wherein the same beam of the network device covers multiple three-dimensional cells, and the first three-dimensional cell and the second three-dimensional cell are at different heights among the multiple three-dimensional cells.

[0108] The absolute location information may include the altitude information and latitude and longitude information of the space terminal. The latitude and longitude information includes longitude information and latitude information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the space terminal can obtain its own absolute position information through the GNSS navigation information enhancement payload, and send the absolute position information to the network device so that the network device can assign a corresponding target mask to the space terminal based on the absolute position information.

[0110] In some embodiments, a three-dimensional space can be divided into multiple 3D cells. Each 3D cell covers a three-dimensional area. The same beam of a network device covers multiple 3D cells, and the first and second 3D cells are located at different heights. The method for dividing the three-dimensional space into multiple 3D cells can be configured as needed and is not limited by this disclosure.

[0111] The first three-dimensional cell and the second three-dimensional cell are any cells among the multiple three-dimensional cells.

[0112] As a possible implementation method, the height dimension can be divided to obtain multiple height ranges, and the multiple height ranges can be used as a unified height reference. Based on the unified height reference, the three-dimensional area covered by the same beam of the same network device in the same height range can be regarded as a three-dimensional cell.

[0113] The method for dividing the height dimension to obtain multiple height ranges can be predefined. For example, the height level division method of the Beidou grid location code can be used, or customized settings can be made based on the type, distribution characteristics, service type, etc. of the space terminal of the communication system. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0114] Referring to the schematic diagram of the three-dimensional cell division method shown in FIG8 , taking the network device as a satellite as an example, a three-dimensional cell with a global unified address can be established.

[0115] Referring to Figure 8, taking the Beidou grid position code as a reference, we can divide it in the height dimension to get L height ranges, namely H1, H2, ..., H in Figure 8. L . Wherein L is an integer greater than 1. Take a satellite in a satellite communication system as an example, wherein the satellite includes M beams, wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to 1, and the set of the L altitude ranges is used as a unified altitude reference. With this reference as the basic condition, the coverage range of the satellite's M beams can be divided into multiple stereo cells. Among them, the three-dimensional area covered by the same beam of the same satellite in the same altitude range is a stereo cell. For example, beam M covers L stereo cells, wherein the L stereo cells are respectively in L altitude ranges, and the identifiers of the L stereo cells can be: stereo cell (M, 1), stereo cell (M, 2), ..., stereo cell (M, L). Among them, the stereo cell identified as (M, L) includes the three-dimensional area covered by the Mth beam in the Lth altitude range.

[0116] In some embodiments, a mask corresponding to the height of each 3D cell can be assigned to each 3D cell. The masks assigned to any two 3D cells at different heights can be the same or different. The masks assigned to any two 3D cells at the same height can be the same or different.

[0117] For example, consider the heights of multiple 3D cells, including height A, height B, height C, and height D. The 3D cell at height A can be assigned mask C1 corresponding to height A; the 3D cell at height B can be assigned mask C2 corresponding to height B; the 3D cell at height C can be assigned mask C3 corresponding to height C; and the 3D cell at height D can be assigned mask C4 corresponding to height D. C1, C2, C3, and C4 are all different. This allows 3D cells at the same height to be assigned the same mask, while 3D cells at different heights can be assigned different masks.

[0118] Alternatively, the 3D cells at height A and height B can be assigned mask C5 corresponding to heights A and B, while the 3D cells at height C and height D can be assigned mask C6 corresponding to heights C and D. C5 and C6 are different. This allows 3D cells at the same height to be assigned the same mask, while 3D cells at different heights can be assigned different masks.

[0119] It should be noted that the above method of assigning a mask corresponding to the height of each 3D cell according to the height of each 3D cell is only an exemplary description. In actual applications, other methods can also be used to assign a corresponding mask to each 3D cell, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0120] In addition, it should be noted that the coverage area of ​​the 3D cell in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a three-dimensional 3D area. The height of the 3D cell can be the height of any position of the 3D cell, and the height can be an absolute height value or a relative height value, or a height range; or the height of the 3D cell can also be the height range of the entire 3D cell. For example, in the case where the three-dimensional space is divided into multiple 3D cells as shown in FIG8 , the height of the 3D cell (M, L) can be understood as the height range H. L The embodiment of the present disclosure does not limit the method of defining the height of the three-dimensional cell.

[0121] In some embodiments, the mask assigned to a 3D cell at any first height among multiple heights can be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to the mask assigned to a 3D cell at any second height. This minimizes the chances of preamble sequence collisions between a space terminal in a 3D cell at the first height and a space terminal in a 3D cell at the second height, improving the success rate of random access by the space terminal and, consequently, the efficiency of random access. For example, Gold codes in a CDMA system can be assigned to 3D cells at different heights.

[0122] In some embodiments, masks corresponding to 3D cells at different heights may only be orthogonal to each other. For example, masks corresponding to 3D cells at height A, height B, height C, and height D may be orthogonal to each other.

[0123] In some embodiments, masks corresponding to 3D cells at different heights may only be quasi-orthogonal to each other. For example, masks corresponding to 3D cells at height A, height B, height C, and height D may be quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0124] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to 3D cells at different heights may be mutually orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal. For example, the masks corresponding to the 3D cells at height A, the 3D cells at height B, and the 3D cells at height C may be mutually orthogonal. The masks corresponding to the 3D cells at height D and the 3D cells at height A, the masks corresponding to the 3D cells at height D and the 3D cells at height B, and the masks corresponding to the 3D cells at height D and the 3D cells at height C may be mutually quasi-orthogonal.

[0125] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located from multiple three-dimensional cells based on the absolute position information of the space terminal, and use the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask associated with the height of the space terminal.

[0126] Referring to FIG8 , taking the example of N space terminals that a satellite needs to serve, where N is an integer greater than 0, for the nth space terminal, the network device can determine the 3D cell where the nth space terminal is located from multiple 3D cells based on the absolute position information of the nth space terminal, and use the mask corresponding to the altitude of the 3D cell as the target mask associated with the altitude of the nth space terminal. Here, n is an integer between 1 and N, including cases where n is 1 or n is N.

[0127] Step 702: Receive a target mask sent by a network device.

[0128] Step 703: Send a first random access message to the network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located.

[0129] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0130] Step 704: Receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0131] The embodiments of the present disclosure divide the three-dimensional space into multiple stereoscopic cells, so that the coverage range of the same beam can be divided more finely. Without considering the height dimension, the stereoscopic cells covered by the same beam will degenerate into two-dimensional plane cells, and have the ability to be forward compatible with traditional plane cells. In addition, by adopting this stereoscopic cell division method, space terminals at different heights can be divided into different stereoscopic cells, and the same beam can be used to serve space terminals at different heights within its coverage range, thereby improving the beam resource utilization and resource allocation flexibility of the communication system, enhancing the service capability of the communication system for space terminals such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and low-Earth orbit satellites, and improving the capacity of the communication system. The space terminal sends absolute position information to the network device, and the absolute position information is used to determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located, and determines the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask, wherein the same beam of the network device covers multiple three-dimensional cells, and the first three-dimensional cell and the second three-dimensional cell are located at different heights among the multiple three-dimensional cells. The target mask sent by the network device is received, and a first random access message is sent to the network device, wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask. The target mask is associated with the height where the space terminal is located. The response message returned by the network device is received, and the space terminal accesses the network of the network device on the basis of dividing the three-dimensional cells, and enables the space terminal to initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with the height, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other heights, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access. In addition, obtaining the target mask from the network device by the space terminal can save storage space of the space terminal.

[0132] The following takes a two-step random access process as an example to illustrate the implementation process of the random access method shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure when it is applicable to the two-step random access process. The implementation process is a scenario where random access is successful once.

[0133] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9, the method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 901-902.

[0134] Step 901: Send a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located.

[0135] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be MsgA in a two-step random access process.

[0136] The first random access message carries two parts: a first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask and uplink data. In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is sent to the network device via a physical random access channel (PRACH); the uplink data is sent to the network device via transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0137] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence by a target mask.

[0138] Step 902: Receive a response message returned by the network device, wherein the response message includes a response message of successful access and carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, and the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0139] The access success response message may be MsgB indicating successful access in the two-step random access process.

[0140] In some embodiments, the network device detects a first preamble sequence carried in the first random access message, can calculate a timing advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the first preamble sequence, and decode uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence. In some embodiments, the network device can obtain a second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, and calculate the timing advance based on the second preamble sequence.

[0141] When the network device successfully decodes the uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal does not collide with the preamble sequences used by other space terminals, and the space terminal can access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a successful access response message to the space terminal. The successful access response message carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is used by the space terminal to adjust the uplink transmission timing. The successful access response message may include first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the response message is a successful access response message.

[0142] In some embodiments, the uplink data sent by the space terminal also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. When the network device successfully decodes the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first leading sequence, it can carry the identity in the access success response message and send it to the space terminal.

[0143] In some embodiments, a response message of successful access may be sent to the space terminal via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0144] In some embodiments, in response to sending a first random access message to a network device, the space terminal can start a receiving window for MsgB on the PDCCH channel. When the space terminal receives MsgB indicating successful access based on the receiving window, the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0145] The random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows: a space terminal sends a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; and a response message returned by the network device is received, wherein the response message includes a response message indicating successful access, the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with the altitude at which it is located and complete the random access process, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0146] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 10 , the space terminal can send MsgA to the network device and activate the receive window for MsgB on the PDCCH. MsgA carries a first preamble sequence and uplink data. The first preamble sequence is sent to the network device via the PRACH, and the uplink data is sent to the network device via the transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on the PUSCH.

[0147] The first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence and a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0148] When the network device detects the first preamble sequence carried by MsgA, it can obtain the second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, calculate the time advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the second preamble sequence, and decode the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence. In the case of successful decoding, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal does not collide with the first preamble sequence used by other space terminals, and the space terminal can access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a successful access MsgB to the space terminal. Among them, the successful access MsgB carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing and the identity of the space terminal.

[0149] When the space terminal receives the MsgB indicating successful access based on the receiving window of the MsgB started on the PDCCH channel, the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0150] The following takes a two-step random access process as an example to illustrate the implementation process of the random access method shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure when it is applicable to the two-step random access process. The implementation process is a scenario of a single random access fallback.

[0151] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 11 , the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a space terminal, and the method includes the following steps 1101-1105.

[0152] Step 1101, sending a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located.

[0153] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be MsgA in a two-step random access process.

[0154] The first random access message carries two parts: a first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask and uplink data. In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is sent to the network device via the PRACH channel, and the uplink data is sent to the network device via transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on the PUSCH channel.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence by a target mask.

[0156] Step 1102: Receive a response message returned by the network device, wherein the response message includes a fallback response message, and the response message carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, and the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0157] The fallback response message may be the fallback MsgB in the two-step random access process.

[0158] In some embodiments, the network device detects a first preamble sequence carried in the first random access message, can calculate a timing advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the first preamble sequence, and decode uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence. In some embodiments, the network device can obtain a second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, and calculate the timing advance based on the second preamble sequence.

[0159] When the network device fails to successfully decode the uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal collides with the preamble sequence used by other space terminals, and the space terminal cannot access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a fallback response message to the space terminal. The fallback response message carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is used by the space terminal to adjust the uplink transmission timing. The fallback response message can include second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the response message is a fallback response message.

[0160] In some embodiments, the uplink data sent by the space terminal also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. If the network device fails to successfully decode the uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence, the identity carried in the fallback response message does not match the identity of the space terminal.

[0161] In some embodiments, the fallback response message may be sent to the space terminal via the PDCCH.

[0162] Step 1103: Adjust the uplink transmission timing based on the timing advance.

[0163] Step 1104: Send a second random access message to the network device based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, wherein the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, and the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask.

[0164] In some embodiments, in response to sending a first random access message to a network device, the space terminal may initiate a MsgB receiving window on the PDCCH channel. When the space terminal receives a backed-off MsgB based on the receiving window, the space terminal may adjust the uplink transmission timing based on the timing advance carried in the backed-off MsgB and reacquire the third preamble sequence. Furthermore, based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the space terminal may send a second random access message carrying the third preamble sequence to the network device.

[0165] The third preamble sequence can be obtained by multiplying the fourth preamble sequence by the target mask. The fourth preamble sequence can be randomly obtained from the preamble sequence set, or obtained from the preamble sequence set by other means, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0166] The second random access message may be Msg3 in the two-step random access process.

[0167] In some embodiments, the second random access message may be sent via the PUSCH.

[0168] Step 1105: Complete random access based on the second random access message.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second random access message also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. In response to sending the second random access message to the network device, the space terminal can start the receiving window of Msg4 on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). When the network device receives Msg3, it can determine the identity of the space terminal that initiated the random access and determine whether to allow the space terminal to access. If the network device allows the space terminal to access, it can send Msg4 carrying the identity of the space terminal to the space terminal. When the space terminal receives Msg4 based on the receiving window of Msg4 and recognizes its own identity in the PDCCH channel or the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH), the contention is resolved, the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0170] The random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is as follows: the space terminal sends a first random access message to the network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located; receives a response message returned by the network device, wherein the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence; adjusts the uplink transmission timing based on the time advance; based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, sends a second random access message to the network device, wherein the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, and the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude and complete the random access process, avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0171] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 12 , the space terminal can send MsgA to the network device and activate the receive window for MsgB on the PDCCH. MsgA carries a first preamble sequence and uplink data. The first preamble sequence is sent to the network device via the PRACH, and the uplink data is sent to the network device via the transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on the PUSCH.

[0172] The first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence and a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0173] When the network device detects the first preamble sequence carried by MsgA, it can obtain the second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, calculate the time advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the second preamble sequence, and decode the uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence. If the decoding is unsuccessful, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal collides with the first preamble sequence used by other space terminals, and the space terminal cannot access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a fallback MsgB to the space terminal. The fallback MsgB carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing.

[0174] Based on the receiving window of MsgB activated on the PDCCH channel, when the space terminal receives the backed-off MsgB, it can adjust the uplink transmission timing based on the time advance carried by the backed-off MsgB, and re-acquire the fourth preamble sequence, multiply the fourth preamble sequence by the target mask to obtain the third preamble sequence, and then send Msg3 to the network device based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, and activate the receiving window of Msg4 on the PDSCH channel. Among them, Msg3 carries the third preamble sequence and the identity of the space terminal and can be sent through the PUSCH channel.

[0175] When the network device receives Msg3, it can determine the identity of the space terminal that initiated the random access and determine whether to allow the space terminal to access. If the network device allows the space terminal to access, it can send Msg4 to the space terminal, where Msg4 carries the identity of the space terminal. When the space terminal receives Msg4 based on the receiving window of Msg4 and recognizes its own identity in the PDCCH channel or DL-SCH channel, the contention is resolved, the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0176] Figure 13 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 13, the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and the method includes the following steps 1301-1302.

[0177] Step 1301: Receive a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0178] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be Msg1 in a four-step random access procedure, MsgA in a two-step random access procedure, or a message used to initiate random access in other random access procedures, and this application does not impose any restrictions thereon. When the random access method is applicable to a four-step random access procedure, the first random access message may be Msg1; when the random access method is applicable to a two-step random access procedure, the first random access message may be MsgA.

[0179] It is understandable that, taking Msg1 in the four-step random access process and MsgA in the two-step random access process as examples, Msg1 and MsgA carry the preamble sequence of the space terminal, which is used to identify the UE during random access. When space terminals at different altitudes access the network based on the same signaling beam, the used preamble sequences are prone to collision and conflict, resulting in a low success rate and efficiency of random access, making it impossible for each space terminal to obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0180] In some embodiments, multiple masks corresponding to different heights can be set, and masks corresponding to the corresponding heights can be assigned to space terminals at different heights. For example, a space terminal at a first height can be assigned a mask corresponding to the first height, and a space terminal at a second height can be assigned a mask corresponding to the second height. Where the first height and the second height are different, the mask corresponding to the first height and the mask corresponding to the second height can be the same or different.

[0181] The multiple heights may be multiple absolute height values, or multiple relative height values ​​based on a certain point, or multiple height ranges obtained by dividing the height dimension, and the present disclosure does not limit this. The first height and the second height may be any two heights among the multiple heights.

[0182] The method for dividing the height dimension to obtain multiple height ranges can be predefined. For example, the height level division method of the Beidou grid location code can be used, or customized settings can be made based on the type, distribution characteristics, service type, etc. of the space terminal of the communication system. The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0183] The first random access message initiated by the space terminal may carry a first preamble sequence generated based on a target mask, wherein the target mask is a mask corresponding to the altitude at which the space terminal is located and is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, thereby using the first preamble sequence as the preamble sequence used when initiating random access.

[0184] Since the target mask used by the space terminal is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, the first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask is also associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located. When the target mask corresponding to the altitude at which the space terminal is located is different from the masks corresponding to other altitudes, the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal to initiate random access is different from the preamble sequence used by space terminals at other altitudes to initiate random access. This can avoid collisions with the preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, thereby improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0185] Step 1302: Return a response message to the space terminal.

[0186] In some embodiments, the response message may be Msg2 in the four-step random access process.

[0187] In some embodiments, the response message may be MsgB in the two-step random access process.

[0188] It is understandable that the random access method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to scenarios in which the same beam is used to simultaneously provide communication services to terminal devices on the ground, at sea, and in the air within its coverage area in a satellite communication system, thereby improving beam resource utilization, the flexibility of beam resource scheduling, and the capacity of the communication system. Furthermore, in this scenario, when terminal devices on the ground, at sea, and in the air access the network based on the same signaling beam, terminal devices at different altitudes can use different preamble sequences to initiate random access, thereby avoiding preamble sequence collisions, improving the success rate of random access, and improving the efficiency of random access, so that each terminal device can obtain communication services in a timely manner.

[0189] In summary, in the random access method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device can receive a first random access message sent by a space terminal and return a response message to the space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, and the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located. This allows the space terminal to initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access by the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0190] Figure 14 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 14, the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and the method includes the following steps 1401-1406.

[0191] Step 1401: Receive absolute position information sent by the space terminal.

[0192] The absolute location information may include the altitude information and latitude and longitude information of the space terminal. The latitude and longitude information includes longitude information and latitude information.

[0193] In some embodiments, the space terminal can obtain its own absolute position information through the GNSS navigation information enhancement payload, and send the absolute position information to the network device so that the network device can assign a corresponding target mask to the space terminal based on the absolute position information.

[0194] Step 1402: Determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located based on the absolute position information, wherein the same beam of the network device covers multiple three-dimensional cells, and the first three-dimensional cell and the second three-dimensional cell are located at different heights among the multiple three-dimensional cells.

[0195] Step 1403: determine the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located as the target mask.

[0196] In some embodiments, a three-dimensional space can be divided into multiple 3D cells. Each 3D cell covers a three-dimensional area. The same beam of a network device covers multiple 3D cells, and the first and second 3D cells are located at different heights. The method for dividing the three-dimensional space into multiple 3D cells can be configured as needed and is not limited by this disclosure.

[0197] The first three-dimensional cell and the second three-dimensional cell are any cells among the multiple three-dimensional cells.

[0198] As a possible implementation method, the height dimension can be divided to obtain multiple height ranges, and the multiple height ranges can be used as a unified height reference. Based on the unified height reference, the three-dimensional area covered by the same beam of the same network device in the same height range can be regarded as a three-dimensional cell.

[0199] In some embodiments, a mask corresponding to the height of each 3D cell can be assigned to each 3D cell. The masks assigned to any two 3D cells at different heights can be the same or different. The masks assigned to any two 3D cells at the same height can be the same or different.

[0200] In some embodiments, the mask assigned to a 3D cell at any first height among multiple heights can be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to the mask assigned to a 3D cell at any second height. This minimizes the chances of preamble sequence collisions between a space terminal in a 3D cell at the first height and a space terminal in a 3D cell at the second height, improving the success rate of random access by the space terminal and, consequently, the efficiency of random access. For example, Gold codes in a CDMA system can be assigned to 3D cells at different heights.

[0201] In some embodiments, the network device can determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located from multiple three-dimensional cells based on the absolute position information of the space terminal, and use the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask associated with the height of the space terminal.

[0202] Step 1404, sending the target mask to the space terminal.

[0203] Step 1405: Receive a first random access message sent by the space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0205] Step 1406, return a response message to the space terminal.

[0206] The specific implementation process and principles of steps 1405-1406 can be referred to the description of other embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0207] The embodiments of the present disclosure divide the three-dimensional space into multiple stereoscopic cells, so that the coverage range of the same beam can be divided more finely. Without considering the height dimension, the stereoscopic cells covered by the same beam will degenerate into two-dimensional plane cells, and have the ability to be forward compatible with traditional plane cells. In addition, by adopting this stereoscopic cell division method, space terminals at different heights can be divided into different stereoscopic cells, and the same beam can be used to serve space terminals at different heights within its coverage range, thereby improving the beam resource utilization and resource allocation flexibility of the communication system, enhancing the service capability of the communication system for space terminals such as drones, high-altitude platforms, and low-Earth orbit satellites, and improving the capacity of the communication system. The network device receives the absolute position information sent by the space terminal, and based on the absolute position information, determines the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located from multiple three-dimensional cells, determines the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask, sends the target mask to the space terminal, receives the first random access message sent by the space terminal, and the first random access message carries the first leading sequence. The first leading sequence is generated based on the target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height where the space terminal is located. A response message is returned to the space terminal, thereby realizing that the space terminal accesses the network of the network device on the basis of dividing the three-dimensional cells, and enables the space terminal to initiate random access using the first leading sequence associated with the height, thereby avoiding collisions with leading sequences used by space terminals at other heights, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thus improving the efficiency of random access. Furthermore, by determining the target mask through the network device and sending the target mask to the space terminal, the storage space of the space terminal can be saved.

[0208] Figure 15 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 15 , the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and the method includes the following steps 1501-1505.

[0209] Step 1501: Receive altitude information sent by the space terminal.

[0210] In some embodiments, the space terminal can obtain its own altitude information through the navigation information enhancement payload of the GNSS, and send the altitude information to the network device so that the network device can allocate a corresponding target mask to the space terminal based on the altitude information.

[0211] Step 1502: Determine a target mask based on the height information.

[0212] In some embodiments, multiple masks corresponding to different heights may be set. The network device may determine the height of the space terminal based on the height information of the space terminal, and use the mask corresponding to the height of the space terminal as the target mask.

[0213] In some embodiments, the mask corresponding to any first height among the plurality of heights and the mask corresponding to any second height can be orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other. The manner of setting the masks corresponding to each height can refer to other embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0214] Step 1503: Send the target mask to the space terminal.

[0215] Step 1504: Receive a first random access message sent by the space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0217] Step 1505: Return a response message to the space terminal.

[0218] In summary, the random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is such that the network device can receive the altitude information sent by the space terminal, determine the target mask based on the altitude information, send the target mask to the space terminal, and receive the first random access message sent by the space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located. This allows the space terminal to initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access. Furthermore, by determining the target mask through the network device and sending the target mask to the space terminal, the storage space of the space terminal can be saved.

[0219] The following takes a two-step random access process as an example to illustrate the implementation process of the random access method shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure when it is applicable to the two-step random access process. The implementation process is a scenario where random access is successful once.

[0220] Figure 16 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 16, the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and the method includes the following steps 1601-1602.

[0221] Step 1601, receiving a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0222] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be MsgA in a two-step random access process.

[0223] The first random access message carries two parts: a first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask and uplink data. In some embodiments, the network device may receive the first preamble sequence via a PRACH channel and may receive uplink data via transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on a PUSCH channel.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence by a target mask.

[0225] Step 1602: Return a response message to the space terminal, wherein the response message includes a response message of successful access, and the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence.

[0226] In some embodiments, the network device detects a first preamble sequence carried in the first random access message, can calculate a timing advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the first preamble sequence, and decode uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence. In some embodiments, the network device can obtain a second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, and calculate the timing advance based on the second preamble sequence.

[0227] When the network device successfully decodes the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal does not collide with the first preamble sequences used by other space terminals, and the space terminal can access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a response message of successful access to the space terminal.

[0228] The access success response message may be MsgB indicating successful access in the two-step random access process.

[0229] Among them, the response message of successful access carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is used by the space terminal to adjust the uplink transmission timing.

[0230] The access success response message may include first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the response message is an access success response message.

[0231] In some embodiments, the uplink data sent by the space terminal also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. When the network device successfully decodes the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first leading sequence, it can carry the identity in the access success response message and send it to the space terminal.

[0232] In some embodiments, a response message of successful access may be sent to the space terminal via the PDCCH channel.

[0233] In some embodiments, in response to sending a first random access message to a network device, the space terminal can start a receiving window for MsgB on the PDCCH channel. When the space terminal receives MsgB indicating successful access based on the receiving window, the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0234] In the random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device can receive a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located, and a response message is returned to the space terminal, wherein the response message includes a response message indicating successful access, the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude and complete the random access process, thereby avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0235] The following takes a two-step random access process as an example to illustrate the implementation process of the random access method shown in the embodiment of the present disclosure when it is applicable to the two-step random access process. The implementation process is a scenario of a single random access fallback.

[0236] Figure 17 is a flow chart of a random access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 17, the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a network device, and the method includes the following steps 1701-1704.

[0237] Step 1701, receiving a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located.

[0238] The first random access message is a message used to initiate random access, and may be MsgA in a two-step random access process.

[0239] The first random access message carries two parts: a first preamble sequence generated based on the target mask and uplink data. In some embodiments, the network device may receive the first preamble sequence via a PRACH channel and may receive uplink data via transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence on a PUSCH channel.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence may be obtained based on multiplying the second preamble sequence by a target mask.

[0241] Step 1702: Return a response message to the space terminal, wherein the response message includes a fallback response message, and the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence.

[0242] In some embodiments, the network device detects a first preamble sequence carried in the first random access message, can calculate a timing advance of the uplink transmission timing of the space terminal based on the first preamble sequence, and decode uplink data on the transmission resource associated with the first preamble sequence. In some embodiments, the network device can obtain a second preamble sequence based on the first preamble sequence, and calculate the timing advance based on the second preamble sequence.

[0243] When the network device fails to successfully decode the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first preamble sequence, the network device can determine that the first preamble sequence used by the space terminal collides with the preamble sequences used by other space terminals, and the space terminal cannot access the network through the first preamble sequence, so that the network device can send a fallback response message to the space terminal.

[0244] The fallback response message may be the fallback MsgB in the two-step random access process.

[0245] Among them, the fallback response message carries the time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is used by the space terminal to adjust the uplink transmission timing.

[0246] The fallback response message may include second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the response message is a fallback response message.

[0247] In some embodiments, the uplink data sent by the space terminal also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. If the network device fails to successfully decode the uplink data on the transmission resources associated with the first leading sequence, the identity carried in the fallback response message does not match the identity of the space terminal.

[0248] In some embodiments, the fallback response message may be sent to the space terminal via the PDCCH.

[0249] Step 1703: Receive a second random access message sent by the space terminal, wherein the second random access message is sent based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the uplink transmission timing is adjusted based on the time advance, the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, and the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask.

[0250] Step 1704: Complete random access based on the second random access message.

[0251] In some embodiments, in response to sending a first random access message to a network device, the space terminal may initiate a MsgB receiving window on the PDCCH channel. When the space terminal receives a backed-off MsgB based on the receiving window, the space terminal may adjust the uplink transmission timing based on the timing advance carried in the backed-off MsgB and reacquire the third preamble sequence. Furthermore, based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the space terminal may send a second random access message carrying the third preamble sequence to the network device.

[0252] The third preamble sequence can be obtained by multiplying the fourth preamble sequence by the target mask. The fourth preamble sequence can be randomly obtained from the preamble sequence set, or obtained from the preamble sequence set by other means, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

[0253] The second random access message may be Msg3 in the two-step random access process.

[0254] In some embodiments, the network device may receive the second random access message through a PUSCH channel.

[0255] In some embodiments, the second random access message also carries the identity of the space terminal for contention resolution. In response to sending the second random access message to the network device, the space terminal can start the receiving window of Msg4 on the PDSCH. When the network device receives Msg3, it can determine the identity of the space terminal that initiated the random access and determine whether to allow the space terminal to access. If the network device allows the space terminal to access, it can send Msg4 carrying the identity of the space terminal to the space terminal. When the space terminal receives Msg4 based on the receiving window of Msg4 and recognizes its own identity in the PDCCH channel or DL-SCH channel, the contention is resolved, and the random access process succeeds and ends.

[0256] The random access method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is that a network device can receive a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, the target mask is associated with the altitude where the space terminal is located, and a response message is returned to the space terminal, wherein the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence, and a second random access message sent by the space terminal is received, wherein the second random access message is sent based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the uplink transmission timing is adjusted based on the time advance, the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask, and random access is completed based on the second random access message. As a result, the space terminal can initiate random access using the first preamble sequence associated with its altitude and complete the random access process, avoiding collisions with preamble sequences used by space terminals at other altitudes, improving the success rate of random access of the space terminal, and thereby improving the efficiency of random access.

[0257] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a space terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., a satellite, access network device, core network function node, core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0258] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0259] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capability, 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 relationship of the hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the above hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable, such as a hardware circuit implemented by a processor as 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 implementing the hardware circuit configuration 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. In addition, 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), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0260] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a random access device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The random access device can be applied to a space terminal. As shown in Figure 18 , the random access device 1800 may include at least one of a transceiver module 1801 and a processing module 1802.

[0261] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 1801 is used to send a first random access message to the network device; wherein, the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located, and is used to receive a response message returned by the network device.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0263] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0264] In some embodiments, a same beam of the network device covers multiple 3D cells, and a first 3D cell and a second 3D cell are located at different heights among the multiple 3D cells.

[0265] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1801 is used to: send absolute position information to the network device, wherein the absolute position information is used to determine the three-dimensional cell where the spatial terminal is located, and determine the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask; and to: receive the target mask sent by the network device.

[0266] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1801 is configured to: send altitude information to a network device, where the altitude information is used to determine a target mask; and receive a target mask sent by the network device.

[0267] In some embodiments, the random access device 1800 may further include: an acquisition module, configured to acquire a target mask from masks corresponding to various heights pre-stored in the space terminal.

[0268] In some embodiments, the response message includes a response message of successful access, and the response message carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, where the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0269] In some embodiments, the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of the uplink sending timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence; accordingly, the processing module 1802 is used to: adjust the uplink sending timing based on the time advance; the transceiver module 1801 is used to: send a second random access message to the network device based on the adjusted uplink sending timing, wherein the second random access message carries a third leading sequence, and the third leading sequence is generated based on the target mask; the processing module 1802 is used to: complete random access based on the second random access message.

[0270] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a random access device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. The random access device can be applied to a network device. As shown in FIG19 , the random access device 1900 may include at least one of a transceiver module 1901 and a processing module 1902.

[0271] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 1901 is used to receive a first random access message sent by the space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located, and is used to return a response message to the space terminal.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

[0273] In some embodiments, the masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

[0274] In some embodiments, a same beam of the network device covers multiple 3D cells, and a first 3D cell and a second 3D cell are located at different heights among the multiple 3D cells.

[0275] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1901 is configured to: receive absolute position information sent by a space terminal;

[0276] Processing module 1902 is configured to determine the 3D cell where the space terminal is located based on the absolute position information; and to determine a mask corresponding to the height of the 3D cell as a target mask;

[0277] The transceiver module 1901 is used to send a target mask to the space terminal.

[0278] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1901 is configured to: receive altitude information sent by a space terminal;

[0279] The processing module 1902 is configured to: determine a target mask based on the height information;

[0280] The transceiver module 1901 is used to send a target mask to the space terminal.

[0281] In some embodiments, the response message includes a response message of successful access, and the response message carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, where the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

[0282] In some embodiments, the response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a time advance of the uplink transmission timing, and the time advance is obtained based on the first leading sequence; accordingly, the transceiver module 1901 is used to: receive a second random access message sent by the space terminal, wherein the second random access message is sent based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the uplink transmission timing is adjusted based on the time advance, the second random access message carries a third leading sequence, and the third leading sequence is generated based on the target mask; the processing module 1902 is used to: complete random access based on the second random access message.

[0283] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2000 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 2000 can be a network device (e.g., a satellite, access network device, core network device, etc.), a space terminal (e.g., a mobile phone, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports a space terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 2000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0284] As shown in Figure 20, the communication device 2000 includes one or more processors 2001. The processor 2001 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control communication devices (such as base stations, baseband chips, terminals, terminal chips, distributed units (DUs) or centralized units (CUs), etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 2001 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 2000 to execute any of the above methods.

[0285] In some embodiments, the communication device 2000 further includes one or more memories 2002 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memory 2002 may also be external to the communication device 2000.

[0286] In some embodiments, the communication device 2000 further includes one or more transceivers 2003. When the communication device 2000 includes one or more transceivers 2003, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 2003, and the other steps are performed by the processor 2001.

[0287] In some embodiments, the transceiver 2003 may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. In some embodiments, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0288] In some embodiments, the communication device 2000 further includes one or more interface circuits 2004, which are connected to the memory 2002. The interface circuits 2004 can be used to receive signals from the memory 2002 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 2002 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 2004 can read instructions stored in the memory 2002 and send the instructions to the processor 2001.

[0289] The communication device 2000 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a space terminal, but the scope of the communication device 2000 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 2000 may not be limited by FIG. 20. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs. In some embodiments, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal, an intelligent terminal, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0290] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 2100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 2000 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 2100 shown in FIG21 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0291] The chip 2100 includes one or more processors 2101 , and the processor 2101 is used to call instructions so that the chip 2100 executes any of the above methods.

[0292] In some embodiments, chip 2100 further includes one or more interface circuits 2102, which are connected to memory 2103. Interface circuits 2102 can be used to receive signals from memory 2103 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 2103 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 2102 can read instructions stored in memory 2103 and send the instructions to processor 2101. In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver are interchangeable.

[0293] In some embodiments, the chip 2100 further includes one or more memories 2103 for storing instructions. In some embodiments, all or part of the memories 2103 may be external to the chip 2100.

[0294] The present disclosure also proposes a communication system, which includes: a space terminal and a network device; wherein the above-mentioned space terminal is configured to execute the method described in the first aspect or the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the above-mentioned network device is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0295] The present disclosure also provides a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 2000, the communication device 2000 executes any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. In some embodiments, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. In some embodiments, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a transient storage medium.

[0296] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 2000, enables the communication device 2000 to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the program product is a computer program product.

[0297] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0298] It is understandable that the random access device, space terminal, network device, communication system, storage medium, program product, and computer program are all used to execute the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method and will not be repeated here.

[0299] In some embodiments, terms such as random access method, information processing method, communication method, etc. can be replaced with each other, terms such as random access device, information processing device, communication device, etc. can be replaced with each other, and terms such as information processing system, communication system, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0300] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain 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 certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0301] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0302] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0303] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0304] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0305] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0306] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0307] In some embodiments, “including E”, “comprising E”, “used to indicate E”, and “carrying E” can be interpreted as directly carrying E or indirectly indicating E.

[0308] In some embodiments, terms such as "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 less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "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" can be replaced with each other.

[0309] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0310] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0311] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "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", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0312] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "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. can be used interchangeably.

[0313] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0314] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0315] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0316] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0317] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs. When the computer program is loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0318] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0319] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0320] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A random access method, in, The method comprises: Sending a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the height at which the space terminal is located; Receive a response message returned by the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, The first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, The masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The same beam of the network device covers a plurality of three-dimensional cells, and among the plurality of three-dimensional cells, a first three-dimensional cell and a second three-dimensional cell are located at different heights.

5. The method according to claim 4, in, The method further comprises: Sending absolute position information to the network device, wherein the absolute position information is used to determine the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located, and determining a mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask; The target mask sent by the network device is received.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The method further comprises: Sending altitude information to the network device, wherein the altitude information is used to determine the target mask; The target mask sent by the network device is received.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, The method further comprises: The target mask is obtained from the masks corresponding to the various heights pre-stored in the space terminal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The response message includes a response message of successful access, and the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, where the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, and the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence; The method further comprises: Adjusting uplink transmission timing based on the timing advance; Sending a second random access message to the network device based on the adjusted uplink sending timing, wherein the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, and the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask; Random access is completed based on the second random access message.

10. A random access method, in, The method comprises: Receiving a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; A response message is returned to the space terminal.

11. The method according to claim 10, in, The first preamble sequence is obtained by multiplying the second preamble sequence and the target mask.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, in, The masks corresponding to the first height and the second height are orthogonal or quasi-orthogonal to each other.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in, The same beam of the network device covers a plurality of three-dimensional cells, among which a first three-dimensional cell and a second three-dimensional cell are located at different heights.

14. The method according to claim 13, in, The method further comprises: Receiving the absolute position information sent by the space terminal; Based on the absolute position information, determining the three-dimensional cell where the space terminal is located; Determine the mask corresponding to the height of the three-dimensional cell as the target mask; The target mask is sent to the space terminal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, in, The method further comprises: Receiving altitude information sent by the space terminal; Based on the height information, determining the target mask; The target mask is sent to the space terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, in, The response message includes a response message of successful access, and the response message carries a time advance of uplink transmission timing, where the time advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, in, The response message includes a fallback response message, the response message carries a timing advance of uplink transmission timing, and the timing advance is obtained based on the first preamble sequence; The method further comprises: Receiving a second random access message sent by the space terminal, wherein the second random access message is sent based on the adjusted uplink transmission timing, the uplink transmission timing is adjusted based on the time advance, the second random access message carries a third preamble sequence, and the third preamble sequence is generated based on the target mask; Random access is completed based on the second random access message.

18. A random access device, in, The device comprises: A transceiver module, configured to send a first random access message to a network device; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; The transceiver module is also used to receive a response message returned by the network device.

19. A random access device, in, The device comprises: A transceiver module, configured to receive a first random access message sent by a space terminal; wherein the first random access message carries a first preamble sequence, the first preamble sequence is generated based on a target mask, and the target mask is associated with the altitude at which the space terminal is located; The transceiver module is also used to return a response message to the space terminal.

20. A space terminal, in, include: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; The processor is used to call the instruction so that the space terminal executes the random access method described in any one of claims 1-9.

21. A network device, It is characterized in that include: one or more processors; one or more memories for storing instructions; The processor is used to call the instruction so that the network device executes the random access method according to any one of claims 10-17.

22. A communication system, It is characterized in that Including space terminals and network equipment; The space terminal is configured to implement the random access method described in any one of claims 1-9, and the network device is configured to implement the random access method described in any one of claims 10-17.

23. A storage medium storing instructions, It is characterized in that When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device is enabled to execute the random access method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or execute the random access method according to any one of claims 10 to 17.

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